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Stressful Life Events

Stress is thought to play a significant role in family functioning, although its exact relationship with maltreatment is not fully understood. In various studies, physical abuse has been associated with stressful life events, parenting stress, and emotional distress. Similarly, some studies have found that neglectful families report more day-to-day stress than non-neglectful families.

It is not clear, however, whether maltreating parents actually experience more life stress or, rather, perceive more events and life experiences as being stressful. In addition, specific stressful situations (e.g., losing a job, physical illness, marital problems, or the death of a family member) may exacerbate certain characteristics of the family members affected, such as hostility, anxiety, or depression, and that may aggravate the level of family conflict and maltreatment.

The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan (PDF - 1030 KB)
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2008)
Summarizes research on childhood stress and its implications for adult health and well-being, providing violence prevention practitioners with ideas about how to incorporate information on childhood stress into their work.

The Influence of Support and Stress on Maternal Attitudes
McCurdy
Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal, 29(3), 2005
View Abstract
Examines the influence of stress and support on maternal attitudes.

Parenting, Caregiving Stress, and Child Abuse and Neglect
Ramos (2001)
In Innovative Practices With Vulnerable Children and Families
View Abstract
Examines caregiver stress and coping methods that affect the parent-child relationship.

Predicting Child Abuse Potential Across Family Types
Burrell, Thompson, & Sexton
Child Abuse and Neglect, 18(12), 1994
View Abstract
Explores whether stress, family resources, and social support are correlates of mothers' child abuse potential.

Updated on April 3, 2009