Health Indicator Report of Child physical abuse, self-reported

Adults with an education level less than a high school or high school/G.E.D. indicated a significantly higher prevalence of physical abuse during their childhood than the overall state adult prevalence (~1 in 4 vs ~1 in 5), while adult college graduates indicated a significantly lower prevalence than the overall state prevalence (~1 in 6 vs ~1 in 5).

Notes

Analysis by education only utilizes age-adjusted adult data collected in the 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2020 BRFSS and not youth/YRBS data.

Data Interpretation Issues

BRFSS (Adults) Not including spanking, (before age 18), how often did a parent or adult in your home ever hit, beat, kick, or physically hurt you in any way? Would you say? (Possible answers: Never, Once, More than once) YRBS (Youth) During the past 12 months, how many times has a parent or other adult in your home hit, beat, kicked, or physically hurt you in any way? (Possible answers: 0, 1, 2 or 3, 4 or 5, or 6+ times) Response options from both surveys were dichotomized into whether or not physical abuse occurred at all. The responses are subjective, however, the subjective reality is what seems to matter when considering the potential for long-term negative impacts.

Definition

Self-reported child physical abuse data is retrospective data collected from adults via the Utah BRFSS Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Module and youth via the Utah YRBS tier 2 ACEs and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) questionnaire. Adult prevalence is looking retrospectively at their whole childhood (<18), while youth prevalence only looks back at the previous 12 months.

Numerator

The number of youth or adults who indicated at least one instance of physical abuse on the YRBS (2021) or BRFSS (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020).

Denominator

The total number of youth or adults who provided any response to the physical abuse question on the YRBS (2021) or BRFSS (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020).

Healthy People Objective IVP-38:

Reduce nonfatal child maltreatment
U.S. target: 8.5 maltreatment victims per 1,000 children

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

When comparing BRFSS data, the prevalence of physical child abuse in Utah is higher than nationally (21.4% or ~1 in 5 vs 17.9% or ~1 in 6). National prevalence comes from a 2018 Merrick, et al. study that included 2011-2014 BRFSS data from 23 states, while Utah prevalence is from the ACEs Module included in the Utah BRFSS in 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2020. Source: Merrick, M.T., Ford, D.C., Ports, K. A., Guinn, A. S. (2018). Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences From the 2011-2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 23 States. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(11), 1038-1044.

Evidence-based Practices

Promote safe stable nurturing relationships and environments for all children by: *Strengthen economic support for families *Strengthen social norms to connect with and support parents and youth *Enhance parenting skills to promote healthy child development *Promote quality care and education early in life *Intervene to lessen harm and prevent future risk