NCJ Number
54470
Journal
Journal of Clinical Child Psychology Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (SUMMER 1978) Pages: 117-121
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
REMEDIAL STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE DISCUSSED AS THEY RELATE TO THREE POPULAR MODELS OF THE ETIOLOGY OF CHILD ABUSE.
Abstract
RESEARCH ON CHILD MALTREATMENT HIGHLIGHTS THREE BASIC THEORETICAL MODELS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT: (1) THE PSYCHIATRIC MODEL, WHICH VIEWS CHILD ABUSE BEHAVIOR AS ROOTED IN A PSYCHIATRIC DISTURBANCE IN THE ABUSER; (2) THE SOCIOLOGICAL MODEL, WHICH EXPLAINS CHILD ABUSE BEHAVIOR AS STIMULATED BY THE CONDITIONING AND STRESSES OF PREVALENT SOCIOECONOMIC PATTERNS; AND (3) THE EFFECT OF THE CHILD ON HIS CAREGIVER MODEL, WHICH SEES CHILD ABUSE AS HOSTILE BEHAVIOR ELICITED BY THE BEHAVIOR, PERSONALITY, OR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VICTIM. THE REMEDIATING APPROACHES TO CHILD ABUSE ARE RELATED TO THE CAUSATIVE FACTORS PRESENTED IN EACH MODEL. REMEDIAL STRATEGIES SUGGESTED FOR THE PSYCHIATRIC MODEL VIEW THE ABUSER AS HAVING BEEN SO SEVERELY EMOTIONALLY DEPRIVED IN HIS OR HER EARLY YEARS THAT THE PARENT'S NEED FOR NURTURING PRECLUDES GIVING NURTURE TO THE CHILD. A PROGRAM USING LAY THERAPISTS TO BE FRIENDS AND CONFIDANTES OF THE ABUSER AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SELF-HELP GROUPS MODELED AFTER ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ARE SUGGESTED AS WAYS TO PROVIDE THE NUTURING RELATIONSHIPS NEEDED BY THE ABUSING PARENT. STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO REMEDY CAUSES IDENTIFIED IN THE SOCIOLOGICAL MODEL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, CRISIS NURSERIES, AND HOMEMAKER SERVICES TO RELIEVE THE PARENT OF SOME OF THE STRESSES OF CHILD REARING AND HOME MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD MANAGEMENT CLASSES AND SOCIAL NETWORKS TO REDUCE THE ISOLATION OF FAMILIES AND THE CESSATION OF APPROVAL FOR CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN. THE EFFECT OF THE CHILD ON HIS CAREGIVER MODEL FOR EXPLAINING ABUSE REQUIRES A TWO-FOLD STRATEGY: (1) CHANGING THE CHILD'S BEHAVIOR WHICH TENDS TO ELICIT A PUNITIVE RESPONSE FROM PARENTS, AND (2) WORKING WITH THE PARENTS TO CHANGE PARENTAL ABUSING REACTIONS TO THE CHILD'S MOST AGGRAVATING CHARACTERISTICS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT ANY BROAD-BASED ATTEMPT TO PREVENT AND DEAL WITH CHILD ABUSE MUST INCLUDE AN ENTIRE BATTERY OF PROGRAMS TO STRIKE AT THE CAUSATIVE COMPONENTS OF EACH OF THE ETIOLOGICAL MODELS. (RCB)