Citation

Kirkham MA, Schinke SP, Schilling RF, Meltzer NJ, Norelius KL. J. Fam. Violence 1986; 1(3): 235-245.

Affiliation

School of Social Work, University of Washington, JH-30, 98195 Seattle, WA; School of Social Work, Columbia University, 10005 New York, NY, USA

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/BF00978562

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the relationship among cognitive functioning, social support networks, and risk for child abuse in a sample of 92 mothers of developmentally disabled children. Mothers found to be at highest risk for child abuse potential tended to score low on cognitive skills, social support networks, and life satisfaction. Beck Depression Inventory scores were found to explain 57% of the variance in the Child Abuse Potential Scores. Single mothers differed significantly from married mothers on child abuse potential, relationship satisfaction, community involvement, and loneliness. The authors discuss implications of the study and the need for future research with families of handicapped children.