Determinants of child abuse potential: Contribution of parent and child factors

Examined the contributions of child and parental factors to abuse potential in 132 mothers of young children with and without disabilities. In addition to the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI), mothers completed measures of psychopathology, social resources, and child characteristics(adaptability, hyperactivity, and maternal attitude toward the child). Results indicate a significant contribution of child characteristics over and above that explained by demographic and parent factors. Presence of a disability was not significant predictor of abuse potential once other child and parent variables were taken into account. Mothers with low levels of social resources had elevated scores on the CAPI when negative child characteristics were reported, in contrast to mothers with high levels of social resources.