Distinguishing between poor/dysfunctional parenting and child emotional maltreatment

David A. Wolfe, Ph.D.
Caroline McIsaac, Ph.D.
CAMH Centre for Prevention Science
Prepared for the Family Violence Prevention Unit of the Public Health Agency of Canada

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Abstract
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Childrearing Methods
  • Positive Methods
  • Poor Methods
  • Emotionally Abusive or Neglectful Methods
• Risk Factors for Child Emotional Maltreatment
  • Parent Characteristics
  • Child, Family, and Situational Influences
  • Cultural, Socialization and Situational Considerations
  • Impact on Child Development
• Distinguishing Between Poor/Dysfunctional Parenting and Emotional Maltreatment
  • Empirical and Conceptual Similarities
  • Empirical and Conceptual Distinctions
  • Benefits of a Continuum Mode
  • Benefits of a Categorical Model
• Conclusions and Recommendations
  • Adopt a categorical definition of child emotional maltreatment
  • Adopt a continuum approach to defining poor parenting
  • Address gaps in training
  • Expand public health strategies to promote healthy, positive parenting
  • Adopt a children’s rights approach to child protection and public health education
  • Address gaps in research and evidence-based interventions
• References
• Appendices
• Continuum of Parental Emotional Sensitivity and Expression
• Diagnostic Criteria for Parenting Problem
• Criteria for More Than Inconsequential Fear Reaction / Physical injury
• Diagnostic Criteria for Child Emotional Abuse

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