NCJ Number
68664
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 223-232
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER PRESENTS ADVICE FOR BEGINNING A THERAPEUTIC GROUP FOR ABUSIVE PARENTS, BASED ON EXPERIENCE AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
Abstract
USE OF GROUP TREATMENT FOR ABUSIVE PARENTS HAS GROWN BECAUSE IT BRIDGES SUCH PARENTS' SOCIAL ISOLATION, HELPS PARENTS CONFRONT INTERPERSONAL ISSUES, AND IS COST EFFECTIVE. PRIMARY TASKS OF A BEGINNING THERAPEUTIC GROUP ARE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, DECREASING SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND DEVELOPING COHESIVENESS, AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING TRUST, DECREASING HESITANCY, AND INCREASING SELF-REVELATION. METHODS USED AT THE NATIONAL CENTER TO ENHANCE PARENTS' ADAPTION TO THE GROUP INCLUDE PROVISION OF TRANSPORTATION BOTH TO AND FROM GROUP MEETINGS, PROVISION OF DINNER DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE GROUP MEETING, AND FURNISHING OF CHILD CARE BY A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS. THERAPISTS SHOULD ALSO USE SPECIAL CARE IN STRUCTURING THE GROUP. NEW MEMBERS SHOULD BE ADDED ONLY AFTER MUCH PLANNING AND PREPARATION OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS. THE ISSUE OF CONFIDENTIALITY IS CRUCIAL. AT THE FIRST MEETING THE THERAPIST SHOULD OPENLY DISCUSS SUCH ISSUES AS THE LEGAL MANDATE TO REPORT NEW ABUSIVE INCIDENTS. PARENTS SHOULD BE ASSURED THAT THE THERAPIST WILL GO WITH THEM TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND REMAIN SUPPORTIVE THROUGHOUT THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS. THE THERAPIST SHOULD ALSO SET GROUND RULES FOR ATTENDANCE, BECAUSE ABSENCE OF OTHER GROUP MEMBERS CAN BE VERY THREATENING TO THE PARENTS. PARENTS SHOULD GIVE ADVANCE NOTICE WHEN PLANNING TO LEAVE A GROUP. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS FIRST STAGE OF GROUP THERAPY LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR MORE INTENSIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY. A REFERENCE LIST OF 58 PUBLICATIONS IS INCLUDED. (CFW)