CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT, CHILDHOOD SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND CHILD-ABUSE POTENTIAL IN A BASQUE SAMPLE

The present study obtained data on childhood physical and sexual abuse in a Basque sample in order to compare abuse rates with a similar stu dy conducted in the United States. The study also examined the relatio nships between childhood physical and sexual abuse, childhood social s upport, and abuse potential in the Basque sample. Although the overall rates of physically abusive behaviors were similar in the Basque and US samples, the rates of physical abuse sequelae (bruises/welts, cuts/ scratches, dislocations, burns, and/or bone fractures) were lower in t he Basque sample. In addition, while the rates of sexual abuse were si milar for females, the sexual abuse rates for Basque males were more t han double the rates reported for US males. As expected, a childhood h istory of physical and sexual abuse were directly related to child abu se potential. Childhood social support, especially father support, was inversely associated with abuse potential. An interaction between a c hildhood history of physical abuse and father support was found where those with a history of abuse and low levels of father support had the highest level of abuse potential and those with a history of abuse an d high levels of father support had the lowest level of abuse potentia l.