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Breaking the cycle of abuse
B Egeland1, D Jacobvitz, L A Sroufe
1Mother-Child Intervention Research Project, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
Child Development
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Mothers who escaped childhood abuse and avoided abusing their own children often had childhood support, therapy, and stable adult relationships. Those who repeated abuse faced more stress and psychological distress.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Child Development
- Family Studies
Background:
- Childhood abuse can perpetuate a cycle of maltreatment across generations.
- Understanding protective factors is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key differences between mothers who broke the cycle of abuse and those who reenacted it.
- To explore variables influencing intergenerational transmission of abuse.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study (64 months) using maternal interviews and questionnaires.
- Assessed past/current relationships, life stress, and personality traits.
Main Results:
- Breaking the cycle was linked to childhood emotional support, therapy participation, and stable, supportive adult relationships.
- Reenacting abuse correlated with higher life stress, anxiety, dependence, immaturity, and depression.
Conclusions:
- Protective factors like support systems and therapeutic interventions are vital for preventing intergenerational abuse.
- Maternal psychological well-being and relationship stability are key indicators.