Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2014 Apr;23(2):167-84, vii.
doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2013.12.003.

Epidemiology of traumatic experiences in childhood

Benjamin E Saunders  1 , Zachary W Adams  2
Affiliations
Review

Epidemiology of traumatic experiences in childhood

Benjamin E Saunders et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

The epidemiology of traumatic experiences in childhood is a key context for research, clinical treatment, program management, and policy development. This article discusses the conceptual, methodological, and programmatic challenges in precisely answering even relatively simple questions concerning the basic prevalence and incidence of important trauma types among American youth. Findings from studies using nationally representative samples and directly interviewing youth about their trauma histories are reviewed, and lifetime prevalence rates for various types of traumatic experience presented. Clinical application of this information and future directions are discussed.

Keywords: Child maltreatment; Epidemiology; Polyvictimization; Traumatic events.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Saunders BE, Kilpatrick DG, Hanson RF, et al. Prevalence, case characteristics, and long-term psychological correlates of child rape among women: a national survey. Child Maltreat. 1999;4(3):187–200.
    1. Gilbert R, Widom CS, Browne K, et al. Burden and consequences of child maltreatment in high-income countries. Lancet. 2009;373:68–81. - PubMed
    1. MacMillan HL, Jamieson E, Walsh CA. Reported contact with child protection services among those reporting child physical and sexual abuse: results from a community survey. Child Abuse Negl. 2003;27:1397–408. - PubMed
    1. Drake B, Lee SM, Jonson-Reid M. Race and child maltreatment reporting: are blacks overrepresented? Child Youth Serv Rev. 2009;31(3):309–16. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hanson RF, Resnick HS, Saunders BE, et al. Factors related to the reporting of childhood rape. Child Abuse Negl. 1999;23(6):559–69. - PubMed

MeSH terms