Physical Child Abuse Perpetrator Characteristics: A Review of the Literature

• NCJ Number: 131949
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 345-366
• Author(s): J S Milner; C Chilamukurti
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 22 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH34252
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This literature review presents the clinical practitioner with a representative outline of perpetrator characteristics related to physical child abuse.

Abstract

Socialization factors include demographics and a childhood history of abuse. The biological factors related to abusive behavior are neurological and neuropsychological characteristics, physiological reactivity, and physical health problems. The literature identifies seven cognitive and affective factors: self-esteem and ego-strength; locus of control; perceptions, attributions, and evaluations of child behavior; expectations of child behavior; life stress and distress; depression; and other personality factors. The behavioral characteristics of perpetrators involve alcohol and drug use, social isolation, parent-child interactions, and parental discipline strategies. The authors emphasize that interventions must be tailored to individual perpetrator characteristics, taking into consideration factors from other ecological levels. 113 references (Author abstract modified)