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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Dysfunctional maltreatment-related cognitions in children and adolescents

Authors: Anke de Haan, Helene G. Ganser, Annika Münzer, Andreas Witt, Lutz Goldbeck

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Dysfunctional trauma-related cognitions correlate highly with chronic stress. Studies on maltreatment-related cognitions and their predictors in children and adolescents are rare.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 231 children aged 8–17 years who had experienced maltreatment including domestic violence, emotional abuse, neglect, physical, and sexual abuse. Using multiple linear regression analysis, gender, age, index-event, multi-type maltreatment, out-of-home-care, and migration background were investigated as possible predictors of dysfunctional maltreatment-related cognitions. Additionally, the associations between dysfunctional cognitions and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as well as further internalizing and externalizing symptoms were calculated.

Results

Gender emerged as a significant predictor of dysfunctional maltreatment-related cognitions. Moreover, there was an interaction effect of gender and age, with female adolescents showing most dysfunctional cognitions. Furthermore, experiencing five different maltreatment types had an impact, leading to more dysfunctional cognitions compared to single-type maltreatment. Dysfunctional maltreatment-related cognitions correlated highly with PTSS and internalizing symptoms, and moderately with externalizing symptoms.

Conclusions

Dysfunctional maltreatment-related cognitions are associated with psychological symptoms after maltreatment and, therefore, need to be addressed in assessment and treatment.
Trial registration DRKS00003979. Registered 03 July 2012
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Metadata
Title
Dysfunctional maltreatment-related cognitions in children and adolescents
Authors
Anke de Haan
Helene G. Ganser
Annika Münzer
Andreas Witt
Lutz Goldbeck
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-017-0168-1

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