Abstract
This study investigated and compared the rates of child maltreatment as reported by parents and children. Self-reports of
1,093 children aged 12 to 18, which were matched with both parents’ records, were compared and analyzed in the study. The
levels of agreement between parent and child reporting of various kinds of parental child maltreatment were low to moderate.
Factors affecting the disagreement in reports were also investigated. Social desirability and violence approval were the common
predictors of disagreement in father-child and mother-child reports, respectively. The low agreement between parent–child
reports found in the present study highlights the need for the inclusion of both parent and child reports on maltreatment
in future clinical screening and intervention programs.
1,093 children aged 12 to 18, which were matched with both parents’ records, were compared and analyzed in the study. The
levels of agreement between parent and child reporting of various kinds of parental child maltreatment were low to moderate.
Factors affecting the disagreement in reports were also investigated. Social desirability and violence approval were the common
predictors of disagreement in father-child and mother-child reports, respectively. The low agreement between parent–child
reports found in the present study highlights the need for the inclusion of both parent and child reports on maltreatment
in future clinical screening and intervention programs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-011-9405-1
- Authors
- Ko Ling Chan, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482