Child Abuse and its Relation to Quality of Life of Male and Female Children

Abstract

It is an established fact that family strengths can promote positive outcomes for children; of course these strengths include high quality parent-child relationships. On the other hand, family violence and child abuse can lead to negative consequences regarding child well-being and quality of life. On the long run, child's mental health and psychological adjustment are compromised. This study aims at investigating the relationship between child abuse (physical abuse, psychological abuse and neglect) and quality of life in children of abusive fathers and mothers. This study operates on the assumption that child abuse affects all dimensions of children's quality of life; however the effect on each dimension is not necessarily the same. Male and female children completed Child Abuse Scale (CAS) and Children's Quality of Life Questionnaire (CQOLQ), both measurements were prepared by the author. Results of the study indicated significant negative relationship between child abuse in two types (physical abuse and emotional abuse) and the total score of CAS on one hand, and the family life dimension of CQOLQ on the other hand. Results also indicated significant negative relationship between total score of CAS and total score of CQOLQ in the male sample, while no similar relationship was indicated in the female sample. The findings of the study concerning the general score of quality of life assessment were discussed in the light of literature of the subject, and clinical implications of the results were also discussed reaching at some recommendations to help alleviating the negative impact of child abuse.