NCJ Number
244610
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 22 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2013 Pages: 354-366
Date Published
October 2013
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper assessed the degree and nature of any mismatch between officially recognized child maltreatment and adolescent self-report of adverse child experiences.
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to assess the degree and nature of any mismatch between officially recognized child maltreatment and adolescent self-report of adverse child experiences. Participants included 136 adolescents (72 males, 64 females, Mage=17 years, age range 14-23 years) who had been confirmed as victims of maltreatment prior to age 13 by Child Protective Services. Participants' self-reports were obtained in adolescence, at least 4 years after identification. Physical neglect was the most prevalent experience found in the records (87 percent, n=118). When this experience was assessed through self-report, only 36 percent (n=49) of participants reported physical neglect. Sexual abuse was self-reported by 17 percent (n=23) of the sample, compared with 8 percent (n=11) in the records. Only 17 percent (n=23), a small number of self-reports, were consistent with official records. Kappa values show that agreement is low (under 0.40) for 7 of the 10 categories. The findings suggest substantial unreliability in the reporting of child abuse and neglect, including household adverse experiences. The findings also suggest the failure of professionals to discover several adverse experiences during childhood, even after identification by authorities. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.