title: [Why are children abused? A bibliographical review of the explanations for child abuse].
abstract: This article analyzes the factors related to child abuse that have been published in three of the main Brazilian pediatrics journals. The literature was assessed by content analysis. Fourteen studies were analyzed. The main explanatory factors were: (a) reproduction of violence; (b) family and psychological disorders and alcohol abuse; and (c) the structural or macro-social order. The authors conclude that prevention or intervention policies can be more successful if a theoretical/practical understanding is achieved, and that it is necessary to integrate each unique case with the knowledge based on care for thousands of families involved in child abuse both in Brazil and worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22250-020, Brasil. romeu@iff.fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Romeu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Suely Ferreira
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Deslades
authors.forename: Márcia Motta
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Veiga
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bhering
authors.forename: Jacqueline F C
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Por que as crianças são maltratadas?: Explicações para a prática de maus-tratos infantis na literatura.