Adverse childhood experiences and future recovery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The development of a model exploring environmental and individual factors promoting negative symptoms and strength factors following institutional child abuse
IRAS ID
265015
Contact name
Jane. L. Ireland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Whilst there is a large body of literature that has explored the impacts of child abuse, less research has focused on abuse that occurred when the child was under the care of an institution (institutional abuse). Institutional abuse may have different complexities when compared to abuse occurring in a home setting, such as increased isolation (Green, 2001). In addition to this, further research is needed to explore if such institutional abuse may help explain the link between placement in care as a child, and future involvement in criminal behaviour that has been documented in the literature (Fitzpatrick, Williams, Coyne, 2016). As a result, further research is needed to explore factors that exacerbate or protect against the negative impacts of institutional abuse in order to support the development of a model exploring environmental and individual factors promoting negative symptoms and strength factors following institutional abuse.To date three studies have been conducted as part of this PhD project in order to explore the negative impacts and strength factors following institutional abuse. This has included a systematic review of the limited literature (study 1), gaining consensus from professionals, who work with victims of institutional abuse, regarding factors that are important to the outcomes of this (study 2), and finally qualitative research with victims of institutional abuse in order to gain an in depth understanding of their experiences following institutional abuse (study 3). These studies allowed for the identification of a number of factors that were related to the outcomes (e.g. trauma symptoms) following institutional abuse, such as responses to the disclosure of abuse and resilience. This research therefore aims to add to these previous studies by exploring these factors statistically. This will support the development of a model of the impacts of institutional abuse, and factors that affect these outcomes.
Individuals who have experienced institutional child abuse will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires exploring demographic variables, adverse childhood experiences (such as child abuse), personality functioning (exploring participants views of themselves and others), resilience, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, protective factors (such as a secure and positive relationship in childhood), the care environment, their interpretation of negative impacts of abuse and reactions to disclosure of abuse. The questionnaire pack is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete. It was felt important to keep the questionnaire pack as brief as possible, whilst allowing for sufficient information to answer the research question. This was a result of the sensitive nature of the research. Individuals who have not experienced institutional abuse will also be included in the research to allow for a comparison. In addition, this study will aim to recruit participants from a general population sample and from secure settings (such as secure hospitals and prisons) to allow for a comparison between these samples.Summary of Results
This study included 93 individuals who reported experiences of institutional child abuse, 191 who reported child abuse in a home setting only, and 100 who did not report child abuse. Of the overall sample, 42% of participants reported residing in secure care at any time during adulthood. The prediction that individuals who reported disclosing their abuse will differ in their level of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms compared to those who do not was supported and individuals who disclosed their abuse reported higher levels of PTSD. Furthermore, those who reported institutional abuse reported higher levels of PTSD than those who did not report abuse, but not more than those who reported abuse in a home setting. However, the prediction that individuals who reported institutional abuse perpetrated by a carer would report higher levels of PTSD symptoms when compared to those abused by someone else was not supported. Furthermore, the prediction that individuals who reported a more negative care environment would report higher levels of PTSD symptoms than those who reported lower levels of a negative care environment was also not supported in the sample of individuals who have reported institutional abuse.This study also aimed to explore the potential mediating role of personality functioning, resilience, and strength factors on the relationship between experiencing institutional abuse and later PTSD symptoms, relationships, and placement in secure care. Findings indicated that institutional abuse was directly associated with PTSD. In addition, an indirect effect of institutional abuse on PTSD symptoms was found through the mediating role of personality functioning but not with strength factors or resilience. Institutional abuse was not significantly associated with placement in secure care as an adult or currently being in a relationship.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0002
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion