Operational Definition of Child Emotional Maltreatment - Final Report

• NCJ Number: 105705
• Author(s): T F Baily; W H Baily
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 43 pages
• Contract Number(s): NCCAN 90-CA-0956
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: Maine Dept of Human Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; Maine Dept of Human Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Definitions of child emotional maltreatment were developed, refined, and rated by a total of 207 respondents in Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Vermont, and Maine.

Abstract

Respondents came from all segments of protective service practice (e.g., medical, mental health, court, and military). Seven separate questionnaires were used with return rates of 55 to 82 percent, and an overall average of 70 percent. The first three questionnaires were used to develop statements of maltreatment and exclude items reflective of poor parenting rather than abuse or neglect. Between 78 and 80 separate parental behaviors indicative of emotional maltreatment were identified for preschool (infant to 5 years), latency (6 to 12 years) and adolescent (13 to 17 years) age groups. In the fourth and fifth questionnaires, these individuals were placed into clusters for each age group. In the final two questionnaires, respondents rated the parental behavior alone and according to their effect on the child. No regional differences in ratings were found. The total project resulted in ratings for 153 separate parent-child behaviors. 4 references. (Author abstract modified)