1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« The main objectives of this explanatory study were to: (1) explore the presence of psychological maltreatment interactions of young at-risk mothers and fathers with their children aged two to five; (2) identify associated emotions, cognitions, and behaviours; and (3) develop a screening tool useful for the child protective services (CPS) practitioners. » (p. 289)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« Fifteen mothers were recruited from Montreal CPS, among families being followed for physical abuse or neglect;
Fifteen mothers attending ’L’Envol’, a community service providing parenting assistance, were recruited;
Fifteen ’ordinary’ mothers, involved in daycare or pediatric clinics, agreed to particpate; and
Thirteen biological fathers or subtitue fathers who had lived with the child for at least a year, were recruited through ’L’Envol’ or Montreal CPS. » (p. 289)

Instruments :
Guide d’entretien semi-directif

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

« Psychological maltreatment is not yet fully recognized as a specific and serious form of child maltreatment. In the last decade, researchers have tried to establish some consensus about an operational definition of this concept; at the same time practitioners have identified more of this form of maltreatment without being able to clearly identify its specific characteristics. One of the problems faced by both practitioners and researchers is to identify more adequately the diverse manifestations of psychological maltreatment in families with children below the age of six. Indeed, most of the knowledge on psychological maltreatment pertains to school-aged and older children. As well, there is inadequate knowledge of the different variables or factors linked to this form of child maltreatment, such as parental emotion and beliefs, and whether they are causes, contributors, or consequences of psychological maltreatment. The study described in this chapter explores some of these questions. » (p. 287)