Modeling risk for child abuse and harsh parenting in families with depressed and substance-abusing parents

Abstract

Children with substance abusing parents are at considerable risk for child maltreatment. The current study applied an actor-partner interdependence model to examine how father only (n = 52) and dual couple (n = 33) substance use disorder, as well as their depressive symptomology influenced parents’ own (actor effects) and the partner's (partner effects) overreactivity in disciplinary interactions with their children, as well as their risk for child maltreatment. Parents completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977), the overreactivity subscale from the Parenting Scale (Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff, & Acker, 1993), and the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (Ondersma, Chaffin, Mullins, & LeBreton, 2005). Results of multigroup structural equation models revealed that a parent's own report of depressive symptoms predicted their risk for child maltreatment in both father SUD and dual SUD couples. Similarly, a parent's report of their own depressive symptoms predicted their overreactivity in disciplinary encounters both in father SUD and dual SUD couples. In all models, partners’ depressive symptoms did not predict their partner's risk for child maltreatment or overreactivity. Findings underscore the importance of a parent's own levels of depressive symptoms in their risk for child maltreatment and for engaging in overreactivity during disciplinary episodes.

Initial Findings from a Feasibility Trial Examining the SafeCare Dad to Kids Program with Marginalized Fathers

“…These factors often include interrelated life challenges (Holcomb et al, 2015) such as criminal history, limited education, low household income, un- or under-employment, and young age at the time of the first child’s birth (CECANF, 2016, Clement, Berube, & Chamberland, 2016; Lansford et al, 2015; NCANDS, 2017;). Substance abuse and depression have also been shown to increase risk (Kelley, Lawrence, Milletich, Hollis, & Henson, 2015; Lee, Taylor, & Bellamy, 2012; Stover, Easton, & McMahon, 2013). Furthermore, family history is an important factor to consider, as men who perpetrate maltreatment may have experienced traumatic childhoods themselves and/or had absent fathers (Ben-David, Jonson-Reid, Drake, & Kohl, 2015; Thornberry & Henry, 2013; Thornberry, Knight, & Lovegrove, 2012).…”

Associations between child physical abuse potential, observed maternal parenting, and young children's emotion regulation: Is participation in Early Head Start protective?

“…Most research on child abuse and parenting quality has focused on mothers substantiated as abusers; relatively little research has examined child physical abuse potential (for a review, see Walker & Davies, 2010). Studies on child physical abuse potential are consistent with the literature on substanti-ated abusers; findings have indicated links between high child physical abuse potential and maternal physically aggressive behaviors, corporeal punishment (Rodriguez, 2010), intrusive behaviors (Kelley, Lawrence, Milletich, Hollis, & Henson, 2015;Trickett & Kuczynski, 1986), and reduced sensitivity and consistency (Margolin, Gordis, Medina, & Oliver, 2003).…”

Behavioral Couples Treatment for Substance Use Disorder: Secondary Effects on the Reduction of Risk for Child Abuse

“…Although we did not assess the specific mechanisms by which BCT reduces risk for child abuse, given the objectives of BCT, it is possible that improvements in relationship satisfaction may also reduce psychological stress, depressive symptoms, arguing, loneliness, and parenting over-reactivity. Each of these factors has been associated with risk for or the perpetration of child abuse (Ammerman et al, 1999; Gruber, 2006; Kelley et al, 2015; Staton-Tindell et al, 2013; Testa & Smith, 2009; Wulczyn, 2009). Although more research is needed on the mechanisms by which BCT for SUD contributes to changes in child abuse potential, these findings provide initial preliminary research showing a potential critical side effect of BCT is reducing child abuse risk.…”

“…This finding coincides with research demonstrating that non-alcohol-abusing women with alcohol-abusing partners report more psychological distress than women with non-substance-abusing partners (Tempier, Boyer, Lambert, Mosier, & Duncan, 2006). Thus, even when a parent does not have SUD, residing with a partner that has SUD may increase emotional distress, social isolation, depressive symptoms, disorganization, and financial strain, as well as reduce frustration tolerance, all of which may increase risk for child abuse (Ammerman et al, 1999; Gruber & Taylor, 2006; Kelley, Lawrence, Milletich, Hollis, & Henson, 2015; Staton-Tindell et al, 2013; Testa & Smith, 2009; Wulczyn, 2009). As might be expected, children with substance-abusing parents who experience child abuse are at higher risk for emotional and behavioral problems (e.g., Chen & Weitzman, 2005; Gruber & Taylor, 2006).…”