Causes and Effects of Child Abuse - Abusive Mothers
risk maltreatment chronic times factors childhood children violence
Some Experts Say Social Factors Cause Abuse by Mothers
Straus and Smith, in "Family Patterns and Child Abuse," found that women are as likely, if not more likely, as men to abuse their children. The authors believed child abuse by women could be explained in terms of social factors rather than psychological factors. Women are more likely to abuse their children because they are more likely to have much greater responsibility for raising the children, which means that they are more exposed to the trials and frustrations of child rearing.
Women spend more "time at risk" while tending to their children. "Time at risk" refers to the time a potential abuser spends with the victim. This would apply to any form of domestic violence, such as spousal abuse and elder abuse. For example, elderly people are more likely to experience abuse from each other, not from a caregiver, if one is present. This is not because elderly couples are more violent than caregivers, but because they spend more time with each other.
Risk Factors and Chronic Child Maltreatment by Mothers
To determine the connection between psychological risk factors for child maltreatment and chronic maltreatment, researchers conducted interviews and tests of a group of abusive mothers in Quebec, Canada, on three separate occasions: during the initial recruitment for an intervention program, two years later at the end of the program, and four years after the initial recruitment as a follow-up (Louise S. Ethier, Germain Couture, and Carl Lacharité, "Risk Factors Associated with the Chronicity of High Potential for Child Abuse and Neglect," Journal of Family Violence, vol. 19, no. 1, February 2004). Fifty-six mothers were evaluated: twenty-one mothers whose files at the social agencies had been closed for at least four months (transitory problems group) and thirty-five mothers who were still abusive (chronic group). The risk factors were categorized into two general groups: the mother's history and her characteristics as an adult. The mother's history included placement in foster care, childhood sexual abuse, running away from home in her teens, break-ups with parental relationships, parental unavailability, neglect, and physical violence. The mother's adult characteristics included family unemployment, limited social support, past intimate partner violence, low level of intellectual functioning, low level of education, and high numbers of children and partners.
Ethier et al. found that mothers who reported a history of childhood sexual abuse, placement in foster care, and running away from home during adolescence were more likely to have chronic problems of child maltreatment. Overall, mothers exhibiting more than eight risk factors had about four times the risk for chronic child maltreatment. Those with a history of childhood sexual abuse had 3.75 times more risk of having chronic child maltreatment than those without this risk factor. The risk for chronic child maltreatment was 3.57 times for a childhood history of placement in foster care and 3.02 times for a history of running away from home in adolescence. The study also found that the following risk factors predispose mothers to chronic child maltreatment: childhood neglect (0.58 times more likely than those without this risk factor), physical violence (0.69 times), and unavailability of and break-up with parental figures (0.92 and 1.54 times, respectively). The authors concluded that traumatic experiences of childhood sexual abuse (77.8% of mothers in the study), placement in foster care (80%), and running away from home during adolescence (77.3%) had adverse effects on the mothers' ability to parent their children.
Results also showed that mothers with a low level of intelligence were 2.75 times more at risk for chronic child maltreatment. A total of 78.6% of the mothers showed such risk. However, the researchers cautioned that some studies have found that unless a parent's IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is below sixty, his or her low level of intelligence does not impair parenting abilities. Still other studies say IQ has nothing to do with parental competence. Mothers with a large family were found to have 3.13 times more risk for chronic maltreatment, with 80% of the sample displaying such risk.
User Comments
25 days ago
V.J.
I am a male of 34 years of age. My mother put fear, paranoia, OCD and hate inside of me by controlling me constantly till the age of 22 years. Growing up she would hit me in the face with a rubber slipper for everything little thing she didn't like about me.
Today I am filled with anxiety, have been on anti-depressants for over 10 years and do not socialize with anybody.
I hate myself as much as I hate her for bringing me into this world.
My Dad was always working long hours from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm so he never knew what was going on. I don't hate him, but he is a stranger to me.
Growing up I never had anyone to listen to me. My childhood was basically spent hiding in my bedroom so I would not get hurt by her or anybody in this cruel world.
My mother is still verbally and emotionally abuse to me to this day. She constantly makes up stupid reasons to call me on the phone. And I stupidly answer the phone thinking just maybe this is an emergency and she might really need my help. Of course, its not any emergency and feel sick to my stomach as soon as I hear her voice. Her reason for calling usually has to do with finding out a telephone number for a store or getting her directions to a store. And yes, she has a GPS and I've taught her several times how google any phone number she needs.
I can't escape her. I've even told her not to call me unless its an emergency, but she doesn't respect me, so she continues her ways.
The pain and emptiness inside of me seems endless. I wish I had the courage to end my life. Unfortunately, the fear she has put in me makes me scared of what might me on the other side of this life.
Wish me luck on what remains of my life...
29 days ago
Ian » rush4444 ((at)) hotmail dot co dot uk
I am 48 years old man and was abused in many way by all my life. My mother was just pure evil. Cindy if this helps. It's all about control with your mother.She tries to control your past and future)or how you think. She has no life so tries to control yours. Your mother is insane and she is taken you with her. Remember nobody can take right NOW away from you ( This moment). it's always yours. This moment belongs to you. So take it and own it. You will never be happy till you get your mother out your life. Or tell her she is evil. There is is no love in her but there is love in you. Don't waste it on her. keep it with you and keep it there in your heart. You are whats important and always will be. Try this it might help. STOP THINKING. Take time out every day and don't think. Just look around you and notice life going on. ( nature i mean) and remember how with life all of life you are always loved ( no other liveing thing will ever judge you. If you need something to belive. Make it life all life.When i did this what i noticed was i seem to fit in fine. I never think about past or future just right now were life is. Take care
about 1 month ago
Cindy
I am 53 years Old. My Mother still abuses me. In 2005. She promised to help me with my teeth. She said that since she never has done anything for me that she would fix my front teeth. She fixed them for me alright, She pulled out my front teeth and kicked me to the curb. I am still devastated! I can't even get a job! I have NO TEETH! all my jobs where front desk work at hotel's. This is so embarassing, know body takes me siriously. I am to the point of sucide. I have know money. I can't even get a job because of the way I look. She is entertained by this!!! I HATE MY MOTHER! Someone please HELP ME!
2 months ago
DiDi
To the 14 year old,
I would call DFAX/DHS first (Department of Family and Children's Services). I probably wouldn't share with your aunts and uncles since it sounds like they are very likely to side with your mother and brush it under the carpet. The one lady is correct; you're mother will not be committed to an institution. More than likely, they will make her take parenting classes and things like that until they think that she has her act together. I know it is scary
to think of going to a foster home. But I don't think it will be permanent unless your mother is horribly abusive and refuses to get help with her anger and control issues. Let us know how you are getting along.
11 months ago
Kim
I'm sorry that your mother is abusing you. I am 40 years old and went through abuse by my father. Here is what you need to do. Call Child Protective Services. Forget about shame. There is NO SHAME in protecting yourself. You mother is an adult and she should know better than to hit you. Yes, many adults think it is OK to hit their child, but it isn't. Don't worry about your mom, she can take care of herself and she can also get help. I'm not sure why you think she'd end up in a mental institution but unless she is committed by a doctor she won't. Adults cannot be forcible committed. You need to worry about yourself and any brothers or sisters first! I can understand that you want to go away and I am certain that CPS can help you. Keeping it all inside and not telling anyone will not help you or your mother. Please tell your relatives. Tell them you are afraid and hurting. Let them know that you have called CPS (call them FIRST) and let them know what you want. Perhaps you can go live with one of your relatives? I hope things work out for the best for you AND your mom. I know this is a tough time for you and you're scared but keeping it inside isn't good, it will only keep on hurting you in your mind as you get older. Best of luck to you.
12 months ago
N/A
I'm 14 years old and my mother abuses me. she has been doing it for about my whole life. and I'm scared to tell anyone because it's a family thing like my whole family is old fashioned (aunt,uncle,dad,mom etc...) and to them hitting your child is normal and I'm scared if I tell the authorities it will bring shame to the family. I'm also scared of where my mother my turn out I'm scared that she might end up some kind of mental place n like u noe I don't want my mom to go through that I mean she barley speaks English. besides I love my mom I just want to go away not her. so please reply if you can give advice
about 1 year ago
huh ?
What do you mean a mother is abused by a 12 year old daughter. That sounds completely twisted around and sick. No child does anything wrong if it is not treaed wrong by its caregivers in the first place. A child expresses its anger and tries to protect itself. The responsibilty lies with the parent. It`s absolutely sick to claim that a 12 year old child abuses its parent. And what did that parent do to the child in the f_Irst place?!! I recommend you to read "For Your Own Good" by Alice Miller. It`s wrong to blame a child and I strongly urge you to restrain from that.
about 1 year ago
alicia vollmer » alicia2566 ((at)) ymail dot com
my daughter is being abused physically and emotionally by her 12 old daughter. Any articles or books that may help me to understand this situation and be of some help. thank you.