*WINNER* The Relationship Between Physical Abuse and Childhood Problem Behaviors, Moderated by Gender and Ethnicity

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between physical abuse and problem behaviors among schoolchildren using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Ruffle, 2000) while controlling for age, and moderating for ethnicity and gender. Data for this study were obtained from the National Data Archive of Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN). Participants for this study were between the ages of nine and twelve years old. Participants consisted of 100 physically abused and 100 non-abused children matched based on demographic factors. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for the analysis, with the dependent variables (defined using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist) of: total scores withdrawn, total scores somatic, total scores anxiety/depression, total scores social problems, total scores thought problems, total scores attention problems, total scores delinquent behavior, and total scores aggressive behavior. Age was used as a covariate. The results of the MANCOVA showed that there were significant differences in each of the Child Behavior Checklist total scores based on the main effect of abuse status. From the univariate test of between subjects effects, (i) abused Hispanic children tended to have higher total scores of delinquent behavior than abused Black children; (ii) abused Hispanic children tended to have higher total scores of aggressive behavior than abused Black children, and (iii) abused males tended to have higher total scores of aggressive behavior than abused females. Based on these findings, improvements can be made to better identify and support adolescents who have experienced childhood physical abuse.