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What follows are some possible characteristics related to abusive parents or caretakers. These are characteristics that have a greater likelihood of existing in situations where a child is suspected of being abused or maltreated, but may not be indicative of every situation. They should be seen as clues or "red flags" in the deliberation of suspected cases of abuse or maltreatment. The more of these characteristics that exist, the greater the likelihood that abuse or maltreatment may have taken place. If there are only one or two that exist in the situation, further careful assessment may be warranted.
Parent/Caretaker Factors
- Past history of having been abused or neglected themselves
- Lack of friendships or emotional support
- Community isolation
- Inability to ask for and receive necessary help and support
- Avoidance of social contact
- Lack of trust of people
- Lack of self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness
- Relationship problems of parents (or grandparents), including partner abuse
- Physical or mental health problems, irrational behavior
- Life crises such as financial problems, unemployment, low wages, homelessness, etc.
- Alcohol/substance abuse (including grandparents)
- Adolescent parents
Parent-Child Factors
- Parent's unrealistic expectations of child's physical and emotional needs
- Parent's unrealistic expectations of child to meet parent's emotional needs
- Mentally/developmentally disabled status of child
- Absence of nurturing child-rearing skills
- Violent/corporal punishment methods of discipline accepted within the parent's culture of child-rearing
- Parental acceptance of violence as normal means of personal interaction
- Delay or failure in seeking health care for child's regular immunizations, illness, or injury
- Parent views child as bad, evil, different, etc.
Environmental Factors
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Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Marlene Scheer
Continuing Education Coordinator
Social Work Building, Rm 231
p - 516.877.4392
f - 516.877.3266
e - scheer@adelphi.edu
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