Crosson Chapter 5

Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect
Tenth Edition
Chapter 5
The Physical Abuse of
Children
PowerPoint Lecture
Slides prepared by
Piljoo Kang, Ph.D.
Toccoa Falls College
Copyright © 2021, 2014, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Learning Objectives (1 of 2)
After studying this chapter, you should be able to
5.1 define physical child abuse, highlighting the
differences in definition between various professions
and settings.
5.2 discuss the possible causal variables
5.3 outline the risks and protective factors as they
pertain to both the child and the parent in abuse
situations.

Learning Objectives (2 of 2)
5.4 describe the physical and behavioral symptoms of
abuse and how abuse is detected.
5.5 explain reasons why parents might become abusive to
their children.
5.6 discuss other types of abuse within the family, including
interpartner violence and abuse by siblings, related to the
impact on children.

Defining Physical Child Abuse
• Physical abuse: Non-accidental injury inflicted
by a caregiver
• Medical community looks at ailments
• Legal community focuses on intent
• Social services see family as a total system
– to restore the family, so that the nurturing of
children can continue.

Causes of Physical Abuse: Interactional
Variables
• interactional variables: the interplay between the victim
and the abuser that sets up the abuse situation.
• For example,
– the parent sees the child as difficult and is stressed by
the child’s behavior.
– The parent punishes the child, who in turn becomes
more difficult.

Causes of Physical Abuse:
Environmental/Life Stress Variables
• Current theory looks at interconnections of
microsystem (parent-child interactions), meso- or
exosystems (networks in which parent/child are
involved) and macrosystem (social structure that
includes both micro- and mesosystems)
• Life stressors: poverty, insufficient support system,
unemployment, stressful family relationships, interpartner
violence.
• Stressors can create anger, which can be directed
toward others, including children.

Causes of Physical Abuse:
Social/Cultural/Economic Variables
• Cultural differences in
– child-rearing patterns
– use of shame, corporal punishment
– reactions to psychiatric issues
• Social/Economic factors
– economic climate
– climate of violence

Risk Assessment and Physical Abuse
Risk & Protective Factors: Child
• Younger children are more vulnerable.
• Children whom the parents see as difficult (colicky,
difficult to feed, resistant to being held) are at high risk.
• Children with health problems, disabilities, & learning
problems are at risk.
• Adolescents’ rebelliousness may frustrate parents and
lead to abusive situation.
• Protective factors: resiliency, advanced developmental
level, healthy attachment.

Risk Assessment and Physical Abuse
Risk & Protective Factors: Parents
• Parental: depression, personality disorders, serious life
problems, including interpartner violence.
• Lacking problem-solving abilities, less flexible and easily
overwhelmed.
• These factors may lead the parents to more aggressive
models of discipline.
• Protective factors: presence of support system, adequate
models of parenting by another adult, ability to channel
anger in appropriate ways.

Physical Symptoms
• Bruises: on a non-ambulatory child; on the backs of the legs, the
upper arms and chest, neck, head or genitals; covered by
clothing; in a clear pattern (hanger/palm/buckle prints); in varying
in color (indicating different times), choke/pinch/grab marks or
fingernail scratches.
• Bite marks: a distinct horseshoe shape
• Fractures: unexplained multiple fractures on one bone
• Burns and Scalds: cigarette burns on abdomen, genitals, bottoms
of feet; forcibly immersed in hot water
• Head and internal injuries:
– Abusive head trauma (formerly Shaken Baby Syndrome)
• Impact on the Brain structure and chemistry

Behavioral Symptoms
• Shrill cry in infants: cry hysterically when being
examined
• Show a passive watchfulness: lying quietly in their
cribs and observe their surroundings intently.
• Impaired capacity to enjoy life: lack ability to play
• Enuresis (inability to control bladder functions),
encopresis (fecal soiling), temper tantrums.
• Aggression, compulsivity, fearful of failure, verbal
inhibition, regression, poor peer relationships
• Unusual ability to adapt

Parents Who Abuse
• Tasks abusive parents have not learned
– Getting needs met in appropriate ways
– Separating feelings from actions
– Being responsible for own actions
– Making decisions
– Delaying gratification
• Fictitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA)
– Formerly Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Intimate Partner Violence
• Children who witness physical violence within their home
– Identify with victim, become withdrawn, fearful, and
depressed.
– Identify with the aggressor, criticizing the victim for
not standing up to the abuse
• For all children brought up in violent homes, the seed of
aggression has been planted, a seed that may well
mature into violence in future generations.
– more aggressive with peers, have fewer friends
– exhibit hyperactivity, anxiety, withdrawal
– have learning problems at school.

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