Citation

Barth RP, Blythe BJ. Soc. Serv. Rev. 1983; 57(3): 477-489.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite widespread agreement that stress contributes to child abuse, the exact relationship between the two is indeterminate. Using findings from both child abuse and basic stress research, this paper outlines and critiques three popular yet often implicit models postulating the influence of stress on child abuse: phenomenological, life change, and social. The limited explanatory power of each model is discussed. Measurement and conceptual impediments to a more precise understanding of the relationship between stress and abuse are described, and remedies proposed.