Citation

Smith PB, Weinman ML, Buzi RS. Psychol. Rep. 1999; 85(2): 529-532.

Affiliation

Population Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. peggys@bcm.tmc.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10611786

Abstract

This study examines how males view the consequences of child abuse in terms of behavioral problems and how receptive they might be to prevention programs. The participants were 33 young males (mean age, 18.4 years) attending a family planning clinic in a county hospital in the US. This group was composed of 21 African Americans, 9 Hispanics, and 3 European-Americans. They were asked seven questions related to the contribution of child abuse to later problems of teens, such as school dropout, crime, drugs, alcohol, prostitution, suicide, and teenage pregnancy. Additional information about their interest in specific programs was also elicited to address these behavioral problems, and personal experience with abuse. Findings show that 9 males reported that they had been victims of abuse. Most believed that drug and alcohol misuse and suicide were the major consequences of child abuse. About 15 males were interested in general programs for child abuse prevention; 12 were interested in smoking cessation programs, 10 in substance abuse programs, and 6 in suicide prevention programs. Moreover, 19 believed that child abuse is a problem in their communities. The findings of this study indicate that family planning clinics with services for males must address their behavioral as well as their medical needs.

Language: en