Mindfulness and trauma symptoms predict child abuse potential in risk-exposed,men and women during pregnancy

BackgroundNearly a third of adults report childhood trauma in their youth and approximately 700,000 cases of child maltreatment were reported in 2016. Both history of childhood trauma and current trauma symptoms in adults are linked to child maltreatment, although many trauma-exposed individuals are warm and nurturing parents. Identifying resiliency factors in adults with risk factors for harsh parenting may illuminate new pathways to sensitive parenting. Mindfulness is reported to improve trauma and mental health symptoms but the relationship between mindfulness, trauma, and child abuse potential is not yet understood.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between mindfulness, childhood trauma experiences, trauma symptoms and child abuse potential.Participants and settingOur participants were 102 expectant parents recruiting from obstetric clinics and agencies Detroit, MI (58.8% African American, 27.5% Caucasian).MethodBivariate correlations were examined using validated, self-report questionnaires. Significant variables were included in a hierarchical linear regression to identify predicting factors that contribute to child abuse potential scores.ResultsSignificant correlations between child abuse potential with current trauma symptoms (r = .53, p < .01) and mindfulness (r = −.32, p < .01) were found, but no link with past childhood trauma experiences and child abuse potential were identified. The model significantly predicts child abuse potential (ΔR² = .10, F(5, 96), = 12.48, p < .001). Trauma symptoms (B = .09, p < .001, 95% confidence interval [CI][−.40, −.07]) and mindfulness nonreactivity (B = −.24, p < .01, 95% CI[.05, .14]) predicted higher potential for child abuse scores.ConclusionFindings suggest increased mindfulness, especially nonreactivity to one’s own thoughts, may be an important factor to protect against child abuse potential. Interventions to increase parental mindfulness may reduce child abuse potential and improve child well-being, but further mechanistic research is needed to determine this.     

Absence of males in maltreatment research: A survey of recent literature

This paper provides a review of research in the area of physical maltreatment with respect to the degree to which males are represented in research samples. The systematic, comprehensive review includes 126 articles published between the years 1989 and 1994 in nine primary journals. Results show that adult males are dramatically underrepresented in this research. Specifically, males were included in fewer than one-half (47.7%) of the 77 articles reviewed and the total number and percentage of males in research samples was significantly less than the number and percentage of females. Only three studies included males exclusively, yet 40 studies involved solely female participants. Of the studies that did include men, only 37.5% provided an evaluation of gender differences. Research involving abused children showed a much greater representation of male subjects than research with adult participants. Only four of 49 studies of abused children were based exclusively on girls; a full 62.8% included an equal representation of boys and girls.     

Gender role ideology in mothers and fathers: Relation with parent-child aggression risk longitudinally

BackgroundThe existing literature is dominated by models of parent-child aggression (PCA) risk using maternal samples, thereby limiting insight into factors that contribute to fathers’ PCA risk. Protective factors that can affect PCA risk within the mother-father dyad at the cultural level are also often overlooked.ObjectiveThe current study examined the potential positive role of gender ideologies on maternal and paternal PCA risk over time, considering both individual and partner effects on PCA risk.Participants and settingParticipants were 150 couples, with primiparous mothers and their male partners identified from a larger study of PCA risk.MethodsThe study employed a longitudinal design with three waves. Participants were first assessed in mothers’ third trimester of pregnancy and re-assessed when their child was 6 months and 18 months. Dyads reported their gender role attitudes prenatally and PCA risk across time.ResultsEgalitarian gender role ideologies related to lower PCA risk for both mothers and fathers prenatally. At 6 months, neither mothers’ nor fathers’ gender role ideologies related to PCA risk but by 18 months, fathers’ gender role beliefs predicted their PCA risk whereas mother’s gender role beliefs only marginally predicted their PCA risk. Maternal egalitarian gender ideologies significantly predicted fathers’ lower PCA risk at 6 months.ConclusionsThese findings suggest less traditional gender roles may contribute to lower PCA risk in parents particularly prior to childbirth. Therefore, future work is needed to further consider the evolving interconnectedness within couples in their PCA risk over time.     

Fathers as sexuality educators: aspirations and realities. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Men can play a significant role in teaching their children about sexuality but fathers’ practices and perceptions in this domain remain under explored. This study presents an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of eight fathers’ perceptions and practices in educating their ten-year-old children about physical maturation, reproduction and relationships. A Foucauldian analysis with a focus on governmentality and biopower revealed tensions and contradictions between the fathers’ aspirations and their realities, which appeared to be underpinned by the dynamic, contradictory, shifting, plural nature of fatherhood identities. Whilst fathers wished to adhere to the cultural imperative for father–child emotional closeness, a disparity between their ambitions and their conduct emerged. Care appeared to be a deeply gendered concept for the fathers and despite their aspirations for an intimate relationship with their children, gendered norms for motherhood and fatherhood prevailed resulting in passivity in their role as sexuality educators. The study concludes by arguing that challenges to structures and subcultural contexts, which may deter fathers from fully engaging with their sons and daughters in this aspect of communication are required.