Search

This paper provides a review of research in the area of physical maltreatment with respect to the degree to which males are represented in research samples. The systematic, comprehensive review includes 126 articles published between the years 1989 and 1994 in nine primary journals. Results show that adult males are dramatically underrepresented in this research. Specifically, males were included in fewer than one-half (47.7%) of the 77 articles reviewed and the total number and percentage of males in research samples was significantly less than the number and percentage of females. Only three studies included males exclusively, yet 40 studies involved solely female participants. Of the studies that did include men, only 37.5% provided an evaluation of gender differences. Research involving abused children showed a much greater representation of male subjects than research with adult participants. Only four of 49 studies of abused children were based exclusively on girls; a full 62.8% included an equal representation of boys and girls.

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the construct validity of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory by comparing maltreating and high-risk parents' CAP Inventory abuse scores to their behavior during interactions with their children. A second purpose was to determine the degree to which CAP Inventory scores and parenting behavior were related to several known correlates of abuse, as measured by parent and teacher reports. Participants (n = 41) included abusive and high-risk parents and their children referred to a treatment group. Correlational analyses revealed that CAP Inventory scores and observed parenting style yielded highly related findings, supporting construct validity of the CAP Inventory. However, the CAP Inventory and observed behavior index showed a different pattern of relationships to the risk correlates. Implications for assessment of risk status are discussed and recommendations are provided for continued research.

Abuse risk potential and parenting attitudes of 66 adolescent mothers were examined during the perinatal period using self-report instruments. Approximately one-half of the sample was considered to be at significant risk. Specific risk factors included distress, rigidity in parenting attitudes, and inappropriate expectations of children. Younger adolescents were at greater risk of abuse, advocated the use of physical punishment more strongly, and reported greater unhappiness than older adolescents. Teens reporting limited social support were also at greater risk for abuse. Low acceptance of the pregnancy was related to abuse potential for parenting, but not pregnant, adolescents. A history of maltreatment was related to self-reported problems with family members but not to overall risk. Implications for the prevention of abuse among adolescent mothers are discussed.

14 3-6-year-old children with a history of physical abuse and a closely matched comparison group of 14 nonabused children, all of whom had been in day-care for more than a year, participated in this investigation. Behavior observations, teacher reports, and peer sociometric ratings were used to evaluate children's peer interactions. It was found that abused children initiated fewer positive interactions with peers and exhibited a higher proportion of negative behavior than nonabused comparison children. Peers viewed abused children as less well liked. Further, peers were less likely to reciprocate the initiations of abused children, although they approached abused children as often as they approached comparison children. Teachers viewed abused children as more behaviorally disturbed. Overall, results indicated that abused children experience disturbed social interactions outside the home environment, despite involvement in a day-care setting that provides alternative peer and adult role models.

The ability of physically abused children to resolve hypothetical social problems was compared to the social problem-solving skills of a comparison group of nonabused children. Analyses indicated that the abused children generated a more narrow range of solutions and were more likely to perserverate on negative solutions. Implications for intervention and future research are made.

Background The purpose of this research was to examine the manner in which multiple influences on child social adjustment operated together to predict differential outcomes for young children. Specifically, this study was designed to (i) examine the role of social cognitive and emotional factors in parents’ observed and self-reported behaviour towards their children, and (ii) investigate the impact of parenting and children’s social information processing (SIP) patterns on children’s subsequent social adjustment in the school setting. Methods A model of children’s peer social adjustment was evaluated using a group of 166 children, over-sampled for history of physical child abuse. Assessment of constructs was multi-method, including parent and child self-reports as well as teacher reports of child adjustment and observations of parent–child and child–peer interactions. Results Using structural equation modelling, support was found for our theoretical model. Specifically, parents’ negative child-related beliefs and clinical elevations in emotional distress were predictors of harsh, insensitive parenting, which in turn predicted children’s SIP operations and social maladjustment 6 months later. However, children’s SIP did not significantly predict their social adjustment above and beyond the impact of parenting. Conclusions Results indicated that the quality of parenting that children received was more central to subsequent adjustment in peer interactions than were children’s SIP operations. Furthermore, the quality of parenting children experienced was closely linked to parents’ beliefs about their children and parents’ mental health status. Directions for future research and potential implications for clinical practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]