nursing care of a family suspected of childabuse?

[mashamontago]

what are some good resources or websites to research this article? does anyone have an idea of what a nurse does for this topic?

[lpnflorida]

http://www.caringdadsprogram.com/agency/pdfs/final_report.pdf

[lpnflorida]

Current interventions for abusive parents: Why not send fathers to existing programs?

Many communities have services available for supporting parents, and have developed prevention and intervention programs specifically for high-risk and maltreating mothers (Wang & Daro, 1998). Given this, why should intervention programs

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be developed specifically for fathers? The development of Caring Dads is predicated on the theory that existing programs do not adequately address the needs of abusive fathers for a number of important reasons. Three of these are the mismatch of intervention goals and fathers' needs, the need for attention to the familial context of father-perpetrated child abuse, and an appreciation of the context of intervention for this population.

One of the mainstays of intervention for child abuse is parent training. Parenting interventions are typically informed by social learning and cognitive-behavioural theories, and as such, focus largely on behavior management techniques, such as reinforcement, appropriate punishment and anger management strategies (e.g. Mathews, Matter, & Montgomery, 1997). Philosophically, we have argued that behaviour management and stress reduction skills are not primary risk factors for maltreating fathers (Scott & Crooks, in press). Rather, abusive fathers’ lack of recognition and prioritization of children’s needs for love, respect, and autonomy are paramount. Maltreating fathers often speak of conflicts with their children as power battles and tend to feel that they deserve unconditional love and respect, and unquestioning compliance (Francis, Scott, Crooks & Kelly, 2002). Due to this sense of entitlement and associated abuse-supporting attitudes, programs focused on managing stress or developing fathers' parenting skills are not likely to lead to reductions in child abuse or neglect. Instead, fathers need interventions that can directly address and counter attitudes that support their use of abusive control and develop their capacity to appreciate their children's emotional and physical needs. It is only after such intervention that men may benefit from learning parenting skills for more effective child management or from broad-based parental support.

A second reason to develop intervention programs specifically for abusive and at-risk fathers derives from a consideration of the familial context of father-perpetrated abuse. Physical child abuse and domestic violence have a startlingly high rate of co-occurrence with estimates of the overlap in the range of 30-60% (Appel & Holden, 1998; Edleson, 1999; Jouriles & Norwood, 1995; Ross, 1996). That is, in families where either child maltreatment or women abuse is occurring, one will often find that the other form of violence is also being perpetrated. In addition to the co-occurrence of physical abuse, men abusive toward their spouses often use a variety of tactics that are emotionally harmful to their children (Bancroft & Silverman, 2002). In most group-based parenting programs, there is an implicit assumption that the parents have a non-abusive relationship. In cases where adult relationships seem problematic, the group leader might offer to make a referral to marital counseling or may address difficulties in group by focusing on the need for consistency between parents in the application of child management strategies. Such interventions are not sufficient or appropriate in a family where fathers are abusive towards both their spouse and children. Rather, it is critical that a significant part of intervention with maltreating fathers be devoted to men's relationships with, and potentially abusive behaviors towards, their children's mothers (Salzinger, Feldman, Ng-Mak, Mojica, Stockhammer & Rosario, 2002).

Finally, in developing programs for abusive and at-risk fathers it is important to consider the social context of this form of intervention. Many of the abusive and at-risk fathers most in need of intervention are already involved in legal actions. Some fathers have separated from the mother of their children and are pursuing, or hoping for, changes in child custody or access arrangements. Other men are being monitored by child

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protective services, or have their children in protective custody. In this context, an identified concern is that fathers may use their program attendance to try to gain greater custody of, or access to, their children. For example, men may attempt to intimidate or manipulate children's mothers into changing access through threats of court action or other demands. They may also use intervention to try to gain advantage with their children by telling them that their father, but not their mother, is trying to improve the family’s situation. Even if fathers do not engage in these behaviours, it is concerning that having undertaken treatment may reflect well on men involved in child welfare or custody proceedings, regardless of individual change. Given this complicated social and legal context, it is essential that treatment programs for abusive fathers be well integrated in the legal and child protective services in the community. Though such integration, policies can be developed so that fathers can be challenged to develop healthier relationships with their children without compromising child safety.

[lpnflorida]

http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Dec97/abusive.families.ssl.html

hope either of these sites can be of help to you.

[tryingtohaveitall]

What specific questions do you have? Some tips, you treat them like you do anyone else, though we all acknowledge that's easier said than done. Document their interactions with the child, inconsistencies in their stories, never offer explanations/suggestions of how the child's injuries may have occured. I'm sure I will have more suggestions if I know a little more what you're looking for.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Treating them the same as everyone else has been the biggest challenge, for me, of my short nursing student career.

[nursey81]

it is so hard to treat parents of child abuse victims i think it should be mandatory for every new parent as a part of bringing a new baby that programs should be in place as to child care stress and techniques to curb bad behavior and make sure they know how to properly care for a child also

infant cpr and materials as to when baby food cereal is to be started juice

etc some folks treat thier child the way they were taught as a child Rhonda Baker:yeah: