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Factors Associated With Parent/Caregiver Child Abuse
Tanisha Grimes, PhD, MPHProject Director, GA Child Traumatic Stress Initiative
The Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children, A Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Why do parents/caregivers abuse children?
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
“Why do you think parents abuse their children?”
• “Environmental Stress”• “Drugs, PTSD and low self-esteem”• “Domestic violence, history of abuse”• “Unrealistic age-appropriate expectations”• “Conflict with other parent”• “Stress over finances, low-income”• “Poor coping skills, dealing with anger”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Breaking the Cycle
“I am a parent and a survivor of childhood abuse. That type of behavior is learned. When that is the only way you know how to solve a problem, that is what you do, you live what you learn. I have tried VERY hard to break the cycle. I can honestly say I have never abused my children. It takes learning new methods of coping and finding ways to deal with your anger.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Factors Associated With Child Maltreatment
Caregiver Factors Family Factors
Child Development
Factors
Environmental Factors
Cultural Factors
Administration for Children and Families, 2003
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Parent/Caregiver Factors
• Psychological Well-being• History of abuse• Substance abuse• Knowledge of child development
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Family Factors
• Family structure• Marital Conflict • Domestic Violence• Stress• Parent-child interaction
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Child Development Factors
• Age• Disabilities• Child Temperament
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Environmental Factors
• Poverty and Unemployment
• Social Isolation and Social Support
• Violent Communities
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Cultural Factors
• Abuse v/s Discipline• Accepted cultural practices• Religious beliefs
In their own words…
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
A Father, Physical Abuser
“My father was the boss in the house and this is how I was taught things should be.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
A Father, Sexual Abuser
“I’m worried about myself because a lot of people say I did it because I was abused, I did it because I was angry, and I wanted to take it out on them sexually. I did it because of this. I did it because of that. I don't understand that. I just felt like I just wanted to sexualize them. By sexualize I mean just get your rocks off or whatever in a different way, a sexual high.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
A Father, Sexual Abuser
“I need a fix because I was feeling crappy. Maybe I didn’t get the contract I bid for, or my wife and I had a fight about something where I’d rather go spend some time by myself but I can’t…My relationship with my wife was so difficult and so complicated and arguments and the whole deal. How can I tell my wife I want to be alone?”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
A Mother, Physical Abuser
“Nothing else I do works, he doesn’t listen, I tried other forms of discipline. I get so angry because nothing works.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
A Father, Sexual Abuser
“The only time I really felt good was when I was acting out sexually. It was safe for me. It was like everything around me was so dark. I wasn’t getting any good feelings from anywhere. I had convinced myself that I didn’t deserve them. No one really knows me. They just know the image. They didn’t love me. They loved the façade. I just felt miserable.”
What were some reoccurring words, phrases or themes that you heard?
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Reoccurring Words and Phrases
• “I was taught”• “I was abused”• “I was angry”• “I was feeling crappy”• “I had a fight”• “My relationship was complicated”• “He doesn’t listen”• “The only time I really felt good”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
In Their Own Voice
• http://www.nbc4i.com/story/21018204/coshocton-parents-admit-to-abusing-their-baby-boy
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Summary
• No one reason why abuse occurs• Myriad of overlapping factors• Many parents/caregivers do not believe they are
abusing their children• Focus on the different factors to help parents
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Questions?
Tanisha Grimes, PhD, MPHProject Director
Email: [email protected]
