1-110 - Evaluating the differential effects of multiple domains of violence and adversity exposure among youth

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Childhood violence exposure and adversities can impair several domains of functioning during childhood. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, this plenary session evaluates the effects of different domains of violence and adversity exposure on children’s functioning. These presentations include nationally representative samples, and two of the three papers include longitudinal assessment of childhood outcomes.

The first paper evaluates the relative influence of different types of violence victimizations on clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and aggression among youth. Overall, victimization was associated with clinical levels of symptoms for depression, anxiety, and aggression. Emotional bullying is associated with the largest percentage of predicted variance for anxiety (41%) and depression (47.5%). Emotional child abuse has the most substantial relative importance for aggression (37.8%).

In a longitudinal study, the second paper finds sub-groups with different patterns of out-of-home placement over time due to substantiated child abuse and neglect. Findings suggest that multiple out-of-home placements or more instability of placement was associated not only with greater exposure to adversity and family-level risk factors but also with more negative outcomes during adolescence.

Finally, in the third paper, continuance of aggressive behaviors among aggressive youth with a history of maltreatment (i.e. child abuse and neglect) are estimated and individual and contextual protective influences along with gender differences in associations are tested. Results demonstrate that academic achievement was protective against subsequent aggression among early offending boys.

Findings highlight a need for prevention and screening efforts targeting childhood violence and adversities.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Chair

• Aura Ankita Mishra, Purdue University

Discussant

• Sharon L. Christ, Purdue University

Individual Presentations

• Types of child victimization and associations with clinically-significant levels of anxiety, depression, and aggression - Non-Presenting Author: Lynette M. Renner, University of Minnesota; Non-Presenting Author: Laura Schwab Reese, Purdue University; Non-Presenting Author: Shamra Boel-Studt, Florida State University; Presenting Author: Elizabeth C. Coppola, Purdue University

• Patterns of change over time in children's out-of-home placement: associated risk factors and outcomes - Presenting Author: Aura Ankita Mishra, Purdue University; Non-Presenting Author: Sharon L. Christ, Purdue University

• Protective factors associated with the desistance of violent and aggressive behaviors among early offending maltreated youth - Presenting Author: Terri Lewis, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus