Psychiatric treatment of abusing mothers — Two case studies

Cases of two mothers who abused their preschool children are presented. The patients are discussed with a focus on psychological and social phenomena which created the stress situations. The importance of a combined treatment approach, with family involvement, as contrasted to traditional psychotherapeutic methods is underscored. Long term supportive involvement with the family is also illustrated. Resolution of the mothers' conflicts came about in psychotherapy when they re-experienced their forgetten painful affects from childhood. The authors suggest that the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancies should decrease the high incidence of child abuse.