Childhood maltreatment, childhood social support, and child abuse potential in a Basque sample

Abstract

The present study obtained data on childhood physical and sexual abuse in a Basque sample in order to compare abuse rates with a similar study conducted in the United States. The study also examined the relationships between childhood physical and sexual abuse, childhood social support, and abuse potential in the Basque sample. Although the overall rates of physically abusive behaviors were similar in the Basque and US samples, the rates of physical abuse sequelae (bruises/welts, cuts/scratches, dislocations, burns, and/or bone fractures) were lower in the Basque sample. In addition, while the rates of sexual abuse were similar for females, the sexual abuse rates for Basque males were more than double the rates reported for US males. As expected, a childhood history of physical and sexual abuse were directly related to child abuse potential. Childhood social support, especially father support, was inversely associated with abuse potential. An interaction between a childhood history of physical abuse and father support was found where those with a history of abuse and low levels of father support had the highest level of abuse potential and those with a history of abuse and high levels of father support had the lowest level of abuse potential.