Deployment contributes a significant but small increase to the probability of self-reported spousal aggression during a 1-year period. Although deployment is a military operation, similar effects may be observed in certain civilian occupations.

Deployment contributes a significant but small increase to the probability of self-reported spousal aggression during a 1-year period. Although deployment is a military operation, similar effects may be observed in certain civilian occupations.

Objective: Reports of childhood emotional maltreatment have increased greatly over the past decade. The objective of this research was to determine the types of emotional maltreatment substantiated in a community of US Army families residing temporarily in Germany. Such a description may help to improve the understanding of how a jurisdictional body defines emotional maltreatment in day-to-day practice. Method: Data were obtained from a review of the minutes of case review committees (CRCs) for 181 cases of child emotional abuse in 1997-1998. We determined the type, number, and severity of incidents, the substantiation rate, and the situations to which children were exposed. Results: The most frequently substantiated type of incident was witnessing domestic violence, 60% of all cases. Primary emotional abuse was found in 26% of cases, while emotional abuse in conjunction with child physical abuse or child neglect was found in 14% of cases. The more severe the case, the more likely it was to be substantiated. Conclusions: Emotional maltreatment was substantiated more as a single type than in combination with other forms of maltreatment. Seeing emotional abuse as a single entity may allow clinicians to focus on a relationship or situation (such as spouse abuse) that is potentially harmful to a child. However, recognizing the emotionally abusive aspects of child physical abuse and neglect could allow an expanded treatment plan that could include treatment of the emotionally abusive behavior to