Inter Generational Theory Of Abuse Psychology Essay

Inter Generational Theory Of Ab do Psychology EssayThe inter-generational theory of deprave is a widely accepted notion by professionals and lay people alike. This theory suggests that churlren exposed to physical, emotional or sexual abuse will subject their military issue to a one of these take a leaks of maltreatment. However, the evidence that undermines this theory is too large to ignore. The evidence that supports this hypothesis refers to abused children becoming juvenile delinquents and the identification of the child with the abuser. Methodological problems, generalizability issues and misfortunate validity of the experiments conducted undermined the plausibility and truth in the hypothesis. Another strong factor is the tutelar factors and predisposition of abused children, who break the musical rhythm of abuse which is more familiar than thought. In this essay I will discuss the evidence both for and against the hypothesis.Kaufman and Zigler (1987) found that the p apers written on studies of inter-generational abuse assert validity without proper evidence because their primary sources of information are unreliable. These studies rely largely on case studies, agency records, clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires. An example of case studies was those mostly done with parents whose children were in hospital for non-accidental injuries (Kaufman Zigler, 1987). Most of these parents reported histories of abuse, but because there were methodological problems (such as limited control measures) the generalizability of the findings is not possible. Agency records likewise had many of the same limitations. The congressman samples, comparison subjects and formal definitions of abuse differed. The omissions in agency records were rarely recorded. Clinical interviews are valuable for generating hypotheses about inter-generational theory but they lacked comparison groups and definitions were far from legal criteria (Kaufman Zigler, 1987). Se lf-report questionnaires lacked the exploration of the statistical relationships among determinants of abuse (Kaufman Zigler, 1987). Egeland Jacobvitzs detect that the history of abuse could not be separated from influence of p overty, stress and brotherly isolation on parenting behavior. They also noted that the broader the definition is, the greater the apparent link be falls in the inter-generational hypothesis thus make the validity of the collected data low (Kaufman Zigler, 1987).According to Langeland and Dijkstra (1995) the variations of definitions of abuse cause considerable variation of the rates of transmission. They concur that due to bad methodologies making generalizations from the information is problematic. They also highlight the need to study both mothers and fathers (because they suffer clinical and theoretical relevance), which isnt always the case. Langeland and Dijkstra (1995) show how many studies only examine one child (e.g. Goodwin et al., 1981 Main Goldwyn, 1984 Altemeier et al., 1986 Egeland et al., 1988 Pianta et al., 1989 Burkett, 1991 Boyer Fine, 1992 Caliso Milner, 1992 Herzog et al. 1992 as cited in Langeland and Dijkstra 1995) and suggest researchers need to envision at wider family context (that is brothers, father, grandparents, aunts and cousins).Widom (1989) highlights that the methodological problems play a role in the misrepresentation and overestimation of the actual statistics related to the inter-generational theory. In Widoms review of the literature, she also emphasizes the over dependence on self-report, inadequate documenting of childhood abuse, and the infrequent use of control groups. According to Widom researchers should make a clearer distinction between abused and neglected children because the differences in consequences are significant the information collected overlaps and distorts the results. Widom thus suggests the need for better rating scales for studies, and the need for a greater methodol ogical awareness and refinement.Protective Factors and PredispositionsKaufman and Zigler (1987) observed that some parents (with a history of abuse) became inglorious parents whereas other did not. Hunter and Kilstrom (as cited in Kaufman Zigler, 1987) attributed this to the somebodys having extensive social support (e.g. therapy) fewer undecided feelings about being pregnant, they were openly angry about the abuse they endured, and their babies were healthier. Another study by Egeland and Jacobvitz (as cited in Kaufman Zigler, 1987) found mediating factors to be that one parent/foster parent was loving and care towards the abused child, the abused had an emotionally supportive spouse, they also had fewer current stressful life events and they had a greater awareness of history of abuse and had come to terms with it. This study provides information on the interrelationships (etiology of abuse and other influences) of the many determinants of a parents behavior.Langeland and Dijk stra (1995) also found that many abused children manage to break the wheel of inter-generational abuse. They emphasize the factors that protect/buffer the transmission. Belsky (1980, as cited in Langeland and Dijkstra, 1995) says there are multiple factors at work that cause abuse such as the individual (personality of parents) familial (the home/family environment e.g. marital relationship) community (formal informal social structures e.g. neighborhood and other family) cultural (societal expectations and attitudes). However, Belsky (1980, as cited in Langeland and Dijkstra) says the interaction of risk and tutelary factors are important because they effect likelihood of transmission of abuse between generations.Garbarino Gilliam (1980, as cited in Widom, 1989) recites that other life events or the predisposition of the child (e.g. inbred abilities, physiological predispositions, and social supports) will protect them from the effects of abuse.Deliquency and IdentificationKau fman and Zigler (1987) commented on the many other factors that contribute to abuse. Children may find themselves in similar social or relationship conditions (or have long lasting effects of child abuse) that led their parents to be abusive to them as children and cope in the same way.Quinton and Rutter (1988) reiterate that abuse occurs for many reasons namely substantial social and environ mental hardships and a constellation of psycho-social difficulties. It is noted that children may have the same or similar situations as their parents and cycle continues because of the same outside influences. They found that abuse can read to personality disorders, alcoholism, and criminality all of which are associated with abuse. Sir Keith Joseph (1972, as cited in Quinton and Rutter, 1988) said short parenting is a central mechanism for encouraging inter-generational transmission of family problems (that is children learn from their parents).Men that were imprisoned for violence against children were found to have come from large families where abuse was greenness (Gibbens Walker, 1956 Scott, 1973, as cited in Quinton and Rutter, 1988) and women accused with child-battering were associated with unhappy, loveless and traumatic childhoods (Lukiarowitz, 1971 as cited in Quinton and Rutter, 1988). Quinton and Rutter (1988) noted that the vulnerabilities deriving from exposure to poor parenting can lead to them being abusive (e.g. depression is known to be associated with abuse).Widom (1989) emphasized that the immediate consequences of child abuse are physical injuries or emotional trauma but that the emotional and developmental scars may persist thus leading to the likelihood of inter-generational transmission of abuse.McCall Shields (1986, as cited in Widom, 1989) highlighted the context of violence in culture. Accordingly the approval of such behaviors legitimizes and reinforces the use of violence (Gil, 1973 Huggius Straus, 1980 Steinmetz, 1977 as cited in Wi dom, 1989) which in turn instigates the high degree of acceptance of violence in culture (R.A. Stark McEvoy, 1970 as cited in Widom, 1989). It is so not too difficult to deduce that learning to become violent through normal childrearing experiences might be transmitted from generation to generation (Goldstein, 1986 as cited in Widom, 1989). The social learning of a child and the witnessing/victims of physical and emotional aggression become a model for the child that violence is appropriate in the home (Bandua, 1973 Feshbach, 1980 as cited in Widom, 1989). Straus et al. (1980, as cited in Widom, 1989) suggest that each generation of abusive parents learns to be violent by being a histrion in a violent home. Other evidence suggests that abuse leads to aggressive behavior, depression, withdrawal and self-punishing behavior all of which lead to abusive behavior which would suggest that the cycle of abuse can be and is transmitted. It is also suggested that abuse may lead to becomin g an abusive parent, a delinquent, or a violent criminal (Widom, 1989).McCord (1983) did a study on abused, neglected, rejected, and loved boys. She found that 45% of the abused and neglected boys ended up being convicted for serious crimes, becoming alcoholics, suffering a mental illness, and/or died unusually young. Their parents were found to have been similar. Other researchers Rocklin and Lavetts (1987) research has demonstrated that identity formation (process by which a child incorporates aspects of a significant other) adds to inter-generational transmission. This is because they form these identifications as a coping mechanism rather than actual identity. However, the identification can persist and is often seen to be used later in life. codaIt is clear that being abused puts people at risk of being abusive towards their offspring but it is not the only factor and the path is not direct. There are many protective factors that buffer the adverse effects of abuse, which often breaks the cycle of abuse. The methodological limitations of most experiments (and lack of control measures) have lead to misleading representations of the statistics, and the inter-generational transmission of false facts (Widom, 1989). However the persistent acceptance of the inter-generational theory seems to have undermined many studies as well. The risk factors and society in which a child learns from seems to cause abuse and the transmission from generation to generation. In conclusion abuse is not necessarily transmitted from generation to generation, because there are many protective factors and the path is not direct. The past and present influence the likelihood of abused children becoming abusive parents, not just the possibility of the inter-generational abuse occurring.