Prediction and explanation of child abuse

Abstract

The Child Abuse Potential Inventory was administered to 65 abusing and 65 matched nonabusing parents. An item analysis indicated that 77 of the 160 inventory items significantly discriminated between abusers and nonabusers. A discriminant analysis, which employed the 77 significant items, correctly classified 125, or 96%, of the 130 Ss (subjects) as abusers or nonabusers. Identical results were obtained from a stepwise multiple regression analysis. Principal axis factoring with oblique promax rotations yielded a 7 factor solution with relatively specific dimensions. The 7 factors were: distress; rigidity; child with problems; problems from family and others; unhappiness; loneliness; and negative concept of child and of self. The rigidity, unhappiness and distress factors were the most meaningful dimensions in the understanding of why some people abuse children.