Original scientific paper

Multi-type Maltreatment in Childhood and Psychological Adjustment in Adolescence: Questionnaire Study Among Adolescents in Western Herzegovina Canton

Kristina Sesar orcid.org/0000-0003-2406-7114 ; Center for Mental Health, Široki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ivanka Živčić-Bećirević ; Department of Psychology, Rijeka University Faculty of Philosophy, Rijeka, Croatia
Damir Sesar ; Center for Mental Health, Široki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim To determine the prevalence and intercorrelation of different forms of
childhood maltreatment and psychological problems in adolescents in Western
Herzegovina Canton.
Method A questionnaire study was conducted in March 2003 on a convenient
sample of 458 third-grade high-school students (39% boys) aged between
15 and 20 (median age, 17). Data were collected using a sociodemographic
questionnaire, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales
III, Child Maltreatment Questionnaire, Youth Self-Report, and Rosenberg
Self-Esteem Scale. Sociodemographic and family characteristics and exposure
to maltreatment were analyzed as possible predictors of exposure to a particular
type of abuse and subsequent psychological adjustment problems.
Results Out of 458 students, 77% were emotionally abused, 52% physically
abused, 30% neglected, 20% witnessed family violence, and 13% of girls and
21% of boys were sexually abused before the age of 14. Significant association
between the maltreatment by a mother, father, and other adults were
found for emotional and physical abuse and for neglect and witnessing family
violence (r = 0.413-0.541, P<0.001 for all). Significant correlation was found
between all forms of abuse (r = 0.163-0.594, P<0.05), except between sexual
abuse and witnessing family violence (r = 0.048, P = 0.351). Almost two-thirds
of students were exposed to multi-type maltreatment in childhood. Family
characteristics and maltreatment scores significantly predicted anxiety/depression
(R = 0.456, R2 = 0.076), withdrawal (R = 0.389, R2 = 0.049), somatic
complaints (R = 0.437, R2 = 0.059), social problems (R = 0.417, R2 = 0.063),
attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (R = 0.368, R2 = 0.045), rulebreaking
behavior (R = 0.393, R2 = 0.045), aggression (R = 0.437, R2 = 0.078)
(P<0.001 for all), as well as self-esteem (R = 0.371, R2 = 0.035, P = 0.003).
Conclusion Most third-grade high-school students in Western Herzegovina
Canton were exposed to multi-type maltreatment in childhood, regardless of
the war experience. Emotional and physical abuse were most frequently combined
forms of maltreatment. Sociodemographic and family characteristics
and exposure to some forms of abuse were significant predictors of exposure
to other forms of abuse. Exposure to maltreatment in childhood predicted
difficulties in psychological adjustment in adolescence.

Keywords

Multitype Maltreatment; intercorrelation; adjustment problems; physical abuse; adaptation, psychological; adolescent development; child abuse; child abuse, sexual

Hrčak ID:

27243

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/27243

Publication date:

15.4.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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