Child Abuse and Neglect: Definitions, Classifications, and a Framework for Research

Feerick, a psychologist and consultant, gathers current views and recommended solutions for the development of a scientifically valid system of defining, classifying, and measuring child maltreatment. The book is the result of two federally funded workshops held in 1999 and 2000, pooling the knowledge of two dozen experts in psychology, child and family development, and social work. Section I focuses on the history of classification efforts, the development of classification frameworks, and classification methodologies. Section II reviews existing theory and definitions, providing suggestions for future work, and Section III overviews and analyzes measurement tools used in research, arguing for a multi-method, multi-source approach. Section IV addresses social and policy trends and practices that advance or impede research and practice. The audience for the book includes scholars, policymakers, and professionals and students interested in child abuse and neglect. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Historically, it has been difficult to measure child maltreatment because researchers, agencies, and states all define it differently. Child Abuse and Neglect tackles this issue in three main ways: 1) it examines the history of classification and identification, 2) it provides specific suggestions for future empirical work and model development by looking at what is currently available, and 3) it gives researchers an overview of how policy trends and practice can advance or impede progress in this area. A foundational book intended to move researchers toward an integrated model of child abuse and neglect research so that they can begin to influence policy and practice; this book is ideal for practitioners in that it covers current and promising methods and instruments that can be used today.