Correlates of child abuse potential

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Child Development
• Family Studies

Background:

• Coercion theory suggests environmental factors influence behavior.
• Understanding maternal factors linked to child abuse potential is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between maternal locus of control, child behavior problems, and child abuse potential.
• To test the hypothesis that external locus of control and child behavior issues predict abuse potential.

Main Methods:

• Screened 95 mother-child pairs for child abuse potential in a pediatric clinic.
• Administered the Child Abuse Potential Inventory, Locus of Control Scales, and Behavior Problem Checklist to mothers.

Main Results:

• Maternal perceptions of control (powerful others, chance) linked to abuse potential in mothers of both genders.
• Mothers' reports of sons' anxiety-withdrawal and conduct disorder correlated with abuse potential.
• Mothers with high abuse potential reported significantly more child behavior problems.

Conclusions:

• Maternal locus of control and child behavior problems are significant predictors of child abuse potential.
• Findings support coercion theory by highlighting the role of perceived control and child behavior in abuse risk.
• Interventions may benefit from addressing maternal locus of control and child behavior management.