Maltreatment in Infancy: A Developmental Perspective on Prevention and Intervention
Brenda Jones Harden1, Andrea Buhler2, Laura Jimenez Parra2
1University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA bjharden@umd.edu.
Trauma, Violence & Abuse
|September 2, 2016
Summary
Early childhood maltreatment negatively impacts development, embedding in the young brain. Interventions, from home visiting to therapeutic approaches, aim to prevent and mitigate these harmful effects for improved child welfare.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Public Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- High rates of early childhood maltreatment are documented, leading to adverse physical, developmental, and mental health outcomes.
- Maltreatment can be biologically embedded, altering young brain structures and functions.
- Complex factors like poverty, parental stress, and social isolation contribute to maltreatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on early childhood maltreatment.
- To explore interventions designed to prevent and mitigate maltreatment.
- To inform child welfare services based on empirical evidence.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of burgeoning research on early childhood maltreatment.
- Analysis of intervention strategies within a public health prevention framework.
- Examination of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention models.
Main Results:
- Early maltreatment has lasting negative effects, including biological embedding.
- Various interventions exist, including population-based programs, targeted family support, and therapeutic approaches.
- Empirical knowledge supports the design and delivery of effective child welfare services.
Conclusions:
- Interventions are crucial for ameliorating infant/toddler maltreatment and promoting well-being.
- A public health framework guides prevention efforts for early maltreatment.
- Evidence-based practices can enhance child welfare services for maltreated children and families.
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