Child maltreatment and childhood injury research: a cognitive behavioral approach.
OBJECTIVE
Both child maltreatment and childhood injuries affect large numbers of children each year. In a seminal paper, Peterson and Brown (1994) drew parallels in the antecedents of both forms of harm and suggested a more unified approach in research efforts and intervention development. This article provides a unified cognitive model that would both guide research and inform interventions directed at parents.


METHODS
This article overviews information-processing elements that may explain parental oversights that would increase risk to children, including maladaptive parental schema, executive functioning problems, and maladaptive appraisals. Contextual variables that may negatively impact on information processing are also included.


RESULTS
Studies supporting the validity of the model are presented, and implications for interventions are drawn. Data supporting the effectiveness of cognitive enhancements to current interventions are given.


CONCLUSIONS
The promise of such a unified model is discussed, and obstacles to its dissemination are presented.
Azar
Sandra T
ST
Department of Psychology, Moore 541, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. sta10@psu.edu
Weinzierl
Kristin M
KM
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*