Effects of childhood adversity on bullying and cruelty to animals in the United States: findings from a national sample

J Interpers Violence. 2011 Nov;26(17):3509-25. doi: 10.1177/0886260511403763. Epub 2011 May 20.

Abstract

This study examined effects of type of and cumulative burden of childhood adversities on bullying and cruelty to animals in the United States. Data were derived from Waves I and II of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Structured psychiatric interviews were completed by trained lay interviewers between 2001-2002 and 2003-2004. Although the effects of childhood adversity diminished with the inclusion of confounding variables, several adversities remained significant. For bullying, these included being made to do chores that were too difficult or dangerous, threatening to hit or throw something, pushing, shoving, slapping, or hitting, and hitting that left bruises, marks, or injuries. With respect to cruelty to animals, swearing and saying hurtful things, having a parent or other adult living within the home that went to jail or prison, and adult/other person fondling/touching in a sexual way were significant. The final models indicated that the cumulative burden of childhood adversities had strong effects on the increased likelihood of bullying behavior but not cruelty to animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / psychology
  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Animal Welfare / statistics & numerical data*
  • Animals
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Bullying / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child of Impaired Parents / statistics & numerical data
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • United States
  • Young Adult