Child Abuse Prevention With At-Risk Parents and Children (From Prevention of Delinquent Behavior, P 160-189, 1987, John D Burchard and Sara N Burchard, eds. -- See NCJ-112840)

• NCJ Number: 112847
• Author(s): D A Wolfe
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 30 pages
• Grant Number(s): MA-7807
• Sponsoring Agency: Medical Research Council of Canada
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of the relationship between abuse and delinquency highlights the importance of early intervention with families at risk through individualized skill-based training and family social supports.

Abstract

A review of several studies focusing on the treatment of abusive parents indicates considerable progress in child abuse prevention. Research data suggest that a significant proportion of abusive families can be helped to alter abusive and coercive family interaction through individualized skill-based training. These findings have been the basis for developing early intervention procedures for high-risk parents and children and the expansion of intervention techniques aimed at developing child competence. Since child abuse involves social as well as family factors, skill training with these families should be supplemented with increased family social supports and life skills in areas beyond child management. The prevention of child abuse and the accompanying deterioration of family functioning will depend upon the increased involvement of fathers, greater community education efforts, alternative child care, and major national policy changes regarding family support and assistance in addition to child protection laws and sanctions. 2 tables, 5 figures, and 47 references.