Evaluation of "at risk" parents using the Child Abuse Potential Inventory

Investigated the ability of the Child Abuse Potential (CAP)--Inventory to distinguish "At Risk" individuals. During a 2-year period the CAP-Inventory was given of 67 "At Risk" parents who were participating in an "At Risk Parent-Child Program." Ss were judged as "At Risk" when they met one or more of the "At Risk" criteria that had been developed by the Program. Sixty-four of the Ss completed the CAP-Inventory. Results indicated that the "At Risk" sample scored significantly higher on the Inventory than a norm group. More specifically, 45% of the "At Risk" sample had Inventory scores above the 95th percentile of the norm group. Strengths and weaknesses involved in the labeling of Ss as "At Risk" using the "At Risk" criteria and the CAP-Inventory are discussed.