NCJ Number
135688
Date Published
1986
Length
60 pages
Annotation
Many parents accused of child neglect suffer from severe and chronic loneliness. This booklet provides child protective services workers with an understanding of the nature of loneliness and offers ways to treat the problem.
Abstract
Studies focusing on low-income families, mainly headed by women, show neglectful parents do not have a sufficient support network compared to those families in similar circumstances. This isolation in its chronic state can lead to pathological behaviors. Dread of loneliness can cause addictions to relationships, drugs, and alcohol. An example of neglect is shown in parents who cling to their children and use them to fulfill unmet emotional needs. Though loneliness is considered a universal emotion, chronic loneliness requires a more specific form of treatment than general coping techniques. Speaking in comforting tones and listening attentively can help a client with low self-esteem feel valued. Group therapy using simple craft projects and refreshments instead of direct confrontation can help parents deal with their issues in a non-threatening way. The goal is to nurture the parents in a supportive atmosphere so that they will, in turn, have the capacity to connect with others. 29 references