NCJ Number
42393
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology, Methods and Therapy Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (1977) Pages: 53-55
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE OF CHILD ABUSE, USING THE SOCIAL READJUSTMENT RATING SCALE (SRRS) TO COMPARE ABUSIVE AND NON-ABUSIVE PARENTS.
Abstract
THE SRRS WAS ADMINISTERED TO MATCHED GROUPS OF PARENTS WHO HAD ABUSED THEIR CHILDREN AND TO PARENTS WHO HAD NOT ABUSED THEIR CHILDREN, BUT WHO HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THEM. THE RESEARCHERS FOUND FOUR TYPES OF WORK-RELATED SITUATIONS TO BE PERILOUSLY STRESSFUL SITUATIONS FOR PARENTS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHILD ABUSE. THESE ARE: UNEMPLOYED FATHERS CARING FOR CHILDREN AT HOME; WORKING MOTHERS WITH JOB AND DOMESTIC OBLIGATION OVERLOADS; HUSBANDS, ESPECIALLY PROFESSIONALS, WORKING SO HARD THAT THEY NEGLECT THEIR WIVES; AND TRAUMATIC WORK EXPERIENCES RESULTING IN UNDISPELLED TENSION. PREVENTION STRATEGIES SUGGESTED BY THE AUTHORS INCLUDE PASSAGE OF A FEDERAL LAW GUARANTEEING TOTAL EMPLOYMENT; REDUCING THE POSSIBILITIES OF ON-THE-JOB HAZARDS; INCREASING THE NUMBER OF EASILY ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE FACILITIES; AND MINIMIZING SEXISM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...EB