Lecture Notes on Family Violence and Child Abuse

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from the lecture notes on family violence and child abuse.

Intrapersonal Theories

Theories that focus on individual differences, including psychopathology, psychological traits, and biological factors.

Dyadic Stress Theory

A theory that views marital dysfunction as a dyadic stressor, where couples' disagreements correlate highly with violence.

Attachment Theory

Pioneered by John Bowlby, this theory states that an emotional bond develops in the first year of life and relates insecure attachments to later abusive behaviors.

Social Exchange Theory

The idea that individuals enter relationships where the benefits outweigh the costs; relationships without profit are likely to end.

Symbolic Interactionism

The theory that emphasizes understanding family violence through the meanings family members give to their interactions.

Resource Theory

Suggests that power dynamics in relationships depend on who possesses more resources; often, men in heterosexual relationships hold more power.

General/Family Systems Theory

A theory that examines familial relationships for dysfunction and how they may create environments conducive to abuse.

Ecological Theory

A multidimensional theory that considers individual, microsystem, ecosystem, and macro-system levels to explain violence.

Prevalence

The extent to which violence is distributed within the population.

Incidence

The frequency at which violence occurs among those who experience it.

Physical Child Abuse (PCA)

The non-accidental act by a caregiver intending to cause physical pain or injury to a child.

Corporal Punishment

Physical punishment aimed at correcting a child's behavior, often accepted by society despite its potential harm.

Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy

A psychiatric disorder where a caregiver intentionally produces symptoms of illness in their child for attention.

Postpartum Depression

A mood disorder affecting mothers after childbirth that can hinder optimal child care.

Social Learning Theory

A theory stating that children learn appropriate behaviors, including violence, through observation of others.

Immediate Effects of Physical Child Abuse

Short term consequences including medical, cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional problems.

Long-term Effects of Physical Child Abuse

Consequences that may include criminal behavior, substance abuse, and socioemotional difficulties.

Poly-victimization

Experiencing multiple forms of abuse or neglect, with many victims not reporting their experiences.

Indications of Physical Child Abuse

Physical and behavioral symptoms that can alert professionals to potential abuse situations.

Intrapersonal Theories

Theories that focus on individual differences, including psychopathology, psychological traits, and biological factors.

Dyadic Stress Theory

A theory that views marital dysfunction as a dyadic stressor, where couples' disagreements correlate highly with violence.

Attachment Theory

Pioneered by John Bowlby, this theory states that an emotional bond develops in the first year of life and relates insecure attachments to later abusive behaviors.

Social Exchange Theory

The idea that individuals enter relationships where the benefits outweigh the costs; relationships without profit are likely to end.

Symbolic Interactionism

The theory that emphasizes understanding family violence through the meanings family members give to their interactions.

Resource Theory

Suggests that power dynamics in relationships depend on who possesses more resources; often, men in heterosexual relationships hold more power.

General/Family Systems Theory

A theory that examines familial relationships for dysfunction and how they may create environments conducive to abuse.

Ecological Theory

A multidimensional theory that considers individual, microsystem, ecosystem, and macro-system levels to explain violence.

Prevalence

The extent to which violence is distributed within the population.

Incidence

The frequency at which violence occurs among those who experience it.

Physical Child Abuse (PCA)

The non-accidental act by a caregiver intending to cause physical pain or injury to a child.

Corporal Punishment

Physical punishment aimed at correcting a child's behavior, often accepted by society despite its potential harm.

Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy

A psychiatric disorder where a caregiver intentionally produces symptoms of illness in their child for attention.

Postpartum Depression

A mood disorder affecting mothers after childbirth that can hinder optimal child care.

Social Learning Theory

A theory stating that children learn appropriate behaviors, including violence, through observation of others.

Immediate Effects of Physical Child Abuse

Short term consequences including medical, cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional problems.

Long-term Effects of Physical Child Abuse

Consequences that may include criminal behavior, substance abuse, and socioemotional difficulties.

Poly-victimization

Experiencing multiple forms of abuse or neglect, with many victims not reporting their experiences.

Indications of Physical Child Abuse

Physical and behavioral symptoms that can alert professionals to potential abuse situations.

Child Neglect

The failure of a caregiver to provide for a child's basic needs, which can be physical, emotional, medical, or educational.

Emotional Abuse

A pattern of behavior that harms a child's self-worth or emotional well-being, including constant criticism, threats, or withholding of affection.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

Any sexual act with a child where the child does not or cannot consent, including sexual contact, exploitation, or exposure to sexually explicit material.