Desistance from physical abuse in a national study of Nepal: Protective informal social control and self-compassion

Clifton Emery, Alhassan Abdullah, Srijana Thapa, Ko Ling Chan, Cheryl Hiu-Kwan, Angel Hor Yan Lai, Bobo Hi Po Lau, Christine Wekerle

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Abstract

Background: Research on the conditions under which perpetrators desist from child maltreatment has seen greater attention as part of the efforts to break the cycle of maltreatment. New theoretical insights suggest that informal actions (herein protective informal social control of child maltreatment) by network members which communicate warmth, empathy with victim distress, and promote the modeling of positive parenting practices are more likely to increase maltreatment desistance. Likewise, parents' desistance from maltreatment is theorized to impact on adolescents' (victim) cognition and self-compassion. 

Objective: This study examined the relationship among protective informal social control of child maltreatment (protective ISC_CM) by social networks, physical abuse desistance, and adolescent self-compassion. 

Participants and setting: A nationally representative sample of 1100 mothers and their adolescent children (aged 11–15) in Nepal was obtained. 

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to mothers and their adolescent children independently. Hypotheses were tested using regression models with standard errors corrected for clustering within wards. 

Results: More than 1 in 7 mothers reported perpetrating physical abuse in the past year, and 1 in every 5 adolescents reported being victims of physical abuse. Odds of abuse desistance increase by roughly 10 % for each act of protective ISC_CM reported by the mother. Also, odds of abuse desistance associated with higher adolescent self-compassion, and acts of protective ISC_CM associated with higher levels of adolescent self-compassion. 

Conclusion: The findings suggest that interventions to boost desistance from maltreatment and break the cycle of abuse in Nepal, should focus on promoting protective informal social control actions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106588
Number of pages13
JournalChild Abuse and Neglect
Early online date2 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2 Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Adolescent self-compassion
  • Desistance
  • Nepal
  • Physical abuse
  • Protective informal social control
  • Recidivism
  • Recurrence

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