NCJ Number
240529
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2012 Pages: 236-246
Date Published
March 2012
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the relationship between a variety of childhood maltreatment experiences and both observed and self-reported parenting outcomes.
Abstract
Major findings from the study include the following: specific childhood maltreatment experiences such as witnessing family violence, neglect, and emotional maltreatment, were significantly associated with mothers' observed hostility towards their children; the presence of a history of child sexual abuse was associated with self-reported concerns regarding parenting competence; and self-reported parenting outcomes were unrelated to observed parenting behavior. This study investigated the relationship between a variety of childhood maltreatment experiences and both observed and self-reported parenting outcomes. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of mothers with at least one child aged 4- to 6-years old and having at least one of the following parenting risk factors: single adolescent mother at the time of the child's birth or low household income. Study participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed parenting stress and competence, while videorecorded interactions between the mothers and their children assessed the mothers' emotional availability towards their child. Analysis of the data indicates that the study's findings are consistent with previous research that links a history of maltreatment to parenting challenges, with different parenting outcomes being associated with different types of childhood maltreatment. Study limitations are discussed. Tables and references