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Prevalence of Child Maltreatment and Its Association with Parenting Style: A Population Study in Hong Kong

Author

Listed:
  • Camilla K. M. Lo

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

  • Frederick K. Ho

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Rosa S. Wong

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Keith T. S. Tung

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Winnie W. Y. Tso

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Matthew S. P. Ho

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Chun Bong Chow

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

  • Ko Ling Chan

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

  • Patrick Ip

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Previous studies point to a link between parenting style and child maltreatment, but evidence from a Chinese context is lacking. We investigated the association between parenting style and child maltreatment in Hong Kong, and examined whether family socio-economic status and child gender moderate this relationship. Using stratified random sampling, 7585 children in Grade 1 to Grade 3 of 51 schools in Hong Kong were recruited and their parents were invited to complete the questionnaire. The past year weighted prevalence for minor physical abuse, severe/very severe physical abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect were 63.9%, 23.4%, 84.1%, and 23.2%, respectively. Authoritarian parenting was associated with all types of child maltreatment (prevalence ratio (PR) range: 1.10–1.53; p < 0.001), whereas authoritative parenting was associated with a lower risk of all types of child maltreatment (PR range: 0.89–0.97; p < 0.001). Child maltreatment is prevalent in Hong Kong and is strongly associated with parenting style. The association was significantly stronger among girls and those with higher family socioeconomic status. Education to empower parenting skills may alleviate the burden of child maltreatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilla K. M. Lo & Frederick K. Ho & Rosa S. Wong & Keith T. S. Tung & Winnie W. Y. Tso & Matthew S. P. Ho & Chun Bong Chow & Ko Ling Chan & Patrick Ip, 2019. "Prevalence of Child Maltreatment and Its Association with Parenting Style: A Population Study in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:7:p:1130-:d:218137
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ko Ling Chan, 2019. "Child Victimization in the Context of Family Violence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-5, September.
    2. Hung-Kwan So & Gilbert T. Chua & Ka-Man Yip & Keith T. S. Tung & Rosa S. Wong & Lobo H. T. Louie & Winnie W. Y. Tso & Ian C. K. Wong & Jason C. Yam & Mike Y. W. Kwan & Kui-Kai Lau & Judy K. W. Kong & , 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on School-Aged Children’s Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Repeated Measures Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Ashley Stewart-Tufescu & Isabel Garces-Davila & Samantha Salmon & Katerina V. Pappas & Julie-Anne McCarthy & Tamara Taillieu & Sonya Gill & Tracie O. Afifi, 2022. "Child Maltreatment Reporting Practices by a Person Most Knowledgeable for Children and Youth: A Rapid Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Chen, Chen, 2022. "Trajectories and predictors of child abuse in Chinese children aged 4–7 years: A growth mixture model analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).

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