How do adults 18-25 describe adulthood after child abuse?
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How do adults 18-25 describe adulthood after child abuse?
Introduction
There is an increasing number of children experiencing child abuse, which will significantly impact their lives in the future. Child abuse contributes to developmental trauma, which can easily cause other developmental issues during childhood and adulthood (Shin et al., 2018). The problems caused by child abuse include distortion of memory/perceptions, reduced consciousness, emotional regulation, relationship problems, lowered self-esteem, and self-respect. These issues may cause a child to involve him/herself in deviant behaviors like crime, drug, and substance abuse, making them have problems with law enforcement agencies. As such, this paper will be providing a literature review of eight scholarly, two non-scholarly, and two website articles, answering the question, “How do adults 18-25 describe adulthood after child abuse?”
Literature Review
Scholarly Sources
Shin et al. (2018) delve into profiles of people who experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and impulsivity. ACEs include household and maltreatment that a child may suffer during the years, predisposing them to the health risks that will affect their lives during young adulthood. The study provides no exploration of vulnerability markers like impulsivity, increasing risky behaviors among individuals affected by adverse childhood experiences. Shin et al. (2018) also describe a survey carried by the CDC to analyze the twenty-six thousand two hundred and twenty-nine adults in five states in the United States, provided that 59.4 percent have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience before turning 18 years. Also, 8.7% were experiencing more than five adverse childhood experienced. They also provide different health risk factors caused by ACEs. Among 54% of adults who have depressive symptoms, 65 percent are alcoholics, 67 percent have suicidal tendencies, and 50 percent have a substance abuse problem. The use of these statistics sourced from previous studies provides that the research is reliable and authentic. Hence, it can be useful for future researchers when researching how ACEs in childhood affect their health during young adulthood. In this regard, ACEs have a significant impact on young adults’ behavior, which increases the risk of them getting mental and physical health problems. There is a meaningful relationship between childhood experiences and the risk of health problems (Shin et al., 2018)
Because ACE is a significant health problem, the ACEs cause impulsivity, which involves situations where individuals react rapidly without considering their reactions’ adverse effects(Shin et al., 2018). The influence of distress causes it. It is a situation that can even occur when the individual is not suffering from psychiatric problems like PSTD. Notably, ACE may lead to personal or third party harm for the victims.
The ACEs also has a significant impact on neurocognitive functioning and emotional reaction. In this regard, there is an increased chance of ACE victims suffering from personality trait problems. The authors recommend that self-regulation be an essential trait during childhood to prevent these problems from affecting a child. However, the article is limited because it relies on previously carried studies in providing literature. As such, there is a need for it to be supplemented with other studies. It does not recommend the need for carrying future studies (Shin et al., 2018).
Petersen et al. (2015) analyzed externalizing behaviors between the age of five and twenty-seven. It provides that the emergence of problems occurs over time, as a high degree of age to age is the most significant factor predisposing children to the risk of externalizing behavior problems. For instance, when children exhibit aggressive behaviors like kicking and biting, they engage in various behaviors like drug and substance abuse, indirect aggression, and delinquency. Changes in age play a critical role in determining the kind of behavior children, adolescents, and young adults depict.
These groups try to remain developmentally relevant to their peers. It is the reason why arrest has a significant relationship with peer deviance in adolescents and young adulthood. Secondly, sex also plays a critical role, as females only can increase detention when they experience stress in the adolescent period. A high rate of arrest has a significant relationship with females’ stress. The same applies to males, where increased pressure predisposes them to the risk of incarceration. The use of statistics in analyzing the two genders’ externalizing behaviors is essential in providing a reader with an overview of how the issue is a community problem affecting one gender more than the other (Petersen et al., 2015).
In summary, Petersen et al. (2015) conclude that successive risk factors in childhood may be predisposing individuals to other risks in the future like stress, stress, illegal drug abuse, alcohol problems, etc. Hence, the study recommends ensuring the protection of children to prevent them from developing externalizing behaviors. Even though it relies on previous literature, it provides a concise analysis of how externalizing behavior problems affect children. Also, the study does not recommend the need for further studies. It is upon the reader to determine areas where more research is needed to create insights into the issue. In this regard, a reader should be read and understand the literature gaps, as Petersen et al. (2015) provided, and determine areas where future research is needed.
This topic of child maltreatment survivors externalizing problematic behaviors in their childhood has been studied numerously. Herruzo et al. (2020) study the effects of neglect on an individual’s adaptive behaviors and physical and mental health. This research examines how children developed problematic internalizing and externalizing behaviors and poor adaptive skills. The authors concentrated on how poverty and neglect play essential roles in adaptive and maladaptive behaviors and how they led to children’s school problems. The study concluded that negligence is the leading risk factor for developing adaptation and survival problems.
Poverty was initially considered to be the main factor in developing adaptation problems. Herruzo et al. (2020) disproved this belief and eliminated the child’s socio-economic background as the primary determinant of adaptation problems. The study answers the main question it asks about child neglect. However, the research focused on the effects of neglect for the child at a young age, but it does not address the possible enduring effects of negligence that can be carried into later life. Similar to other scholarly articles in this review, it also does not recommend the need for further studies.
Hocking, Simons & Surette (2016) provides that previous studies have delved into the relationship between interpersonal trauma and child maltreatment. There is evidence that trauma is high among individuals who have experienced betrayals like maltreatment at guardians and parents’ hands from the analyzed literature. These have been known to increase the risks of individuals suffering from trauma during adulthood. There is no clear explanation of their relationship. As such, the use of attachment theory is useful in providing the level of connection. Attachment theory is the study of the emergence and growth of the relationship between the parent and child and how it affects the child’s subsequent development and behavior. It provides that a lack of secure attachment will be a predisposing factor to the risk of getting trauma. Hence, it will be mediating the association between maltreatment and trauma during adulthood.
Attachment theory is a crucial tool for examining childhood trauma and how it affects the victims into adulthood. Toth & Manly (2018) discuss child malpractice and attachment’s role in leading to developmental risks (particularly in developmental psychopathology). This article addresses child trauma through attachment theory and stresses the importance of a reliable parent-child relationship. Identifying the thresholds between poor parenting, especially parental neglect, and maltreatment may lead to a better understanding of the effects of abuse (Toth & Manly, 2018). The authors also mention a study of the emotional development of 3 months old infants physically abused. The abused children were angry, sad, and fearful during interactions with their mothers. The study concluded that physically abused or neglected infants have a reduced range of emotional responses, and these adverse effects lasted longer and affected the development of the children.
Toth & Manly (2018) and Hocking, Simons & Surette (2016) demonstrates an expert understanding of the attachment theory. The authors brilliantly explain how a parent-child relationship affects an individual’s development. Toth & Manly (2018) recommend an intervention approach known as parent-child psychotherapy, which is also based on attachment theory.
In summary, Toth & Manly (2018) concludes by acknowledging that more research in child abuse needs to be done. Knowledge in this field continues to grow, and there is more research being done. This article admits that this information is not all you need, and researchers need to look into more materials. On the other hand, Hocking, Simons & Surette (2016) conclude that there is a significant relationship between maltreatment in childhood and trauma/anxious attachment experience during adulthood. Both of these studies are limited because they are reviews of previously carried studies. There is a need for supplementation to ensure the literature is adequate and for a well-rounded understanding of the issue at hand.
Johnson & James (2016) examines the long-term consequences of abuse on a child’s development. Systems Theory informs the study. This theory states that systems influence an individual’s life in their social environment. These systems include family members, friends, romantic partners, etc. The systems are interrelated and interconnected, and the interrelation between all parts of an individual’s strategies is important for a satisfactory life (Johnson & James, 2016)
Psychiatric disorders are examples of long-term consequences of child abuse. Johnson & James (2016) recommends an intervention called RationalEmotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to address the potential health consequences of abuse. The authors present a case study, adding to their findings’ relevance by using a real-world occurrence. A possible limitation of the study is that a list of questions was used, and an important question could have been missing.
Currie & Spatz Widom (2010) delves into the long term effects of abuse on adults. It especially concentrates on the economic status and productivity of adults with histories of child abuse. The study concluded that adults who were abused or maltreated as children were generally less productive. They had lower levels of education and earnings. There was also a noticeable gap in the employment probability between maltreated adults and children from loving households. Abuse also appears to impact women a lot more than men (Currie & Spatz Widom, 2010). The study reveals research which concludes that up to 62% of abused individuals were in semi-skilled occupations.
In summary, Currie & Spatz Widom (2010) concludes that child maltreatment has long-term consequences on adults’ economic outcomes. These adults also had lower IQ scores. The authors go a step further to break down how differently men and women are affected by maltreatment. The study offers more materials for further studies. Currie & Spatz Widom (2010) analyzes other research materials to support their conclusions.
Moore & Riley (2015) looks at different kinds of problems due to prenatal alcohol exposure. They are called FASDs (fetal alcohol spectrum), which have a lifelong effect on children even when they are getting to adulthood. For instance, it has a significant impact on the brain and neurobehavioral problems, affecting them during childhood. Similarly, the children may experience issues like becoming school dropouts, facing arrests because of delinquent acts, and indulge in substance and abuse problems as a coping mechanism to deal with FASDs. It is a different situation for children who are not affected by FASDs, as they would likely finish school, not engage in a delinquent act or use illegal substances and avoid problems with the law enforcement agencies.
The health impacts caudex by PAE is not known. However, animal models provide that they may continue to lifestyle conditions like HTN, DM, cancers, and reduced immunity. The study is limited to literature, as it relies on studies carried previously, implying that it has to be supplemented to be adequate (Moore & Riley, 2015).
Non-scholarly Source
Physical development in early adulthood | Lifespan development (n.d.) provides how children may experience different forms of abuse: sexual abuse, substance abuse, and violence, affecting their lives. Various forms of child abuse prevent the children from achieving autonomy, establishing identity, having a career, and affect their relationships with peers. It is only useful in revealing academic interest information even though the concepts have been proven valid. A researcher may not look for them, as they do not offer the best sources for interesting topics. Besides, they can be written with the scholars who are not in the field of study, and they do not have references to enable a reader to understand the gaps in the literature. Hence, this article does not offer the best literature to be used when carrying a study.
HelpGuide is an independently funded non-profit that spreads awareness on child abuse and neglect. They address myths about child maltreatment and dive into the long-term consequences. They list a lack of trust, a feeling of worthlessness, and irregular emotions as some effects of abuse. HelpGuide goes on to explain the different types of abuse. While they have a lot of useful information, they are not reviewed by professionals like scholarly articles. It is also hard to know their sources and whether an expert is involved.
Website
VISTAS Online is an online publication for the American Counseling Association. On their website, they cover childhood sexual abuse and counseling implications. Among the effects listed are eating disorders, anxiety, depression, repression, and relationship problems. They also list the importance of counseling on survivors and how they can overcome the adverse effects. This website can be reliable because it is sponsored by a trusted organization, the American Counseling Organization.
Child abuse – Symptoms and causes (2018) is an article found on Mayo Clinic’s website (www.mayoclinic.org/diseases), proving an overview of how children who experience child abuse will have significant problems during young adulthood. Abuse of children occurs when they are purposely injured or at risk of harm. There are various forms of abuses like sexual, physical, emotional, medical abuse, and neglect. They are carried by someone close to children like parents and relatives. It recommends the need for reporting child abuse as the primary aim of preventing the problem. The website’s use in analyzing the challenges affecting young adults who have experienced child abuse provides real-time information about the current occurrences and data. However, the information may be inaccurate, making it necessary to use scholarly sources.
Conclusion
In summary, the paper provides how young adults (people aged between eighteen and twenty-five) who had experienced child abuse experiences a vast array of issues. There are various forms of abuses like sexual, physical, emotional, medical abuse, and neglect. These forms of abuse are carried to children by those close to them as relatives and parents. It is essential for individuals witnessing child abuse to report it to authorities, as this will help prevent them from having adverse child experiences (ACEs), which will affect them during young adulthood. The paper has also looked at the literature gaps, limitations, and recommendations for future studies. As such, scholarly reviews carried uses of previous literature, implying that they must be supplemented with other studies. For non-scholarly sources, it is limited because it can be written by anyone interested in child abuse.
References
Hocking, E. C., Simons, R. M., & Surette, R. J. (2016). Attachment style as a mediator between childhood maltreatment and the experience of betrayal trauma as an adult. Journal of Child abuse & neglect, 52, 94-101. Doi: 10.1007/s10896-012-9417-5
Child Abuse and Neglect – HelpGuide.org. Helpguide.org. (2020). Retrieved October 15, 2020, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm.
Child abuse – symptoms and causes. (2018, October 5). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20370864
Currie, J., & Spatz Widom, C. (2010). Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect on Adult Economic Well-Being. Child Maltreatment, 15(2), 111-120. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559509355316
Hall, M., & Hall, J. (2011). The long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse: Counseling implications. Retrieved from http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas11/Article_19
Herruzo, C., Raya Trenas, A., Pino, M., & Herruzo, J. (2020). Study of the Differential Consequences of Neglect and Poverty on Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior in Children. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 17(3), 739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030739
Johnson, E.J. & James, C. (2016) Effects of child abuse and neglect on adult survivors, Early Child Development and Care, 186:11, 1836-1845, DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2015.1134522
Moore, E. M., & Riley, E. P. (2015). What happens when children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders become adults? Journal of Current developmental disorders reports, 2(3), 219-227.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-015-0053-7
Petersen, I. T., Bates, J. E., Dodge, K. A., Lansford, J. E., & Pettit, G. S. (2015). Describing and predicting developmental profiles of externalizing problems from childhood to adulthood. Journal of Development and Psychopathology, 27(3), 791.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4344932/
Physical development in early adulthood | Lifespan development. (n.d.). Lumen Learning – Simple Book Production. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-lifespandevelopment/chapter/physical-development-in-early-adulthood/
Shin, S. H., McDonald, S. E., & Conley, D. (2018). Profiles of adverse childhood experiences and impulsivity. Journal of Child abuse & neglect, 85, 118-126.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6214760/
Toth, S., & Manly, J. (2018). Developmental Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect: Implications for Intervention. Child Development Perspectives, 13(1), 59-64. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12317