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Transmitting trauma: a systematic review of the risk of child abuse perpetrated by parents exposed to traumatic events

Author

Listed:
  • Edith Montgomery

    (DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture
    University of Copenhagen)

  • Emilie Just-Østergaard

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Signe Smith Jervelund

    (University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

Objectives To review the empirical evidence of a potential association between parental trauma and parental child abuse. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, 4645 publications were identified through a systematic search in PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane. The final number of publications included was 15. Results The prevalence of child abuse was found to be consistently higher in populations exposed to traumatic events (prevalence range 36.0–97.5%) compared with non-exposed groups. Parents exposed to trauma were more likely to abuse their children in all studies, and trauma severity, including a PTSD diagnosis in parents, was associated with perpetration of child abuse in most studies. Such associations appeared to be independent of the type of traumatic event. The findings underscore that trauma does not only affect the individual, but also the family. Conclusions Parental trauma seems to be associated with perpetration of child abuse within the family. Abusive behavior against children could be a potential trauma reaction, which should be considered in preventive strategies aimed at reducing harm in traumatized families.

Suggested Citation

  • Edith Montgomery & Emilie Just-Østergaard & Signe Smith Jervelund, 2019. "Transmitting trauma: a systematic review of the risk of child abuse perpetrated by parents exposed to traumatic events," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(2), pages 241-251, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:64:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s00038-018-1185-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1185-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sriskandarajah, Vathsalan & Neuner, Frank & Catani, Claudia, 2015. "Predictors of violence against children in Tamil families in northern Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 257-265.
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    Cited by:

    1. Heidi Rantanen & Irja Nieminen & Marja Kaunonen & Emmanuelle Jouet & Lidia Zabłocka-Żytka & Giovanni Viganò & Cristina Crocamo & Henrike Schecke & Giedre Zlatkute & Eija Paavilainen, 2022. "Family Needs Checklist: Development of a Mobile Application for Parents with Children to Assess the Risk for Child Maltreatment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Cerdeña, Jessica P. & Rivera, Luisa M. & Spak, Judy M., 2021. "Intergenerational trauma in Latinxs: A scoping review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    3. Joshua S. Yudkin & Sarah E. Messiah, 2019. "Understanding the etiology and impact of hatred globally in a public health context," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(9), pages 1257-1258, December.
    4. Renata Aver Bretanha Ribeiro & Bárbara Borges Rubin & Rochele Dias Castelli & Mariana Bonati Matos & Fernanda Teixeira Coelho & Fábio Monteiro Cunha Coelho & Karen Amaral Tavares Pinheiro & Ricardo Az, 2020. "Childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in pregnant adolescents in Southern Brazil," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(2), pages 197-205, March.

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