아동학대의 원인, 그리고 대책 마련을 위한 연구의 필요성 -심리학적 관점에서-

Risk Factors for Child Maltreatment and Need for Research for Providing Countermeasures : Psychological Perspectives

Recent reports and media coverages on serious child abuse cases significantly impacting Korean society. The purpose of this study is to examine risk factors for child maltreatment and to discuss need for research on child maltreatment countermeasurest in Korea. Based on the previous research studies and statistical analyses of current child abuse cases, three risk factors of child physical maltreatment were discussed: 1) parenting difficulties and lack of knowledge in child rearing practice, 2) Socio-ecomonical stress and perception of stress, and 3) personality characteristics and mental disorders. Furthermore, need for research on child maltreatment for providing future countermeasures were also discussed. First, research studies on child maltreatment should be continuously provided in order to provide various social support child abusers and victims. Second, it is important to equip a system to share core information on child abusers and victims among related agencies and care providers for preventing further victimization. Third, statistics on child maltreatment should be collected to estimate its prevalence in order to estimate social cost and budgets related to child maltreatment countermeasures.