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<p>Child physical abuse (CPA) is associated with substantial consequences for child health and development, yet many affected children never disclose their experiences and receive support. Disclosure of CPA, particularly within settings such as schools, where support systems exist, can be a key step in helping victims. Little evidence exists on the disclosure of CPA across countries using a harmonized methodology. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of CPA, disclosure patterns, and predictors among adolescents in Switzerland and Vietnam, two countries with different socio-cultural and institutional contexts. A binational cross-sectional self-report online survey was administered in classroom, using parallel procedures and aligned CPA items with a sample of 4,388 adolescents (Switzerland <i>n</i> = 1,402; Vietnam <i>n</i> = 2,326). Prevalence and disclosure rates were compared using Chi-square test. Predictors of disclosure among adolescents exposed to CPA (<i>n</i> = 2,121) were examined by hierarchical logistic regression for each country. Sensitivity analyses excluded spanking/hitting/kicking to account for cultural normalization of corporal punishment. Findings revealed that 34.02% of the Swiss and 70.72% of Vietnamese adolescents were exposed to CPA. Excluding spanking/hitting/kicking reduced rates to 21.3% and 41.6%, respectively. Despite differences in prevalence, the rates of disclosing CPA to formal services were both low and predominantly informal. Swiss adolescents disclosed more frequently than Vietnamese peers (38.36% versus 31.37%), but this difference was non-significant when spanking/hitting/kicking was excluded. Measurement invariance supported a valid cross-country comparison of CPA; however, associations with CPA self-labelling were significantly weaker in Vietnam, reflecting cross-cultural variation in how abusive experiences were interpreted and labelled. Predictors differed between contexts: in Switzerland, older age increased disclosure odds, while in Vietnam, female gender, higher socioeconomic status, victimization outside the family, and greater CPA severity predicted disclosure. These findings underscore the importance of context-sensitive approaches in understanding disclosure. Strengthening adolescents’ pathways to safe and trusted adults, within schools, families, and communities, is critical for improving early identification and support.</p>

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Disclosure of Child Physical Abuse: A Comparative Study on Prevalence and Disclosure Patterns in Switzerland and Vietnam

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月27日

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  • Meret Sophie Wallimann,
  • Ha Thu Dinh,
  • Julia Quehenberger,
  • Huong Thanh Nguyen,
  • Tho Nguyen,
  • Thi Minh Le,
  • David Cyrill Lätsch,
  • Thomas Gabriel

摘要

Child physical abuse (CPA) is associated with substantial consequences for child health and development, yet many affected children never disclose their experiences and receive support. Disclosure of CPA, particularly within settings such as schools, where support systems exist, can be a key step in helping victims. Little evidence exists on the disclosure of CPA across countries using a harmonized methodology. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of CPA, disclosure patterns, and predictors among adolescents in Switzerland and Vietnam, two countries with different socio-cultural and institutional contexts. A binational cross-sectional self-report online survey was administered in classroom, using parallel procedures and aligned CPA items with a sample of 4,388 adolescents (Switzerland n = 1,402; Vietnam n = 2,326). Prevalence and disclosure rates were compared using Chi-square test. Predictors of disclosure among adolescents exposed to CPA (n = 2,121) were examined by hierarchical logistic regression for each country. Sensitivity analyses excluded spanking/hitting/kicking to account for cultural normalization of corporal punishment. Findings revealed that 34.02% of the Swiss and 70.72% of Vietnamese adolescents were exposed to CPA. Excluding spanking/hitting/kicking reduced rates to 21.3% and 41.6%, respectively. Despite differences in prevalence, the rates of disclosing CPA to formal services were both low and predominantly informal. Swiss adolescents disclosed more frequently than Vietnamese peers (38.36% versus 31.37%), but this difference was non-significant when spanking/hitting/kicking was excluded. Measurement invariance supported a valid cross-country comparison of CPA; however, associations with CPA self-labelling were significantly weaker in Vietnam, reflecting cross-cultural variation in how abusive experiences were interpreted and labelled. Predictors differed between contexts: in Switzerland, older age increased disclosure odds, while in Vietnam, female gender, higher socioeconomic status, victimization outside the family, and greater CPA severity predicted disclosure. These findings underscore the importance of context-sensitive approaches in understanding disclosure. Strengthening adolescents’ pathways to safe and trusted adults, within schools, families, and communities, is critical for improving early identification and support.