Child neglect rises when one spouse goes to war, study finds

[WhiteTara]

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-abuse1aug01,0,3635546.story?coll=la-home-center

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The researchers found that the increased abuse and neglect was overwhelmingly committed by female spouses. They found no significant increase by male spouses left behind, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Assn.

The maltreatment could have long-term consequences because abused children were more likely to suffer from depression and other health problems well into adulthood, the North Carolina researchers said.

Parental stress is one of the most common causes of such maltreatment, which includes neglect and physical, emotional and sexual abuse, the team said, adding that deployment of a spouse to a combat zone is likely to increase stress substantially.
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Overall, the rate of maltreatment — mild, moderate and severe — for both males and females increased 40% when one spouse was deployed.

The only areas that decreased were the rates for emotional and physical abuse. That decline was largely due to the deployment of male soldiers, who were responsible for most of the abuse when they were home.

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the future generations won't suffer only because of the direct effects of the war, the poverty, but from the psychological dis-ease because of the maltreatment of the children of this generation.