Patterns and trajectories of children's maltreatment experiences in Taiwan: Latent transition analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal study

Feng, Jui-Ying; Hwa, Hsiao-Lin; Shen, April Chiung-Tao; Hsieh, Yi-Ping; Wei, Hsi-Sheng; Huang, Ching-Yu

Abstract

Background
Little is known about the patterns of child maltreatment change over time and vary according to gender and child protective services (CPS) experience in Taiwan.

Objective
To examine the latent status and the trajectories of child maltreatment and to identify effects that gender and CPS have on these statuses and trajectories in Taiwan.

Participants and setting
A national proportionately stratified sample of 6233 4th-grade students were recruited from 314 elementary schools in Taiwan, and followed up at 6th and 8th graders. A total of 1908 students completed valid data at all three time points was analyzed.

Methods
Latent class analysis and latent transition analysis were used to identify the number of latent variables and the patterns of child maltreatment. Multiple-group model was used to test with gender difference.

Results
Four latent maltreatment statuses were identified: high all maltreatment, high psychological maltreatment, high neglect, and no/low maltreatment. A reduction in maltreatment severity occurred over time was found. The percentage of students in the “high all maltreatment” and “high neglect” groups decreased whereas those in the “high psychological maltreatment” and “no/low maltreatment” groups increased. Differences in the transition probabilities of latent maltreatment status by gender was revealed. The percentage of CPS recipients in the “high all maltreatment” decreased over time.

Conclusions
This study highlighted the dynamic nature of child maltreatment and described the timing, continuity, and change that characterizes children's exposure to maltreatment in Taiwan. Policies and interventions geared toward early detection, mitigation, and prevention of child maltreatment are needed.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 7, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Nov 14, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Deposit Date: May 30, 2023
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect
• Print ISSN: 0145-2134
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 135
• Article Number: 105951
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105951
• Keywords: Psychiatry and Mental health; Developmental and Educational Psychology; Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Patterns and trajectories of children's maltreatment experiences in Taiwan: Latent transition analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal study; Journal Title: Child Abuse & Neglect; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105951; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.