Prevalence of child abuse and its relationship with parenting styles among Sanandaj primary school children, in 2016-2017

Abstract

Introduction: Child abuse can cause psychological and delinquent and antisocial behaviors<br />in abused children. Family factors and parenting styles are among the important causes of<br />child abuse. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of child abuse and its<br />relationship with parenting styles among primary school children in Sanandaj in 2016-2017.<br />Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on primary school children who<br />resided in Sanandaj during 2016-2017. Study sample size was 393 children and sampling<br />method was cluster random sampling. Data was collected using Majdzadeh's standard child<br />abuse questionnaire and Baumrind‘s parenting style questionnaire. Dispersion indices were<br />used for continuous variables and the chi-square test was used for categorical variables. The<br />level of statistical significance was set as P < 0.05.<br />Results: Out of 393 students 44.8% were boys and 55.2% were girls. The prevalence of<br />psychological-emotional child abuse was 74.2%, while physical and neglect child abuse<br />were observed 58.4% and 99% of the children respectively. Neglect child abuse was more<br />prevalent among girls while physical child abuse was more prevalent among boys. There<br />was a significant relationship between paternal occupation and physical child abuse (P =<br />0.017). Child abuse was significantly related to the birth order of children (p=0.008).<br />Among the parenting styles, authoritative parenting had a reverse and significant<br />relationship with physical child abuse (P = 0.009). There was no significant relationship<br />between other parenting styles and child abuse (P > 0.05).<br />Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of child abuse and its reverse relationship with<br />authoritative parenting style and physical child abuse, it is suggested for parents to use this