Breaking the mold: Socio-ecologic factors to reduce risk for child physical abuse

• In Event: 2-188 - Early Childhood Child Maltreatment, Risk Factors, and Effects on Children’s Health

Integrative Statement

Corporal punishment (CP) continues to be a common form of discipline in the U.S (Child Trends Databank, 2015) despite indications of its long-term harm to children (Gershoff & Grogan Kaylor, 2016), including strong risk for child physical abuse (Gershoff & Grogan-Kaylor, 2016; Trocmé & Durrant, 2003; Zolotor et al., 2008). Parents that are exposed to CP or physical abuse in childhood are at heightened risk for using CP with their own children (Jaffee et al., 2013; Simons & Wurtele, 2010). In examining parenting practices relevant to preventing child physical abuse, Positive Deviance relates to those parents who choose effective, positive parenting strategies to discipline their children, despite being exposed to CP and physical abuse in childhood. Little is known about buffering or motivating factors that prevent parents from using CP, or how these factors are influenced by parental childhood history or CP social norms. Therefore, this study examines the motives for use of positive parenting practices, including non-use of CP, for mothers who were exposed to CP and physical abuse in childhood (Positive Deviance). This study selected participants from a larger study of female primary caregivers enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics in Southeastern Louisiana. The majority of participants were Black. The larger study was a randomized control trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of two brief parenting interventions to prevent CP. The current qualitative study emerged from a smaller sub-sample of mothers (N=17) who met the criteria as “positive deviants.” Qualitative interviews were conducted with mothers with a history of childhood CP and physical abuse. Results indicate that participating mothers believe CP is not an effective discipline strategy and is harmful for children. Mothers opted to use positive parenting practices, rather than CP, with their own children based on empathy, knowledge of harm, as well as rejection of intergenerational transmission of CP and community norms. Findings provide evidence that a Positive Deviance approach can inform target areas for primary prevention strategies aimed at reducing child physical abuse. Directions for multi-pronged public health prevention approaches and educational campaigns are discussed.

Authors

• Julia M Fleckman, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  Presenting Author

• Catherine A Taylor, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  Non-Presenting Author

• Heather L Storer, Tulane University School of Social Work
  Non-Presenting Author

• Katherine Andrinopoulos, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lindsey E.G. Weil, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lily Rubin-Miller, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  Non-Presenting Author

• Katherine Theall, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  Non-Presenting Author