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Patterns of continuity and discontinuity of childhood maltreatment across generations: A meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2025

Sheri Madigan Open the ORCID record for Sheri Madigan [Opens in a new window] ,
Jessica Turgeon Open the ORCID record for Jessica Turgeon [Opens in a new window] ,
Nicole Racine ,
Jenney Zhu Open the ORCID record for Jenney Zhu [Opens in a new window] ,
Lenneke R.A. Alink Open the ORCID record for Lenneke R.A. Alink [Opens in a new window] ,
Whitney Ereyi-Osas ,
Greta Jang  and
R.M. Pasco Fearon
Sheri Madigan*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
Jessica Turgeon
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
Nicole Racine
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Jenney Zhu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
Lenneke R.A. Alink
Affiliation:
Institute of Education and Child studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands
Whitney Ereyi-Osas
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
Greta Jang
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
R.M. Pasco Fearon
Affiliation:
Centre for Child, Adolescent and Family Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
*
Corresponding author: Sheri Madigan; Email: sheri.madigan@ucalgary.ca
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Abstract

Empirical tests of the “cycle of maltreatment” hypothesis have typically focused on the presence or absence of child maltreatment across generations. However, this narrow focus does not account for diverse intergenerational pathways of maltreatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes data to determine the distribution of cycle maintainers, breakers, initiators, and unaffected families (i.e., controls). Of the 65 independent studies (80 samples), 30 examined intergenerational cycles of maltreatment broadly, while 27 reported data for physical abuse, 17 sexual abuse, 5 neglect, and 1 emotional abuse specifically. For maltreatment, 17.1% (95%CI: 12.1%, 22.1%) were cycle maintainers, 23.6% (95%CI: 18.0%, 29.2%) were cycle breakers, 11.4% (95%CI: 7.8%, 15.1%) were cycle initiators and 47.8% (95%CI: 39.7%, 55.9%) controls. Thus, although a parent’s maltreatment history is a risk factor, results suggest that a greater proportion of parents break the cycle of maltreatment versus maintain it. Moderator analyses showed that study design, assessment methods, and demographic characteristics influence maltreatment transmission rates. Intergenerational patterns of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect are also detailed. Our findings underscore the complexity of intergenerational maltreatment, highlighting the need to explore not only its maintenance but also the protective factors that help break cycles and the risk factors that drive its initiation.

Keywords

child maltreatmentintergenerational transmissionmeta-analysis
Type
Regular Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , First View , pp. 1 - 22
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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