Scientists have discovered that adolescents who are physically abused have more behavior
and psychological problems and are more likely to be functionally impaired. Researchers
hoped to discover the effect of parent and teacher intervention on the outcomes of
physically abused teens. Researchers focused on the externalizing and internalizing of
behaviors of this population.
Researchers evaluated 99 reports of abused and non abused adolescent teenagers.
Anti-social behavior and aggressiveness were more likely to be experienced by abused
teens. However, it was unlikely that adults, parents and teachers would report the
adolescent’s symptoms.
Researchers studied reports of abused and non-abused adolescents. Parent, teacher, and
student self-reports were issued and examined.
Ninety nine participants aged 12 to 18 years old were recruited from Child Protective
Services. Abused children were matched for age, gender, and income with non-abused
adolescents. Investigators used the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Youth
Self-Report and Teacher Report Form which are widely used assessments which measure
emotional and behavioral problems. The Child Global Assessment Scale was utilized to
measure impairment and the necessity of psychological services.
Parents and teachers indicated that abused teenagers had greater problems than non abused
teenagers. Abused children reported many periods of externalizing problem behaviors.
Compared with non-abused adolescents, abused adolescents were much more likely to have a
functional impairment. Researchers concluded that it was more likely for parents and
teachers to report symptoms of both externalized and internalized behavior of abused
children.
It was more likely for abused teens to report externalizing behavior. Researchers
recommended that health care providers focus their efforts on getting abused teens to
discuss their externalized behavior problems.
Complete findings of the study appear in the Journal of Pediatrics July 1, 1999.
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