Assessing and Treating Physically Abused Children and Their Families

Cynthia Cupit Swenson, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her work primarily consists of research on community-based treatment for youth violence, child physical abuse, family violence, and community violence. Currently, via a grant funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, she is involved in examining treatment for adolescents and their families when physical abuse occurs. Dr. Swenson is a frequently invited speaker around the United States and has written numerous publications in the field. At the national level, Dr. Swenson is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) where she serves on the Executive Council. Dr. Swenson also participates on a number of state Boards related to child maltreatment and youth drug court. In addition, she is involved with community service oriented Boards related to community development and youth West African Dance and Drumming. She received her M.S. in psychology from Northeast Louisiana University and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from The Florida State University.

• Foreword - D. WolfeAcknowledgments1. Introduction and OverviewSignificance of the ProblemThe Challenge Before UsPurpose and Overview of the Book2. Characteristics and Correlates of Child Physical AbuseChild Characteristics and CorrelatesMaltreating Adult Characteristics and CorrelatesFamily-System Characteristics and CorrelatesCommunity Characteristics and CorrelatesWhat Causes Child Physical Abuse3. Treatment Outcome Studies: Clinical and Research ImplicationsWhat Have We Learned?What Do We Need to Learn in Research to Make Treatment More Effective?What Would Make Clinical Practice More Effective?Summary5. The Comprehensive Individual and Family Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment ModelModels of Child Physical AbuseThe Integration of Child, Parent, and Family ApproachesSummary6. Initial Treatment ConsiderationsIntroductionPreparation and PrerequisitesOverview of TreatmentSummary7. Treatment of the Child: Understanding the Child′s Experiences and BehaviorPerspectives on the Child′s Experiences With Family Hostility and ViolenceContributors to Coercive or Abusive InteractionsUnderstanding How We Respond to Different Problem SituationsSummary8. Treatment of the Child: Cognitive InterventionsClarifying and Changing the Child′s View of ViolenceNormalization of the Child′s Abuse-Related Feelings and ReactionsPsychoeducation About Physical AbuseSummary9. Child Treatment: Affect-Focused InterventionsAffect Identification and ExpressionManagement of Stress and AnxietyManagement of AngerSummary10. Promoting Children′s Effective Coping and Social CompetenceChildren′s Coping SkillsSocial SupportEnhancing Children′s Social Competence and Developing Relationships: : Getting Along With Friends and FamilySummary11. Adult Treatment: Cognitive InterventionsParental Perspectives on Violence, Expectations, and DistortionsStress Management and Family CharacteristicsViews on Hostility and ViolenceExpectations of Our ChildrenThinking in Negative or "Distorted" WaysSummary12. Treatment of the Maltreating Adult: Affect-Focused InterventionsSelf-Management and Regulation of Abuse-Specific TriggersSelf-Management and Regulation of AngerSelf-Management and Regulation of Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress DisorderSelf-Management and Regulation of DepressionSummary13. Treatment of the Maltreating Adult: Behavior ManagementParenting and Behavior ManagementSpecific Techniques and Guidelines for Rewarding BehaviorSpecific Techniques and Guidelines for Punishing BehaviorA General Review of Behavior ManagementSummary14. From Individual to Family Treatment: Bridging Through ClarificationThe General Structure of ClarificationThe Clarification Family MeetingSummary15. Family Treatment: Setting the FoundationOverview of TreatmentSetting the FoundationAssessment of Family Functions and InteractionsSummary16. Family Treatment: Skills Training and ApplicationsReview of Initial ProgressFamily Skills TrainingFamily Skills-Training ApplicationsSummary17. Community and Social Systems InvolvementService Settings and SystemsSummary18. Case Examples and ApplicationsCase One: JamesCase Two: TanishaCase Three: MarvinSummary19. ConclusionsIndexAbout the Authors