Child Maltreatment and Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Outcomes: An Exploration of Biopsychosocial Determinants and Implications for Prevention

Divya Mehta; Adrian B Kelly; Kristin R Laurens; Divna Haslam; Kate E Williams; Kerryann Walsh; Philip R A Baker; Hannah E Carter; Nigar G Khawaja; Oksana Zelenko; Ben Mathews

doi:10.1007/s10578-021-01258-8

Child Maltreatment and Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Outcomes: An Exploration of Biopsychosocial Determinants and Implications for Prevention

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2023 Apr;54(2):421-435. doi: 10.1007/s10578-021-01258-8. Epub 2021 Sep 29.

Authors

Divya Mehta^#^{1

2

3}, Adrian B Kelly^#^{4

5

6}, Kristin R Laurens^#^{2

7

8}, Divna Haslam^#^{2

9}, Kate E Williams^#^{2

10

11}, Kerryann Walsh^#^{2

10

11}, Philip R A Baker^#^{2

12}, Hannah E Carter^#^{2

12}, Nigar G Khawaja^#^{2

8}, Oksana Zelenko², Ben Mathews^#^{2

13

14}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
² Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
³ School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
⁴ Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia. a.kelly@qut.edu.au.
⁵ Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia. a.kelly@qut.edu.au.
⁶ School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia. a.kelly@qut.edu.au.
⁷ Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
⁸ School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
⁹ Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
¹¹ Centre for Child & Family Studies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
¹² School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
¹³ School of Law, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
¹⁴ Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Child maltreatment rates remain unacceptably high and rates are likely to escalate as COVID-related economic problems continue. A comprehensive and evidence-building approach is needed to prevent, detect and intervene where child maltreatment occurs. This review identifies key challenges in definitions, overviews the latest data on prevalence rates, reviews risk and protective factors, and examines common long-term mental health outcomes for children who experience maltreatment. The review takes a systems approach to child maltreatment outcomes through its focus on the overall burden of disease, gene-environment interactions, neurobiological mechanisms and social ecologies linking maltreatment to mental ill-health. Five recommendations relating to the accurate measurement of trends, research on brain structures and processes, improving the reach and impact of teleservices for detecting, preventing and treating child maladjustment, community-based approaches, and building population-focused multidisciplinary alliances and think tanks are presented.

Keywords: Child abuse and neglect; Child maltreatment; Community-based prevention; Family-oriented prevention; Outcomes; School-based prevention.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / prevention & control
Child
Child Abuse* / prevention & control
Child Abuse* / psychology
Humans
Mental Disorders* / epidemiology
Mental Disorders* / prevention & control
Mental Health
Prevalence