Children's Representation of Parental Figures in Young Physically Abused and Non-Maltreated Children.

N

11

Aggression; Child Abuse; Child Neglect; Childhood Attitudes; Comparative Analysis; Family Environment; Family Violence; Fathers; Mothers; Parent Child Relationship; Parent Role; Parents; Young Children

This study examined differences between maltreated and non-maltreated children in their perception of parental figures and explored differential perceptions of maternal and paternal figures. Using the Test for Detection of Parental Violence (TDPV), 22 maltreated 4- to 7-year-olds referred by Youth Protection Services were compared to 22 non-maltreated children recruited from preschools and kindergartens. The two groups were matched on age, gender, family income, employment status of parents, and family structure. The TDPV used six maternal pictures and four paternal pictures to elicit stories from the child interpreting situations in which the parental figure and a child interact. Children's stories were audiotaped, transcribed, and blind-scored, yielding scores for Parental Positive Behaviors and Parental Negative Behaviors for both mothers and fathers. Results indicated that maltreated children had a more negative perception of their parents than did non-maltreated children. Both groups showed different perceptions of maternal and paternal figures. Mother figure cards elicited more answers than father figure cards. The maltreated group perceived their parents as more aggressive, punitive, neglecting, and controlling than did non-maltreated children. Maltreated children saw their mother as more neglecting than their father. Non-maltreated children viewed their parents as having more positive affects and providing more explanations and saw their fathers as providing more caregiving than did maltreated children. (KDFB)

1997

ED401022