Child Maltreatment and Mental Health: Examining Social Support’s Mediating Effects

• In Event: Child Abuse: Exploring and Overcoming its Long-term Effects

Abstract

Exposure to child maltreatment is related to a range of negative mental health outcomes. What is less understood, however, is why some victims do not develop these negative outcomes. To better understand differences in mental health outcomes for victims of child maltreatment, we examine the differential mediating effects of social support on mental health. In doing so, we explore both source and type of social support. It is expected that experiencing child maltreatment will increase the probability of depression and anxiety, but social support is expected to mediate the relationship between maltreatment and mental health outcomes. Structural equation modeling is used with data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to investigate these relationships. Directions for future research and policy implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Andia Azimi, Georgia State University

• Leah E. Daigle, Georgia State University