Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31299/ksi.33.1.2
Predictors of risk of child abuse by fathers towards young adolescents
Milica Benić
; Croatian Institute for Social Work, Regional Office Vinkovci
Marina Ajduković
orcid.org/0000-0002-0561-9908
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Law, Department for Social Work
*
Nika Sušac
orcid.org/0000-0002-8257-3472
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Law, Department for Social Work
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The paper examines the contribution of selected predictors in explaining the risk of abuse by fathers of children in early adolescence. Risk of abuse was assessed based on a sample including 378 fathers with an average age of 45 years (SD = 5.836), who had children who were on average 13 years old (SD = 0.756). The Child Abuse Potential Inventory (Milner, 1986) was used as a criterion variable. The results show that 13.4% of fathers were at risk of physical child abuse according to the milder criterion, while 7.8% of fathers were at risk according to the stricter criterion. Older age, lower monthly household income, poor perceived quality of partner relationships, more frequent use of psychological aggression in partner relationships, greater number of highly stressful events in the last three years, and greater distress caused by everyday stress can increase the risk of child abuse by fathers. On the other hand, better coping strategies and greater perceived social support, to some extent, can reduce the risk of abuse. The findings are discussed in terms of creating programmes to empower individuals and families with children who live in economic difficulties and those who face increased conflict in partner relationships, as well as fostering changes in social policies that can facilitate this.
Keywords
fathers; Child Abuse Risk Inventory; financial difficulties; partner relationship; stress; coping strategies
Hrčak ID:
332310
URI
Publication date:
17.6.2025.
Visits: 893 *