Publication year: 2011
Source: Child Abuse & Neglect, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 17 August 2011
Gisele Caldas, Alexandre , Paulo, Nadanovsky , Margo, Wilson , Martin, Daly , Claudia Leite, Moraes , …
Objective: Paternity is uncertain, so if paternal feelings evolved to promote fitness, we might expect them to vary in response to variables indicative of paternity probability. We therefore hypothesized that the risk of lapses of paternal affection, including abusive assaults on children, will be exacerbated by cues of non-paternity. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 331 Brazilian mothers, interviewed about 1 focal child (age 1–12) residing with her and the putative father. Child physical abuse was assessed using the Conflict Tactic Scales: Parent Child (CTSPC). Two potential cues of (non) paternity were (1) whether the parents co-resided when the child was conceived, and (2) whether…