NCJ Number
222326
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2008 Pages: 195-211
Date Published
February 2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of childhood physical and sexual abuse with reported parenting satisfaction and parenting role impairment later in life among American Indians (AI).
Abstract
The study found support only for substance use disorder, not depression, as a mediator of the relationship between childhood abuse and parenting outcomes, which is in contrast to recent literature on the effect of childhood trauma on parenting outcomes in which depression mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and parenting outcomes. Instrumental and perceived social support significantly enhanced parenting satisfaction; however, negative social support reduced satisfaction and increased the likelihood of parenting role impairment. Exposure to parental violence while growing up had lethal effects on parenting outcomes. Mothers and fathers did not differ significantly in the relation of childhood abuse experience and later parenting outcomes. In conclusion, the study addressed gaps in existing literature regarding parenting outcomes and included the first model of such relationships in American Indian populations. The findings suggest potential variables that could be the targets of interventions: concrete social support, attention to both fathers and mothers in their parenting role, and substance use disorders. It is important to understand the risk and protective factors that affect outcomes later in life. Literature reports on the influence of childhood abuse on social consequences, such as parenting behaviors and attitudes have been diverse in design and have found negative effects. This study examined the empirical relationship between childhood abuse and later parenting for two representative samples of American Indian tribal communities: Northern Plains tribe and Southwest tribe. Tables, figure, and references