Long-Term Effects of Neglect on Violence: Are They Spurious or Indirect?

Citation

Savage, Joanne & Murray, Amanda (2015). Long-Term Effects of Neglect on Violence: Are They Spurious or Indirect?. In Blair, Sheila Royo Maxwell Sampson Lee (Ed.), Violence and Crime in the Family: Patterns, Causes, and Consequences (pp. 189-218).

Abstract

Purpose In the present paper we explore the long-term influence of childhood neglect on violent behavior in the transition to adulthood. In particular, we test whether neglect is spuriously related to violence due to their common association with academic achievement, physical abuse, and general offending. We then ask whether neglect has an indirect effect on violence through its impact on parental attachment, alcohol use, emotional negativity, academic achievement, or staying in school. Methodology/approach We use two waves of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and employ both regression models and INDIRECT, a syntax file that allows for the testing of indirect effects using SPSS (Preacher & Hayes, 2008). Findings We find that the long-term association between childhood neglect and violence in the transition to adulthood is robust in models controlling for GPA, physical abuse, and other forms of offending. Neglect did not have an indirect effect on violence through attachment, negative emotionality, or academic achievement but did have indirect effects on violence through its association with staying in school and with alcohol use. Research implications This set of analyses was exploratory in nature. Further research on neglect should be undertaken, using finely tuned measures and research questions. In addition, our findings imply that the association between neglect and later violent behavior may be intertwined with certain dynamics of physical abuse and alcohol use, which should be further studied.

URL

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/S1530-353520150000009010

Keyword(s)

Violence

Reference Type

Book Chapter

Book Title

Violence and Crime in the Family: Patterns, Causes, and Consequences

Series Title

Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research

Author(s)

Savage, Joanne
Murray, Amanda

Editor(s)

Blair, Sheila Royo Maxwell Sampson Lee

Series Author(s)

Blair, Sampson Lee

Year Published

2015

Volume Number

9

Pages

189-218

DOI

10.1108/S1530-353520150000009010

Reference ID

7414