1 Running Head: FINAL PROPOSAL: CHILD ABUSE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH 2 FINAL PROPOSAL: CHILD ABUSE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH Diamond Newton Southern New Hampshire University March 3, 2019 Problem Statement Several adults struggle from a variety of mental health issues (suicidal thoughts and tendencies, alcoholism, depression, and drug abusers.) A lot of those issues may stem from what took place during an adult’s childhood that stem from a variety of reasons. Some adults seek help and some refuse to seek help. The adults who do seek help come to realize that their current issues stem from when they were a child and still developing as a human. Child abuse can come in many forms, physical, mental, and sexual. Adults who have been exposed or experienced this are likely to suffer from some form of mental health issue. It is important to figure out the root of mental health issues in adults so the root can be addressed. Children need to be in a healthy environment with nothing short of love and care. Exposing children to a harsh reality is only breeding them into an adult who suffers from mental health issues. Literature Review The study of psychology helps researchers to understand better what is going on with a person. Researchers studied what happened in a person's life that causes them to make the decisions they do and behave in a certain way. Adults have this stigmatism that they can do whatever they want because they are "grown." Many adults suffer from something that can cause to lead towards suicidal thoughts and tendencies, alcoholism, depression, and drug abusers. A lot of those issues may stem from what took place during an adult’s childhood. There could be some reasons adults tend to display certain mental health traits that have been studied in many different forms by researchers. What we will be reviewed is the abuse, physical or mental, that an adult endured as a child and how it affects them in their adulthood. Blanco, C., Grant, B. F., Hasin, D. S., Lin, K. H., Olfson, M. Sugaya, L. (2012) recognized that child physical abuse had been associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts. The study conducted included Blacks, Hispanics and young adults between the ages of 18-24 in 2001-2002 and 2004-2005. In person, interviews were conducted in Wave 1. In Wave 2 used similar methods as Wave 1 but it excluded the individuals who were not eligible. Wave 2 also interviews went into depth about the questions asked for the participants first 17 years of life. There are many other variables that have been added to the data that relate to childhood physical abuse and mental health distress in adult years. Those other adversatives included the history of child sexual abuse and neglect, parental psychopathology, and perceived parental support, described as emotional neglect. The advantages to this design would be the inclusion of other childhood adversities that could contribute to adult psychiatri.

1. 1
Running Head: FINAL PROPOSAL: CHILD ABUSE AND
ADULT MENTAL HEALTH
2
FINAL PROPOSAL: CHILD ABUSE AND ADULT MENTAL
HEALTH
Diamond Newton
Southern New Hampshire University
March 3, 2019

2. Problem Statement
Several adults struggle from a variety of mental health
issues (suicidal thoughts and tendencies, alcoholism,
depression, and drug abusers.) A lot of those issues may stem
from what took place during an adult’s childhood that stem from
a variety of reasons. Some adults seek help and some refuse to
seek help. The adults who do seek help come to realize that
their current issues stem from when they were a child and still
developing as a human. Child abuse can come in many forms,
physical, mental, and sexual. Adults who have been exposed or
experienced this are likely to suffer from some form of mental
health issue. It is important to figure out the root of mental
health issues in adults so the root can be addressed. Children
need to be in a healthy environment with nothing short of love
and care. Exposing children to a harsh reality is only breeding
them into an adult who suffers from mental health issues.
Literature Review
The study of psychology helps researchers to understand
better what is going on with a person. Researchers studied what
happened in a person's life that causes them to make the
decisions they do and behave in a certain way. Adults have this
stigmatism that they can do whatever they want because they
are "grown." Many adults suffer from something that can cause
to lead towards suicidal thoughts and tendencies, alcoholism,

3. depression, and drug abusers. A lot of those issues may stem
from what took place during an adult’s childhood. There could
be some reasons adults tend to display certain mental health
traits that have been studied in many different forms by
researchers. What we will be reviewed is the abuse, physical or
mental, that an adult endured as a child and how it affects them
in their adulthood.
Blanco, C., Grant, B. F., Hasin, D. S., Lin, K. H., Olfson,
M. Sugaya, L. (2012) recognized that child physical abuse had
been associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts. The
study conducted included Blacks, Hispanics and young adults
between the ages of 18-24 in 2001-2002 and 2004-2005. In
person, interviews were conducted in Wave 1. In Wave 2 used
similar methods as Wave 1 but it excluded the individuals who
were not eligible. Wave 2 also interviews went into depth about
the questions asked for the participants first 17 years of life.
There are many other variables that have been added to the data
that relate to childhood physical abuse and mental health
distress in adult years. Those other adversatives included the
history of child sexual abuse and neglect, parental
psychopathology, and perceived parental support, described as
emotional neglect.
The advantages to this design would be the inclusion of
other childhood adversities that could contribute to adult
psychiatric disorders and childhood abuse. The interviews were
conducted in person and allowed for diagnosis. They also used
data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and
Related Conditions (NESARC). A disadvantage and a gap in the
research would be the only participants studied for suicidal
attempts were the ones who were flagged for depression. The
study was conducted over several years; files could be
misplaced or lost and cross-referenced. This design limits the
validity of unconcerned inferences from the childhood abuse on
mental health.
Dovran, A, Winje, D, Overland, S, Arefjord, K, Hansen, A,
Waage, L. 2016 stated childhood maltreatment associated with

4. an increased risk in later life of mental health problems,
developmental and social difficulties, interpersonal problems,
revictimization, and criminal behavior. Data were collected
from a total of 551 participants, male and female from
September 2006 to May 2011 with an age range of 13 to 65
years. There were several client and patient-based groups.
Groups for this study were considered to be a large sample that
may result in a high risk of exposure to childhood adversity.
Researchers used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Shirt
Form (CTQ-SF), a 28 item self-reporting questionnaire that was
allowed for the assessment of five types of maltreatment. The
five types include: emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual
abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect, scored from
"never true" to "very often true." The study showed women
having significantly higher scores than the men in the sexual
abuse category.
This study was approved by the Regional Committee for
Medical and Health Research Ethics and the Norwegian Social
Science Data Services (Dovran et al., 2016). The study was
reported good internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
The sensitivity and specificity appear good when the suggested
cut-off scores were used with the therapists' estimates of
maltreatment as the "gold standard." The Norwegian version of
the CTQ-SF has demonstrated internal consistency at a
satisfactory to excellent level. Reliability from this version is
also something that has shown to have satisfactory consistency.
The validity of this study could be threatened due to the use of
self- reporting without corroborating information and memory
bias. The focus on the five types of maltreatment aids and the
cut-off values aids in the validity and reliability of this
research.
The impact of traumatic events and experiences, such as
exposure to violence, on brain functioning, leads to an increased
risk for mental health problems, anti-social behaviors,
victimization, and other negative life consequences (Franzese,
R. J., Covey, H. C., Tucker, A. S., McCoy, L., Menard, S.,

5. 2014). This study received data from the National Youth Survey
Family Study (NYSFS). The study consisted of 12 waves of data
over 27 years with an estimate of 2,360 eligible youth
participants who, at the initial interview was aged 11-17 years.
When it comes to physical health problems there is no
significant difference in male and female, however, females are
more likely to seek professional help for mental health
problems. Advantages to this study were the time frame and
categories utilized to conduct thorough research and provide
relevant answers and data. A disadvantage and validity and
reliability issue that raises concern is the inconsistency of
answers from participants. The study yielded self-reporting
surveys. However, some participants were not consistent in
their answers in the original waves and then subsequent waves.
Also using self-reporting surveys allows for reliance on the
memory of the participant.
Studies show that neglect, physical abuse, and sexual
abuse are each associated with increased levels of suicidal
ideation, intent, planning, and suicide attempts. Fuller-
Thompson, E., Baker, T., Brennenstuhl, S. (2012). This study
received its data from the 2005 Canadian Community Health
Survey (CCHS). This reporting system allowed for self-
reporting answers on childhood physical abuse and lifetime
suicidal ideation. The factors measured in this study was limited
to adverse childhood conditions, current socioeconomic factors,
current health risk and protective behaviors, psychosocial
stressors and chronic conditions, and mental health (Fuller-
Thompson, Baker, and Brennenstuhl, 2012). Out of 6,642
Canadians from the province of Saskatchewan, childhood
physical abuse weighted at 7.7% and suicidal ideation weighted
at 8.4%; with that percentage for suicidal ideation being higher
for physically abused men and women than non-abused men and
women.
A disadvantage in the methods includes the researcher
utilizing a knowledgeable person in select households to answer
necessary demographic information for all household members.

6. Although that individual member of the residence may be
knowledgeable, they may not provide accurate information for
all residents residing in that selected household. Another
disadvantage I observed was they interviewed another
household member to answer questions in regard to age and
household composition. I believe they should have interviewed
all household participants separately to have a better account
for accurate information provided. Due to this study relying
upon on self-reported answers like other articles, there can be
some validity issues due to the reliance on memory from the
participants. Many gaps were found in this study as they did not
include many variables that could help aid in their study, to
include sexual abuse, trauma disorders, personality disorders,
etc. as all these plus more can have more of an effect to suicidal
ideation.
Exposure to adverse childhood experiences(trauma) has
been linked to multiple short- and long-term physical and
psychological consequences (Homer, 2015). This article
expresses the importance for pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP)
to understand trauma exposure and its risks on the developing
child. With that comes continuous training and learning to
identify the early warning signs. Traumatic exposures that are
abusive, neglectful, or unpredictable can result in toxic stress
(Homer, 2015), which in turn can cause adverse psychological
and physical health problems.
The advantages of this article are to educate PNPs on the
proper way to identify a child who has been exposed to
traumatic experiences. Gaps were not identified in this study, or
validity issues relevant to this article as it is informative.
Hooven, C., Nurius, P. S., Logan-Greene, P., Thompson,
E. A. (2012) states that childhood experiences of violence and
victimization are implicated in significant psychosocial
difficulties in young adulthood, to include: depression, anxiety,
aggression, and suicide. This study involved 849 participants
from the ages of 16-24 years. The childhood victimization
reported was high in nature, with a very low level of non-

7. reporters before high school.
A disadvantage is missing assessments from original study
represent design and timing issues. An advantage is the research
was approved by the University Institutional Review Board
which aids in the validity and reliability of the article and data
provided. Although there was not much difference in the age,
race, and ethnicity groupings, the levels for victimization are
still high.
Children are rarely seen having suicidal tendencies or
depression if they do its due to bullying in schools. Adults have
more of an issue when it comes battling depression, alcoholism,
and substance abuse, not admitting because of what they have
experienced in their childhood. The research question: Does
childhood abuse result in mental health disease in adults? With
the research hypothesis being that the more physical abuse a
child has encountered the more likely they are to have a mental
health illness in their adult life. In the above studies, the
researchers provided insight and knowledge on childhood
trauma, physical abuse and sexual abuse and how that is a factor
in adults mental health illness. In some of the articles, the
sociodemographic of participants acted as an independent
variable. Relying on the memory of the participant would
provide gaps in the study and threaten validity.
Method
Participants
For this research I am allowed seven minimum participants
with a maximum of ten as outlines in the instructions and rubric
of this research and class. These participants will be graduate
students from SNHU PSY 510 classes. I assume I will have a
mixture of male and female students participating. I would like
to have been able to study a minimum of 50 students to be able
to obtain more usable data.
Materials
The materials used in this study will be Qualtrics.
Qualtrics is a survey program utilized by SNHU for research

8. purposes. I also plan to utilize IBM SPSS to record data and
create charts for visualization. Using a survey is very helpful in
aiding and encouraging participation. People tend to be quite
honest when answering to surveys. Data is collected from many
surveys by businesses to gather data on their clientele and the
demographics.
Procedure
There will be an introduction section prior to entering the
survey. The introduction statement will be of informed consent
and ensuring participants that their identity will remain
anonymous. This is to increase the truthfulness and ethical
behavior in their responses to questions to provide accurate
data. Participants will be asked to answer a few demographic
questions following the introduction statement. The
demographics would include age, race, field of work, parental
demographics; still married, household income. They will then
begin asked to answer specific questions regarding their
childhood; some being open ended questions to have clarity.
They will then be asked to answer questions regarding their
adult life. After completing the questionnaire, they will be
given a “Thank you” message and information on ethics.
Ethical Concerns
Ethical concerns I foresee happening is participants not being
truthful in their answers or possibly forgetting certain details of
their life. Participants may feel embarrassed based off what they
have been through or currently going through that they may not
want to come off as an individual who needs help. one way I
intend on remedying this is the introduction statement before
entering the survey. I plan to ensure the participants that they
will not be judged, and their responses are to remain
anonymous. I plan to discuss the ethics and integrity of honest
responses. If the participants continue in the survey, they are
giving consent of their honesty. The validity of this study could
be threatened due to the use of self- reporting without
corroborating information and memory bias (Dovran, et al.
2016). I also have a concern about the small number of

9. participants. In order to conduct a valuable research, I believe
more participants can help aid in such. However, there is no
way to remedy this concern for now.
Data Analysis Plan
New Data
After all data is collected, it will be coded and put into IMB
SPSS for analyzing. There will be results from childhood
related questions, adulthood mental health related questions,
and demographical questions; specifically, parental
demographics. Dependent t-test and independent t-tests will be
conducted to help analyze the data. Averages, means, standard
deviations will also be included with charts and graphs to be
included as well. Outliers, if any, will be addressed and
presented as well. A scatter chart will be used to determine if
there are any outliers. Names will not be involved to ensure
anonymity of the participants. The study will be placed into two
categories: male and female.
The childhood abuse questions, adulthood questions, and
parental demographical questions will be the more relevant
statistical data being analyzed. The results will show the
correlation of childhood abuse and the effects of mental health
as an adult. It will also show if there is any correlation in the
parental demographics and their childhood experience. Does a
two-parent household allow for less abuse or more? Does a
sizable family income provide more stability and less childhood
abuse? With truthful answers, the data should show the
correlation between demographics and childhood abuse.
Analytic Procedures
There are so many variables to analyze in this study. To
evaluate the variables in this study I will be utilizing the
analysis of variance, also known as ANOVA. ANOVA will be
utilized through the SPSS program. This program will provide
descriptive statistics with regards to means, standard deviation,
and confidence interval for each variable. I will run variables
like longevity or abuse and longevity of mental health issues, to
confirm if there is any significance related. I will also conduct

10. an independent check of the variables to examine if there is any
significance. Some variables to consider will be, parental
demographics, gender, types of abuse, longevity of abuse and
longevity of mental health. With running analysis on these
variables to check for significance I will be able to determine
which area of this study requires more attention. These
procedures may be amended to reflect research later in PSY
520.
Descriptive Statistics
The use of ANOVA will allow for analyzing to become simple.
With ANOVA a researcher is able to analyze more than one
variable at once while also providing the descriptive statistics
of means, confidence intervals, p-value, and standard deviation.
Closely observing the values provided for the descriptive
statistics will allow me to determine which variables are
significant. The variables type of abuse (Hooven, et al., 2012)
and mental health issue (Fuller-Thompson, Baker, Brennenstuhl,
2012) have all been established in prior researched. I will still
run ANOVA on these variables to see what derives from my
participants.
APA Ethics
It will be unethical for a researcher to falsify data
according to Standard 8.10 (a; APA, 2017). There is a primary
obligation and reasonable precautions must be conducted to
protect confidential information obtained or stored in any
medium according to Standard 4.01(APA, 2017). There will be
no plagiarizing from researchers. All work must be cited giving
respect and proper credit to prior researchers (APA, 2017).
According to Standard 3.10, researchers must obtain informed
consent from the participant when conducting research (APA,
2017).
Anticipated Results
I anticipate for the results to significant of each other. The
results will show that there is correlation in childhood abuse
and the mental health of an adult. It will also show the
correlation of parental demographics and childhood abuse. The

11. results will show that the more abuse a child experience or
exposed to the more likely they are to experience some form of
a mental health issue. The childhood abuse questions will be the
most relevant if participants have experienced the similar
traumatic experiences.
The responses provided will be based from memory and
honesty of the participant. The questions asked of the
participants will not be misleading or confusing. They will ask
specific questions not to lead anyone into any answer that does
not exhibit their own experience. I expect this research to
compliment other research studies conducted in a minute way.
Limitations. The limitations I anticipate having is the sample
size of participants. Although I anticipate this study to
compliment other studies conducted, the sample size makes it
almost impossible. Not only the sample size but the limitations
of them only being SNHU graduate students. Although graduate
students may be more disciplined, I believe I could get more
results from undergraduate students as well. With a limited
sample population could provide limited results with gaps.
References

12. Blanco, C., Grant, B. F., Hasin, D. S., Lin, K. H., Olfson, M.
Sugaya, L. (2012). Child Physical Abuse and Adult Mental
Health: A National Study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25, 384-
392. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1002/jts.21719
Dovran, A, Winje, D, Overland, S, Arefjord, K, Hansen, A,
Waage, L. Childhood Maltreatment and Adult Mental Health.
(2016).
Franzese, R. J., Covey, H. C., Tucker, A. S., McCoy, L.,
Menard, S. (2014). Adolescent Exposure to Violence and Adult
Physical and Mental Health Problems. Child Abuse & Neglect,
38, 1955-1965. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.10.017
Fuller-Thompson, E., Baker, T., Brennenstuhl, S. (2012).
Evidence Supporting an Independent Association between
Childhood Physical Abuse and Lifetime Suicidal Ideation.
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 42, 279-291.
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1111/j.1943-
278X.2012.00089.x
Horner, G. (2015). Childhood Trauma Exposure and Toxic
Stress: What the PNP Needs to Know. Journal of Pediatric
Health Care, 29, 191-198. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.pedhc.2014.09.006
Hooven, C., Nurius, P. S., Logan-Greene, P., Thompson, E. A.
(2012) Childhood Violence Exposure: Cumulative and Specific
Effects on Adult Mental Health. Journal of Family Violence, 27,
511-522. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1007/s10896-
012-9438-0
American Psychological Association (2017). Ethical principles
of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
1
RUNNING HEAD: METHODS AND RESULTS

13. 1
RUNNING HEAD: METHODS AND RESULTS
Methods and Results
PSY 520
Diamond Newton
April 21, 2019

14. Methods
Participants
This study was conducted using SNHU graduate level
students in classes PSY 510/520. The link to the survey as well
as the introduction was placed in an email to current classmates
and in the SNHU MS Psychology Lounge where students were
recruited to take the survey voluntarily. Each student was made
aware that the survey was completely voluntary and any content
provided will remain confidential. There were 12 people total to
take the survey, and there was a mix of male and female
students; only the first ten students were selected.
Materials
There were a couple of different materials used to complete this
study. I utilized the participation of ten PSY 510/520 students
from SNHU. I also utilized SPSS to analyze data obtained from
the survey. The survey had 29 questions that included questions
that were not broken into any category, but they measured the
current choices and feelings made by the participants due to

15. their childhood. The questions were not charged in nature.
Special precautions to questions were taken to be sure not to
trigger anyone’s past emotions if they may have had any.
Qualtrics was also utilized as the platform for where students
will be participating in the survey.
Methodological Procedures
The data collection heavily relied upon the Qualtrics.
Qualtrics is a system utilized by SNHU for administering the
questionnaire for students to participate. Once the
questionnaires are completed, Qualtrics will analyze the data
and group them.
Results
Raw Data
This raw data was reduced by eliminating unnecessary and
repetitive questions. By simplifying the questionnaire, you can
focus on the questions that will provide the necessary data. The
Likert scale format will remain the same for this data set. The
statistical analysis will consist of the current feelings and tasks
of each participant in relations to their childhood. The
statistical analysis will not include questions removed that
provided no bearing to the research question, as the questions
were multifaceted and created too much ambiguity.
Descriptive Statistics
Below I have included a table outlining the descriptive
statistics. There will be three separate tables; 1. Demographics
table, 2. Childhood challenges, and 3. Current feelings and
actions.
Table 1: Demographics
Descriptive Statistics
N
Minimum
Maximum
Mean

16. Std. Deviation
What is your sex?
10
1
2
1.80
.422
What is the highest level of school you have completed or the
highest degree you have received?
10
5
5
5.00
.000
Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino or none of these?
10
2
2
2.00
.000
Choose one or more races that you consider yourself to be: -
Selected Choice White
7
1
1
1.00
.000
Choose one or more races that you consider yourself to be: -
Selected Choice Black or African American
3
1
1
1.00
.000
Were you raised in a single parent household or two parent
household?

17. 10
1
2
1.60
.516
Valid N (listwise)
0
Table 2: Questionnaire of childhood challenges
Descriptive Statistics
N
Minimum
Maximum
Mean
Std. Deviation
Would you agree that childhood challenges have caused you to
be less empathetic over the years?
10
6
7
6.30
.483
Have you become irate due to childhood experiences?
10
1
7
4.00
2.211

18. Do you sometimes think you have changed your beliefs to less
practical beliefs manifesting in negative thoughts?
10
1
7
4.40
1.897
Would you agree that you have become less social since
childhood?
10
1
7
4.60
2.271
Did your childhood challenges change your outgoing
personality?
10
1
6
3.80
2.201
Would you agree that you feel comfortable in large social
situations?
10
2
6
3.70
1.567
Valid N (listwise)
10
Table 3: Questionnaire of current feelings and actions.

19. Descriptive Statistics
N
Minimum
Maximum
Mean
Std. Deviation
Would you agree that you feel comfortable in large social
situations?
10
2
6
3.70
1.567
Would you say that you have become more careful with your
words or actions when interacting with others?
10
1
4
1.80
1.033
Would you say you feel motivated to achieve your goals?
10
1
3
1.50
.850
Do new experiences excite you as much?
10
1
3
1.70
.823

20. Are you willing are you to try out new activities?
10
1
5
1.80
1.229
Do the things that used to excite you-such as traveling, meeting
new people-still excite you as much?
10
1
4
2.00
1.054
Do you prefer unconventional ways of approaching personal
problems?
10
2
4
3.10
.738
Would you agree that stressful situations consume you often?
10
1
5
2.90
1.197
Have you experienced emotional distress within the last year?
10
1
3
1.60
.699
Do you agree that therapy is a necessity?
10
1
6

21. 3.30
1.567
How confident are you to navigate through negative emotions
positively?
10
1
5
3.10
1.663
Do you agree that therapy is beneficial?
10
1
6
2.20
1.549
Would you agree that working in groups is better than working
alone?
10
1
4
2.90
1.197
1. Would you agree that prolonging confrontations is better
than avoiding conflicts altogether?
10
1
7
5.10
1.792
Does the need to help others still attract you?
10
1
4
2.10
1.101
Would you agree that you like to have a great amount of

22. attention?
10
1
6
4.20
2.098
Do you still enjoy a wide range of social networks?
10
2
7
3.40
1.647
Valid N (listwise)
10
Statistical Test
For this research study, there are so many statistical tests that
can be conducted to obtain relevant data. Those tests can
include multiple regression, one-way ANOVA, Factorial
ANOVA, Independent Samples T-test, Compared means test,
PROCESS, and bivariate correlations.
The most beneficial statistical test for this data set would be the
bivariate correlations. This research study is prevalent upon
whether a correlation exists with the variables. A couple of
different bivariate tests will be conducted to obtain the
correlation values of the demographics and childhood
challenges and current feelings. The bivariate correlation tests
measure the strength of two variables and their relationship.
That value of the tests can range from 1to 0, with the most
reliable relationship being closer to 1.
The research question: Does childhood abuse cause lasting

23. effects in adults? Due to this being the research question the
bivariate correlation tests will be the most appropriate to run to
find correlations within the separate categories listed above.
This test will be able to show the relationship within the
childhood challenges, current feelings and emotions, and the
demographics.
Resources
Publication Manuel of the American Psychological Association
(6th ed.). Washington, DC.: American Psychological
Association
Rosnow, R. L., Rosenthal, R. (2013). Beginning behavior
research: A conceptual primer (7th ed.).