Types of Childhood Abuse and Risk for Interpersonal Violence Among Adolescent Females

Histories of childhood maltreatment such as physical abuse (PA), sexual abuse (SA) and emotional abuse (EA) have been linked to interpersonal violence. A recent report from SAMHSA reveals that over one fourth of adolescent girls have engaged in a violent act over the past year. Few studies have examined the association of different types of child maltreatment with violence, and the pathways to aggressive behaviors as perpetrators and victims. To address this gap, the following questions were addressed: What is the association of types of childhood abuse and current aggressive behaviors (as victims and perpetrators) among adolescent girls, and do PTSD and depression mediate this relationship? The subjects consisted of 112 girls, 12-18 years old (mean age=14.8, SD=1.6), who have been involved with the child welfare system. The subjects were African American (59%), bi-racial (20%), white (15%), and Hispanic or Asian (5%). Interviews assessed EA, PA, SA, PTSD, depression, and frequency of aggressive behaviors. Analyses indicated that EA was the strongest predictor of aggressive behaviors as victims (r = .39, p< .0001) and perpetrators (r = .29, p< .001) compared to PA and SA. Additionally, both PTSD (z = 3.17, p< .001) and depression (z = 2.77, p< .005) mediated the relationship between EA and aggressive behaviors as perpetrators. PTSD also mediated the relationship between EA and aggressive behaviors as victims (z = 4.24, p,.0001), yet depression was a partial mediator. Trauma treatment to reduce PTSD and depression is an important strategy for violence prevention in this population.