NCJ Number
53273
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE LANGUAGE OF CHILD ABUSE PROFESSIONALS IS CRITICIZED. THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CHILD ABUSE, THE NEED FOR A MORE SCIENTIFIC TAXONOMY TO ORGANIZE DATA ON CHILDHOOD SOCIAL ILLNESSES, AND RESEARCH PROBLEMS ARE ALL DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE TERMS 'CHILD ABUSE,' CHILD NEGLECT,' AND 'ACCIDENTS,' WHICH ARE THE ONLY TERMS AVAILABLE TO PHYSICIANS WORKING WITH CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, ARE EITHER TOO ACCUSATORY OR DO NOT FULLY EXPLAIN THE PHENOMENON AT HAND. A MORE SCIENTIFIC LISTING OF TRAUMAS ASSOCIATED WITH FAMILY SITUATIONS IS URGED. THE INCIDENCE, PREVALENCE, AND DURATION OF CHILD ABUSE CASES IN THE UNITED STATES IS ESTIMATED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES ARE OVERLOADED AND THAT A REPORT MAY NOT ELICIT AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE. THIS POINTS OUT THE NEED FOR SUSTAINED, HELPFUL ACTION BY THE AGENCY REPORTING THE ABUSE. THE REASONS WHY CHILD ABUSE REPORTS ARE CLUSTERED AMONG LOWER-INCOME, MINORITY PARENTS ARE REVIEWED. THE PROBLEM OF 'CONFOUNDING,' IN WHICH AN INVESTIGATOR'S INABILITY TO CONTROL AN INTERVENING VARIABLE MAY CAUSE IT TO BE MISTAKEN FOR A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP, IS DISCUSSED. THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIAL CLASS, PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, AND CHILD ABUSE IS CALLED A CASE OF CONFOUNDING. THE QUESTION OF POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND CHILD ABUSE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY HOLDING SOCIAL CLASS CONSTANT. THE FACT THAT ABUSED CHILDREN OFTEN GROW UP TO BE CRIMINALS MAY BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY BELONG TO A SOCIAL CLASS IN WHICH DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IS LABELED AS 'CRIMINAL.' FURTHER RESEARCH IS URGED. EXTENSIVE REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)