Journal of Chemistry and Biochemistry

What Causes Child Abuse? Citizens Identify Causes of Child Abuse and Suggest Prevention Strategies
Marilyn Sue Burton Chamberlin

Abstract
The types of causes of child abuse and the prevention strategies that community residents suggest are examined in this study. In addition, comparisons were made between public perceptions of causes and preventions to those identified by researchers. Data from surveys administered to various community members was analyzed. The public does list causes that correspond to the findings of researchers, with the exception of lack of religious beliefs. Role malfunction was the most popular causal category followed by societal problems. Frequencies of prevention strategies were expected to follow the pattern of causal categories and for role malfunction and system failure, this was true. However, for other causal categories these same two prevention strategies were identified indicating community members misunderstand the relationship between causes and prevention strategies. The role of local media coverage was also examined. Since people are making some connections between causes and prevention, continued educational programs and media campaigns focusing on the links are important for garnering public support for the prevention of child maltreatment.

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