Child Abuse

Description of the Public Health Issue

Child abuse is a widespread public health issue in the US and globally. According to the
CDC (2022), an estimated one in seven children encountered child abuse in 2021. Child abuse
ideally refers to intentional mistreatment, harassment, or harm to a child aged 18 years and
below by a parent, caregiver, or a person assigned the custodial role, such as a teacher, a coach,
or a leader. The different types of child abuse may include physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect,
emotional/psychological abuse, or medical abuse. Physical abuse is the purposeful use of
physical force (burning, shaking, kicking, slapping, or hitting) that can cause injury to victims.
Sexual abuse entails pressuring a child to participate in sexual activities. It may include
penetration, fondling, or other section acts. Emotional/psychological abuse are behaviors
(threatening, withholding love, shaming, and name-calling) that can damage a child’s emotional
well-being and self-worth. Neglect is the failure to address the child’s emotional and physical
needs, including access to clinical care, education, clothing, food, or housing.
Qualitative Research Approach to Address the Issue
Conceptual Framework to Address the Issue

The ‘ecological systems theory’ is a core conceptual framework that can explain the
potential causes or risk factors of child abuse and, thus, help formulate interventions to prevent
or address it. This model suggests that exposing children to violence can be caused by a complex
interaction or interplay among and between the four different systems, including microsystems
(for example, home or family factors), mesosystems (school-home), exosystems (community),
and macrosystems (cultural values) (Sabri et al., 2013).
Qualitative Research Questions

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1. What are the causes, symptoms, and impacts of child abuse and the potential
   treatment/prevention strategies?
   Semi-Structured Interview Protocol to Address the Research Questions

How the Research Approach and Conceptual Framework are Aligned with the RQs and

Interview Questions

Understanding the interplay between the different ecological factors (home, school,
community, cultural values/traditions/practices, and other systemic factors) causing child abuse
can help authorities grasp the child’s unique environments and circumstances. This knowledge
can help to create, match, and deliver interventions and services to the child and design more
effective and holistic responses. Child abuse interventions must focus on addressing home-based,
school-based, community-based, and cultural-based causes and risk factors.

4

References
CDC. (2022). Fast facts: Preventing child abuse & neglect.
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/fastfact.html
Sabri, B., Hong, J. S., Campbell, J. C., & Cho, H. (2013). Understanding children and
adolescents’ victimizations at multiple levels: An ecological review of the literature.
Journal of Social Service Research, 39(3), 322-334. doi: 10.1080/01488376.2013.769835