NCJ Number
178596
Date Published
1999
Length
144 pages
Annotation
Child abuse is examined in terms of its different types, its influences on child and adolescent development, its long-term impacts on adult functioning and psychopathology, and approaches to its prevention and treatment.
Abstract
The book uses theory and research to convey the importance of multiple contextual influences that affect abuse and can be used to prevent and treat it. Thus, the text emphasizes the large number of stress factors that impinge on the developing parent-child relationship. It also notes that child abuse increases the likelihood of other significant chronic and acute events that interrupt, or impair their psychological development. The author emphasizes that abusive parents may possess a wide range of intellectual, emotional, familial, and behavioral differences that interact with current environmental demands to lead to this pattern of behavior. Therefore, a context-relevant approach to understanding and preventing child abuse emphasizes the importance of promoting parental competence and reducing family stress. The text also concludes that preventing child abuse should focus on activities that provide support and assistance to families rather than increasing surveillance and detection alone. The final chapter discusses promising efforts underway across the country to demonstrate the benefits of child-focused and family-focused prevention. Tables and approximately 300 references