Citation

Wilson SR, Morgan WM, Hayes J, Bylund C, Herman A. Commun. Monogr. 2004; 71(4): 395-421.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/0363452042000307452

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of mothers' child abuse potential on maternal and child behaviors during play?time interactions. Forty?two mothers participated in a 10?min play period followed by a clean?up task along with one of their children (range=3?8 years old), after which they completed Milner's (1994) Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory. Mothers' behaviors were coded using a 21?category scheme, which was collapsed into five behavioral clusters: describing, directing, criticizing, soliciting/affirming, and silent play. Children were rated for levels of involvement (activity) and cooperation. Mothers' child abuse potential scores were inversely associated with their own rate of soliciting/affirming behaviors during the play period. Children of higher?risk mothers displayed higher levels of involvement combined with lower levels of cooperation compared children of lower?risk mothers. Implications for understanding and responding to child physical abuse are discussed.