Vernon R. Wiehe

Empathy and narcissism in a sample of child abuse perpetrators and a comparison sample of foster parents

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to study the personality variables of empathy and narcissism in a sample of child abuse perpetrators and a comparison sample of foster parents, conceptualized as nonabusive parents, in order to gain further understanding of perpetrators and to provide clues for intervention. METHOD The sample consisted of two groups: physically and emotionally abusive parents (n=52) and foster parents (n=101). Participants responded to three instruments: the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), an instrument measuring individual differences in empathy, and two instruments measuring narcissism: the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the Hypersensitivity Narcissism Scale (HSNS). RESULTS Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups on three of the four subscales of the IRI: perspective-taking, empathic concern, and personal distress. Based on the definition of these subscales, the abusive parents as compared to the foster parents were not able to take the perspective of another or see things from anothers viewpoint, showed less warmth, compassion and concern for others, and experienced difficulty in tense interpersonal situations. Statistically significant differences were found for the two groups on three of the six subscales of the NPI: authority, exhibitionism, and superiority, and on the HSNS. The abusive parents demonstrated less self-confidence, a greater lack of impulse control and were more narcissistic than their foster parent counterparts. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that it is how the perpetrators experience aversive behavior in their children that may provoke them to physically and emotionally abuse their children. Their self-centeredness in addition to their deficiencies in empathy may cause them to experience their childrens misbehavior as an affront to their authority. Implications for treatment are made from this conceptualization of parental abuse.

Religious influence on parental attitudes toward the use of corporal punishment

Certain Biblical passages if interpreted literally can be understood as advocating the use of corporal punishment in disciplining children. The purpose of this research was to determine if persons affiliated with religious denominations which emphasized a literal belief in the Bible would demonstrate less appropriate attitudes with regard to discipline than their counterparts who were affiliated with religious denominations which do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Bible. The sample consisted of 881 persons who were members of denominations classified as literal or nonliteral believers. Statistically significant differences were noted on the Physical Punishment Scale of the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory with persons, regardless of gender or their level of education, who were members of churches subscribing to a literal belief in the Bible preferring the use of corporal punishment over alternate methods of discipline as compared to their nonliteral counterparts.

Approaching child abuse treatment from the perspective of empathy

Research identifies empathy as a moderating variable in the display of aggression. Research further suggests that empathy is a significant variable in the effective parenting of children. Studies in child abuse show that abusive parents score significantly lower on empathy measures as compared to their nonabusive counterparts. The purpose of this theoretical article is (1) to suggest based on the literature that empathy training should be a core component in treatment strategies with abusive parents. A variety of approaches to empathy training will be suggested; (2) to encourage the implementation of empathy training in interventions with abusive parents and the measurement through research of the effectiveness of this approach to treatment on a short and long-term basis.

HOMELESSNESS AMONG ADULTS RAISED AS FOSTER CHILDREN: A SURVEY OF DROP-IN CENTER USERS

74 homeless persons were asked if they had ever been in foster care. Twelve (16%) answered affirmatively. Compared with the estimated baseline of adults who had been in foster care in the same locality, these homeless persons reported histories of foster care at four times the base rate in the general population. This finding suggests that children in foster care are at risk of serious dysfunction as adults.

Referral Patterns of Clergy

The purpose of this research was to explore the referral pattern of a group of clergy in a large midwestern city; to examine the type of problems being seen in counseling by clergy; and, to determine the status of pastoral counselors among mental health professionals. The data showed that clergy use a variety of mental health professionals for referrals for different types of problems. A large portion of problems- seen by clergy in counseling are in the areas of marriage and family problems. Pastoral counselors are viewed as important mental health therapists along with psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.

Impulsivity in felons and unwed mothers.

Over-all significantly higher mean scores on impulsiveness were found on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and on the nonplanning and motor subscales for two cohorts of 40 male felons and 40 unwed mothers than for a sample of 360 randomly selected adults. These results support Barratts conceptualizations of impulsivity.

Locus of Control in Foster and Nonfoster Children

Fifty-six foster children from a public metropolitan social service agency and a comparable group of fifty-six nonfoster children from the same community completed the Nowicki Strickland Internal-External Locus of Control Scale and a brief demographic questionnaire. Results indicated a statistically significant difference in external control orientation for female foster children but not for males as compared to their nonfoster counterparts. The difference was present regardless of the number of years in foster care. Data suggest that placement into foster care and its precipitating events impact on locus of control orientation of female foster children.

Foster mothers: are they unique?

117 foster mothers and 60 women who had children but were not foster mothers responded to Hollands Vocational Preference Inventory. Data were analyzed by age cohorts of under 41 and 41 yr. and over to determine whether foster mothers differed from non-foster mothers and if younger foster mothers differed from older ones in personality. Foster mothers scored significantly higher than non-foster mothers on the social scale and lower on the enterprising scale. The younger cohort of foster mothers differed from older ones by attaining higher scores on the realistic, social, enterprising and artistic scales. Such high scores reflect personality characteristics highly appropriate for substitute parents. These characteristics also suggest that younger foster mothers take a more assertive approach in this role which may be helpful in making necessary changes in the foster care system.

Life care planning: a role for social workers.

ABSTRACT Life care planning is a method of assessing future care needs and associated costs for the lifetime of individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs. The culmination of the life care planning process is a document known as the Life Care Plan. Social workers, especially medical social workers, because of their education and health-related experience are excellent candidates for becoming Life Care Planners upon meeting certification requirements. This article describes life care planning and how social workers can enter this field.

LOCO PARENTIS AND LOCUS OF CONTROL

The Childrens Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Locus of Control Scale was administered to two groups of 45 pregnant adolescents each in a residential maternity home. One group of 45 adolescents had experienced the removal of custody from their biological parents and had been living in foster care. The second group had become pregnant while living with their biological parents. The former group showed a significantly higher mean score on the locus of control scale which reflected a more external locus-of-control orientation. The results are discussed in the light of other studies on locus of control and parental loss.