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REVIEW OF METHODS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF ABUSING PARENTS

NCJ Number
58681
Journal
Social Casework Volume: 60 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 360-367
Author(s)
C T SHORKEY
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY, ANALYSIS, BEHAVIOR THERAPY, MULTIPLE FAMILY THERAPY, AND HUMANISTIC-BEHAVIORAL GROUP THERAPY IN TREATING ABUSIVE PARENTS IS STUDIED IN THIS ARTICLE.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE REPORTS, ON THE VARIOUS TREATMENT METHODS, WHICH ARE REVIEWED IN THIS ARTICLE DIFFER MARKEDLY WITH REGARD TO THEIR THEORETICAL FRAME OF REFERENCE, TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES USED, THEY ALSO OFFER MANY SIMILARITIES. EACH APPROACH VIEWS HISTORICAL FACTORS AS CONTRIBUTING TO PRESENT BEHAVIOR PATTERNS. EACH APPROACH EMPHASIZES VIGOROUS ACTIVITY BY THE THERAPISTS WHO ENGAGE THE CLIENTS IN A CONSISTENT PROCESS AIMED AT CHANGING THEIR INDIVIDUAL FUNCTIONING. EACH COMBINES THERAPY WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES. IN ADDITION, EACH REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENT OF TIME, RESOURCES, AND EFFORT, AND EACH APPROACH IS REPORTED AS ACHIEVING POSITIVE CHANGES IN MOST PARTICIPANTS. NONE OF THE AVAILABLE STUDIES HAVE MADE USE OF EITHER SINGLE-CASE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS OR OF CONTROL GROUPS TO EVALUATE ABSOLUTE OR RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE METHODS USED. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE APPROACHES REPORTED HAS TREATED LARGE NUMBERS OF CLIENTS. GREATER EFFORTS MUST BE MADE TO BRING TREATMENT TO ABUSIVE PARENTS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)