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Behavioral Assessment of Child-Abusive and Neglectful Families: Recent Developments and Current Issues

NCJ Number
132373
Journal
Behavioral Modification Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1990) Pages: 255-278
Author(s)
D J Hansen; V M MacMillan
Date Published
1990
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article describes several new assessment procedures in the behavioral assessment of child-abusive and neglectful families: identification of maltreatment; child-management; anger and arousal; parental knowledge and expectations regarding child behavior; problem-solving and coping skills; social support; and neglectful parenting.
Abstract
Advances have been particularly significant in the development of self-report and analogue assessments to measure parental responses in a variety of contexts. As the assessment of physically abusive and neglectful families often is impeded or complicated by a variety of problems, several issues need to be addressed in the behavioral assessment of child abuse and neglect. These include: the failure of professionals to report many cases of suspected child abuse and the related failure to inform parents that suspected abuse is being reported or actively considered; accuracy of assessment; widening the scope of assessment; assessment acceptability; and enhancing compliance. Strategies that may facilitate compliance of maltreating parents with assessment procedures require ongoing investigation. 73 references (Author abstract modified)