NCJ Number
108783
Journal
Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1986) Pages: 920-933
Date Published
1986
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A survey of 151 mothers to determine characteristics of violence experienced from their children.
Abstract
The survey assessed the length of time they had been single parents, the age and sex of their children, the frequency and types of violence they experienced, and the influence of violent adult modeling upon the children's violence. Findings indicate that 29 percent of the mothers had been assaulted by their children. The violent families contained more children than the nonviolent families, and the violent children's ages were more closely spaced. Battered mothers also reported greater modeling of violence (the children seeing an adult striking their mother) than did mothers reporting no children's violence. Results indicate that children who witnessed modeled violence displayed more frequent and severe violence (more hits and kicks rather than pushes or slaps) toward their mother. The implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed. (Publisher abstract)