Cycle of Violence in Maltreated Children
Boys who experience maltreatment or abuse as children are more likely to develop conduct disorder or exhibit evidence of antisocial behavior (Caspi et al., 2002). The earlier these children are abused or maltreated, the higher the likelihood that they show symptoms of an antisocial personality. Maltreated children have a 50% higher risk of becoming criminals later in life, but, importantly, most children who experience abuse never become criminals.
Why do some children turn to violence, while others do not?
Caspi et al. (2002) set out to answer this question by examining the genotypes of approximately 1,000 children. They examined the levels of expression of the MAOA gene. Prior research suggests that both mice and humans who have low levels of MAOA show higher levels of aggression (Caspi et al., 2002). Caspi et al. (2002) hypothesized that if a child both has low levels of MAOA and experienced childhood abuse, that individual may exhibit antisocial behaviors. This is known as a gene by environment interaction.
Their results supported their hypothesis. They found that childhood abuse had an effect on antisocial behavior, but that this effect was significantly stronger when the boys had low MAOA expression. That is, abused children with high levels of MAOA were less likely to show symptoms of antisocial personality because of protection by their genetic factors.
While it is well known that both nature and nurture play roles in development, this study shows one way in which they directly interact. This is important to recognize as a teacher. If one child seems to be highly resilient and another is less so, these individual differences may be related to the child’s genetic makeup. This reminds us to treat all children equally and refrain from blaming the child or his or her family.
Facts on Child Maltreatment
From the National Center for Injury Protection and Control
Types of Maltreatment in Children in 2011
Types of Maltreatment in Children in 2011
- 79% neglect
- 18% physical abuse
- 9% sexual abuse
- 10% other types of maltreatment
- Children under 1-year have the highest rate of maltreatment.
- Reports of sexual abuse decreased by 62%.
- Reports of physical abuse decreased by 56%.
- Reports of neglect decreased by 10%.
Page by Julia Shube
References
Caspi, A., McClay, J., Moffitt, T. E., Mill, J., Martin, J., Craig, I. W., … Poulton, R. (2002). Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children. Science, 297, 851-4.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Injury prevention and control. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/violencePrevention/childmaltreatment/.
Gordon, D. & Traub, D. (2013). Vision: Child abuse. Retrieved from http://fysopchildren.wordpress.com/vision-child-abuse/.
References
Caspi, A., McClay, J., Moffitt, T. E., Mill, J., Martin, J., Craig, I. W., … Poulton, R. (2002). Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children. Science, 297, 851-4.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Injury prevention and control. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/violencePrevention/childmaltreatment/.
Gordon, D. & Traub, D. (2013). Vision: Child abuse. Retrieved from http://fysopchildren.wordpress.com/vision-child-abuse/.