SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS IN CHILD ABUSE RESEARCH

• NCJ Number: 43612
• Journal: Victimology - An International Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (SUMMER 1977) Pages: 196-224
• Author(s): M F MADEN; D F WRENCH
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 29 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Western Interstate Cmssn for Higher Education
• Corporate Author: Rosenfeld Ctr for the Study and Treatment of Child Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RECENT RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF CHILD ABUSE CONFIRMS THE OBSERVATION THAT CHILD ABUSERS ARE GENERALLY YOUNG, POOR, EITHER PARENTS OR PARENT-SUBSTITUTES, AND, IN THE CASE OF FATHERS, HAVE A HISTORY OF ANTISOCIAL ACTIVITY.

Abstract

THIS SURVEY OF MAJOR RECENT RESEARCH AND LITERATURE EXAMINES CONFLICTING FINDINGS, STUDIES WHICH CONFIRM PAST FINDINGS, AND SUGGESTS AREAS WHICH NEED TO BE EXPLORED. SEVERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE FOUND THAT CHILD ABUSE IS AS PREVALENT IN WESTERN EUROPE, SCANDINAVIA, AUSTRALIA, AND NEW ZEALAND AS IT IS IN THE UNITED STATES. FOR MOST AREAS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, REPORTING IS INCOMPLETE. CLINICAL STUDIES FIND THAT MOST ABUSED CHILDREN ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 6. OTHER RESEARCHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS IS BECAUSE YOUNGER CHILDREN ARE MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THUS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF AUTHORITIES. ALSO, COURT REMOVAL OF CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS TO FOSTER HOMES MAY REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF THE CRIME AS THE CHILD BECOMES OLDER. ABUSE REPORTING STATUTES, HOWEVER, ARE UNCOVERING A GREAT MANY OLDER VICTIMS, PARTICULARY AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS. MORE MOTHERS THAN FATHERS ASSAULT THEIR CHILDERN AND THESE MOTHERS OFTEN EXHIBIT WELL-CONCEALED NEUROTIC PERSONALITIES. HOWEVER, ONCE THE MOTHER BEGINS THE ASSAULT, THE FATHER IS OFTEN LIKELY TO CONTINUE IT. ALCOHOL IS INVOLVED IN 12.5 PERCENT OF CASES. FATHERS WITH CRIMINAL HISTORIES OR A HISTORY OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE ABUSERS. ABUSED CHILDREN ARE UNDISTINGUISHED BY SEX OR RACE, ARE OFTEN EITHER THE OLDER OR THE YOUNGEST CHILD, USUALLY ARE IN LARGER THAN AVERAGE FAMILIES, AND WERE MORE FREQUENTLY PREMATURE OR DELIVERED BY CAESARIAN SECTION. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE INTERFERENCE WITH EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT AT BIRTH IS A LARGE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. ABUSED CHILDREN ALSO HAVE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HANDICAPS, BUT WHETHER THIS IS THE CAUSE OR THE RESULT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. UNEMPLOYMENT IS A LARGE FACTOR SOCIAL ISOLATION, LACK OF COMMUNITY AFFILIATION, AND A HISTORY OF PERSONAL PROBLEMS. AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. TABLES COMPARE FINDINGS OF MAJOR STUDIES.