Risk factors for maltreatment in siblings of abused children
File version
Author(s)
Strathearn, L
Najman, JM
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between child maltreatment (abuse and neglect) in one sibling and that in another as well as associated risk factors. METHODS: The participants were 520 sibling pairs enrolled in a population-based birth cohort study in Brisbane, Australia (N = 1040). Exposure to suspected child maltreatment was measured by linkage with state child protection agency data. Self-reports of childhood sexual abuse were also collected at the 21-year follow-up. RESULTS: There were notifications in both children for 8.5% of the sibling pairs (n = 44). A notification in the first sibling was associated with a 60-fold increase in the likelihood of a notification in the second sibling (95% confidence interval: 29.3-125.1), resulting in nearly three-quarters being the subject of a report. In terms of the subtypes, neglect revealed the strongest association, followed by sexual abuse. At the 21-year follow-up, 58% of second siblings reported sexual abuse when the first sibling disclosed similar experiences. On adjusted analyses, maternal age of ,20 years was the strongest and most consistent predictor of abuse, with indigenous status, maternal depression, parental relationship, and familial poverty playing a lesser role. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the close association between child abuse in one sibling and maltreatment in a second sibling as well as possible risk factors. Greater awareness of these factors may inform interventions, particularly primary and secondary prevention.
Journal Title
Pediatrics
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
147
Issue
5
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Biomedical and clinical sciences
Criminology
Social work
Sociology
Psychology
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Kisely, S; Strathearn, L; Najman, JM, Risk factors for maltreatment in siblings of abused children, Pediatrics, 2021, 147 (5), pp. e2020036004