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01-02-2009 | Original Article

Patterns of Risk and Protective Factors in the Intergenerational Cycle of Maltreatment

Authors: Louise Dixon, Kevin Browne, Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 2/2009

Abstract

This study investigates the continuation and discontinuation of the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment within the first 13 months of the child’s life. Differences in risk factors and parenting styles between families who initiate (Initiators), maintain (Maintainers) or break (Cycle Breakers) the intergenerational cycle of child maltreatment are explored in comparison to control families (Controls). One hundred and three Health Visitors were trained to assess risk factors and parenting styles of 4,351 families, at both 4–6 weeks and 3–5 months after birth. Maintainers, Initiators and Cycle Breakers had a significantly higher prevalence for the majority of risk factors and poor parenting styles than Controls. Protective factors of financial solvency and social support distinguished Cycle Breakers from Maintainers and Initiators. Therefore, it is the presence of protective factors that distinguish Cycle Breakers from families who were referred to Child Protection professionals in the first year after birth. A conceptual, hierarchical model that considers history of abuse, risk and protective factors, in turn, is proposed to assess families for the potential of child maltreatment.

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Title: Patterns of Risk and Protective Factors in the Intergenerational Cycle of Maltreatment
Authors: Louise Dixon
Kevin Browne
Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis
Publication date: 01-02-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-008-9215-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Patterns of Risk and Protective Factors in the Intergenerational Cycle of Maltreatment

Abstract

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Abstract

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