Relatie Risico op Kindermishandeling, Draaglast en Sociaal Demografische Gegevens Gezin

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship and difference between sociodemographic data of families (adoptive- and foster families versus biological families, reconstituted families versus biological families, one-parent families versus two-parent families and big families versus small families) and the risk of child abuse (physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect) for toddlers between the ages of 2 to 4 years old in the Netherlands. The family's experienced burden was chosen as a mediator in this relationship. It was expected that adoptive- and foster families, reconstituted families, one-parent families and big families would experience a higher risk of child abuse, with the family’s burden as a mediator in this relationship. Method: Adoptive- and foster families, sexual abuse and physical abuse were not included in the research due to limited data. 230 Participants, consisting of the pedagogical assistants of preschools and one parent for every toddler, took part in several questionnaires. MANOVA and multiple regression-analyses were used. Results: Only toddlers living in big families are significantly more at risk of neglect and emotional abuse as opposed to toddlers living in small families. There was no difference between reconstituted and biological families, nor between one-parent and two-parent families regarding the risk of child abuse. The family’s burden was not a significant mediator. Conclusion: Future research should consider a bigger sample of reconstituted and single-parent families and should take into account the parents' bias towards giving socially acceptable answers.