Summary: New research offers a promising perspective on mental health among survivors of childhood physical abuse, with nearly two-thirds reporting a state of “psychological development.”
This study highlights the remarkable resilience within this population. However, research also highlights that survivors still report lower psychological well-being than the general population, emphasizing the need for targeted, trauma-informed health interventions of mind
Chronic illness has been identified as a significant factor affecting mental health, further emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to support survivors.
Key Facts:
- About 63% of adult survivors of childhood physical abuse are in a state of complete mental health or “psychological flourishing.”
- Despite the promising findings, survivors of physical abuse still reported lower levels of psychological development (63%) than the general population (75%).
- Chronic pain has been found to have a significant impact on the relationship between physical abuse and overall mental health, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach.
Source: University of Toronto
New research published online at Review of Children and Youth Services found that about two-thirds (63%) of adult survivors of childhood physical abuse were in complete mental health, also known as psychological development.
“This is a very promising finding for survivors of childhood physical abuse,” said lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson, professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and director of the institute for Life Course and Aging.
“Our findings indicate that many individuals with a history of physical abuse go on to achieve high levels of life satisfaction and psychological well-being. These results highlight the incredible resilience of the population. this.”
Researchers compared a nationally representative sample of 853 Canadians with a history of childhood physical abuse to 17,216 respondents without a history of abuse using data obtained from Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health.
To be considered in complete mental health, participants had to report: 1) freedom from mental illness (such as substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, or suicidality) in the past year, 2) almost daily happiness or life satisfaction in the past month and 3) high levels of social and psychological well-being in the past month.
The researchers intentionally excluded any respondents who had been exposed to childhood sexual abuse or violence in the parental home in order to eliminate the negative impact of childhood physical abuse from others, often in conjunction with childhood adversities.
While the findings were promising, the study still found a greater percentage of psychological development in those with no history of physical abuse in childhood.
“75% of the general population reported being in complete mental health compared to only 63% of survivors of childhood physical abuse,” said co-author Kandace Ryckman, a Dalla Lana School graduate. of Public Health from the University of Toronto.
“We hope that these findings can support the development of more effective interventions for this population, and ultimately promote well-being among survivors.”
“Respondents who were depressed at any point in their lives were more likely to be psychologically developed,” said co-author Andie MacNeil, research assistant at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.
“This underscores the importance of trauma-informed mental health interventions for this population. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions have a strong evidence base for improving outcomes of mental health among survivors of abuse.”
Chronic pain also had a significant effect on the relationship between physical abuse and overall mental health.
“Comprehensive mental health testing encourages a more holistic understanding of mental health that transcends the presence or absence of mental illness.” said Fuller-Thomson.
“It is important to consider physical factors, such as chronic illness, when supporting the mental health of abuse survivors.”
About this mental health research news
Author: Dale Duncan
Source: University of Toronto
Contact: Dale Duncan – University of Toronto
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: The findings appear in Review of Children and Youth Services
