EVOLUTION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT THEORY

Scannapieco, Maria and Connell-Carrick, Kelli. ‘Theoretical overview of understanding child maltreatment’ in Understanding Child Maltreatment: An ecological and developmental perspective. 2005. Oxford University Press

The Beginning of Child Protection

Mary Ellen Wilson Etta Wheeler

In 1873, Mary Ellen was rescued from her abusive home through Etta Wheeler’s efforts with the help of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After Mary Ellen’s removal by the court Etta asked the head of the Society who helped “if there could not now be a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which should do for abused children what was being so well done for animals?”

1960s – Speculation Period Phenomenon of child abuse and neglect

first comes into widespread public awareness It took the advent of radiology and x-rays for child

abuse and neglect to become recognizable. In 1960, C. Henry Kempe was shocked and alarmed

by the large numbers of children admitted to his pediatric service suffering from what were obviously non-accidental injuries. X-rays revealed old breaks and abnormal skeletal changes.

He published his findings in an explosive article “The Battered Child Syndrome” which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1962. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/

0,9171,896393,00.html

1960s – Speculation Period Psychopathology Theories

Abusive parents are: Chronically aggressive; Rigid and domineering; Impulsive; Emotionally immature; Low frustration tolerance and difficulty

expressing anger; Unresponsive to child’s needs

Psychopathology models did not hold up to research. No abusive personality type was found and only a small percentage of those who maltreated experienced any psychopathologic disorder (Kempe & Kempe, 1978).

1970s – Introspection Period Psychological Theories continue but

methodological problems and the field’s inability to find an ‘abusive personality disorder’ or a strong correlation between psychological disorders and child maltreatment result in researchers turning to sociological theories.

Sociological Theories – “emphasize social factors such as poverty, socioeconomic status, social status, isolation, and acceptance of violence in society as causes of child abuse and neglect.” P. 25 Social support theories (Giovanni, 1970) Strain theories (Farrington, 1980, Straus, 1980) Social learning theory (Bandura, 1977)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeE_Ymzc1rE

1980s – Diversity Period

Ecologically based theories come forward. Focus is on etiology (causes) of child

maltreatment Ecological Model - Belsky (1980) applied Urie

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of human development to child maltreatment.

Four levels in the ecological model (1.) Ontogenic (individual); (2) Microsystem (family); (3.) Exosystem (includes mesosystem, neighborhood, community); (4.) Macrosystem (society, culture, laws)

1980s – Diversity Period

Attachment theories Bowlby (1982) and Ainsworth (1978, 1989). http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=QTsewNrHUHU

Family Systems theories – Beginning of our understanding of crisis theory, feedback loops, paradoxical interventions; reframing, and problem-solving therapy – Milton Erickson, Jay Haley, Salvador Minuchin

1990s – Multidisciplinary Integration Child maltreatment studies coming

from psychology, sociology, social work, criminal justice, and public health fields.

Ecological/transactional theory begins to guide current practice and research Ecological/Transactional Model – Cicchetti &

Lynch (1993) Focus is on etiology and outcomes of child

maltreatment; begin to look at risk and protective factors

Current Status

Integrative and process theories of child maltreatment are expanded.

Current research focuses on child protection practice, substance abuse treatment, community health and prevention, developmental effects of abuse, foster care outcomes.