Characteristics and the predictors of co-occurrence of physical and emotional abuse

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the characteristics and the predictors associated with co-occurrence of physical and emotional abuse, the most frequent maltreatment type in Korea. Utilizing data from the caregivers with school-aged children(age 6~17) participating in the 2018 National Child Survey, the characteristics of maltreating behavior and the predictors were compared among two single forms and a multiple form of physical and emotional abuse. Logistic regression analysis with variables based on ecological perspective revealed that maltreating behaviors were more severe when physical and emotional abuse co-occurred compared to single forms of physical or emotional abuse. Also, those behaviors occurred more frequently in the multiple form than two single forms. Predictors of physical and emotional abuse included child age, single parent or grandparent family, caregiver’s smoking, fight with spouse, quality of family relationship, attitude toward children(adolescent)’s right to participation, and caregivers’control on children(adolescent)’s use of electronic devices. Welfare receipt was a protective factor, different from findings from previous studies and it implies that co-occrunence of physical and emotional abuse is more likely in non-low-income families, Based on the findings, it was discussed how to prevent co-occurrence of physical and emotional abuse.