Question

1. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the role of maltreatment in childhood psychopathology? Maltreatment is a:

A. Diagnostic category that includes children who have been physically abused and are exhibiting maladaptive behaviors.

B. Risk factor that may lead to a variety of maladaptive behaviors which may meet the criteria for a mental health disorder.

C. Diagnostic category that includes children who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.

D. Risk factor that describes the victim and perpetrator’s relationship as it leads to psychopathology.

2. Describe two destabilizing or risk factors and two compensatory or protective factors for child maltreatment.  

Answer 1

1. C) Diagnostic category that includes children who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.

2. Two destabilizing or risk factors for child maltreatment are:

1. Being unwanted or being a failure to the expectations of parents. This can really break down a child at the growing age where he/she constantly needs and seeks support from the parents. Over-expectations and poor awareness towards treating a child properly to grow can make the parents intentionally or unintentionally maltreat the child leaving it Emotionally, Mentally, or even Physically abused.
2. A parent being maltreated as a child can be a serious threat towards the maltreatment of their child. A parent who has been maltreated as a child and is not provided with enough care and support to overcome the nightmares of childhood may carry unbalanced reaction and treatment towards other children. As they did not receive the right care as a child, they may also have developed belief over the kind of treatment they received to be the right treatment to be given to the child for its development.

Two protective factors for child maltreatment would be:

1. Visits by nurses to the parents and the children for regular checkups. This will enable the nurses to keep a check on the parents and children and prevent the slightest possibilities of child maltreatment. They can also educate them about different ways to treat a child and the process of healthy development of the child.
2. Educating and teaching children at schools against sexual maltreatment. A child should be taught about even the basic such as to identify good and bad touch. They should be taught to identify and act to avoid risks and be cautious about what things are bad for them. Being aware of their own body certainly will help keep sexual maltreatment away and knowing what to do would help them seek out for help in situations of trouble and signal the parents of other caregivers.