Childhood abuse as a possible locus for early intervention into problems of violence and psychopathology

Reviewed research on abuse in childhood. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, as well as children witnessing parents abuse each other, were all found to be associated with later problems with violence and psychopathology. No causal conclusions could be drawn because of the correlational nature of the research. Also, research into possible interventions was reviewed. At least somewhat effective interventions for stopping abuse once it begins are available for all of the types of abuse. However, there are no data on the effects of these interventions on long-term problems of violence or psychopathology. It is recommended that psychopathologists; and therapists collaborate in long-term studies which utilize intervention as a tool for experimentally investigating the relationships between childhood abuse and later problems of violence or psychopathology. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.