NCJ Number
196275
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: July-August 2002 Pages: 365-383
Editor(s)
Vincent B. Van Hasselt,
Michel Hersen
Date Published
2002
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article presents a literature review of research on the relationship between growing up in a family situation marked by domestic violence and the prevalence of childhood acts of animal cruelty and adult acts of violence.
Abstract
The authors reviewed research conducted over the past 35 years to form the basis of the discussion. It is noted that although there is research indicating a link between the childhood experience of familial violence and childhood animal cruelty and adult violence, the research also indicates that this link is limited in nature and is not consistent across studies. The article not only focused on the relationship between the behaviors and violent families, it is also focused on the research concerning childhood animal cruelty as being predictive of adult violence towards people. The bioecological model and theory are used as an assessment tool regarding the link between childhood animal cruelty and the adult expression of interpersonal violence. The familial factors studied for their impact on violent expressions include: child abuse, paternal alcoholism, parental availability, domestic violence, parental animal cruelty, and traumatic family contexts (the dysfunctional family). Assessment and intervention strategies for identified child animal cruelty are discussed. Based upon the information reviewed, the link between childhood exposure to an abusive family is more pronounced in the area of adult violence than childhood animal cruelty. 54 references