ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine abuse-neglect behaviors of mothers for their children and causative factors in a cross sectional-descriptive setting.

Total 400 mothers with at least one child who applied to Family Health Centers at city center in Cappadocia region, because of any problem constituted the sample of the study. Consents of ethical committee, institute, and participants were obtained. Data was collected with a questionnaire and evaluated by using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

It is determined that 23.8% of the mothers had 3 or more children, and 17% gave birth after unintended pregnancy. Exposure to physical and verbal violence from their husbands, children, mothers, and fathers was 2.5%, 25.8%, 30.8%, and 60.5% respectively. It is found that children were exposed to some emotional abuse like shouting, threatening with leaving, scolding (76.5%, 30.8%, 13.3%, respectively); physical abuse as slapping hip and hand, shaking (47.8%, 33.0%, 10.5%, respectively). Mother education, number of children, mother’s exposing to verbal abuse from their husbands or physical and verbal abuse from parents were effective on children’s exposing to abuse and neglect (p<0.05). In addition, it is remarkable that mothers who were not exposed to any violence from their husband or parents used violence against their children at least once.

It is suggested that information about what abuse-neglect behaviors are for children and their results should be given to mothers; risky children and their families should be determined; support systems should be supplied by giving consultancy services.