S A Maguire1, B Williams2, A M Naughton3, L E Cowley1, V Tempest1, M K Mann4, M Teague5, A M Kemp1. 1. College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. 2. ST6 Community Child Health, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. 3. Safeguarding Children Service, Public Health Wales NHS Trust, Cardiff, UK. 4. Support Unit for Research Evidence, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. 5. Masters in Education Programme, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Interventions to minimize the long-term consequences of neglect or emotional abuse rely on prompt identification of these children. This systematic review of world literature (1947-2012) identifies features that children aged 5-14 years experiencing neglect or emotional abuse, as opposed to physical or sexual abuse, may exhibit. METHODS: Searching 18 databases, utilizing over 100 keywords, supplemented by hand searching, 13,210 articles were identified and 111 underwent full critical appraisal by two independent trained reviewers. RESULTS: The 30 included studies highlighted behavioural features (15 studies), externalizing features being the most prominent (8/9 studies) and internalizing features noted in 4/6 studies. Four studies identified attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) associated features: impulsivity, inattention or hyperactivity. Child difficulties in initiating or developing friendships were noted in seven studies. Of 13 studies addressing emotional well-being, three highlighted low self-esteem, with a perception of external control (1), or depression (6) including suicidality (1). A negative internal working model of the mother increased the likelihood of depression (1). In assessing cognition or academic performance, lower general intelligence (3/4) and reduced literacy and numeracy (2) were reported, but no observable effect on memory (3). CONCLUSIONS: School-aged children presenting with poor academic performance, ADHD symptomatology or abnormal behaviours warrant assessment of neglect or emotional abuse as a potential underlying cause.
BACKGROUND: Interventions to minimize the long-term consequences of neglect or emotional abuse rely on prompt identification of these children. This systematic review of world literature (1947-2012) identifies features that children aged 5-14 years experiencing neglect or emotional abuse, as opposed to physical or sexual abuse, may exhibit. METHODS: Searching 18 databases, utilizing over 100 keywords, supplemented by hand searching, 13,210 articles were identified and 111 underwent full critical appraisal by two independent trained reviewers. RESULTS: The 30 included studies highlighted behavioural features (15 studies), externalizing features being the most prominent (8/9 studies) and internalizing features noted in 4/6 studies. Four studies identified attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) associated features: impulsivity, inattention or hyperactivity. Child difficulties in initiating or developing friendships were noted in seven studies. Of 13 studies addressing emotional well-being, three highlighted low self-esteem, with a perception of external control (1), or depression (6) including suicidality (1). A negative internal working model of the mother increased the likelihood of depression (1). In assessing cognition or academic performance, lower general intelligence (3/4) and reduced literacy and numeracy (2) were reported, but no observable effect on memory (3). CONCLUSIONS: School-aged children presenting with poor academic performance, ADHD symptomatology or abnormal behaviours warrant assessment of neglect or emotional abuse as a potential underlying cause.
Authors: Christina A Laurenzi; Sarah Skeen; Phillip Sundin; Xanthe Hunt; Robert E Weiss; Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus; Mark Tomlinson Journal: Glob Public Health Date: 2019-08-19
Authors: Howard Dubowitz; Scott Roesch; Amelia M Arria; Richard Metzger; Richard Thompson; Jonathan B Kotch; Terri Lewis Journal: Child Abuse Negl Date: 2019-06-15
Authors: Jenalee R Doom; Michelle Rozenman; Kathryn R Fox; Tiffany Phu; Anni R Subar; Deborah Seok; Kenia M Rivera Journal: Dev Psychopathol Date: 2021-12-07
Authors: Petra Majdak; Elizabeth L Grogan; Joseph V Gogola; Anastassia Sorokina; Stephen Tse; Justin S Rhodes Journal: Behav Brain Res Date: 2016-07-19 Impact factor: 3.332
Authors: S Kilian; J K Burns; S Seedat; L Asmal; B Chiliza; S Du Plessis; M R Olivier; M Kidd; R Emsley Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-01-20 Impact factor: 3.240