Developmental psychopathology in the context of the family: Illustrations from the study of child maltreatment.

Author(s):  
Dante Cicchetti ◽  
Paul W. Howes
Author(s):  
Dante Cicchetti ◽  
Fred A. Rogosch

In this chapter, a developmental psychopathology conceptualization of child maltreatment is presented as an overarching heuristic with relevance for understanding the development of alcohol and substance use and abuse. This chapter also provides illustrations from research on how child maltreatment contributes to problem substance use in adolescence. Child maltreatment represents an extreme failure of the caregiving environment to provide many of the expectable experiences necessary to facilitate normal developmental processes. Maltreatment ushers in a probabilistic epigenesis for children characterized by an increased likelihood of failure and disruption in the successful resolution of major developmental tasks. These repeated disruptions lead to compromised developmental organizations of diverse developmental systems that increase the probability of the emergence of maladaptation, psychopathology, and substance abuse as negative transactions between the child and the environment ensue. Person-centered personality organizations and genetic moderation of maltreatment risk on substance use outcomes are also highlighted.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 806-807
Author(s):  
HOWARD DUBOWITZ

Dr Johnson provides interesting data indicating the need for improved training in child maltreatment for pediatric residents. I agree with most of his suggestions and would like to make several additional observations. Even when pediatricians might see themselves in a screening role, it is apparent that a report of child abuse can have far-reaching ramifications, such as removal of the child from the family. Frequently, the state agencies involved in child protection give enormous weight to the medical opinion, perhaps too much at times, and so it becomes important that the initial report be reasonably justified.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Dahlbo ◽  
Liselotte Jakobsson ◽  
Pia Lundqvist

Child maltreatment can lead to acute and long-term consequences, and it is important that at-risk children are identified early. Child healthcare (CHC) nurses in Sweden are in a position to identify child maltreatment, as they follow children and their parents from the child’s birth to school age. Therefore, the aim was to describe CHC nurses’ experiences when encountering families in which child maltreatment was identified or suspected. Individual open interviews with eight CHC nurses were performed and analysed using a qualitative content analysis. Findings revealed that keeping the child in focus, while supporting the family was essential for the nurses. This family-centred approach was assumed to benefit the child’s interests. Meeting families where child maltreatment was identified or suspected influenced the nurses, emotionally in different ways. Nevertheless, it was important to keep an open mind and communication build on honesty. Furthermore, the nurses requested professional supervision in order to help them learn from the situation ahead of the next time. This knowledge about CHC nurses’ experiences may form a basis for the development of interventions that aim to support the CHC nurses in their professional role, and thereby improve support to children and parents in the future.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. May-Chahal ◽  
T. Bertotti ◽  
P. Di Blasio ◽  
M.A. Cerezo ◽  
M. Gerard ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988851
Author(s):  
Miranda P. Kaye ◽  
Tara Saathoff-Wells ◽  
Amanda M. Ferrara ◽  
Nicole R. Morgan ◽  
Daniel F. Perkins

Assessment that accurately categorizes families’ risk for family violence (i.e., intimate partner violence and child maltreatment) and identifies areas of family need is essential for prevention program planning, practice, and resource allocation. The Family Needs Screener (FNS) assesses risk for intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. It is used as a tool to prioritize those who are in the greatest need of services as well as plan prevention efforts in selected prevention services offered to military families. To date, no peer-reviewed studies examine the factor structure of the FNS. In this study, we examined measurement aspects of the FNS as an assessment tool in identifying risk of family violence. Data were drawn from Army families ( N = 18,159) who were screened between 2009 and 2013 and matched to substantiated cases of family violence. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was used to examine the factor structure, measurement invariance, and predictive validity of the FNS. Results supported a shortened measure with a five-factor structure and full gender invariance. In particular, relationship issues were predictive of both intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. In addition, family of origin/history of family violence was predictive of substantiated cases of child maltreatment. Findings support the use of the FNS to assess risk, allocate, and plan for services in an Army population. Implications for scale modifications and use, as well as prevention efforts, are discussed.


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