Exploring Child Physical Abuse and PTSD in a Sample of Taiwanese Fourth to Eighth Graders: Prevalence and Risk Factors

• Main Authors: Chia-Ying Chou, 周嘉瑛
• Other Authors: Sue-Huei Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/69347275030928542571

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 心理學研究所 === 96 === Objective: The study aimed to report the lifetime prevalence of child physical abuse (CPA) and current prevalence of full/partial PTSD following CPA in the community sample of Taiwanese fourth to eighth graders. Risk factors of PTSD, including demographic factors, victims’ subjective reactions, and event-related characteristics, were examined. Method: All participants, aged 9 to 15 years old, completed the modified version of UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-IV in class setting. The frequency, time elapsed, and perpetrators of their CPA and the following PTSD symptoms were assessed. Results: The lifetime prevalence of CPA was 34%. Males exhibited higher prevalence (38.1%) than females (29.8%). Parents were the commonest perpetrators. Of those who had experienced CPA, 13.6% and 16.9% met full and partial PTSD, respectively. No gender and grade difference was found. Perceived threat, experience of CPA by non-parent adults, CPA frequency, and criterion A2 were the major risk factors for PTSD. Discussion: CPA prevalence in Taiwan was higher than in the West, while posttraumatic symptom prevalence was lower. The influence of Chinese culture, by the ways of parenting and educational styles and strategies for coping with interpersonal conflicts, were discussed.