Multivariate correlates of childhood psychological and physical maltreatment among university women
Briere, J.; Runtz, M.
Child Abuse and Neglect 12(3): 331-341
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-2134 PMID: 3167621 DOI: 10.1016/0145-2134(88)90046-4Document Number: 443124
Little is known about the long-term effects of psychological or physical child abuse, despite recent advances in the related area of childhood sexual victimization. The present study used multivariate techniques to examine the relationship between four newly devised scales, measuring extent of psychological and physical maltreatment by mothers and fathers and a variety of current psychological symptoms in 251 university women. Results suggest two independent relationships: a global association between all four forms of maltreatment and almost all symptom variables and specific connections between paternal psychological and physical maltreatment, maternal physical maltreatment, and smaller subsets of symptoms. The data are interpreted as supporting an "ecological" perspective on abuse effects as well as demonstrating the value of multivariate methodologies in this area.