Repository logo
 

Research Review: Why do prospective and retrospective measures of maltreatment differ? A narrative review.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Change log

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment contributes to a large mental health burden worldwide. Different measures of childhood maltreatment are not equivalent and may capture meaningful differences. In particular, prospective and retrospective measures of maltreatment identify different groups of individuals and are differentially associated with psychopathology. However, the reasons behind these discrepancies have not yet been comprehensively mapped. METHODS: In this review, we draw on multi-disciplinary research and present an integrated framework to explain maltreatment measurement disagreement. RESULTS: We identified three interrelated domains. First, methodological issues related to measurement and data collection methods. Second, the role of memory in influencing retrospective reports of maltreatment. Finally, the motivations individuals may have to disclose, withhold, or fabricate information about maltreatment. CONCLUSIONS: A greater understanding of maltreatment measurement disagreement may point to new ways to conceptualise and assess maltreatment. Furthermore, it may help uncover mechanisms underlying maltreatment-related psychopathology and targets for novel interventions.

Description

Publication status: Published


Funder: Mental Health Research UK; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100009981

Keywords

Childhood maltreatment, child abuse, childhood trauma, memory, neglect, psychopathology

Journal Title

J Child Psychol Psychiatry

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0021-9630
1469-7610

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
National Institute for Health and Care Research (IS-BRC-1215-20014)
MRC (MC_UU_00030/5)