Predictors of Child Abuse Potential in At-Risk Adolescents
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1999
Keywords
child abuse, adolescents, conduct disorder, antisocial
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022886232519
Abstract
Characteristics prevalent in known child abusers and in child victims of abuse (i.e., internalizing, externalizing, sociopathy, delinquency, and nonrational conflict-solving tactics) were examined as predictors of abuse potential in adolescents. The Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory (Milner, 1986) was administered to male (n = 71) and female (n = 63) teenagers attending alternative educational sites due to behavioral problems or pregnancy. Regression analyses found unique variance in abuse potential contributed by youth (16%) and teacher (6%) reports of internalizing behavior, and youth reports of sociopathy (4%) and delinquency (4%) for a total of 33% of the variance (p < .0001, n = 91) after controlling for age, sex, and pregnancy status. Number of elevated predictors in each student was also related to increased abuse potential (r = .39, p < .001). Pregnancy status and SES were not independently associated with abuse potential. Conduct disorder as a probable precursor to future abusive behavior is suggested, and the use of the CAP with adolescents is discussed.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Family Violence, v.14, issue 4, p. 417-436
Scholar Commons Citation
Todd, Mary K. and Gesten, Ellis L., "Predictors of Child Abuse Potential in At-Risk Adolescents" (1999). Psychology Faculty Publications. 1447.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/1447
