D. Fanshel Resources

Whiteman, M., Fanshel, D., & Grundy, J.F. (1988, November/December). Cognitive-behavioral interventions aimed at anger of parents at risk of child abuse. Social Work.

OVERVIEW

WHY DOES CHILD ABUSE OCCUR?

Despite the varying conditions affecting abusive parents, including variation in personality or in severity of experienced stress, one feature is common to the act of physical abuse: the underlying emotion of anger...If, as some researchers have estimated, about one million children are abused in one year, then every 38 seconds a flare of anger leads to child abuse.

OTHER CAUSES

• Complex attitudes toward violence.
• Norms defining parental rights.
• Negative stress factors: economic, individual, or family-induced.
• Parental hostilities and rigidities toward the child engendered by: broad personality traits, lack of parenting skills, or maltreatment by the parent’s own parents.
• Child/parent relationship characterized by abusive behaviors.

All these causes involve an act of abuse finally motivated by anger. The article asserts, "If this anger could be controlled and redirected, the abusive behavior that it supports should be prevented or ameliorated."

This article describes experiments and research conducted in two social agencies. These experiments suggest a significant reduction in anger when three methods are used cooperatively, based on cognitive-behavioral therapy:

• Relaxation training.
• Problem-solving training.
• Cognitive restructuring of the parental perception of the child’s behavior.

Of these three, problem-solving training is most effective and relaxation training least effective. But a composite of all three methods appears to be best. The findings are particularly promising because the effects were obtained in only six sessions. This training was equally successful with parents at risk as well as with those identified as child abusers; it is recommended for general educational use.

IMPLICATIONS

1. Three levels of dysfunction are suggested in any consideration of child abuse. Certain aspects of our society drive people to anger; our culture models violence. The anger of individuals and the dysfunction of the family also demand consideration. Dysfunction must be rectified on a social, family, and individual level.
2. With a knowledge of causes and treatments, society can begin not only to reduce child abuse, but to strengthen families as well.
3. Teachers and youth workers must teach in a way that supports victims and families while suggesting possible options.