CURRENT PSYCHOLOGICAL MALTREATMENT ALLIANCE STUDIES

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​​Psychological Maltreating Behaviors by Parents on TikTok

We examined TikTok user engagement when parents post videos engaging in psychological maltreatment (PM) behaviors towards their children, using the APSAC-endorsed definition of PM. A new TikTok account was created and seeded with PM behavior videos identified previously; similar videos then appeared on the new account’s “For You Page” (an algorithmic feed curated by TikTok). Researchers identified 35 creators who had posted at least one PM behavior video, resulting in their full profile being coded (N = 2684 videos) for five engagement metrics, presence of children, and presence of PM behavior. Non-parametric paired comparisons (Mann-Whitney tests) were made within individual creators for: (1) engagement metrics before and after the first PM behavior video, (2) engagement metrics for PM behavior videos versus non-PM videos, (3) engagement metrics for child videos versus non-child videos, and (4) proportion of videos containing children before and after the first PM video. All but one analysis was significant (effect sizes from .28 to .59, average r = .46). We discuss directions for future research, as well as how child welfare and content moderation policy can be updated to change social norms around sharenting. Stormer, B., Chandler-Ofuya, N., Baker, A.J.L., Brassard, M.R., Balin, T., & Rosenzweig, J. (2023). Caregiver psychological maltreatment of children on TikTok. Child Maltreatment.

Two additional papers are in process for this study. In the first, the proximal causes of the parent's behaviors are being examined to try to understand why they are treating their children this way and in the second, the comments made by viewers are being examined to determine whether anyone is challenging these types of parenting behaviors.

 

COMPLETED PSYCHOLOGICAL MALTREATMENT ALLIANCE STUDIES ​​​ 

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Rates of Psychological Maltreatment

US State statutes were coded and compared with reported rates of four different forms of child maltreatment in the 2014 and 1998 NCANDS data sets. For 2014, the difference in reported rates of PM between the State with the lowest rate and the State with the highest rate was 523-fold which was much higher than for physical (30- fold) and sexual abuse (20-fold) but not neglect (524-fold). Statutes still use the term “mental injury” from the original Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and two thirds did not define it. Reported rates of PM in NCANDS were not correlated with whether PM was defined in the statute but when a harm standard was present, reported rates were statistically lower. From these data it can be concluded that a common, reliable definition of PM (and other forms of maltreatment) in CAPTA, NCANDS, and US State statutes is necessary for the US to have a surveillance system that allows for the assessment of the effects of policies on reported rates of all forms of maltreatment. Baker, A.J.L. & Brassard, M.R. (2019). Predictors of variation in state reported rates of psychological maltreatment: A survey of U.S. statutes and a call for change. Child Abuse & Neglect, 96. Click here for link 

 

Survey of APSAC Membership

Paper 1: Despite reliable definitions and evidence of harm to children, psychological maltreatment (PM) is significantly less reported to Child Protective Services than physical or sexual abuse in the United States. This study was designed to identify factors influencing identification and intent to report psychological maltreatment. The sample was comprised of membership of APSAC, a multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the field of child maltreatment, with 39% response rate to the anonymous online survey. Results revealed that only 4 of the 18 PM items were identified by most respondents as definitely PM. Most respondents believed that PM was associated with harmful outcomes “sometimes” or “mostly.” Respondents revealed an intent to report to CPS only 4 of the 18 PM behaviors. We concluded that professionals in the field of maltreatment need more training on identification and reporting of PM. A model definition of PM should be developed in order to increase reliability of identification of psychological maltreatment.​ Baker, A.J.L., Brassard, M.R., & Rosenzweig, J. (2021). Psychological maltreatment: Definition and reporting barriers among American professionals in the field of child abuse, Child Abuse & Neglect, 114. Click here for link. 

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Paper 2: More than 450 professionals with direct responsibility for advising parents were surveyed about psychological maltreatment (PM). Many reported not being trained to prevent or respond to PM. While many prioritized advising parents, most did not believe that parents value or heed their advice. Encouragingly, most professionals reported high levels of motivation to learn more about PM and intervening effectively with families. Recommendations include more role-specific training in PM identification, prevention, and intervention. Baker, A.J.L., Brassard, M.R., & Rosenzweig, J. (2021). Providing parents with advice about alternatives to psychological maltreatment: A survey of professionals in the field of child maltreatment. Child Welfare, 99 (1), 93-115. Click here for link.

 

In-Depth Interview Study of Human Service Professionals

Twenty-four human service were interviewed about the types of poor parenting they observed and the barriers they perceived to their intervening. Using an inductive grounded theory approach, a set of themes were identified based on the content of the interviews. Seven types of problematic parenting were mentioned (physical aggression, verbal aggression and rejection threats, lack of supervision, poor parental coping, interfering with a child abuse investigation, and imposing their own needs on the child) along with five main categories of barriers to intervention (role constraint, behavior not bad enough, bad timing, uncertain what to do, and fear of parental response). Human service professionals are in a position to observe parents engaging in behaviors that if persistent or severe would qualify as child maltreatment. Many do not intervene even though they are concerned about the impact of these parental behaviors on children. Agencies that provide human services to parents and children can benefit from providing their workers with enhanced training, support, and practice in intervening in ways that can feel helpful and respectful. In addition, they could engage in efforts to improve the environments and culture of their agencies to reduce parental stressors which are significant triggers for poor parenting. Baker. A.J.L., Brassard, M.R., Rosenzweig, J., & Murov, R. (2024). Human service professionals’ observations of suboptimal parenting: Barriers to intervention and potential solutions. Children and Youth Services Review, 162. Additional data is being analysed.

 

Analysis of Parenting Blogs

​Paper 1: This study assessed the quality of information about corporal punishment (CP) and psychological maltreatment (PM) offered in 236 on-line parenting blogs. Results revealed that fewer than 15% of posts made an unambiguous statement against CP, explained that it was harmful and/or ineffective, cited research evidence against its use, or countered reasons for its use. Not one post mentioned all six types of PM and the most common forms were mentioned by fewer than one third. Human service professionals should be aware that many online parenting resources are unlikely to warn parents against these harmful parenting behaviors. . Baker, A.J.L., Brassard, M.R., Rosenzweig, J., Kagan, J., Stormer, B., & Adkins, K.L. (2024). Do online parenting blogs discourage psychological maltreatment and corporal punishment? Journal of Public Child Welfare, 18(2), 338-357.

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Paper 2: This paper examined the quality of online parenting information produced in response to an internet search query, “How do I discipline my child.” To that end, 236 internet posts were coded to determine the extent to which they endorsed: (a) eight different evidence-based discipline alternatives to psychological aggression and corporal punishment; (b) six different aspects of parental acceptance and warmth; and (c) five positive parenting behaviors. Findings revealed that in general, the posts are consistent with evidence-based parenting practices. However, posts mentioned on average only one discipline strategy, with a strong preference for time-out and logical consequences over the other strategies. One fourth of the posts did not mention any aspect of parental acceptance, which is a vital component of parenting, and one third of the posts did not mention any aspect of positive parenting. Fewer than half of the posts had at least one element of all three. Parents seeking assistance with child-rearing would need additional guidance and support than what is offered in these posts. Baker, A.J.L., Brassard, M.R., Kagan, J., Stormer, B., Adkins, K.L., Rosenzweig, J., & Chandler-Ofuya, N. (2022). On-line parenting information through the lens of child abuse prevention: A content analysis. Child Welfare, 100 (5), 53-77