Exploring the Link Between Maternal History of Childhood Victimization and Child Risk of Maltreatment

• NCJ Number: 217339
• Journal: Journal of Trauma Practice Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 57-72
• Author(s): Richard Thompson
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 90CA1568; R01-HD39689
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institutes of Health; US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The relationship between maternal history of childhood victimization and child risk of maltreatment were examined among a sample of low-income urban mother-infant dyads.

Abstract

The results indicated that mothers’ current marital status, victimization as an adult, and depressive symptoms were better predictors of child risk for maltreatment than was maternal history of childhood victimization. Mother’s current marital status emerged as the strongest predictor of child maltreatment risk: mothers who had previously been married were more likely to have children who were maltreated than were currently married mothers. The factors affecting the mother’s current situation were thus able to partially explain the relationship between their experiences of childhood victimization and their children’s risk of maltreatment. Clinicians working with adults who have a history of childhood maltreatment or victimization should assess their clients in terms of their current situation to order to meet the safety needs of children and the client’s current social and psychological needs. Participants were 220 high-risk mother-infant dyads who were recruited from city districts with the highest rates of reports to Child Protective Services (CPS). Fifty-seven percent of the participants had been reported to CPS for child maltreatment. Maltreatment data was gathered through a review of official CPS charts while alcohol abuse, depression, and maternal victimization history were gathered via questionnaire instrument. The relationship between maternal victimization history and psychological functioning was examined using t-tests while the degree to which child maltreatment could be attributed to other factors was examined using a series of logistic regression models. Future research should continue to probe the relationship between maternal history of childhood maltreatment and child risk for maltreatment using other relevant variables. Tables, note, references