Maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran. Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola Children's Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate regression. The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 [78%], 260 [46%] and 180 [32%], respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506 [90%] participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 [67%] cases. A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers' age [p=0.02], as well as with the number of children in the family [p=0.03], and the mothers' trait anxiety [p<0.001]. Overall, the assessment of maternal child abuse should be an important focus for evaluation in mothers with anxiety and vice versa, when child abuse is suspected, maternal psychological assessment should be essential.