NCJ Number
95956
Date Published
1984
Length
109 pages
Annotation
This book offers a how-to and hands-on approach to help individuals, staff, and volunteers in working with families having a child abuse problem.
Abstract
The model uses an integrative theoretical approach that views child abuse as a multidimensional, multicausal problem that must be addressed by taking into account the family's social environment. Child abuse is viewed as a social problem transmitted from generation to generation through social learning. It is advised that this cycle of abuse can be stopped by teaching abusers how to be productive parents and citizens. A socialization model adopted by SCAN Volunteer Service, Inc., is recommended to accomplish this. When combined with self-help groups, individual counseling, and community support, the model is effective in treating the abusive family. The SCAN model primarily integrates three perspectives: a holistic approach based on the premise that all persons need acceptance and support; an ego development approach, which suggests that because abusive parents did not receive appropriate emotional support during their childhood, they need to be taken back through the early developmental stages; and social control. The key element of the resocialization model is meeting developmental needs through socialization. The SCAN program successfully deals with abusive parents because of several important factors, including an extensive supportive network and the qualities of program staff and lay therapists. Evaluation findings indicate that of all clients studied, those in treatment for 6 months or longer who received lay therapy or self-help group services were most likely to improve in selected areas, such as self-esteem, the ability to talk out problems, development of more appropriate ways of expressing anger, and the reduction of family stress.