Gender Differences in Long-Term Health Consequences of Physical Abuse of Children: Data From a Nationally Representative Survey
Martie P. Thompson, PhD,
J. B. Kingree, PhD and
Sujata Desai, PhD
Martie P. Thomson and J. B. Kingree are with the Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Sujata Desai is with the Family Violence Unit, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Austin, Tex.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Martie P. Thompson, PhD, Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 511 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 296340745 (e-mail: mpthomp{at}clemson.edu).
Objectives. This study investigated the effects of physicalabuse in childhood on health problems in adulthood and assessedgender differences in these associations.
Methods. We used data from 8000 men and 8000 women who wereinterviewed in the National Violence Against Women Survey. Weused multivariate logistic regression to test for main and interactiveeffects and conducted post hoc probing of significant moderationaleffects.
Results. Men were more likely than women to have experiencedphysical abuse during childhood. Whereas abuse had negativeconsequences for both boys and girls, it was generally moredetrimental for girls.
Conclusions. Findings suggest the need to consider gender differencesand long-term adverse health consequences in the developmentof intervention strategies to address physical abuse in childhood.
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