"Many bad things had been happening to me": Children's perceptions and experiences of polyvictimization in the context of child physical abuse.
Child perceptions
Forensic interview
Mixed methods, thematic analysis
Polyvictimization
Self-blame
Journal
Child abuse & neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Titre abrégé: Child Abuse Negl
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7801702
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
11 2023
11 2023
Historique:
received:
08
03
2023
revised:
14
08
2023
accepted:
20
08
2023
medline:
25
9
2023
pubmed:
8
9
2023
entrez:
8
9
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The association between child maltreatment and polyvictimization has received growing attention since being identified by Finkelhor and colleagues in 2005. The current study was designed to explore the experiences and perceptions of children who reported polyvictimization during forensic interviews. This mixed-methods study sample comprised 117 children aged 5-14, referred for the first time to forensic interviews following suspected physical abuse by a parent. More than one-third of the children reported polyvictimization. A thematic analysis was carried out to spotlight these children's experiences. The analysis identified three main themes: the way children comprehend the polyvictimization, the consequences of the polyvictimization regarding the children's negative self-attribution, and the way the polyvictimization was constructed through the dynamic with the forensic interviewers. The findings pointed to the importance of the forensic interview platform in assessing children's maltreatment burden. The current study also provided a glance into the possible involvement of the mechanics of self-blame among maltreated children. These findings have the potential to enhance our understanding of the excessive psychological toll taken on polyvictimized children.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The association between child maltreatment and polyvictimization has received growing attention since being identified by Finkelhor and colleagues in 2005.
OBJECTIVE
The current study was designed to explore the experiences and perceptions of children who reported polyvictimization during forensic interviews.
METHODS
This mixed-methods study sample comprised 117 children aged 5-14, referred for the first time to forensic interviews following suspected physical abuse by a parent. More than one-third of the children reported polyvictimization. A thematic analysis was carried out to spotlight these children's experiences.
RESULTS
The analysis identified three main themes: the way children comprehend the polyvictimization, the consequences of the polyvictimization regarding the children's negative self-attribution, and the way the polyvictimization was constructed through the dynamic with the forensic interviewers.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings pointed to the importance of the forensic interview platform in assessing children's maltreatment burden. The current study also provided a glance into the possible involvement of the mechanics of self-blame among maltreated children. These findings have the potential to enhance our understanding of the excessive psychological toll taken on polyvictimized children.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37683405
pii: S0145-2134(23)00417-9
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106429
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
106429Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.