Citation
Kuper, Julie L. & Turanovic, Jillian J. (2019). Adjustment Problems in Early Adulthood Among Victims of Childhood Physical Abuse: A Focus on Adolescent Risk and Protective Factors. Crime & Delinquency. vol. 66 (3) pp. 337-362Abstract
Physical abuse in childhood places individuals at risk for many behavioral and mental health problems in adulthood. Nevertheless, not all abused children will ultimately experience these negative outcomes. Using a subsample of physically abused youth from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we examined whether protective and risk factors in adolescence (intelligence, family attachments, and neighborhood disadvantage) explained why some victims fared better in early adulthood. Outcomes of violent offending, depressive symptoms, and low self-esteem were examined. Family attachments were found to be protective against depressive symptoms and low self-esteem, while the effects of intelligence were more limited. These findings emphasize that there is marked variability in how physically abused children fare in early adulthood.URL
https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128719850499Keyword(s)
childhood physical abuseReference Type
Journal ArticleJournal Title
Crime & DelinquencyAuthor(s)
Kuper, Julie L.Turanovic, Jillian J.