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Child Maltreatment: An Overview With Suggestions for Intervention and Research (From Child Abuse, P 5-15, 1988 -- See NCJ-116992)

NCJ Number
116993
Author(s)
H D Watkins; M R Bradbard
Date Published
1988
Length
11 pages
Annotation
An update of Parke and Collmer's (1975) critical review of the child abuse literature is presented, together with suggestions for further research and intervention.
Abstract
A definition of maltreatment is provided with estimated incidence and the characteristics of maltreated children are described. Major approaches to understanding maltreatment are reviewed including the sociological, psychiatric, ecologic, and social-situational models. Special attention is given to the models proposed by Belsky (1980) and Garbarino (1976, 1977) which consider the contributions of parental psychological disturbance, abuse eliciting characteristics of children, dysfunctional family interaction patterns, stress-inducing social and economic forces, and abuse-promoting cultural values. Major strategies for treatment intervention then are described, including parent support groups, home visitor networks, telephone hotlines, crisis nurseries and drop-off centers, child care instruction, and public education. A family treatment program in Columbus, Georgia is described that involves abusive/neglectful parents in group therapy, ego-building arts and crafts activities, and parent education classes. Children attend a therapeutic nursery program, and parent-child interaction is emphasized. Finally, three areas for future research are delineated: program evaluation, prediction of maltreatment, and controlled evaluation of abused children and their families. 42 references. (Author abstract modified)