Treating the Lifetime Health Effects of Childhood Victimization, 2nd Edition
Author: Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D.

"It could be depressing learning about the enormous short and long-term harm children suffer when exposed to domestic violence, child abuse and other traumas.  Instead Dr. Kendall-Tackett's book is exciting and hopeful as she demonstrates the opportunity this new research provides to substantially reduce mental illness, diabetes, alcoholism, asthma, cancer, heart disease and so many other scourges of modern society..  We can shield children from much of this trauma, and using this research to help courts stop sending children to live with abusers will be a wonderful start."
—Barry Goldstein, JD, co-editor (with Mo Therese Hannah), "Domestic Violence, Abuse, and Child Custody"; co-author (with Elizabeth Liu), "Representing the Domestic Violence Survivor"

“This book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date available on the impact of childhood trauma and adversity. It has a clear and compelling model, a thorough review of the research, and a frank grasp of the complexity of the problem. But throughout it is infused with sense of compassion for survivors, and a vision of how to heal.”
—David Finkelhor, Crimes against Children Research Center, Family Research Laboratory, Department of Sociology, University of New Hampshire

“The best book you'll read on the connections between victimization and health. Kendall-Tackett masterfully synthesizes a vast body of research and skillfully presents the essential knowledge on why victimization and health are linked and how health is affected by victimization. . . .”
—Sherry Hamby, Research Professor, Sewanee, the University of the South and Founding Editor, Psychology of Violence

“Dr. Kendall-Tackett does a wonderful job updating the increasing research information on the significant health effects of childhood victimization. . . . [H]ealth and mental health professionals need to understand what is in these pages. . . .”
— Richard D. Krugman, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Dean, University of Colorado School of Medicine

“In this remarkable text, Kendall-Tackett synthesizes theory and empirical data to arrive at a fascinating review of the impact of child abuse. Examining multiple pathways across physiology, cognition, emotion, behavior, and social variables, she assembles a volume that is simply a tour de force for scientists, clinicians, and students of trauma. Her careful analyses of theory and data complement her vision of a multivariate model that yields a nuanced understanding of how stress gets inside the gene, the protein, the cell, the tissue and the organs resulting in disease and disorder. This book is a must read for those interested in trauma and health.”
—Terence M. Keane, Ph.D. VA National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder& Boston University School of Medicine

“Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett’s revision of her now classic book Treating the Lifetime Heath Effect of Childhood Victimization is a tour de force. She has reviewed and synthesized a vast amount of research. . . . This book offers both needed information and hope for all survivors of childhood abuse.”
—Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, Psychologist, Washington, DC

The only professional reference that brings together child maltreatment and health psychology research to explain how childhood abuse affects survivors throughout their lives, and sets out specific guidelines for care:

• Explains why and how child abuse can lead to long-term, chronic health problems for survivors
• Helps practitioners treat this vulnerable population without causing retraumatization
• Details frequently encountered immune system, gastroenterological and gynecological problems among survivors—and examines the implications for clinical practice
• Sets out specific treatment guidelines for the three most common symptoms encountered in health care settings:
  • Depression
  • PTSD
  • Chronic pain

An indispensable guide for medical, mental health and social service professionals.

Praise for the first edition

“This book takes a very complex topic and does it justice, making things clear even for nonspecialist readers. Practitioners will find it filled with ideas for helping people vulnerable to increased illness and injury because of their backgrounds. A tremendously comprehensive and accessible overview of a topic of great interest and importance.”
—David Finkelhor, Ph.D., Director, Crimes Against Children Research Center, Family Research Laboratory, University of New Hampshire

… for those professionals in the health and mental health fields, this will be an enormously helpful volume. … There is a lot here that will be new for many practitioners in the field.”
—Richard D. Krugman, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Dean, University of Colorado School of Medicine

“Mental health professionals generally agree that child maltreatment has a negative impact on the victim, both immediately and longer term. However, the relationship of child maltreatment to medical symptomatology is not as well appreciated. Both mental health and medical professionals have much to learn from this book."
—William N. Friedrich, Ph.D., Professor and Consultant, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Medical School

Related Publications:
Child Victimization
Domestic Violence Report
Domestic Violence, Abuse, and Child Custody