The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study

James G. Scott; Eva Malacova; Ben Mathews; Divna M. Haslam; Rosana Pacella; Daryl J. Higgins; Franziska Meinck; Michael P. Dunne; David Finkelhor; Holly E. Erskine; David M. Lawrence; Hannah J. Thomas

doi:10.5694/mja2.51870

The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study

James G. Scott^*, Eva Malacova, Ben Mathews, Divna M. Haslam, Rosana Pacella, Daryl J. Higgins, Franziska Meinck, Michael P. Dunne, David Finkelhor, Holly E. Erskine, David M. Lawrence, Hannah J. Thomas

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Social and Political Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objectives
To examine the associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian population.

Design
Population-representative survey conducted by computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

Setting, participants
Australian residents aged 16 years and older.

Main outcome measures
Mental disorder diagnoses of lifetime major depressive disorder, current alcohol use disorder (mild, moderate and severe), current generalised anxiety disorder and current post-traumatic stress disorder.

Results
More than one in three Australians (3606/8503 surveyed participants; 38.0%; 95% CI, 36.7–39.3%) met the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders in non-maltreated participants was 21.6% (95% CI, 19.9–23.3%; n = 851). This increased to 36.2% (95% CI, 33.5–38.9%; n = 764) for those who experienced a single type of maltreatment and 54.8% (95% CI, 52.6–56.9%; n = 1991) for participants who experienced multi-type maltreatment. Compared with non-maltreated Australians, maltreated participants had about three times the odds of any mental disorder (odds ratio [OR], 2.82; 95% CI, 2.47–3.22), generalised anxiety disorder (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 2.48–3.97), major depressive disorder (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 2.68–3.80) and severe alcohol use disorder (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.83–3.76), and almost five times the odds of post-traumatic stress disorder (OR, 4.60; 95% CI, 3.00–7.07). Associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders were strongest for sexual abuse, emotional abuse and multi-type maltreatment. The strength of the associations did not differ by gender. Adjustment for childhood and current financial hardship and for current socio-economic status did not significantly attenuate the associations.

Conclusions
Mental disorders are significantly more likely to occur in individuals who experience child maltreatment, particularly multi-type maltreatment. Prevention of child maltreatment provides an opportunity to substantially reduce the prevalence of mental illness and improve the health of the Australian population.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	S26-S33
Number of pages	8
Journal	The Medical journal of Australia
Volume	218
Issue number	S6
Early online date	2 Apr 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51870
Publication status	Published - Apr 2023

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

mental disorders
mental health policy
epidemiology
child abuse
child welfare

Access to Document

10.5694/mja2.51870Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY)

ScottEtalMJA2023TheAssociationBetweenChildMaltreatmentFinal published version, 455 KBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY)

Cite this

Scott, J. G., Malacova, E., Mathews, B., Haslam, D. M., Pacella, R., Higgins, D. J., Meinck, F., Dunne, M. P., Finkelhor, D., Erskine, H. E., Lawrence, D. M., & Thomas, H. J. (2023). The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study. The Medical journal of Australia, 218(S6), S26-S33. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51870

@article{a18dadc8c00f4e2eaf6c78cfbb860e0d,

title = "The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study",

abstract = "ObjectivesTo examine the associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian population.DesignPopulation-representative survey conducted by computer-assisted telephone interviewing.Setting, participantsAustralian residents aged 16 years and older.Main outcome measuresMental disorder diagnoses of lifetime major depressive disorder, current alcohol use disorder (mild, moderate and severe), current generalised anxiety disorder and current post-traumatic stress disorder.ResultsMore than one in three Australians (3606/8503 surveyed participants; 38.0%; 95% CI, 36.7–39.3%) met the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders in non-maltreated participants was 21.6% (95% CI, 19.9–23.3%; n = 851). This increased to 36.2% (95% CI, 33.5–38.9%; n = 764) for those who experienced a single type of maltreatment and 54.8% (95% CI, 52.6–56.9%; n = 1991) for participants who experienced multi-type maltreatment. Compared with non-maltreated Australians, maltreated participants had about three times the odds of any mental disorder (odds ratio [OR], 2.82; 95% CI, 2.47–3.22), generalised anxiety disorder (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 2.48–3.97), major depressive disorder (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 2.68–3.80) and severe alcohol use disorder (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.83–3.76), and almost five times the odds of post-traumatic stress disorder (OR, 4.60; 95% CI, 3.00–7.07). Associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders were strongest for sexual abuse, emotional abuse and multi-type maltreatment. The strength of the associations did not differ by gender. Adjustment for childhood and current financial hardship and for current socio-economic status did not significantly attenuate the associations.ConclusionsMental disorders are significantly more likely to occur in individuals who experience child maltreatment, particularly multi-type maltreatment. Prevention of child maltreatment provides an opportunity to substantially reduce the prevalence of mental illness and improve the health of the Australian population.",

keywords = "mental disorders, mental health policy, epidemiology, child abuse, child welfare",

author = "Scott, {James G.} and Eva Malacova and Ben Mathews and Haslam, {Divna M.} and Rosana Pacella and Higgins, {Daryl J.} and Franziska Meinck and Dunne, {Michael P.} and David Finkelhor and Erskine, {Holly E.} and Lawrence, {David M.} and Thomas, {Hannah J.}",

note = "Funding Information: The ACMS is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant (APP1158750). The ACMS receives additional funding and contributions from the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and the Australian Institute of Criminology. Franziska Meinck was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation funding program [grant agreement number 852787] and the UK Research and Innovation Global Challenges Research Fund [ES/S008101/1]. Holly Erskine is supported by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (APP1137969). Hannah Thomas is funded by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, which receives its funding from the Queensland Government Department of Health. We are deeply grateful to all the survey participants, and to the members of the public (including victim‐survivors) who participated in piloting the questionnaire. We thank the ACMS Technical Expert Panel members who advised on the survey design. We also thank the Social Research Centre interviewers and managerial staff, especially Nikki Honey and Diana Nguyen, for recruiting and interviewing the study participants. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 The Authors. Medical Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AMPCo Pty Ltd.",

year = "2023",

month = apr,

doi = "10.5694/mja2.51870",

language = "English",

volume = "218",

pages = "S26--S33",

journal = "The Medical journal of Australia",

issn = "0025-729X",

publisher = "Australasian Medical Publishing Co. Ltd",

number = "S6",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study

AU - Scott, James G.

AU - Malacova, Eva

AU - Mathews, Ben

AU - Haslam, Divna M.

AU - Pacella, Rosana

AU - Higgins, Daryl J.

AU - Meinck, Franziska

AU - Dunne, Michael P.

AU - Finkelhor, David

AU - Erskine, Holly E.

AU - Lawrence, David M.

AU - Thomas, Hannah J.

N1 - Funding Information: The ACMS is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant (APP1158750). The ACMS receives additional funding and contributions from the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and the Australian Institute of Criminology. Franziska Meinck was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation funding program [grant agreement number 852787] and the UK Research and Innovation Global Challenges Research Fund [ES/S008101/1]. Holly Erskine is supported by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (APP1137969). Hannah Thomas is funded by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, which receives its funding from the Queensland Government Department of Health. We are deeply grateful to all the survey participants, and to the members of the public (including victim‐survivors) who participated in piloting the questionnaire. We thank the ACMS Technical Expert Panel members who advised on the survey design. We also thank the Social Research Centre interviewers and managerial staff, especially Nikki Honey and Diana Nguyen, for recruiting and interviewing the study participants. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Medical Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AMPCo Pty Ltd.

PY - 2023/4

Y1 - 2023/4

N2 - ObjectivesTo examine the associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian population.DesignPopulation-representative survey conducted by computer-assisted telephone interviewing.Setting, participantsAustralian residents aged 16 years and older.Main outcome measuresMental disorder diagnoses of lifetime major depressive disorder, current alcohol use disorder (mild, moderate and severe), current generalised anxiety disorder and current post-traumatic stress disorder.ResultsMore than one in three Australians (3606/8503 surveyed participants; 38.0%; 95% CI, 36.7–39.3%) met the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders in non-maltreated participants was 21.6% (95% CI, 19.9–23.3%; n = 851). This increased to 36.2% (95% CI, 33.5–38.9%; n = 764) for those who experienced a single type of maltreatment and 54.8% (95% CI, 52.6–56.9%; n = 1991) for participants who experienced multi-type maltreatment. Compared with non-maltreated Australians, maltreated participants had about three times the odds of any mental disorder (odds ratio [OR], 2.82; 95% CI, 2.47–3.22), generalised anxiety disorder (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 2.48–3.97), major depressive disorder (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 2.68–3.80) and severe alcohol use disorder (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.83–3.76), and almost five times the odds of post-traumatic stress disorder (OR, 4.60; 95% CI, 3.00–7.07). Associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders were strongest for sexual abuse, emotional abuse and multi-type maltreatment. The strength of the associations did not differ by gender. Adjustment for childhood and current financial hardship and for current socio-economic status did not significantly attenuate the associations.ConclusionsMental disorders are significantly more likely to occur in individuals who experience child maltreatment, particularly multi-type maltreatment. Prevention of child maltreatment provides an opportunity to substantially reduce the prevalence of mental illness and improve the health of the Australian population.

AB - ObjectivesTo examine the associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian population.DesignPopulation-representative survey conducted by computer-assisted telephone interviewing.Setting, participantsAustralian residents aged 16 years and older.Main outcome measuresMental disorder diagnoses of lifetime major depressive disorder, current alcohol use disorder (mild, moderate and severe), current generalised anxiety disorder and current post-traumatic stress disorder.ResultsMore than one in three Australians (3606/8503 surveyed participants; 38.0%; 95% CI, 36.7–39.3%) met the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder. The prevalence of mental disorders in non-maltreated participants was 21.6% (95% CI, 19.9–23.3%; n = 851). This increased to 36.2% (95% CI, 33.5–38.9%; n = 764) for those who experienced a single type of maltreatment and 54.8% (95% CI, 52.6–56.9%; n = 1991) for participants who experienced multi-type maltreatment. Compared with non-maltreated Australians, maltreated participants had about three times the odds of any mental disorder (odds ratio [OR], 2.82; 95% CI, 2.47–3.22), generalised anxiety disorder (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 2.48–3.97), major depressive disorder (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 2.68–3.80) and severe alcohol use disorder (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.83–3.76), and almost five times the odds of post-traumatic stress disorder (OR, 4.60; 95% CI, 3.00–7.07). Associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders were strongest for sexual abuse, emotional abuse and multi-type maltreatment. The strength of the associations did not differ by gender. Adjustment for childhood and current financial hardship and for current socio-economic status did not significantly attenuate the associations.ConclusionsMental disorders are significantly more likely to occur in individuals who experience child maltreatment, particularly multi-type maltreatment. Prevention of child maltreatment provides an opportunity to substantially reduce the prevalence of mental illness and improve the health of the Australian population.

KW - mental disorders

KW - mental health policy

KW - epidemiology

KW - child abuse

KW - child welfare

UR - https://www.mja.com.au/

U2 - 10.5694/mja2.51870

DO - 10.5694/mja2.51870

M3 - Article

SN - 0025-729X

VL - 218

SP - S26-S33

JO - The Medical journal of Australia

JF - The Medical journal of Australia

IS - S6

ER -

The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study

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Interrupting the intergenerational transmission of violence: a mixed-methods longitudinal study in South Africa

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The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study

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Interrupting the intergenerational transmission of violence: a mixed-methods longitudinal study in South Africa

Accelerating Achievement for Africa¿s Adolescents Hub

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