SVIBOR - Project code: 6-06-006

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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SVIBOR

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Project code: 6-06-006


PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT


Main researcher: AJDUKOVIĆ, MARINA (119206)


Assistants
Type of research: applied
Duration from: 04/01/91. to 12/31/94.
Papers on project (total): 48
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 3
Institution name: Pravni fakultet, Zagreb (66)
Department/Institute: Department of Social Work
Address: Trg Maršala Tita 14
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (041) 274 109
Fax: 385 (041) 274 219
Summary: Within a framework of a comparative model of research psychosocial correlates of child abuse and neglect in families were assessed.Discriminant analysis of responses of parents who were identified for child abuse and neglect (N=88) in relation to those who were not (N=513) proved the integrative explanatory model of abuse. Increased risk of child maltreatment in a family is a result of interaction of multiple socio-environmental factors (e.g. poorer living conditions, higher social isolation and others) and individual psychological characteristics of parents (e.g. "under stress", rigid, problems with primary family and others). Psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire preceded the study. Attitudes, knowledge and treatment orientation of professionals who work with child abuse and neglect were also assessed, as a precondition of effective identification, prevention and treatment of that problem. It was found that, although professionals assess abuse as one of the most important social problems, they have relatively tolerant attitude toward it. That is primarily a consequence of an insufficient range of interventions at their disposal. The wider context of endangered development of children in Croatia, their exposure to war related traumas and stress of displacement, was also studied. Significant number of displaced children even after one year in displacement manifests numerous stress reactions, intensity of which is significantly correlated with relationship of mothers towards children, mothers adjustment to displacement and family separation.

Keywords: child abuse and neglect, abusive parents, professionals' attitudes towards abuse, child's reactions to war traumas and stress of displacement

Research goals: Until 1990 there was no systematic research on causes, incidence and effects of child abuse and neglect in the family in Croatia. In that respect, the main aims of research were (1) identify and assess contribution of particular psychosocial factors to child abuse and neglect, (2) assess attitudes and correlates of attitudes of professionals and public opinion to this phenomenon, as important factor in identification, prevention and treatment of child abuse. It was necessary (1) to develop a theoretical framework and research methodology in this area, (2) identify factors of endangered development in the family and empirically test interactive model of child abuse and neglect, (3) identify relationship between child abuse and neglect in the family with some difficulties in socialization of children, e.g. delinquent behaviour, and (4) assess the contribution of attitudes of professionals in identification, prevention and treatment of endangered development of children in the family. As the whole research aimed at studying risk factors for children's development coincided with the begining of war in Croatia, as a consequence of war traumas and life in displacement, we were faced with very wide endangerement of development of children. Therefore were the planned aims widened to studying and following the effects of the life in displacement on family relationships, child-rearing practices of parents and behaviour of children.

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Institut za obiteljsku geštalt terapiju za skandinavske zemlje
    Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar
    Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information
    City: Inner, Danska
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