NCJ Number
52601
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM DEPICTS A SOCIAL WORKER'S INITIAL INTERVIEW WITH PARENTS REGARDING A SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASE AND A LATER CONFERENCE WITH THE MOTHER, THE CHILD'S NURSERY TEACHER, THE HEALTH NURSE, AND THE PARENTS' THERAPIST.
Abstract
DURING THE INITIAL PARENT CONFERENCE, THE SOCIAL WORKER DISCUSSES THE NURSERY TEACHER'S REASONS FOR REPORTING THE CASE TO THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY. THE CHILD IS WITHDRAWN, DEMANDS A GREAT AMOUNT OF ATTENTION FROM TEACHERS, CANNOT INTERACT WITH OTHER CHILDREN, AND APPEARED AT SCHOOL WITH NUMEROUS BRUISES ON ONE OCCASION. SHE ALSO DISCUSSES THE CONFERENCE SHE HELD WITH THE TEACHER, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE, AND THE CHILD'S DOCTOR. THE SOCIAL WORKER SUGGESTS THAT FAMILY PRESSURES OCCURING FROM THE HUSBAND'S JOB LOSS AND THE MOTHER'S ISOLATION FROM OTHER PERSONS, ESPECIALLY OTHER MOTHERS, MIGHT CREATE A SITUATION CONDUCIVE TO MENTAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE OF THEIR CHILD. SHE POINTS OUT THAT PERSONS AT THE INITIAL CONFERENCE PERCEIVED HER AS BEING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HER CHILD, BUT OVERANXIOUS AND PROTECTIVE OF HIM AND PREOCCUPIED WITH HER PERFORMANCE AS A MOTHER. THE PARENTS AGREE TO ATTEND THERAPY SESSION AND SET UP A SCHEDULE FOR MEETING WITH THE CHILD'S TEACHER AND THE HEALTH NURSE. AT THE TIME OF THE LATER CONFERENCE, THE PARENTS HAD UNDERGONE A FEW MONTHS OF THERAPY, THE CHILD HAD BEEN TESTED FOR SPEECH AND LEARNING PROBLEMS AND WAS RECEIVING REMEDIAL THERAPY, AND THE MOTHER HAD JOINED A GROUP OF MOTHERS WHO MET REGULARLY TO DISCUSS CHILDREARING PROBLEMS. THE MOTHER EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH THE GROUP MEETINGS AND THERAPY SESSIONS, AND ACKNOWLEDGES A FEELING OF REDUCED PRESSURE AND ANXIETY REGARDING HER CHILD. SEE ALSO NCJ 52602. (DAG)