A systematic review of the impact of physical abuse on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Africa.

Abstract

Physical abuse against children is a global concern that affects children and adolescents worldwide, South Africa is not an exception to this global phenomenon. This systematic review study examines studies published on the impact of physical abuse on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Africa. It also reviews the interventional methods used to mitigate the mental health effects of physical abuse. This systematic review is guided by two specific research objectives: (i) to identify the impacts that physical abuse has on the mental health of children and adolescents’ mental health in South Africa; and (ii) to identify interventional methods that are currently available and used to enhance the mental health of children and adolescents impacted by physical abuse in South Africa. A mixed methods was carried out for this study. It covered studies published between 2013 - 2023 in South Africa’s four provinces - Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu - Natal, and Gauteng. It covered the age groups between 6 years and 16 years. Google Scholar along with Pub Med, SAGE, Ebscohost, APA Psych Info, and Web of Science databases were used for this review. Twelve studies were included in the review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis screening guidelines. Thematic analysis was used to identify five major themes - (i) the psychological impact of corporal punishment (ii) behavioural consequences, (iii) the cycle of violence (iv) conflict resolution, and (v) parents and caregivers’ interventional methods. Results indicated that participants were abused in their respective homes and their institutional settings. There were substantial connotations between the experience of child physical abuse and corporal punishment with poor mental health adjustment. The overall results demonstrated that there is lifelong adverse health, social and economic consequences for survivors. Based on the findings, the study recommends a multidisciplinary approach to reduce the existing gap in knowledge on studies that explore physical abuse and its impact on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Africa. Future studies can inform policy changes and legal reforms to better protect children. It can help identify gaps in existing child protection laws and policies, leading to improvements in the legal framework. These policies should consider physical abuse and child protection as a human right issue.