Research Monographs

Understanding experiences of abuse and violence among children and youths- A life course perspective

Understanding experiences of abuse and violence among children and youths- A life course perspective

  • Author

    Ryu, Jeong-Hee

  • Publication Date

    2018

  • Pages

  • Series No.

  • Language

Recent research has demonstrated the importance of studying multiple forms of violence victimization during childhood (Finkelhor, Ormrod, & Turner, 2007). Children who have experienced poly-victimization in childhood are more likely to have elevated levels of lifetime adversities and distress than those who have experienced single form of victimization. Furthermore, poly-victimization tends to generate more negative outcomes as harmful as re-victimization in adulthood.
Since the adverse childhood experiences (ACE) was developed in Untied States, global research efforts in many countries have been made to prevent abuse and violence against children. In particular, previous research in Asian and Pacific Island provides evidence that adverse childhood experiences are linked to negative outcomes of adolescents and adults. Despite growing research on the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, including child abuse and violence, and negative outcomes, however, there has been a lack of studies on adverse childhood experiences in Korea. Prior research has focused on only one or a few types of the large spectrum of victimization in childhood. Little research has been conducted to address the full burden of victimization exposure and the strength of the relationship between victimization and negative outcomes in later life. Thus, using the Korean Survey of Childhood Adverse Experiences among Children and Youths, a nationally representative study which was conducted in 2018, the study examines the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, past violence experiences in adulthood, and current violence perpetration among children and youths in Korea.
A nationally representative household survey of the Korean Survey of Childhood Adverse Experiences among Children (aged 9-17) and Youths(aged 18-29) has been conducted through face-to-face interview utilizing Tablet Aided Personal Interviewing. Childhood experiences were measured by ISPCAN (The International Society for the Prevention of Abuse and Neglect) Child Abuse Screening Tools (ICAST) for children (ICAST-C)/ parents (ICAST-P)/young adults (ICAST-R) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). In addition, information on date violence workplace violence, and abuse in military in past adulthood among youths were collected. Outcome variables include child behavior problems, physical and emotional outcomes inlcuding overall health status, health behaviors, depressions, overall life satisfaction etc. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to estimate the association between adverse childhood experiences, violence victimization in past adulthood, and current health outcomes.
Descriptive results indicate that the 8.8% of children and 14.2% of youths have experienced at least one experience out of 9 adverse childhood experiences. 57.4% among children have experienced abuse or neglect and 21.4% replied obersvation with domestic violences. Whereas, 52.5% among youths answered observation with domestic violences and 38.5% reported observation with violences in their neighborhood. Results from multivariate regression analyses show that the adverse childhood experiences have been significantly linked to a variety of physical and emotional wellbeing. Also, the results from Structural Equation Modeling(SEM) analyses suggest that adverse childhood experiences among parents played a role in increasing childre abuse including physical and emotional abuses. Also, adverse childhood experiences among parents were associated with peer violence and problem behaviors among children.
Findings from the study demonstrate the importance of assessing victimization in childhood and adulthood a critical predictor of current physical and emotional outcomes among chidlren and youths. More integrated approach to prevent victimization of multiple types of violence and abuse across life course in both public policy intervention and practices needed. 

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