Selected Results From a Study of Personality Characteristics of Child Abusing Mothers

• NCJ Number: 75296
• Author(s): A L Evans
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Seattle, Washington, April 1977.

Annotation

This report presents the results of a study which investigated the personality characteristics of female child abusers, using the results of the Melnick-Hurley (1969) study.

Abstract

Subjects were 40 mothers receiving Aid to Dependent Children benefits in Ingham County, Mich. Each of the 20 'abusive' mothers had mistreated at least one of her children within 6 months prior to testing. To measure differences between the abusive and nonabusive mothers, an objective questionnaire and a projective test were administered. Findings support a report by Melnick and Hurley of major personality differences between abusive and nonabusive mothers. These differences appear independent of race. The present results more firmly outline the pervasiveness of the abusive mother's psychopathology and suggest that basic character traits, such as trust versus mistrust of others, are involved, while information and attitudes toward discipline seem less relevant. This finding implies that psychotherapy for abusive women might fruitfully focus upon basic developmental issues. These clear personality differences also raise the possibility of useful predictive measures. A bibliography of eight references is included. (ERIC abstract modified)