Substance Abuse and Abuse Q 35
Nurse Sharie is assessing a parent who abused her child. Which of the following risk factors would the nurse expect to find in this case?
A. Flexible role functioning between parents.
B. History of the parent having been abused as a child.
C. Single-parent home situation.
D. Presence of parental mental illness.
Correct Answer: B. History of the parent having been abused as a child.
One of the most important risk factors is a history of childhood abuse in the parent who abuses. Family violence follows a multigenerational pattern. Risk factors are those characteristics linked with child abuse and neglect, but they may or may not be direct causes. A combination of individual, relational, community and societal factors contribute to the risk of child abuse and neglect. Although children are not responsible for the harm inflicted upon them, certain factors have been found to increase their risk of being abused and or neglected.
Option A: Parents who are flexible in their roles are characteristic of healthy functioning, not abuse. Parents’ lack of understanding of children’s needs, child development, and parenting skills is an identified risk factor of child abuse. Stressful life events, parenting stress, and emotional distress (e.g., losing a job, physical illness, marital problems, or the death of a family member) may worsen hostility, anxiety, or depression among family members and increase the level of family conflict and maltreatment.
Option C: Research tells us that there is no “typical” abuser. People who abuse children may be male or female and the majority of child abuse is committed by someone who knows the child. In over 80% of cases, a parent is the identified perpetrator. Children living with single parents are more likely to live in poverty with fewer social supports, which may contribute to stress and increase risks of maltreatment.
Option D: A history of mental illness is not an established risk factor for child abuse by a parent. Maltreating parents or caregivers are less supportive, affectionate, playful, and responsive with their children and are more likely to use harsh discipline and verbal aggression than positive parenting strategies (e.g., using time-outs, reasoning, and recognizing and encouraging the child’s successes).