A Correlational Study of Adolescents Behavior and Mothers Childrearing Attitude with Child Abuse Experience of the Adolescents

청소년의 행동 및 어머니의 양육태도와 아동학대와의 관계

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate how adolescents' behavior is correlated with child abuse they experience, and how childrearing attitude of mothers perceived by the adolescents is correlated with child abuse experience by the adolescents. Method: A convenient sampling strategy was used. A total of 160 adolescents participated in this study. Of the 160 responses, 116 were used for final analysis. The data were analyzed using K-YSR program and SPSSWIN. Result: The results were as follows. Mild child abuse experiences reported by the subjects were Throwing the object at me (12.9%, N = 15), Clutching and pushing (12.9%, N = 15), and Slapping on the cheek (14.7%, N = 17)'. Severe child abuse experiences reported by the subjects were Kicking, pounding and biting (10.3%, N = 10), Rod, stick, belt, broom beating using various objects (41.4%, N = 38), and Beating all over the body (6.7%, N = 8). Very severe child abuse experiences reported by the subjects were Burning with cigarette (0.4%, N = 1), Threatening me with objects such as a knife, a hammer, an axe, or a gimlet (0.8%, N = 2). Injuring me with the objects (0.4%, N = 1), and Hospitalized by belting (0.4%, N = 1). In terms of correlations among the main study variables, physical child abuse had significant positive correlations with externalizing problem (r=.271, p=.001) and total behavioral problem (r=.288, p=.002). Physical child abuse also had a significant positive correlation with authoritarian childrearing attitude of mother (r=.363, p=.000). Physical child abuse had significant negative correlations with mothers affectionate childrearing attitude (r=-.191, p=.050) and active participative childrearing attitude (r=-.101, p=.035). Conclusion: Mothers childrearing attitude is a salient factor for preventing child abuse. In addition, child abuse is an important factor for preventing adolescent's behavioral problem.