NCJ Number
225699
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 32 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 1127-1137
Date Published
December 2008
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study compared a broad range of cognitive and affective factors between physically abusive and non-abusive fathers.
Abstract
Results indicated that abusive fathers had less educational achievement, lower financial status, higher levels of childhood trauma, and significantly more current mental health concerns than non-abusive fathers. They also reported a greater history of alcohol abuse, more arrests for violent offenses, more weapon ownership, and described themselves as more hostile and suspicious. Abusive fathers reported more parenting stress and anger, and a greater likelihood of aggression when angry. They also reported being less likely to take their child’s perspective and feel empathy concern for their child. Abusive fathers’ responses reflected higher levels of parent-child relationship distress. They perceived their children as more difficult and also perceived children’s emotional displays as more negative and as reflecting more threat-related emotions. Finally, abusive fathers had more children, specifically more stepchildren, than non-abusive fathers, which is of particular concern in light of research indicating that children are at significantly greater risk of homicide from stepparents. Data were collected from 24 abusive fathers referred by Child Protective Services, and 30 non-abusive fathers from the same community. Tables and references