The Newly Recognized, Shattering Effects of Child Abuse.pptVIP

Child Abuse Lauren Mumford Matt Lawrence Joseph Rattie Mike Worwood Robert James What constitutes abuse? Physical Sexual Psychological Neglect Mistreatment Coercive Parenting Distribution of Abuse Perspectives Social Systems Some adults may be more inclined than others to abuse. Some children may be more likely than others to be abused. Abuse may be more likely in some contexts, communities and cultures than others. Who are the Abusers? Often (Not Always) highly stressed younger parents with little social support, have been abused themselves, and have a coercive parenting style. Who is Abused? One child is often singled out Example of Coercive Interaction Parent repeatedly makes a request from child. The command is usually vague, intrusive, and in an irritated voice. The child responds coercively (e.g. whining, tantrums) The parent becomes frusterated and eventually yields. The child stops the behavior, the parent is alleviated. The child’s behavior ceases for a short time but has been reinforced, the parent’s withdrawing behavior is also reinforced. Effects of Coercive Parenting Practices Parent and sibling coercive cylces bidirectionally reinforce aggressive behavior. Coercive family relationships often lead to childhood conduct disorder. Early antisocial behavior is predictive of delinquency, adult crime, alcoholism, school failure, marital distress, and employment problems (Kazdin, 1987; Robins, 1978). The Newly Recognized, Shattering Effects of Child Abuse All children are born to grow, to develop, to live, to love, and to articulate their needs and feelings for their self-protection. For their development children need the respect and protection of adults who take them seriously, love them, and honestly help them to become oriented in the world. The normal reactions to such injury should be anger and pain; since children in this hurtful kind of environment, however, are forbidden to express their anger and si