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Child Maltreatment in Western China: Demographic Differences and Associations with Mental Health

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  • Yueyue Zhou

    (CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China
    Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Yiming Liang

    (CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China
    Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Jin Cheng

    (School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Hao Zheng

    (CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China
    Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Zhengkui Liu

    (CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China
    Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

Abstract

Background: Child maltreatment has become a serious public health and social problem worldwide. However, knowledge regarding the status of child maltreatment in western China is limited. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the status of child maltreatment in western China and its relationship with mental health. Participants and setting: The present study evaluated child maltreatment in a sample of 1511 children ( M age = 11.48 years) from western China. Methods: The participants completed questionnaires designed to collect demographic information and assess their experiences with maltreatment and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Results: In total, 12.3%, 14.0%, 1.3% and 28.1% of the children experienced physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect, respectively, while 186 children (12.3%) experienced multiple types of maltreatment. Boys were more likely to experience maltreatment than girls in most cases. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect had unique effects on depression symptoms. Physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, but not sexual abuse, had unique effects on anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: The children who experienced maltreatment had higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Population-based prevention and educational programs should highlight the serious negative effects of maltreatment, especially emotional abuse and neglect, which have long been ignored in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Yueyue Zhou & Yiming Liang & Jin Cheng & Hao Zheng & Zhengkui Liu, 2019. "Child Maltreatment in Western China: Demographic Differences and Associations with Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:19:p:3619-:d:271176
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosana E Norman & Munkhtsetseg Byambaa & Rumna De & Alexander Butchart & James Scott & Theo Vos, 2012. "The Long-Term Health Consequences of Child Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(11), pages 1-31, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Martina Petrikova & Natalia Kascakova & Jana Furstova & Jozef Hasto & Peter Tavel, 2021. "Validation and Adaptation of the Slovak Version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Qiong Wang & Ruilin Tu & Wei Hu & Xiao Luo & Fengqing Zhao, 2021. "Childhood Psychological Maltreatment and Depression among Chinese Adolescents: Multiple Mediating Roles of Perceived Ostracism and Core Self-Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Yemiao Gao & Yuke Xiong & Xia Liu & Hui Wang, 2021. "The Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Male Adolescents: The Moderating Roles of the Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) Gene and the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Buzohre Eli & Yueyue Zhou & Yiming Liang & Jin Cheng & Jiazhou Wang & Changbing Huang & Xi Xuan & Zhengkui Liu, 2021. "Depression in Children and Adolescents on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Associations with Resilience and Prosocial Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-12, January.
    5. David Cantón-Cortés & María Rosario Cortés & José Cantón, 2020. "Child Sexual Abuse and Suicidal Ideation: The Differential Role of Attachment and Emotional Security in the Family System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, May.

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