Child abuse in Hanoi, Vietnam: Testing relationship with risk factors

Abstract

Child abuse is one of the burning social problems in Vietnam. Children who are abused suffer significant and lasting negative effects on their development, both physically, emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally. Physically, children show signs of hypervigilance; they startle easily, feel tired or exhausted, experience restless sleep, and have aches and pains. Cognitively, children often have nightmares, poor concentration and memory, disorientation, and confusion. Behaviorally, children often avoid places and activities that remind them of the traumatic event, avoid contact or socially isolate themselves, and lose interest in daily activities. Emotionally, children often feel scared, numb or detached, depressed, guilty, angry, easily agitated, anxious, and panicked [1]. Therefore, abused and neglected children will have poor development in the future, which affects the overall development of families and society. This study conducted in Hanoi, Vietnam, aimed to analyze the relationship between risk factors that can lead to child abuse. In this study, a quantitative design is employed. The population sample frame consists of 300 adult residents who live with their children, aged from infancy to below 18 years of age in Hanoi, Vietnam. The results show that children experienced varying types of abuse (minor, severe, very severe, and neglect) that could lead to adverse consequences in their future. There was a statistically significant relationship between some of the risk factors and child abuse. Specifically, the instability and low-income factors have a statistical relationship with a child's very severe abuse; the single parent, low education, and alcohol abuse factors have a statistical relationship with a child's severe abuse. Furthermore, instability and substance abuse also have a statistical relationship with child neglect. Identifying these risk factors will help us to develop more specific and effective interventions to address child abuse.