Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Five Types of Child Maltreatment and Subsequent Delinquency: Physical Neglect as the Most Significant Predictor

  • Outcomes of Child Maltreatment and Trauma
  • Published:
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Past researchers have often reported that childhood and adolescent maltreatment increases the likelihood of, or is related to, juvenile criminality. However, research examining how specific types of maltreatment (physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect) relate to later delinquent offense (violent crime, nonviolent crime, status offending, property offending) is minimal. The aim of this study was to augment and expand upon this scant literature. One hundred and sixty one male juvenile delinquents held in six residential treatment facilities in a Midwestern state, were the subjects of this study. Each participant filled out the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Self-Reported Delinquency measure (SRD) in addition to demographic information. We found that physical neglect is the most significant predictor of violent crime, nonviolent crime, property offending, and status offending. Implications are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abram, K. M, Teplin, L. A., Charles, D. R., Longworth, S. L., McClelland G. M., & Dulcan, M. K. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma in youth Juvenile detention. General Psychiatry, 61, 403–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation of a General Strain Theory of crime and delinquency. Criminology, 30, 47–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agnew, R. (2001). Building on the foundation of general strain theory: Specifying the types of strain most likely to lead to crime and delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 38(4), 319–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barth, R. P. (2009). Preventing child abuse and neglect with parent training: Evidence and opportunities. The Future of Children, 19(2), 95–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, D., & Fink, L. (1998). Childhood trauma questionnaire: A retrospective self-report, manual. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, D. P., Ahluvalia, T., Pogge, D., & Handelsman, L. (1997). Validity of the childhood trauma questionnaire in an adolescent psychiatric population. Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(3), 340–348.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burton, D. (2008). An exploratory evaluation of the contribution of personality and childhood sexual victimization to the development of sexually abusive behavior. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 20(1), 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caspi, A., McClay, J., Moffitt, T. E., Mill, J., Martin, J., Craig, I., et al. (2002). Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children. Science, 297(2), 851–854.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2007). Abuse-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for child physical abuse. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/cognitive/cognitive.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Dembo, R., Schmeidler, J., & Childs, K. (2007). Correlates of male and female juvenile offender abuse experiences. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 16(3), 75–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dembo, R., Williams, L., Wothke, W., Schmeidler, J., & Brown, C. H. (1992). The role of family factors, physical abuse, and sexual victimization experiences in high-risk youths’ alcohol and other drug use and delinquency: A longitudinal model. Violence and Victims, 7, 245–266.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eckenrode, J., Laird, M., & Doris, J. (1993). School performance and disciplinary problems among abused and neglected children. Developmental Psychology, 29(1), 53–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, A., & Lutzker, J. R. (2008). Iterations of the SafeCare Model: An evidence-based child maltreatment prevention program. Behavior Modification, 32(5), 736–756.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Egeland, B., Yates, T., Appleyard, K., & van Dulmen, M. (2002). The long-term consequences of maltreatment in the early years: A developmental pathway model to antisocial behavior. Children’s Services, 5, 249–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, D. S., Huizinga, D., & Ageton S. S. (1985). Explaining delinquency and drug use. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Famularo, R., Kinscherff, R., Fenton, T., & Bolduc, S. M. (1990). Child maltreatment histories among runaway and delinquent children. Clinical Pediatrics, 29(12), 713–718.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freyd, J. J., Klest, B., & Deprince, A. P. (2010). Avoiding awareness of betrayal: Comment on Lindblom and Gray (2009). Applied Cognitive Psychology, 24, 20–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutierres, S. E., & Reich, J. W. (1981). A developmental perspective on runaway behavior: Its relationship to child abuse. Child Welfare, 60(2), 89–94.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harrington, D., Black, M. M., Starr, R. H., & Dubowitz, H. (1998). Child neglect: Relation to child temperament and family context. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 68(1), 108–116.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hildyard, K. L., & Wolfe, D. A. (2002). Child neglect: Developmental issues and outcomes. Child Abuse and Neglect, 26, 679–695.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollist, D. R., Hughes, L. A., & Schaible, L. M. (2009). Adolescent maltreatment, negative emotion, and delinquency: An assessment of general strain theory and family-based strain. Journal of Criminal Justice, 37, 379–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, T. O., Smith, C. A., & Thornberry, T. P. (2002). Developmental issues in the impact of child maltreatment on later delinquency and drug use. Criminology, 40, 359–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, J. G., & Widom, C. S. (1999). Childhood victimization, running away and delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 36, 347–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., & Alvarado, R. (1998). Effective family strengthening interventions. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/171121.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Lansford, J. E., Miller-Johnson, S., Berlin, L. J., Dodge, K. A., Bates, J. E., & Pettit, G. S. (2007). Early physical abuse and later violent delinquency: A prospective longitudinal study. Child Maltreatment, 12, 233–245.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leschied, A., Chiodo, D., Nowicki, E., & Rodger, S. (2008). Childhood predictors of adult criminality: A meta-analysis drawn from the prospective longitudinal literature. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 50(4), 435–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manly, J. T., Kim, J. E., Rogosch, F. A., & Cicchetti, D. (2001). Dimensions of child maltreatment and children’s adjustment: Contributions of developmental timing and subtype. Development and Psychopathology, 13, 759–782.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maschi, T. (2006). Unraveling the link between trauma and male delinquency: The cumulative versus differential risk perspective. Social Work, 31(1), 59–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maschi, T., Bradley, C. A., & Morken, K. (2008). Unraveling the link between trauma and delinquency. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 6(2), 136–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersky, J. P., & Reynolds, A. J. (2007). Child maltreatment and violent delinquency: Disentangling main effects and subgroup effects. Child Maltreatment, 12, 246–258.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Millon, T., Millon C., & Davis, R. (1993). Millon adolescent clinical inventory: Manual. Minneapolis: National Computer Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monahan, K. C., Steinberg, L., & Cauffman, E. (2009) Affiliation with antisocial peers, susceptibility to peer influence, and antisocial behavior during the transition to adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 45(6), 1520–1530.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paperny, D. M., & Deisher, R. W. (1983). Maltreatment of adolescents: The relationship to a predisposition toward violent behavior and delinquency. Adolescence, 18, 499–506.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C., Maier, S. F., & Seligman, M. (1995). Learned helpless: A Theory for the age of personal control. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plattner, B., Karnik, N., Jo, B., Hall, R. E, Schallauer, A., Carrion, V., et al. (2007). State and trait emotions in delinquent adolescents. Child Psychiatry Human Development, 38, 155–169.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Puzzanchera, C. (2009). Juvenile arrests 2008. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/228479.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, H. N., & Sickmund, M. (2006). Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/nr2006/downloads/NR2006.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, A., Livingston, M., & Dennison, S. (2008). Transition and turning points: Examining the links between child maltreatment and juvenile offending. Child Abuse and Neglect, 32, 51–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swenson, C. C., Schaeffer, C. M., Henggeler, S. W., Faldowski, R., & Mayhew, A. (2010). Multisystemic therapy for child abuse and neglect: A randomized effectiveness trial. Journal of Family Psychology, 24, 497–507.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (2010). Child Maltreatment 2009. Retreived from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/index.htm#can

    Google Scholar 

  • Widom, C.S. (1989). Child abuse, neglect, and violent criminal behavior. Criminology, 27, 251–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widom, C. S., & Ames, M. A. (1994). Criminal consequences of childhood sexual victimization. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 303–318.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Widom, C. S. & Maxfield, M. G. (1996). A prospective examination of risk for violence among abused and neglected children. In C. F. Ferris & T. Frisso (Eds.), Understanding aggressive behavior in children (pp. 224–237). New York: The New York Academy of Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yates, T. M., & Wekerle, C. (2009). The long-term consequences of childhood emotional maltreatment on development: Maladaptation in adolescence and young adulthood. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33(1), 19–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zingraff, M. T., Leiter, J., Myers, K. A., & Johnson, M. C. (1993). Child maltreatment and youthful problem behavior. Criminology, 31, 173–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Carolina, USA

    Caroline B. R. Evans

  2. Smith College, USA

    David L. Burton

Authors
  1. Caroline B. R. Evans
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David L. Burton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Caroline B. R. Evans.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Evans, C.B.R., Burton, D.L. Five Types of Child Maltreatment and Subsequent Delinquency: Physical Neglect as the Most Significant Predictor. Journ Child Adol Trauma 6, 231–245 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/19361521.2013.837567

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19361521.2013.837567

Keywords

Search

Navigation