Compared 18 mothers who abused their children to matched controls on several personality measures. Results indicated that irrational thinking is a significant variable related to child abuse. Other variables are discussed. (JAC)

A group of 20 abusive mothers and a group of 20 matched, nonabusive mothers were shown slides depicting infants in seven different emotional states. Abusive mothers were more likely to incorrectly identify specific signals of emotion and to label negative affect as positive. (Author/RH)

Compares maltreated and nonmaltreated infants and their caregivers with regard to security and quality of the attachment relationship over time. The finding that a greater proportion of maltreated infants in each of three age groups was insecurely attached is in accordance with the predictions based on Ainsworth's and Bowlby's attachment theory.…

Mothers (N=36) with a history of child abuse or neglect or with no known history of child maltreatment participated in an experiment designed to assess reactions to a number of aversive stimuli. Results indicated that abusing mothers consistently ascribed more malevolent intentionality to their child than did other mothers. (BH)

This study examined personality traits in 63 pairs of fathers and mothers in which there was acknowledged child sexual abuse by the fathers. A minority of both mothers and offenders differed from norms on traits reflecting social inadequacy, but no personality deviations were prototypical in either group. No evidence for pervasive…

Sixty-five mothers of sexual abuse victims and 25 of their daughters were compared with 65 control mothers and 32 control daughters on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Leisure Interest Checklist. Results showed both study groups to be significantly less impulsive than their control counterparts. Victim mothers also presented…

Interviews with 60 female victims (ages 7-12) of sexual abuse found that most viewed relationships with their mothers as warm and accepting. Girls who perceived lower maternal rejection had higher competency ratings and fewer behavior problems. Abuse involving force was correlated with lower victim competency. More violent abuse was correlated…

This study examined the relationship of case characteristics, maternal support, and child psychopathology to acceptance of child sexual abuse cases for prosecution. Cases (n=431) referred to prosecutors' offices over a one-year period in four urban jurisdictions were examined. Specific independent predictors of acceptance were identified.…

This study investigated the physiological responses of 13 mothers with and 17 mothers without a childhood history of physical abuse to videotape presentations of an infant smiling or crying. Mothers who had been abused showed increased skin conductance while viewing the smiling infant, whereas mothers without a history of abuse showed increased…

To identify specific dimensions of communicative disturbances among adults and children in abusive/neglecting families, 10 mother/child pairs from problem families were matched with 10 control pairs. Each mother was videotaped with her 4- to 15-year-old child for 15 minutes while playing a game under nonstressful conditions. Subjects'…

A treatment outcome study of 47 sexually abused children and adolescents attending a psychiatric facility found that mothers made more significant progress than children. Standardized measures revealed no progress differences based on type of treatment. However, clinical ratings suggested that group meetings in addition to family/network meetings…

This study examined whether stress, family resources, and social support are correlates of the child abuse potential of mothers. Stress in family functioning appeared to be an important predictor of child abuse potential. Mothers of children with disabilities may be more inclined than other mothers to have elevated child abuse potential.…

This study evaluated a standard assessment protocol with 48 Franco-Quebec victims of child sexual abuse and 40 nonoffending mothers. The protocol was favorably received by child protection service workers, supervisors, mothers, and victims. Among specific results were that the rate of symptom-free children was lower (19%) and that of…

This study attempted to (1) examine differences in the curiosity behavior of abused preschool children in situations with their mothers, a teacher, and a stranger; (2) determine whether the children exhibited more curiosity when exposed to novel versus familiar objects; and (3) examine adult behaviors theoretically related to children's curiosity.…

Explores the hypothesis that parenting practices of abusive mothers are characterized by (1) greater use of power-assertive strategies, (2) less flexible behavior with respect to child compliance attempts, (3) more inconsistent use of parenting techniques, and (4) diminished affective quality. (HOD)