A latent profile analysis of child maltreatment and its psychosocial correlates in a sample of school-aged adolescents
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Child maltreatment is a major public health concern associated with a wide range of adverse mental health and behavioral outcomes in adolescence.
OBJECTIVE
To identify latent profiles of childhood maltreatment in a community sample of adolescents in Spain and to examine whether these profiles differ across theoretically relevant emotional, behavioral, interpersonal, and clinical outcomes. As a secondary aim, the study explored whether maltreatment profile membership was associated with the severity of suicidal behavior and non-suicidal self-injury.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
A total of 1526 adolescents (54.3% girls; mean age = 13.8 years, SD = 1.27) from secondary schools in Madrid completed standardized self-report measures of maltreatment, psychopathology, and risk behaviors.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Latent profile analysis based on Childhood Trauma Questionnaire subscales was used to identify maltreatment profiles. Differences between latent profiles were examined using t-tests and chi-square analyses. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with suicidal behavior and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) severity.
RESULTS
Two profiles were identified: a High Maltreatment Exposure Profile (7.5%) and a Low Exposure Profile (92.5%). Compared to the low-exposure group, adolescents in the high-exposure profile-who were more likely to be girls- showed significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, suicidal…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,526 participants or records.
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