Theories of child abuse and neglect : differential perspectives, summaries, and evaluations /

Child abuse and neglect are among the most troubling and complex social problems. Causation theories are multiple and diverse; empirical data on solutions are confusing, inconclusive, and sometimes conflicting. In this encyclopedic work, Tzeng (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis) and his colleagues review 46 theories and examine empirical evidence related to five major types of child maltreatment: physical abuse, sexual abuse, incestuous abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect. They then propose a comprehensive and integrated theoretical model, called the "psychosemantic process model," around which the existing theories and empirical data on types of maltreatment are organized. As the authors note, child maltreatment is a multilevel problem requiring multilevel solutions. By organizing and systematizing information on this problem, their book makes a significant contribution to understanding and dealing with it. An important work for policymakers, practioners, and researchers and scholars in disciplines related to child welfare.-B. A. Pine, University of Connecticut