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Reported prevalence of childhood maltreatment among Chinese college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Listed:
  • Hanlin Fu
  • Tiejian Feng
  • Jiabi Qin
  • Tingting Wang
  • Xiaobing Wu
  • Yumao Cai
  • Lina Lan
  • Tubao Yang

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of childhood maltreatment among college students in China by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search of relevant articles in Pubmed, Wanfang Data, Chinese Scientific Journals Fulltext Database (CQVIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc) was conducted on September 1, 2017. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and sources of heterogeneity were explored using subgroup analyses. Results: In total, 32 studies were included in our review. The pooled prevalence of childhood maltreatment among college students was 64.7% (CI: 52.3%-75.6%). For childhood physical abuse(CPA), childhood emotional abuse(CEA), childhood sexual abuse(CSA), childhood physical neglect(CPN)and childhood emotional neglect (CEN), the pooled estimates were 17.4% (13.8%-21.3%), 36.7%(25.1%-49.1%), 15.7%(11.6%-20.2%), 54.9%(41.2%-68.1%) and 60.0% (45.0%-74.0%), respectively. Use of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) yielded a higher pooled estimate than any other measurement tools in the subgroup analyses of CPA, CEA, CSA, CPN and CEN. The Egger’s tests revealed no evidence of publication bias(P>0.05). Conclusions: Childhood maltreatment is common among college students in China. Prevention policies and programmes should be urgently developed to stop the occurrence of child maltreatment, and special attention should be paid to maltreated college students.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanlin Fu & Tiejian Feng & Jiabi Qin & Tingting Wang & Xiaobing Wu & Yumao Cai & Lina Lan & Tubao Yang, 2018. "Reported prevalence of childhood maltreatment among Chinese college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0205808
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205808
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosana E Norman & Munkhtsetseg Byambaa & Rumna De & Alexander Butchart & James Scott & Theo Vos, 2012. "The Long-Term Health Consequences of Child Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(11), pages 1-31, November.
    2. J. Barth & L. Bermetz & E. Heim & S. Trelle & T. Tonia, 2013. "The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(3), pages 469-483, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jackie Hamilton & Alice Welham & Gareth Morgan & Christopher Jones, 2024. "Exploring the prevalence of childhood adversity among university students in the United Kingdom: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(8), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Zhang, Yuanke & Zheng, Hong & Zhu, Shanshan & Wang, Ziqian & Jin, Qianqian & Li, Xu & Li, Bingbing, 2025. "Latent classes of childhood maltreatment among Chinese undergraduates: Associations with sociodemographic variables," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    3. Chuk Ling Julian Lai & Daryl Yu Heng Lee & Monique On Yee Leung, 2020. "Childhood Adversities and Salivary Cortisol Responses to the Trier Social Stress Test: A Systematic Review of Studies Using the Children Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Zi-Yu Wang & Ming Hu & Tao-Lin Yu & Jun Yang, 2019. "The Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment and Risky Sexual Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Li, Bingbing & Pan, Yangu & Liu, Guangzeng & Chen, Wanfen & Lu, Jiamei & Li, Xu, 2020. "Perceived social support and self-esteem mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and psychosocial flourishing in Chinese undergraduate students," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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