Do abused children become abusive parents
Abstract
The belief that abused children are likely to become abusive parents is widely accepted. The authors review the literature cited to support this hypothesis and demonstrate that its unqualified acceptance is unfounded. Mediating factors that affect transmission are outlined and the findings of several investigations are integrated to estimate the true rate of transmission.
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Several narrative reviews over the past 30 years have frequently noted limited methodological rigor in studies of intergenerational maltreatment.
“Several narrative reviews over the past 30 years have evaluated the literature that addresses this question, frequently noting the limited methodological rigor of the contributing studies”
From Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence. (2020) · cites this paper as Kaufman & Zigler, 1987
Compromised parenting behaviors and reduced positive parenting behaviors are likely much more common outcomes than maltreatment perpetration, given evidence that the majority of adults maltreated as children do not perpetrate maltreatment with their own children.
“Compromised parenting behaviors (such as role reversal and rejecting, controlling, permissive, or intrusive behaviors) and reduced positive parenting behaviors (such as decreased use of consistent discipline or limit-setting) are likely much more common outcomes, given evidence that the majority of adults maltreated as children do not perpetrate maltreatment with their own children”
From Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence. (2020) · cites this paper as Kaufman & Zigler, 1987
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- Authors
- Kaufman, J., & Zigler, E.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- ORCID
- Kaufman, Joan
- Venue
- American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
- Published
- 1987-04
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 186-192
- ISSN
- 0002-9432 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-0025
- OpenAlex
- W1963573683
- Cited by
- 803
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 31 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 7.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
- Keywords
- child abuse, intergenerational transmission of abuse, abusive parenting, mediators, transmission rate, cycle of violence
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Child Abuse, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Parents, Risk, Stress, Psychological
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