Long-Term Health Consequences of Child Abuse

Norman RE, Byambaa M, De R, Butchart A, Scott J, et al. (2012) The Long-Term Health Consequences of Child Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS Medicine 9(11): e1001349. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001349

In their article “The Long-Term Health Consequences of Child Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” published in PLOS Medicine, Norman, Byambaa, De, Butchart, Scott, and Ves suggest that there is a relationship between non-sexual child maltreatment and a range of mental disorders.  This article supports its claim by describing a systematic review, meta-analysis, and observations.  The purpose of this article is to show the evidence that abuse can be linked to mental and physical health problems.  This article was written for the medical community and uses research evidence to inform the reader on their findings. 

I found this article on the library search engine, Google Scholar.  I typed in “long term health problems abused children suffer.”  There were over 2000 articles but I chose this one because it was the only one I found that covered all four forms of abuse.  PLOS Medicine is a peer-reviewed open-access journal.  They follow guidelines for submission requirements issued by the International Committee for Medical Journal Editors.  It is held to the highest level of ethical standards in medical research.  This article will be useful to me because it provides information that explains how abuse is linked to later health problems.

Health and behavior problems can linger after child abuse

Everyone is aware of the immediate affects child abuse has on children, but what are the long term affects?  New studies have found that "Children who have suffered from abuse or neglect may have physical or behavioral health problems even after the mistreatment stops."  This was a study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Chronic stress has been linked to behavior problems in children who have suffered from abuse and/or neglect.  Health problems from chronic stress can include delayed development, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.  It is very important to figure out if chronic stress is behind children behavioral problems.  Finding this out can help to treat these children and help them to live a healthy life.