title: [Factors associated with the recognition of child maltreatment by mothers rearing children from infancy to primary school age].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research was conducted to determine the prevalence of recognition of child maltreatment among mothers with children aged 12 or under, and to identify associated factors in order to prevent child maltreatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects of this study were 3,000 women extracted by systematic random sampling of mothers of 6,790 children who had had four-month health check-ups in Nishinomiya city. The response rate was 57.5%. After excluding mothers with children aged 13 years and over, the study sample included 1,471 mothers with children aged 12 or under. A questionnaire survey was conducted by mail. Recognition of child maltreatment by mothers was assessed with a question that asked the mother if she was sometimes aware that she had potentially abused her child, and, if yes, what kind of acts had she performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 333 mothers (22.6%) who answered "yes" to the question "Are you sometimes aware that you have potentially abused your child?" These mothers reported emotional or physical aggression toward their children. Results of logistic regression showed that recognition of child maltreatment was associated with existence of a child whom the mother felt difficulty in cherishing, number of children, maternal poor health, higher scores of STAI trait anxiety and disabled children. Mothers reported difficulties in child-rearing for more than one child as the main reason behind existence of a child whom the mother felt difficulty in cherishing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggested that mothers with more than one child need more support in order to prevent child maltreatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Nursing, Osaka City University, Osaka, 545-005 Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Ayano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.forename: Terumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oda
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.forename: Kenge
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mizukami
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sono
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires