Victim-to-Victim Intergenerational Cycles of Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Scoping Review of Theoretical Frameworks

Objectives: Child maltreatment is a serious problem worldwide associated with numerous developmental and psychological problems that can impede children’s short long-term functioning. The negative effects of may put children on trajectory where they are likely to experience later abuse even their own children. While studies have focused primarily the intergenerational transmission (victim-to-perpetrator cycles), there studies, albeit fewer, documenting cycles continuity (victim-to-victim cycles; e.g., child sexual abuse). Clear theoretical frameworks lacking from maltreatment. This review aimed systematically identify theories, or conceptual been used explain victim-to-victim maltreatment.Methods: Searches were executed in PsychINFO, Medline, Scopus. Fifteen papers included this review.Results: most common theories victimization attachment theory traumatic stress models. Other identified include those social, developmental, biological domains. Notably, only five abuse, highlighting lack focus explanations issue. Based findings, unified model proposed guide future studies.Implications: Future research area could testing comparing advancing current state literature by using qualitative mixed methods.