1. Abuse  Non-accidental injury or pattern of injury to a child  Not a DSM-IV clinical category  Coded on Axis 4

2. Kaufman & Zigler (1987)  90% of abusers were abused  82% of those abused do NOT become abusers  Difference between those who did and did not become abusers

3. What causes parents to abuse their children? 1. Socio-cultural factors 2. Parents’ personal characteristics 3. Characteristics of parent-child interaction

4. Twentyman et al. (1984) Sequence of abusive events: 1. Parent has unrealistic expectations 2. Child fails to meet expectations 3. Parent makes intentional attribution for child behavior 4. Parent reacts/overreacts

5. Impact of abuse  Increases risk for psychological problems  Abuse as a stressor  Acute symptoms mimic reactions to stress  Disrupted attachment in infants  Disordered peer relationships Withdrawal Withdrawal aggression aggression  Distorted views of self  School problems  Sexual problems

6. Adult Outcomes Many adults survive okay A. Physical  Interpersonal problems  Aggression & violence B. Sexual  Impaired self-esteem  Emotional self-regulation  Interpersonal difficulties  DSM disorders (anxiety, PTSD,

7. Treatment A. Frame problem in terms of daily discipline problems B. Identify stressful situations C. Emphasize painfulness of problem/ search for alternative strategies Goals: reduce aversive parent-child interactions Increase positive exchanges Increase positive exchanges Increase skill with nonphysical discipline Increase skill with nonphysical discipline Quick resolution of confrontations Quick resolution of confrontations Decrease stress and anger levels Decrease stress and anger levels Decrease physical discipline Decrease physical discipline

8. Controversy around children’s self- reports of abuse  Quiz  Name at least three issues that are raised by Saywitz in considering children’s eye witness testimony.

9. Factors that inhibit reporting 1. Power imbalance 2. Desire to do what adults tell them 3. Threats to keep secret 4. Relationship involving trust or dependency 5. Implied or imagined negative consequences 6. Feelings of guilt, self-blame, shame

10. Factors that may impact a child’s testimony 1. Memory 2. Suggestibility 3. Reality vs. fantasy 4. Stressors

11. Saywitz perspective 1. Children don’t make things up 2. Children not more suggestible (4 & up) to main events 3. Sometimes more suggestible to peripheral events 4. No false reports 5. All bets off with 3 year olds

12. Ceci’s perspective 1. Children conform to suggestion 2. Answer in affirmative

13. Reconciliation  Questioning style  Repeated questioning