Further Reflections on the Therapy of Those Who Maltreat Children (From Battered Child, Fifth Edition, P 566-576, 1997, Mary E. Helfer, Ruth S. Kempe, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-183728)

• NCJ Number: 183752
• Author(s): Brandt F. Steele M.D.
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The treatment of persons who abuse children is usually complex and difficult; in addition to problems of inadequate parenting, these persons demonstrate the same neurotic and personal disorders and with the same frequency as the general population.

Abstract

The goal of treatment should be to protect children from further abuse and enhance their future development. Treatment should specifically aim to improve the parenting abilities of parents and other caregivers and relieve the many forms of personal distress and interpersonal living problems that plague parents and caregivers. Therapists should keep in mind that acceptable cultural patterns of parenting vary widely between countries and that treatment methods should be designed to fit the particular case. Parental characteristics and functions that should appropriately be the focus of treatment are described, with emphasis on ways of helping parents refrain from abuse. Specific problems that can arise in different modes of treatment are noted. 4 references