The Intergenerational Transmission of Child Physical Abuse: Pre and Postnatal Substance Use and Abuse

• In Event: 434 - Section on Children and Youth Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 03. Vulnerable and At-Risk Youth

Abstract

Child physical abuse (CPA) is associated with a myriad of negative physical and mental health outcomes. This study aims to better understand the effect of past experience of CPA on the potential to physically abuse one’s child directly and indirectly through pre- and postnatal substance abuse. This study draws on data from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The analyses are based on a sample of 620 mothers aged 18-27 (with a mean age of 22 years). Results of multivariate regression analyses find that a mother's prenatal substance use is not associated with the likelihood of abusing her own child. However, mother's past experience of CPA and her current drinking are both directly associated with an increased likelihood of abusing her own child.

Author

• Nicholas Alexander Adams, University of New Hampshire