Prevention of child abuse and neglect through early diagnosis of serious disturbances in the mother-child relationship in Italy.
At the obstetrical clinic of Modena University and a family center of the same municipality during the first six months of 1980 a questionnaire based on "Risks of Child Abuse" by Kempe, Gray and others was administered to 33 expectant mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy, a few days after delivery, and a month and one-half after childbirth, for the purpose of examining the mother-child relationship. Two principal groups of "risk factors" which may lead to child abuse and neglect appeared: mothers with preceding personal and social experiences, and cases of medical intervention (e.g., prematurity, caesarean). Use of a questionnaire that permitted early diagnosis made possible help in establishing a good mother-child relationship in the first months of life. Such help can be given by the hospital and public centers both before and after birth.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001290:Attitude; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007558:Italy; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk