6533b826fe1ef96bd12847c9

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Child maltreatment by nursing staff and caregivers in German institutions: A population-representative analysis.

Vera ClemensUlrike HoffmannCedric SachserElisa KönigJörg M. FegertElmar BrählerElmar Brähler

subject

Child abuseAdultMale050103 clinical psychologymedicine.medical_specialtyAdolescentmedia_common.quotation_subjectPopulationPoison controlOccupational safety and healthNeglectGermanySurveys and QuestionnairesInjury preventionDevelopmental and Educational PsychologymedicinePrevalenceHumans0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesChild AbuseeducationChildChild neglectmedia_commonRetrospective Studieseducation.field_of_studySchools05 social sciencesChild Abuse SexualPsychiatry and Mental healthCross-Sectional StudiesSexual abuseCaregiversFamily medicinePediatrics Perinatology and Child HealthFemaleNursing StaffHealth FacilitiesPsychology050104 developmental & child psychology

description

Abstract Background Child maltreatment by caregivers seem to make a significant contribution to general maltreatment rates. Interestingly, research assessing prevalence rates of maltreatment mainly focuses on individual components either in relation to different types of maltreatment or in relation to different types of institutions. Objective The current study assesses prevalence rates for child maltreatment by caregivers in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, facilities for the disabled, schools, Kindergartens, and after-school care or residential care. Participants and setting: In a cross-sectional survey, a representative sample of the German population above the age of 14 (N = 2,516) was selected in a random route approach. Participants were questioned retrospectively for the experience of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect by caregivers in institutions. Results The results demonstrate a relatively high rate of child maltreatment in German institutions. In detail, during inpatient stays in medical institutions, 19.0% of the participants reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment by nursing staff. Furthermore, 30.3% reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment by teachers during school life and 11.6% reported maltreatment by caregivers in care facilities. A significant number of participants reported multiple forms of maltreatment in all assessed institutions. Younger age of the respondents was associated with lower prevalence rates, which could be attributed to higher awareness for maltreatment in institutions nowadays. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that child maltreatment by caregivers in institutions is a prevalent problem. A higher awareness for caregivers as potential perpetrators of maltreatment in institutions, including schools, medical institutions and care facilities, is needed in order to improve this alarming situation.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2019-02-13Child abuseneglect
10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104046https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31229763