scholarly journals “Childhood Cuts Festered and Never Scabbed Over”: Child Abuse in Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child

2016 ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Manuela López Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Vicious Cycle ◽  
The Past ◽  
Witnessing Domestic Violence

Toni Morrison revisits one of the main thematic concerns, child abuse and trauma, of her premier novel, The Bluest Eye, in her latest book God Help the Child. She has actually dealt profusely with all sorts of child maltreatment in her oeuvre. In her recent narrative, Morrison weaves a tangled web of childhood trauma stories, in which all of the characters have suffered some kind of abuse: neglect, witnessing domestic violence, emotional and psychological abuse, molestation, sexual abuse, etc. She shows how the child’s exposure to traumatic experiences has dramatic far-reaching effects into adulthood, such as psychological, emotional, behavioral and social problems. Morrison explores the curse of the past, the legacy of slavery and its aftermath, and its hold on the present, through the phenomenon of colorism. Racism and intra-racial discrimination based on the skin color result in childhood trauma. Children may adopt coping strategies to resist maltreatment or they may internalize oppression and accept self-loathing. Violence generates violence, a vicious cycle which will eventually make the victims future victimizers. Nonetheless, God Help the Child is not only about childhood abuse and trauma, but it is also about transformation and healing. Morrison describes the characters’ restorative journeys towards redemption.

scholarly journals Associations between childhood trauma, bullying and psychotic symptoms among a school-based adolescent sample

2008 ◽  
Vol 193 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Kelleher ◽  
Michelle Harley ◽  
Fionnuala Lynch ◽  
Louise Arseneault ◽  
Carol Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundChildren and adolescents who report psychotic symptoms appear to be at increased risk for psychotic disorders in adulthood – a putative ‘symptomatic’ high-risk group. However, little research has investigated whether those in this high-risk population have increased rates of exposure to traumatic events in childhood, as seen in patients who have a psychotic illness.AimsTo examine whether adolescents with psychotic symptoms have an increased rate of traumatic experiences.MethodPsychiatric interviews were carried out with 211 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years and their parents as part of a population-based study. The interview enquired about a number of early traumatic events including physical and sexual abuse, exposure to domestic violence and bullying.ResultsFourteen adolescents (6.6% of those interviewed) reported experiencing at least one psychotic symptom. Adolescents who reported psychotic symptoms were significantly more likely to have been physically abused in childhood, to have been exposed to domestic violence and to be identified as a bully/victim (that is, both a perpetrator and victim of bullying) than those who did not report such symptoms. These findings were not confounded by comorbid psychiatric illness or family history of psychiatric history.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that childhood trauma may increase the risk of psychotic experiences. The characteristics of bully/victims deserve further study.

Cannabis use and psychosis: re-visiting the role of childhood trauma

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 2339-2348 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Houston ◽  
J. Murphy ◽  
M. Shevlin ◽  
G. Adamson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Bivariate Model ◽  
Cannabis Consumption

BackgroundCannabis consumption continues to be identified as a causal agent in the onset and development of psychosis. However, recent findings have shown that the effect of cannabis on psychosis may be moderated by childhood traumatic experiences.MethodUsing hierarchical multivariate logistic analyses the current study examined both the independent effect of cannabis consumption on psychosis diagnosis and the combined effect of cannabis consumption and childhood sexual abuse on psychosis diagnosis using data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007 (n=7403).ResultsFindings suggested that cannabis consumption was predictive of psychosis diagnosis in a bivariate model; however, when estimated within a multivariate model that included childhood sexual abuse, the effect of cannabis use was attenuated and was not statistically significant. The multivariate analysis revealed that those who had experienced non-consensual sex in childhood were over six times [odds ratio (OR) 6.10] more likely to have had a diagnosis of psychosis compared with those who had not experienced this trauma. There was also a significant interaction. Individuals with a history of non-consensual sexual experience and cannabis consumption were over seven times more likely (OR 7.84) to have been diagnosed with psychosis compared with those without these experiences; however, this finding must be interpreted with caution as it emerged within an overall analytical step which was non-significant.ConclusionsFuture studies examining the effect of cannabis consumption on psychosis should adjust analyses for childhood trauma. Childhood trauma may advance existing gene–environment conceptualisations of the cannabis–psychosis link.

scholarly journals PSYCHOPATHIC PERSONALITY DISORDER IN LARSSON’S “THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO”

Lire Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-152
Author(s):  
Christy Tisnawijaya ◽  
Puji Astuti
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Psychosocial Development ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Psychopathic Personality ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Main Character ◽  
Psychological Approach ◽  
Nature And Nurture

This paper investigates how childhood trauma causes someone to suffer from a personality disorder. The narrative discussed in this paper is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (2005). The main character of the story, Martin Vanger, is unable to comprehend other’s feelings and gets pleasure from hurting women. These psychopathic behaviors are triggered by the traumatic events he endured during childhood. He was sexually assaulted by his father and was forced to watch him killing women. These experiences are the seeds of crimes that Martin commits as an adult. By using descriptive analysis, this paper explores how Martin, who was once a victim of child abuse, turns into the abuser. Freud states that someone’s personality is influenced by the interaction of id, ego, and super-ego (1993). Furthermore, Erikson believes that someone’s personality is also shaped by nature and nurture (1977). Therefore, psychoanalysis theory along with psychological approach is applied to examine the character’s psyche, mainly to reveal the causes of psychopathic personality disorder suffered by the main character. The result shows that traumatic experiences during childhood generate anxiety; guilt, shame, and agony affect the character’s psychosocial development.  

The needs of children who witness domestic violence: A South Australian study

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Bagshaw ◽  
Donna Chung
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Young People ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Service Systems ◽  
Australian Study ◽  
The University ◽  
Witnessing Domestic Violence

There is now increasing recognition that child abuse and domestic violence are not separate phenomena and ‘witnessing’ domestic violence can seriously affect children. This paper reports on a qualitative research project undertaken by researchers from the University of South Australia from June 1998 to January 1999, as part of the Commonwealth and States’ Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative. The focus of the research was on assessing the needs of women, men and young people who have experienced domestic violence in South Australia. The participants identified many ‘effects’ of witnessing or experiencing domestic violence on children, along with their needs. The findings will inform early intervention campaigns as well as broader service systems in supporting and responding to the needs of these young people.

Domestic Relationship Evidence in Queensland: An Analysis of a Misunderstood Provision

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Fair Trial ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Law

Relationship evidence or evidence that reveals an individual’s propensity to engage in certain offences has been the subject of much discussion in the context of domestic violence. Our understanding and awareness of domestic violence has developed immensely over the past decade and we now understand that domestic violence encapsulates much more than just physical violence against women. We now acknowledge it extends to sexual assault and child sexual abuse. This article examines the current protections provided by the law to restrict the admission of relationship or context evidence in order to ensure an accused person receives a fair trial. It does so by considering the development of the law surrounding relationship evidence, particularly the introduction of s 132 of the Queensland Evidence Act 1977 in 1998. This article explores the application of s 132B and questions whether its aim to simplify the process for admitting relationship evidence has actually been realised.

Future Directions in the Treatment of Physical Child Abuse

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEITH L. KAUFMAN ◽  
LESLIE RUDY
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Physical Child Abuse ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Treatment Approaches ◽  
The Past ◽  
Efficacious Treatment ◽  
Long Term Consequences

The incidence of physical child abuse has continued to increase over the past 15 years. During this time, studies have identified a myriad of serious acute and long-term consequences for its victims. Early approaches to treatment varied on a number of dimensions but failed to consistently demonstrate their effectiveness with perpetrators of physical abuse. Despite an obvious and pressing need, intensive efforts to identify the most efficacious treatment approaches appear to have been abandoned in favor of prevention, early intervention initiatives and in general, the area of child sexual abuse. This article examines the shift in priorities, selectively examines treatment approaches, discusses key research and programmatic issues, and offers suggestions for future directions.

Childhood trauma and auditory verbal hallucinations

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 2475-2484 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Daalman ◽  
K. M. J. Diederen ◽  
E. M. Derks ◽  
R. van Lutterveld ◽  
R. S. Kahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Emotional Trauma ◽  
Auditory Verbal Hallucinations ◽  
Physical And Sexual Abuse

BackgroundHallucinations have consistently been associated with traumatic experiences during childhood. This association appears strongest between physical and sexual abuse and auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). It remains unclear whether traumatic experiences mainly colour the content of AVH or whether childhood trauma triggers the vulnerability to experience hallucinations in general. In order to investigate the association between hallucinations, childhood trauma and the emotional content of hallucinations, experienced trauma and phenomenology of AVH were investigated in non-psychotic individuals and in patients with a psychotic disorder who hear voices.MethodA total of 127 non-psychotic individuals with frequent AVH, 124 healthy controls and 100 psychotic patients with AVH were assessed for childhood trauma. Prevalence of childhood trauma was compared between groups and the relation between characteristics of voices, especially emotional valence of content, and childhood trauma was investigated.ResultsBoth non-psychotic individuals with AVH and patients with a psychotic disorder and AVH experienced more sexual and emotional abuse compared with the healthy controls. No difference in the prevalence of traumatic experiences could be observed between the two groups experiencing AVH. In addition, no type of childhood trauma could distinguish between positive or negative emotional valence of the voices and associated distress. No correlations were found between sexual abuse and emotional abuse and other AVH characteristics.ConclusionsThese results suggest that sexual and emotional trauma during childhood render a person more vulnerable to experience AVH in general, which can be either positive voices without associated distress or negative voices as part of a psychotic disorder.

scholarly journals Intergenerational transmission of child abuse: Predictors of child abuse potential among racially diverse women residing in domestic violence shelters

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
RaeAnn Elizabeth Anderson ◽  
Larissa-Jayne Edwards ◽  
Kristin E. Silver ◽  
Dawn M. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Abuse Potential ◽  
Child Abuse Potential ◽  
Racially Diverse ◽  
Domestic Violence Shelters ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
History Of

Parental risk for perpetrating child abuse is frequently associated with intergenerational patterns of abuse: being abused increases the risk for future abuse. Yet, the mechanisms of intergenerational abuse are unclear, and the risk factors for perpetrating child abuse are interrelated. Research suggests that history of childhood abuse, psychiatric distress, and exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) are all related risk factors for perpetrating child abuse. We investigated these three risk factors using the developmental psychopathology framework in a racially diverse sample of high-risk women: women residing in domestic violence shelters. 211 mothers residing in domestic violence shelters completed measures of their own childhood abuse (defined narrowly in a 10-item self-report survey), exposure to and severity of IPV victimization, and structured interviews to diagnose psychiatric disorders. We utilized a hierarchical regression model to predict child abuse potential, accounting for risk factors in blocks roughly representing theorized temporal relationships: childhood abuse followed by psychiatric diagnoses, and then recency of exposure to IPV. Consistent with hypotheses, the strongest predictor of current child abuse potential was the psychiatric diagnosis of PTSD. Mediation tests further explicated that the relationship between maternal history of childhood sexual abuse and current potential for perpetrating child abuse is mediated by IPV-related PTSD symptoms. Results suggest that IPV-related PTSD symptoms, rather than exposure to abuse (i.e., childhood abuse or IPV), is most strongly associated with child abuse potential in recent IPV survivors. Interventions which can ameliorate maternal psychopathology and provide resources are recommended for these vulnerable families.

scholarly journals Child abuse in panic disorder

2008 ◽  
Vol 61 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitar Bonevski ◽  
Antoni Novotni
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Clinical Manifestation ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Emotional Neglect ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Physical Neglect

Introduction Numerous authors associate child abuse with serious long-term consequences to the general and psychological well-being in particular. Clinical research to date reveals strong correlation between childhood abuse and neglect and anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder. Material and Methods This study was conducted in order to assess the level of emotional, physical and sexual childhood abuse as well as the physical and emotional childhood neglect in 40 adult patients suffering from panic disorder, diagnosed in accordance with the 10th International Classification of Disorders diagnostic criteria, compared with the control group of 40 healthy test subjects without a history of psychiatric disorders, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. The severity of the clinical manifestation in patients with panic disorder was assessed using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. Results and Discussion There were no significant differences between the groups as to the level of sexual abuse and physical neglect, whereas in the group of patients with panic disorder, the level of physical and emotional abuse was significantly higher, with emphasis on emotional neglect. With regards to the correlation between the severity of the clinical manifestation in patients with panic disorder and the severity of suffered abuse and neglect in childhood age, significant correlation was found in the physical and emotional abuse as well as emotional neglect. There was no significant correlation in the aspect of the physical neglect and sexual abuse. Conclusion Our research underlines the importance of childhood physical abuse, and especially emotional abuse and emotional neglect in the occurrence of panic disorder later in life.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document