Child Abuse and Violence Against the Family (From Child Abuse, P 185-194, 1988 -- See NCJ-116992)

• NCJ Number: 117014
• Author(s): P C Kratcoski
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Phi Delta Kappa
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Child Welfare, V 61, N 7 (September 1982).

Annotation

The possible association between childhood abuse and later violent delinquency was investigated in data for 863 serious delinquent offenders incarcerated in Ohio in 1980.

Abstract

Violence was defined as the illegal use or threat of force against persons, while abuse was defined as nonaccidental physical injury inflicted on a child by a parent or other caretaker. Of the total population 223, or 26 percent, had experienced physical abuse in some form. Abused and nonabused delinquents did not differ significantly in age, number of officially recorded delinquent acts, or incidence of broken homes. Abuse had been experienced by 28 percent of whites and 22 percent of blacks. Of abused youth, 33 percent had experienced violence from their fathers, 10 percent from stepfathers, 17 percent from mothers, and 27 percent from both parents. In over 85 percent of cases, this violence occurred on more than one occasion. More than 75 percent of youth in both groups had committed at least one violent act, and the two groups did not differ significantly. However, 26 percent of abused youth had directed some form of violence against a significant other as compared to 14 percent of nonabused youth; and 45 percent of abused youth directed violence against a caretaker or immediate family member as compared to 18 percent of nonabused youth. There was little difference between the groups in violence directed against institutional staff. Findings provide support for both learning and stress theories of delinquency. 4 tables and 17 references.