Child Abuse, Neglect, and Adult Behavior: Research Design and Findings on Criminality, Violence, and Child Abuse

Overall, while abused and neglected subjects did not have higher rates of adult arrests for child abuse and neglect, they did display a higher rate of adult criminality and arrests for violent offenses than the control subjects. Findings are discussed in relation to intergenerational transmission of violence, and future research studies into the complex causal relationship between childhood victimization and adult criminal behavior are recommended. 2 figures, 4 tables, 35 references. (Author abstract modified)