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Childhood history of abuse and adult child abuse potential

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Abstract

The experience of aversive interactions within the family of origin is believed to increase the probability of parental physical child abuse. To test this hypothesis, 375 subjects were given a Childhood History Questionnaire (CHQ) and the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory. The CHQ contained a series of questions about the presence and frequency of various abusive behaviors and associated sequelae that were received and/or observed before and/or after puberty. The CAP Inventory was used to measure adult physical child abuse potential. As expected, a childhood history of physical abuse was significantly related to adult physical child abuse potential; and, as chronicity increased, so did abuse potential. The experience of physical abuse prior to puberty produced higher abuse scores than the experience of physical abuse after puberty. The study provides preliminary data indicating the childhood experience of a caring adult and / or caring friend moderates adult child abuse potential.

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This project was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH 34252.

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Milner, J.S., Robertson, K.R. & Rogers, D.L. Childhood history of abuse and adult child abuse potential. J Fam Viol 5, 15–34 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00979136

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