NCJ Number
214272
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 425-435
Date Published
April 2006
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study explored whether children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to demonstrate cruelty toward animals.
Abstract
The two key findings were that children who were exposed to male-to-female domestic violence were significantly more likely to be cruel to animals and that exposed children who were cruel to animals were older than non-exposed children who were cruel to animals. The fact that exposed children who were cruel to animals were older suggests that the violence toward animals is a symptom of psychological disturbances related to domestic abuse exposure. Clinical intervention is suggested for these children. Research methods involved comparing a sample of 47 mothers with 2 children and a history of domestic violence with a matched sample of 45 mothers with 2 children and no history of domestic abuse. Participants were recruited through local newspapers, flyers, and poster boards in a central city in Canada. Mothers completed a number of surveys measuring demographic and child behavior information, including the Child Behavior Checklist. Data analysis involved the calculations of frequencies and the use of t-tests. Future studies of animal cruelty by children should focus on co-occurring risk and protective factors in the family. Tables, references