Advisory Committee Chair
Christina M Rodriguez
Advisory Committee Members
Fred Biasini
Olivio Clay
Yookyong Lee
Michelle Y Martin
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2016
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
Previous maltreatment literature examining child physical abuse risk has not effectively examined cultural nuances in risk and protective factors. Further, research has relied heavily upon maternal only samples, limiting our understanding of paternal risk factors. The current study examined macro-level variables (i.e., racial identification and gender role ideologies) in conjunction with individual-level factors (i.e., attribution of child intent and acceptability of abuse) as they relate to parental abuse risk. The study employed explicit and implicit measures administered to 142 African American and White first-time expectant mother and father dyads. Study hypotheses were partially supported, identifying both consistencies and inconsistencies across race. With regard to gender, findings differed for mothers and fathers as they relate to individual-level risk factors. Gender role ideologies demonstrated a significant relation for both mothers and fathers and partner effects were also observed. Findings inform both universal and culturally sensitive parenting interventions and research. Additionally, results demonstrate a continued need to disentangle and identify individual-level risk factors that may be unique to fathers.
Tables and Figures
Recommended Citation
Gowda, Anjali, "Cultural and Gender Differences in Child Abuse Risk in African American and White Expectant Mothers and Fathers" (2016). All ETDs from UAB. 1772.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/1772