Background: Childhood adversity is linked to a number of adult health and psychosocial outcomes; however, it is not clear how to best assess and model childhood adversity reported by adolescents with known maltreatment exposure. Objective: This study sought to identify an empirically-supported measurement model of childhood adversity for…

The current investigation reports the results of a randomized controlled trial of a brief, relational intervention for maltreated preschool-aged children and their mothers, called Reminiscing and Emotion Training (RET). RET facilitates elaborative and emotionally supportive parent-child communication, which is an essential component of the…

The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a form of childhood sexual abuse involving the sexual exploitation of youth for economic gain. School-based CSEC prevention efforts have increased in recent years. While these efforts represent important progress in school-based efforts to prevent CSEC, the literature indicates that they…

Purpose: The study investigated whether sibling relationships influenced the outcomes of a sample of adoptive placements in England and Wales that had broken down postorder or were in crisis. Method: The study used secondary analysis drawing on in-depth interviews with 41 families who had experienced an adoption disruption and 42 families who…

Traditionally defined, Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, include experiences of child maltreatment and other family problems such as domestic violence and parental incarceration. These ACEs are common, frequently co-occur, and are associated with a whole host of negative social outcomes, health risk behaviors, psychiatric and substance use…

Boys Town has created a program called In-Home Family Services to deliver help to families in stress. In-home family intervention programs have become widely used to help more families who are at risk and experiencing difficulties with a wide range of problems including domestic violence, child behavior problems, parent-child and family…

Researchers have identified four common co-occurring parental risk factors--substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and child conduct problems--that lead to child maltreatment. The extent to which maltreatment prevention programs must directly address these risk factors to improve responsiveness to parenting programs or can directly…

A Responsiveness Index, measuring the extent to which an abusive parent had responded positively to various common interventions revealed variables with predictive significance: number of abused children in the family, number of birth and bonding problems, and number of previous contacts with other agencies by family members. (Author/CL)

The report analyzes the scope of child sexual abuse and reviews treatment approaches to the problem. A tentative definition of child sexual abuse is offered, and incidence figures are examined. Family dynamics surrounding incest are described, as are effects on children and families. Characteristics of successful treatment and prevention…

Recent litigation of child abuse cases indicates that two contradictory policies compete for court approval. One policy would reduce the amount of intervention into abusive families on grounds of privacy. The other seeks to maintain and expand channels of investigation and treatment. Journal Availability: American Academy of Pediatrics, P.O. 1304,…

The booklet presents basic facts about child abuse. It is intended for the person who knows very little about the problem but wants to get involved in finding some solutions for the future. Initial sections touch on the nature and scope of abuse. Physical, emotional, sexual, social, and educational types of abuse are examined, and myths related to…

The special issue features 11 articles on the topic of child sexual abuse. Aspects of family dynamics, social services intervention, and school programs are discussed. (CL)

This paper reviews studies of the link between parental substance abuse and child maltreatment and then explores standardized methods developed for screening for substance abuse among various populations and suggests ways of adapting these screening devices for families reported for child maltreatment. Assessment and treatment considerations in…

Describes the genesis, purpose, goals and activities of parent education and family advocacy programs which are presented as two models for non-traditional intervention methods of working with high-risk families. (ED)

Child Abuse is examined from an epidemiological viewpoint. (RW)