NCJ Number
60071
Journal
Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 477-493
Date Published
1979
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE VALIDITY OF A MULTICAUSAL VIEW OF CHILD ABUSE, AS MANIFESTED IN INSTITUTIONS FOR CHILDREN, WAS ASSESSED. CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NORMS, VIOLENCE, AND SOCIETAL PRESSURE AND STRUCTURE.
Abstract
THE EX POST FACTO STUDY UTILIZED ROLE PLAYING TECHNIQUES TO EXAMINE VOLUNTARY HARM IN A SAMPLE OF 100 DIRECT CARE GIVERS IN 42 LIVING UNITS LOCATED IN 13 DIFFERENT CHILDREN'S HOMES FOR THE DEPENDENT, NEGLECTED, AND DISTURBED. THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE WAS LEVEL OF JUSTIFIED FORCE. DATA WERE OBTAINED ON 20 BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATIONAL VARIABLES THAT RELATED TO CULTURAL, STRUCTURAL, AND SOCIOPSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS. THE QUESTIONNAIRE ELICITED INFORMATION ON INSTITUTIONS, SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CARE GIVERS, WAYS OF DEALING WITH HYPOTHETICAL CHILD CARE SITUATIONS, PARTICIPATION IN DECISIONMAKING, AND ACTUAL PATTERNS OF CARE IN LIVING UNITS. SEVERAL VARIABLES WERE MODERATELY ASSOCIATED WITH LEVEL OF FORCE. MORE FORCE WAS PRESENT WHEN RESPONDENTS WERE OLDER, HAD LESS EDUCATION, WERE MARRIED, HAD LIVE-IN SCHEDULES, WERE REARED IN SMALLER TOWNS, HAD LESS PARTICIPATION IN DECISIONMAKING, WORKED WHERE RESIDENTS WERE MANAGED IN MORE ORGANIZATION-CENTERED WAYS, AND EXPERIENCED HIGHER AMOUNTS OF FELT INJUSTICE. IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS FOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS ANALYSIS AND FOR PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT REVEAL THE FOLLOWING: (1) STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO BREAK THE ISOLATION OF LIVING UNITS SO CARE GIVERS DO NOT FEEL THAT THEY ARE MASTERS OF THEIR OWN HOUSES; (2) THE DEPLOYMENT OF CARE GIVERS SHOULD BE PLANNED SO THAT MORE STAFF ARE IN LIVING UNITS DURING PEAK HOURS; AND (3) AN EQUIVALENT OF MILITARY REST AND REHABILITATION PROCEDURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO COUNTER STAFF FEELINGS OF BEING DRAINED OR BURNED OUT. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ARE NOTED, AND REFERENCES AND TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED