Reaching Parents At Risk For Child Maltreatment: An Interdisciplinary Experimental Investigation of PSA Type and Level of Self-Regulation

• In Event: HIGH-DENSITY: Emotion, Cognition, and Health: Automatic and Controlled Processes

Abstract

The maltreatment of children, characterized by physical abuse, neglect, and harsh physical punishment, is a serious public health issue with over 1 million children affected each year. Recent research notes that one reason CM parenting is resistant to many interventions is due to the specific mental processing that is unique to those with self-regulatory deficits. To reach these parents via media, PSAs about CM prevention are needed to account for the message avoidance that may arise as a result of self-regulatory deficiencies. This project is the first of its kind to examine empirical evidence for three diverse methods of communicating about CM in a way that is meant to “reach” those with self-regulatory deficits and support positive help-seeking behaviors.

Authors

• Heather Shoenberger, University of Oregon

• Elizabeth Skowron, U of Oregon

• Esther Thorson, Michigan State U - Department of Communication