STRATEGIES FOR IDENTIFYING AND TREATING ADOLESCENTS AT RISK FOR MALTREATING THEIR CHILDREN

Using data published in English since 1970, the analyses presented in this article examine the identification and treatment of the anteceden ts of child maltreatment by adolescent parents. Reviewed studies indic ate that (a) the sensitivity and specificity of predictors of child ab use is poor, (b) children of adolescents are at increased risk for mal treatment, (c) controlling for background sociodemographic factors dec reases but does not eliminate this risk, (d) home visitation programs help at-risk adolescent parents improve their parenting skills. Maltre atment of children by their adolescent parents is a preventable proble m. Short-term programs that address behavioral manifestations of the s ocial ills and developmental conflicts that antedate child maltreatmen t without touching the underlying causes are unlikely to be successful . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.