Identification Of Child Maltreatment Research Articles

Risk factors for paternal physical child abuse

Objective This study uses the developmental–ecological framework to examine a comprehensive set of paternal factors hypothesized to be linked to risk for paternal child abuse (PCA) among a diverse sample of fathers. Attention was given to fathers’ marital status and their race/ethnicity (White, African American, and Hispanic). Methods Interviews were conducted with 1257 married or cohabiting biological fathers who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. PCA was assessed when the index children were 3 years old. Analyses included a comprehensive set of self-reported paternal variables as well as controls for maternal variables linked to child maltreatment. PCA was measured using proxy variables: two questions assessing the frequency of spanking in the past month and Parent–Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-PC) [Straus, M., Hamby, S., Finkelhor, D., Moore, D., & Runyan, D. (1998). Identification of child maltreatment with the parent-child conflict tactics scales: Development and psychometric data for a national sample of American parents. Child Abuse & Neglect, 22, 249–270] psychological and physical aggression subscales. Results Bivariate results indicated that Hispanic fathers were the least likely to spank or engage in psychological or physical aggression. Multiple regression analyses indicated that paternal employment and earnings were not significantly associated with PCA. Compared to cohabiting African American fathers, married African American fathers were found to be at greater risk for some forms of PCA. This pattern was not found for White or Hispanic families. Conclusions In this diverse sample of involved, biological fathers, there appear to be multiple potential risk-heightening pathways that vary across race/ethnic groups. With the proper control variables, paternal employment and earnings may not be as directly linked to fathers’ physical abuse risk as has been previously thought. Practice implications There is a need for interventions within the child welfare system that better promote family wellbeing by including fathers in services. Patterns linking paternal socio-demographic and psychosocial factors to psychological and physical child abuse varied as a function of paternal race/ethnicity, indicating that race/ethnic differences are among the important factors that intervention efforts should take into account.

Identification of child maltreatment using prospective and self-report methodologies: A comparison of maltreatment incidence and relation to later psychopathology

Objectives One of the greatest methodological problems in the study of childhood maltreatment is the discrepancy in methods by which cases of child maltreatment are identified. The current study compared incidents of maltreatment identified prospectively, retrospectively, or through a combination of both methods. Method Within a cohort of 170 participants followed from birth to age 19, incidents of maltreatment which occurred prior to age 17.5 were identified via prospective case review and interviewer ratings of retrospective self-reports. Multi-informant measures of behavior problems were obtained at age 16, and diagnostic assessments of psychopathology were completed at age 17.5. Results While the maximal number of maltreatment cases was identified by using a combination of all available identification methods, the prospective method was the single most comprehensive method for identifying the most cases of childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Those who were identified as maltreated by a combination of both prospective and self-report methods experienced the greatest number of incidences of maltreatment (i.e., 49% of this group experienced more than one type of maltreatment) and displayed the most emotional and behavioral problems in late adolescence (i.e., 74% met diagnostic criteria for a clinical disorder). Conclusions This study emphasizes the variability in the incidence rates of maltreatment and the psychological outcomes that result from utilizing different methods of identification. The most severe cases of maltreatment are likely to be identified by both prospective and retrospective methods; however, cases that are identified solely through retrospective self-report may have unique relations to psychopathology in late adolescence. Practice implications Reliance on a single method to identify childhood maltreatment incidents often overlooks many cases. Comparing both prospective case reviews and retrospective self-reports in late adolescence, the most severe cases of multiple incidents of abuse were most likely to be identified by both methodologies. The less severe maltreatment incidents were more likely to be missed, either by prospective methods or, more frequently, by self-report methods. Practitioners must be continually sensitive to possible abuse histories among their clients, seeking out information from multiple sources whenever feasible. Additionally, the potential effects of abuse disclosure on pre-existing or developing psychopathology should be considered.

A National Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence of Prehospital Providers in the Assessment and Management of Child Maltreatment

The goal was to assess the knowledge and confidence in recognition, management, documentation, and reporting of child maltreatment among a representative sample of emergency medical services personnel in the United States. A questionnaire was developed and pilot-tested, with the input of experts in emergency medical services and child maltreatment, to assess knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and training needs regarding assessment and treatment of child maltreatment. The questionnaire was distributed nationally to a random sample of prehospital providers by using a previously validated sampling plan. Of 2863 surveys sent to prehospital providers, 1237 (43%) were returned. Most prehospital providers reported receiving < or = 1 hour of continuing medical education regarding child maltreatment. Most (78%) asked for additional educational opportunities, with only 3% stating that they required no additional training. Participants lacked knowledge regarding the developmental abilities of children, management of families in which child maltreatment is suspected, key elements of the history that should be noted, and the degree of suspicion necessary for reporting. Prehospital providers expressed confidence in their abilities to recognize and to manage cases of child abuse and neglect; however, significant deficiencies were reported in several critical knowledge areas, including identification of child maltreatment, interviewing techniques, and appropriate documentation.

Identification of child maltreatment while caring for them in a university hospital

The purpose of the study was to look at how nurses and physicians of a university hospital rated their ability to identify child maltreatment while caring for those children. In this study, child maltreatment was defined as physical, psychological or sexual abuse or neglect of a child under the age of 18 by parents or caregivers. The total population of staff caring for children ( N=513) in a university hospital were surveyed. Data were collected with a questionnaire developed for this study with reference to the literature. Altogether 317 questionnaires were returned, which yielded a response rate of 62%. The data were analysed using statistical methods and quantitative content analysis. Forty per cent of the respondents estimated that they had never cared for a maltreated child. Two-thirds of the respondents believed that they would be able to identify a child maltreatment case. The most distinct signs by which maltreatment could be identified were fractures, multiple bruises and the fact that the child had frequent injuries. The child's or parent's behaviour often aroused suspicion of maltreatment. Seventy-one per cent of the respondents rated the identification of maltreatment as rather difficult or difficult. Awkwardness of the phenomenon, the staff's pressure of work and relative unfamiliarity with the phenomenon were assessed as things that make the identification difficult. The fact that no jointly agreed guidelines were available for handling the matter was seen as a particular weakness. The respondents had fairly much theoretical knowledge about child maltreatment. However, child maltreatment is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that calls forth emotions. The development and improvement of practical nursing and medical care and of staff collaboration require that education be provided to different occupational groups and parties caring for children and that jointly agreed hospital-specific and regional models for operation be developed.

Identification of Child Maltreatment With the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales: Development and Psychometric Data for a National Sample of American Parents

Objective: To create a parent-to-child version of the Conflict Tactics Scales, the CTSPC. Method: Description of the conceptual and methodological approaches used and psychometric data for a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. children. Results: (1) Improved Psychological Aggression and Physical Assault scales. (2) New Nonviolent Discipline scale, supplementary scale for Neglect, and supplemental questions on discipline methods and sexual abuse. (3) Reliability ranges from low to moderate. (4) Evidence of discriminant and construct validity. Conclusions: The CTSPC is better suited to measuring child maltreatment than the original CTS. It is brief (6 to 8 minutes for the core scales) and therefore practical for epidemiological research on child maltreatment and for clinical screening. Methodological issues inherent in parent self-report measures of child maltreatment are discussed.

Coercion and Consensus Theories: Some Unresolved Issues

Previous articleNext article No AccessCommentary and DebateCoercion and Consensus Theories: Some Unresolved IssuesBert N. AdamsBert N. Adams Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by American Journal of Sociology Volume 71, Number 6May, 1966 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/224227 Views: 39Total views on this site Citations: 24Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1966 University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Caroline Harmon-Darrow Conflict Resolution Interventions and Tertiary Violence Prevention Among Urban Nonintimate Adults: A Review of the Literature, Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 23, no.11 (Apr 2020): 3–19.https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838020918672Caroline Harmon‐Darrow, Lorig Charkoudian, Tracee Ford, Michele Ennis, Erricka Bridgeford Defining Inclusive mediation: Theory, practice, and research, Conflict Resolution Quarterly 37, no.44 (Mar 2020): 305–324.https://doi.org/10.1002/crq.21279Antonella Bobbio, Karin Arbach, Thuy Nguyen Vo Psychometric Properties of the CTS2-Argentinean Version, Partner Abuse 10, no.11 (Jan 2019): 77–97.https://doi.org/10.1891/1946-6560.10.1.77Harriet Chapman, Steven M. Gillespie The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): A review of the properties, reliability, and validity of the CTS2 as a measure of partner abuse in community and clinical samples, Aggression and Violent Behavior 44 (Jan 2019): 27–35.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.10.006Fumie Kumagai Introduction: Toward a Better Understanding of Family Violence in Japan, (Feb 2016): 1–48.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0057-7_1Zeev Winstok, Ronit Smadar-Dror Sanctions as a Tactic Used in Partner Conflicts, Journal of Interpersonal Violence 30, no.1212 (Oct 2014): 1998–2037.https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260514552277Zeev Winstok From a Static to a Dynamic Approach to the Study of Partner Violence, Sex Roles 69, no.3-43-4 (Mar 2013): 193–204.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-013-0278-z Bibliography, (Apr 2014): 235–266.https://doi.org/10.14220/9783737000918.235Zeev Winstok Gender Differences in Aggressive Tendencies, (Jul 2012): 1–33.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4568-5_1Zeev Winstok The paradigmatic cleavage on gender differences in partner violence perpetration and victimization, Aggression and Violent Behavior 16, no.44 (Jul 2011): 303–311.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2011.04.004 Nonphysical Child Abuse: A Review of Literature and Challenge to Communication Scholars, (Mar 2009): 15–48.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410613790-5Esther Calvete, Susana Corral, Ana Estévez Factor Structure and Validity of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales for Spanish Women, Violence Against Women 13, no.1010 (Oct 2007): 1072–1087.https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801207305933Zeev Winstok Toward an interactional perspective on intimate partner violence, Aggression and Violent Behavior 12, no.33 (May 2007): 348–363.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2006.12.001Michael E. Reichenheim, Ruben Klein, Claudia Leite Moraes, , Assessing the physical violence component of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales when used in heterosexual couples: an item response theory analysis, Cadernos de Saúde Pública 23, no.11 (Jan 2007): 53–62.https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2007000100007Wendy M. Morgan, Steven R. Wilson Chapter 1: Nonphysical Child Abuse: A Review of Literature and Challenge to Communication Scholars, Communication Yearbook 29, no.11 (Jan 2005): 1–33.https://doi.org/10.1207/s15567419cy2901_1Rae R. Newton, Cynthia Donaldson Connelly, John A. Landsverk An Examination of Measurement Characteristics and Factorial Validity of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, Educational and Psychological Measurement 61, no.22 (Apr 2001): 317–335.https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164401612011Jan Ajzner Marxist Axioms as Self-Contradictory Parsonian Statements in Sociology, Human Studies 23, no.22 (Apr 2000): 157–178.https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005638003419Murray A Straus, Sherry L Hamby, David Finkelhor, David W Moore, Desmond Runyan Identification of Child Maltreatment With the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales: Development and Psychometric Data for a National Sample of American Parents, Child Abuse & Neglect 22, no.44 (Apr 1998): 249–270.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00174-9T. Brian Pretorius The Quality of Dyadic Relationships and the Experience of Social Support, South African Journal of Psychology 27, no.33 (Aug 2016): 171–174.https://doi.org/10.1177/008124639702700307Lawrence J. Prelli Empirical Diversity, Interdependence, and the Problem of Rhetorical Invention and Judgment: The Case of Wife Abuse Facts, Communication Theory 6, no.44 (Nov 1996): 406–429.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.1996.tb00139.xMURRAY A. STRAUS, SHERRY L. HAMBY, SUE BONEY-McCOY, DAVID B. SUGARMAN The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2), Journal of Family Issues 17, no.33 (May 1996): 283–316.https://doi.org/10.1177/019251396017003001Jeffrey C. Jacob Theories of Social and Educational Inequality: from dichotomy to typology, British Journal of Sociology of Education 2, no.11 (Jul 2006): 71–89.https://doi.org/10.1080/0142569810020105Lewis A. Coser Introduction, Journal of Social Issues 28, no.11 (Jan 1972): 1–10.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1972.tb00001.xJoseph W. Rogers A Study of Role Consensus Using the Gamma Statistic*, The Sociological Quarterly 9, no.44 (Sep 1968): 504–515.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1968.tb01073.x