An Assessment of Fathers Child Abuse Potential in Terms of Their History of Being Maltreated by Their Fathers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the fathers' child abuse potential in terms of their history of being maltreated by their own fathers during childhood. The participants in the study were 171 fathers who were selected by using convenience sampling. An "Individual Information Form", prepared by the authors in order to collect socio-demographic information, was administered to fathers. In addition to this form the, "Child Abuse Potential Inventory", developed by Milner to examine child abuse potential, was administered to fathers. As a result, the child abuse potential of the fathers who had been emotionally abused and neglected by their fathers in childhood were found to be higher than the fathers who were not abused or neglected by their fathers. The findings provide evidence that links the fathers' childhood maltreatment experiences with the future risk of their abusing their own children. The results of the study are discussed in line with the implications on strategies for child maltreatment prevention.