Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Finzi.
Depressive symptoms and suicidality were assessed in 114 children 6-12 years old, of whom 41 had been physically abused, 38 neglected, and 35 neither abused nor neglected. The physically abused children manifested significantly higher levels of depressive symptomatology and suicidality than did the other two groups. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.
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The study compares the emotional impact of maltreatment on the attachment styles in three groups of children aged 6-12 years: children of drug-user fathers (n = 76), physically abused children (n = 41), neglected children (n = 38); non-abused/non-neglected children (n = 35)--control group. The secure style characterized 52% of the children of drug-user fathers and the insecure style characterized the other 48% (anxious/ambivalent or avoidant); physically abused children were characterized mainly by the avoidant attachment style, and neglected children by the anxious/ambivalent style. The conclusion is that physically abused children are at risk of antisocial behavior and sustained suspicion towards others; neglected children are at risk of social withdrawal, social rejection and feelings of incompetence, and children of drug-user fathers may be at risk of behavioral problems and drug use in adolescence.
This article describes the rationale, goals and procedure of a working model of multidisciplinary teamwork in conducting clinical evaluations of children and families and preparing expert testimony. Over the past five years, the team has evaluated over 60 cases involving child abuse and neglect, and questions of parental ability. Teamwork can reduce the distorting effects of personal biases, beliefs and countertransference issues. The contribution of integrating different theoretical viewpoints (theories of development, object relations, family systems, etc) is discussed. Recommendations include: (a) separation of roles of expert witness and therapist: (b) utilization of different diagnostic tools (psychodiagnostic tests, observations of interaction, joint clinical interviews, etc); (c) value of examining the feasibility of the recommendations with parents, care givers and community workers; and (d) strategies of dispute resolution and attainment of parental consent, utilizing the effects of potential judicial power and focusing on the best interests of the child.
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