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Psychiatric diagnoses of self-reported child abusers
1Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Child Abuse & Neglect
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Self-identified child abusers show higher lifetime rates of antisocial personality disorder, alcoholism, and depression. These findings highlight the link between child abuse and other violent behaviors, independent of clinical or legal system selection.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- Child abuse is a significant public health concern with potential long-term psychiatric consequences.
- Understanding the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and dyssocial behaviors among child abusers is crucial for intervention and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate lifetime psychiatric diagnoses and dyssocial behaviors in self-reported child abusers.
- To compare psychiatric profiles of child abusers with non-abusers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of three large databases: clinical, community, and family study subjects.
- Comparison of subjects reporting child battery with those without such history.
- Assessment of lifetime psychiatric disorders and dyssocial behaviors.
Main Results:
- 4% of the community sample reported child abuse.
- Abusers exhibited higher rates of alcoholism, antisocial personality disorder, and major depression.
- Abusers demonstrated a history of disciplinary problems, property destruction, and adult violence.
Conclusions:
- Self-identified child abusers have significantly increased lifetime rates of antisocial personality disorder, alcoholism, and depression.
- The association between child abuse and other forms of violence is not solely explained by selection bias through medical or legal systems.