TA Work with Child Abuse

Variables associated with child maltreatment and implications for prevention and treatment

“…Practicing rational psychotherapy (Brammer & Shostrom, 1960) with them might also be beneficial, paying particular attention to the mythical and self-destructive belief that "everyone must like me or there is something wrong with me." Transactional analysis has already proven its usefulness in the context of self-regard (see Shorkey, 1979;Berne, 1964;Justice & Justice, 1975). The personnel operating therapeutic day care centers and family violence shelters need to give a lot of positive reinforcement to their clients, both children and parents.…”

Child Maltreatment Intervention: Directions and Issues

“…Reports of psychological interventions in child maltreatment literature are increasing and are becoming diverse. For example, various group therapy programs with maltreating parents have emphasized the role of therapists as "parent surrogates" (Paulson & Chaleff, 1973;Paulson, Savino, Chaleff, Sannders, Frisch & Dunn, 1974); interaction patterns between parents and their children (Justice & Justice, 1975); and the group as a vehicle for personal growth and educational instruction (Savino &Sanders, 1973). Group therapy also has been used with parents considered to be "at risk" of committing child maltreatment (Ounsted, Oppenheimer, & Lindsay, 1974) and with maltreating parents needing social skills training (Colman, 1975).…”

“…Group process and psychodynamic approaches appear to be capable of providing emotional support which may relieve guilt and allow maltreating parents to feel or think more positively about themselves. Although in some cases these approaches have led to lowered incidences of maltreatment (e.g., Justice & Justice, 1975), most statements claiming effectiveness of psychodynamically oriented interventions appear to be based on opinions, rather than data (e.g., Blumberg, 1977;Flynn, 1970). As yet, there is no empirical evidence concerning therapy outcome that would justify the use of these methods as complete intervention strategies.…”