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A Discriminant Function Procedure for Identifying Abusing Parents
Author(s) -
Paulson Morris J.,
Afifi Abdelmonem A.,
Chaleff Anne,
Liu Vinnie Y.,
Thomason Mary L.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1975.tb00318.x
Subject(s) - discriminant function analysis , psychology , minnesota multiphasic personality inventory , clinical psychology , personality , scale (ratio) , sample (material) , developmental psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , statistics , mathematics , physics , chemistry , chromatography , quantum mechanics
From 60 abusive parents was selected a sample of 15 males and 18 females, each identified as the primary abusive parent in the home. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory of each was subjected to a series of discriminant function analyses. Recognizing that sex is an important determinant in understanding and predicting child abuse, separate scales were derived for males, females, and sexes combined. A graph is included that allows for estimating the probability of an individual's being an abusive parent. Using these scales in conjunction with clinical interviews and medical history, there is thus an increased probability of identifying parents “at risk.” Content analyses of the scale items reflect specific conflict areas for males and females that make for increased understanding of the psychology of child abuse.