Childhood Disability-Related Abuse: A Retrospective Proof-of-Concept Study

Although the phenomenon of disability-related abuse has been well-documented in adults with disabilities, the occurrence of disability-related abuse in childhood has not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish proof of concept for childhood disability-related abuse. Ameri...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Lund, Emily M. (Author) ; Corr, Catherine P. (Author) ; Kinavey, Erin (Author) ; Mott, Kelli N. (Author) ; Chowdhury, Dalia (Author) ; Hammond, Marilyn (Author) ; Thomas, Katie B. (Author) ; Schultz, Jared C. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
In: Journal of interpersonal violence
Year: 2021, Volume: 36, Issue: 21/22, Pages: 10029-10053
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
denial of care
proof of concept
Disabled
Disability
Neglect
Abuse
Description
Summary:Although the phenomenon of disability-related abuse has been well-documented in adults with disabilities, the occurrence of disability-related abuse in childhood has not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish proof of concept for childhood disability-related abuse. American adults (n = 485) retrospectively report on physical, sexual, and disability-related abuse that they experienced before the age of 18. The sample consisted of 382 participants with no disability, 55 participants with an adult-onset disability, and 48 participants with a childhood-onset disability. Disability-related abuse was conceptualized as involving either (a) the denial of assistive technology or (b) the denial of care, permission, or assistance with an activity of self-care. Childhood denial of assistive technology was rare in all groups (1.3%-2.1%), but denial of care, assistance, or permission was significantly higher in the childhood-onset disability group (20.8%) than either the adult-onset (7.3%) or no-disability (6.5%) groups. The three groups did not significantly differ in the rates of reported childhood physical or sexual abuse. This study provides preliminary proof-of-concept evidence for childhood disability-related abuse, particularly denial of care.
ISSN:1552-6518
DOI:10.1177/0886260519879240