Abstract
This literature review aims to synthesize findings from recent research on neglect and child abuse. Despite a growing body of studies on the prevalence and outcome of child maltreatment, many gaps remain in our understanding of this complex problem. The first section of this review will focus on recent predictions of the prevalence of harming young ones and associated risk factors.
The second section will discuss child maltreatment’s long-term and short-term consequences, focusing on psychological, cognitive, and health outcomes. The third section will explore nurses’ attitudes toward hierarchies and systems that determine their responses to endangering the lives of a child. Taken together, these findings highlight the need for continued research on child maltreatment and more effective interventions to prevent and respond to this problem.
Introduction
Neglect and child abuse are serious problems that can have long-term consequences for victims. The literature on cruelty to young ones is vast and covers many different topics. Maltreating a child is any physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment or neglect of a child under 18 by a parent, guardian, or other caregivers (Zeanah & Humphreys, 2018). The effects of mistreating young ones can be divided into health outcomes, psychological, and cognitive.
Strathearn et al. (2020) conducted a meta-analysis and a systematic review of the literature on the effects of cruelty to underage. They found that ill-using children is associated with worse cognitive, health, and psychological outcomes. Nurses’ perceptions of endangering the lives of a child can be shaped by different factors, including systems and hierarchies within the healthcare setting. Lines et al. (2020) conducted a qualitative study of nurses’ perceptions of mistreatment. They found that nurses’ perceptions were shaped by the healthcare system’s hierarchical structure and their personal experiences with neglect and child abuse.
Literature Review
Research Process
The study by Zeanah and Humphreys (2018) examined the prevalence of maltreatment of offspring and its effects on children. The researchers used a sample of children from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (Zeanah & Humphreys, 2018). The children in the sample were between the ages of 4 and 17. The researchers used various measures to examine the prevalence of cruelty to underage children, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale, and the Conflict Tactics Scale (Zeanah & Humphreys, 2018). The researchers also looked at the effects of neglect and child abuse on children’s mental health, using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Beck Depression Inventory.
Another article reviewed addresses research conducted by Lines et al. (2020). The research applied data from the Neglect Data Collection and the Australian National Child Abuse to examine the long-term outcomes of handling children roughly. The data included information on more than 8,000 individuals who had been abused or neglected as children (Lines et al., 2020). The researchers used various methods to examine the data, including surveys, interviews, and medical records.
The third source referred to during the study expounds on research conducted by Strathearn et al. (2020). Strathearn et al. (2020) used a qualitative study that involved interviews with nurses who worked in various settings. The interviews were audio-recorded, analyzed, and transcribed using thematic analysis. The fundamental themes that emerged from the data were nurses’ views on hierarchies and systems, and their approach to ill-using children.
Research Outcomes
The findings of Zeahan and Humphreys’ (2018) research on neglect and child abuse are both alarming and eye-opening. Their study found that nearly one in every four children is likely to experience child abuse in their lifetime in the United States. The finding is a startling statistic and one that should be of great concern to all adults. In addition, the study also found that the vast majority of child brutality is perpetrated by someone the child knows and trusts, such as a parent or other family member. This finding underscores the need for adults to watch for signs of abuse or neglect, even in people who seem trustworthy.
The research findings of Strathearn et al. (2020) suggest that child abuse can have psychological, cognitive, and health outcomes. The study found that abused and neglected children were more likely to have poor mental health outcomes, lower cognitive functioning, and poorer physical health as adults. The findings of this study suggest that neglect and child abuse can have lasting effects on children’s well-being and health.
Lines et al. (2020) found that nurses’ perceptions of hierarchies and systems significantly shape their reaction to endangering the lives of a child. The findings suggest that nurses often feel powerless to act when they witness or suspect child abuse due to the bureaucratic nature of their organizations. The nature of their work leads to frustration and helplessness, which can ultimately hinder their ability to intervene effectively.
Discussion
Alternative Explanations of Research Outcomes
According to the study by Zeanah and Humphreys (2018), children are more likely to be abused or neglected by someone they know and trust. In other words, most neglect and child abuse cases occur within the home and are perpetrated by a family member or caretaker. This explanation is supported by the study finding that nearly 80% of cruelty to underage cases involve someone the child knows (Zeanah & Humphreys, 2018). To protect children from harm, parents and guardians must be able to identify when they are at risk.
An alternative explanation for these outcomes is that it is not the abuse or neglect that causes these outcomes but rather the fact that these individuals come from disadvantaged backgrounds (Strathearn et al., 2020). Strathearn et al. (2020) found no direct causal relationship between lack of caregiver support and the long-term outcomes. However, the study found that child maltreatment is a risk factor for these outcomes. The information is paramount for policymakers, service providers, and parents. Thus, this study’s findings can help inform policies and programs that aim to prevent children’s maltreatment and to support those affected by it.
According to Lines et al. (2020), there should be a shift away from hierarchical structures that silence employees and enable abuse. Instead, organizations should promote a culture of openness and transparency, where employees feel comfortable speaking up about potential abuse. Only then will nurses be able to make a change in the lives of abused children truly. If accorded the opportunity, nurses can be a perfect solution to mitigating the mistreatment of children.
Relevance of Findings to Individuals’ Lives
The findings of the three studies are highly relevant to society. In the first study, Zeanah and Humphreys (2018) enlighten the community that mistreating children is associated with several adverse outcomes in children, including increased risks for psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and poor outcomes in adulthood. In the second study, Strathearn et al. (2020) inform the audience that, according to children, limited care is associated with some adverse outcomes, including increased risks for cognitive problems, psychological problems, and poor health outcomes in adulthood. In the third study, Lines et al. (2020) found that nurses’ view of hierarchies and systems can shape their ideologies on children’s caregivers being unaware. These findings affirm that being unkind to children is linked with many adverse outcomes in children and that nurses’ perceptions of hierarchies.
Conclusion
The findings of the present review have important implications for practice. In particular, they highlight the need for better training and education for nurses on identifying and responding to child abuse. Additionally, they underscore the significance of early intervention and prevention to reduce the lifelong consequences of child abuse. To ensure the tragedy is mitigated, policies should be developed to advocate prioritization of adherence to children’s rights.
References
Lines, L. E., Grant, J. M., & Hutton, A. (2020). Nurses’ perceptions of systems and hierarchies shaping their responses to child abuse and neglect. Nursing Inquiry, 27(2), e12342. Web.
Strathearn, L., Giannotti, M., Mills, R., Kisely, S., Najman, J., & Abajobir, A. (2020). Long-term cognitive, psychological, and health outcomes associated with child abuse and neglect. Pediatrics, 146(4), 3-10. Web.
Zeanah, C. H., & Humphreys, K. L. (2018). Child abuse and neglect. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(9), 637–644. Web.