annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

Fergusson, D., Horwood, J., Ridder, E., & Grant, H., (2005). Early start: Evaluation report.Christchurch, New Zealand: Early Start Project. Retrieved January 25, 2006, fromhttp://www.msd.govt.nz/work-areas/social-research/families-whanau/early-start.htmlSee: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13006.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Child abuse and neglect, Families, Social services,Prevention/intervention/treatment, Demographics/statisticsAbstract: This report provides an evaluation of the Early Start programme, a home visitationstrategy targeting at-risk families. This programme was born out of the concerns identified bythe Christchurch Health and Development Study, namely the effect of childhood adversityand disadvantaged family environments on child outcomes. Many service providers wereinvolved in the development of the Early Start programme, such as the Plunket Society,Child, Youth and Family Services, and the Family Help Trust. To evaluate the programme,researchers conducted a random trial involving 220 families involved in Early Start and acontrol group of 223 families with no connection to the programme. The findings indicatesmall but consistent benefits in undergoing the programme in factors such as reducing childabuse and neglect and improving child behavioural outcomes. However, the Early Startstrategy had no effect on rates of partner violence. Limitations of the research and suggestedimprovements to the Early Start strategy are discussed, for example, focussing on outcomesfor parents and families as a whole.Fergusson, D. M., & Lynskey, M. T. (1997). Physical punishment/maltreatment during childhood andadjustment in young adulthood. Child Abuse and Neglect, 21(7), 617-630.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13054.pubTopic Areas: Physical abuse, Suicide/self-harm, Families, Children, Adolescents, Childrenas victims, Mental health, Drug and alcohol abuseAbstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between retrospectivereports of physical punishment and maltreatment occurring in childhood, and the rates ofadjustment difficulties at age 18. The data was gathered over an 18-year period as part of theChristchurch Health and Development Study, which comprised of 1,265 children born inChristchurch, New Zealand. These children were studied at birth, 4 months old, at annualintervals to the age of 16 years, and again at age 18 years. The results of this study indicate acontinuum of exposure to physical abuse and maltreatment that ranges from no exposure tophysical punishment to severe, harsh, and abusive treatment. The majority of children in thisstudy reported that their parents never or seldom used physical punishment. However, inapproximately 4% of the sample, overly frequent, harsh, or abusive treatment was reported.The authors report three major conclusions: those exposed to harsh or abusive treatmentduring childhood are an at-risk population for juvenile offending, substance abuse, and mentalhealth problems; the social context within which harsh or abusive treatment occurs is a factorin much of this elevated risk; and exposure to abuse appears to increase risks of involvementin violent behaviour and alcohol abuse.Fergusson, D. M., Swain-Campbell, N. R., & Horwood, L. J. (2002). Does sexual violence contributeto elevated rates of anxiety and depression in females? Psychological Medicine, 32(6), 991-996.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12995.pubTopic Areas: Sexual abuse, Sexual assault/rape, Adolescents, Young persons, Mental healthAbstract: This article examines whether exposure to sexual abuse or sexual assault63