The Australian child maltreatment study: the association between child maltreatment and health risk behaviours including self hard and suicide attempts throughout life

Abstract

Background: Internationally, child maltreatment has been associated with a range of negative health outcomes including self-harm and suicide and maladaptive coping strategies including substance use. Objectives: To estimate the associations between child maltreatment and health risk behaviours in Australian adults. Methods: A nationally representative computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey with Australian residents aged 16 years and over (n = 8503). Findings: All five types of child maltreatment (emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and exposure to domestic violence) were associated with increased rates of all six health risk behaviours investigated (self-harm in past 12 months, suicide attempt in past 12 months, current smoker, binge drinking, cannabis dependence and obese body mass index). Experience of child maltreatment is common in Australian adults and may be a contributing factor in a substantial proportion of risk behaviours throughout the life course. While strongest associations were found between experience of child maltreatment and risk behaviours in young adulthood, excess risk persisted throughout the life course. This presentation will describe the associations found in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS), identify the types of maltreatment associated with highest risks of health risk behaviours and discuss implications for reducing the incidence of self-harm, suicidal behaviours and other health risk behaviours. Conclusion: The ACMS has found that child maltreatment is associated with substantially increased rates of health risk behaviours. Holistic approaches to preventing health risk behaviours, and trauma-informed health promotion strategies may help to address health risk behaviours associated with child maltreatment.