NCJ Number
224223
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 819-829
Date Published
August 2008
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined the link between a parent’s being a victim of partner psychological abuse and the parent victim’s perpetration of child maltreatment.
Abstract
The study found that being the victim of partner psychological abuse was strongly related to the parent victim’s perpetration of child maltreatment. Children were at the greatest risk of parental maltreatment when parents psychologically abused each other compared to no such psychological abuse being present in the partners’ interaction. When only the husband perpetrated psychological abuse toward the wife, the odds of child neglect was 5.29 times higher than for families in which no psychological abuse occurred. These findings suggest the importance of an increased effort to raise public awareness of the nature and effects of partner psychological abuse. Primary prevention should include education about the seriousness of partner psychological abuse in families. Domestic-violence and child welfare agencies must appreciate the importance of the link between partner psychological abuse and child maltreatment. Effective screening for each of these problems should be developed. This cross-sectional study examined a population-based sample of mothers with children ages 0-17 years in North and South Carolina (n=1,149). Mothers were asked about the occurrence of potentially neglectful or abusive behaviors toward their children by either themselves or their husband/partner in the past year. Partner psychological abuse was assessed with two questions: “How many times in the past year have you insulted, belittled, or demeaned your husband/partner?” and “How many times in the past year have you threatened your husband/partner or someone he cares about?” 5 tables and 40 references