Child maltreatment profiles and adjustment problems in high-risk adolescents.
The purpose of this article is to identify profiles of maltreatment experiences in a sample of high-risk adolescents and to investigate the relationship between the derived profiles and psychological adjustment. Participants are 1,131 youth between the ages of 12 and 18 years involved with publicly funded mental health and social services. Information on physical, sexual, and emotional maltreatment and psychological symptoms are obtained in interviews with adolescents and their primary caregivers. Using latent profile analysis, three maltreatment profiles are identified: "sexual+physical+emotional maltreatment," "physical+emotional maltreatment," and "low maltreatment." Adolescents in the two maltreatment profiles generally have significantly higher scores on symptom scales compared with those in the "low maltreatment" profile, but scores in the two maltreatment profiles do not differ. Findings highlight the need for agencies to identify and provide appropriate intervention for youth who experience multiple types of maltreatment.
Hazen
Andrea L
AL
Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center, and Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, CA, USA.
Connelly
Cynthia D
CD
Roesch
Scott C
SC
Hough
Richard L
RL
Landsverk
John A
JA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology