title: Parents of battered babies: a controlled study.
abstract: A controlled investigation of 214 parents of battered babies shows that they were young and predominantly of lower social class. Premature parenthood is an associated feature. Among the mothers 76% had an abnormal personality and 48% were neurotic. Nearly half were of borderline or subnormal intelligence; 11% had a criminal record. Of the fathers 64% had an abnormal personality, more than half being psychopaths. Twenty-nine per cent. had a criminal record. Recidivism is an associated feature.The risk of battering possibly diminishes with time. The teaching of appropriate child-rearing skills, symptomatic relief, and social relearning are suggested as realistically based treatment methods and should be combined with a care order. When response to treatment appears unlikely permanent removal from parental care should be considered.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder; D002649:Child Abuse; D002668:Child Rearing; D002669:Child Welfare; D003415:Crime; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders; D010290:Parents; D010554:Personality Disorders; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors