NCJ Number
203720
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2004 Pages: 65-85
Date Published
January 2004
Length
21 pages
Annotation
After summarizing the literature on studies that have identified short-term and long-term effects of child physical abuse (CPA) as well as studies that have documented characteristics of parents/caregivers who commit CPA, this study examined the outcomes for various types of treatment used in CPA cases.
Abstract
Children who have suffered physical abuse exhibit a wide range of emotional and behavioral difficulties that may persist into adulthood and contribute to problems in future relationships, including relationships with their own children. The majority of parents at risk for committing CPA do not meet diagnostic criteria for full-blown psychiatric disorders; however, they do manifest deficits in parenting skills, stress-related difficulties, and complications in their relationships with their children. Parents who use extreme punitive practices have been characterized as immature, easily annoyed, and lacking in general knowledge about child development and appropriate child-management skills. Abusive parents are also prone to engage in inconsistent, negative, and aggressive child-rearing practices. Regarding treatment methods, parent-only cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) interventions have been associated with significant improvements in parenting abilities, parent-child interactions, and children's behavioral problems. There is very little research that has examined the effectiveness of CBT interventions in reducing children's emotional and behavioral difficulties related to their physical abuse. The few existing studies report promising results for CBT models used to treat such children. There is a consensus among researchers and mental health professionals that an integrated parent-child approach to CPA may be effective, when clinically appropriate. Providing treatment to only the parent may neglect the child's mental health needs and the parent-child relationship. Empirical research should examine the added benefit of including the child in the parent's treatment and the best means of doing this. Further, policies should include a focus on a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to dealing with families at risk for physical abuse. 105 references