Locus of control in abusive/neglective mothers and abused/neglected children by Susan Ann Jones A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER of Nursing Montana State University © Copyright by Susan Ann Jones (1979) Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if the abusive/neglective mother perceives the outcome of events as being the result of chance or fate and if her child holds a similar view. The subjects were selected by stratified sample of single-parent families from the current caseloads at the place of their treatment, either the Bozeman or Billings Public Health Departments. The sample was further stratified into two groups of mother-child pairs characterized by: (1) known or suspected physical child abuse and/or neglect (Group I), and (2) the absence of abuse and neglect (Group II). The data was collected using two standardized scales (Bialer's and Rotter's Locus of Control Scales) and a questionnaire seeking socioeconomic and demographic data. The sample consisted of 17 mother-child pairs, eight in Group I and nine in Group II. The collection of data was done in the subjects' homes. Comparisons were then made between: the mother's score on Rotter's I-E Scale and the child's score on Bialer's Children's I-E Scale; mothers' I-E scores and demographic data in Group I and mothers' I-E scores and demographic data in Group II; and finally, between children's I-E scores and demographic data in Group I and children's I-E scores and demographic data in Group II. Since the sample size was so small, a descriptive analysis was done. The data were presented using tabulations, tables and a scattergram. The findings, based on so few subjects, could only suggest trends in the locus of control orientation of the abusive/neglective mothers as compared with control group mothers. The findings also seemed to show abusive/neglective mothers have lower income and educational levels than the control group mothers. No definitive statement could be made regarding the findings of this study because the sample size was so small. The recommendations for research suggested ways that the student or professional may utilize the locus of control measure in the future. STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO COPY In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree at Montana State University, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for schol­ arly purposes may be granted by my major professor, or, in his absence, by the Director of Libraries. It is under­ stood that any copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Signature _______________________ Date LOCUS OF CONTROL IN ABUSIVE/NEGLECTIVE MOTHERS AND ABUSED/NEGLECTED CHILDREN by SUSAN ANN JONES A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER of Nursing Approved: Chairperson, Graduate Committee Head, Major Department Graduate Dean MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana May, 1979 iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge and express my grati­ tude to those people who unselfishly gave of their time and help in assisting me in completing this study. I would like to give special thanks to the Assistant Dean of Nurs­ ing and my committee chairman, Kathleen Chafey, for her frequent and supportive help. Also, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Albert Suvak, Director of Testing and Counseling; Margaret Barkley, Professor of Nursing; and Dr. Douglas Bishop, Professor of Agricultural Education, for their guidance and generosity in answering all my questions. Without the help of each of these people, the completion of this project would have been harder and taken longer. In addition, I would like to thank the nurses at the Bozeman and Billings Health Departments for their assistance in obtaining subjects for the study, and each mother and child for taking the time to participate in the study. Appreciation is also directed to my husband, Stan Jones, for his support, understanding and proof-reading during my work bn this study. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page VITA ................. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS _______ iii LIST OF TABLES AND SCATTER GR A M ......... ........... vi ABSTRACT ...... ...................... .............. vii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION.... ........... ........... I Theoretical Basis .................... 4 Statement of the Problem ................... ..... 6 Hypotheses To Be Tested .......... ........ .. ... 6 The Need for the Study ..................... ..... 9 Assumptions ....... 13 Limitations ........... 14 Definitions ...... 14 CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE PART I. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ....___ •....... ....... .......... 16 Historical Overview ...... ................... 16 Definitions ............. .............. ....... 19 Cycle of Abuse ................. ........... ..... 27 Social and Economic Factors ....... ......... 33 Abusing and Neglecting Parental Characteristics ... 41 The Dysfunctional Parent-Child Relationship ....... 56 The Abused and/or Neglected Child's Characteristics 60 The Precipitating Crisis ................. 71 Treatment Programs and Services .............. — .. 76 PART II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON LOCUS OF CONTROL ... 86 Locus of Control as Related to Parental Practices and Attitudes ...... ............. ............ 86 Research on Locus of Control Orientation and Attempted Control of Environment ............... 102 Locus of Control as Related to Birth Order, Age and Sex ................. ....... 114 Locus of Control as Related to Race and Socio­ economic Levels ............ ................... 120 Locus of Control as Related to Therapy ........... 124 V Page CHAPTER III. METHODOLOGY ..................... ..... 129 The Measure ................ 129 Selection of the Subjects ............ 131 Collection of Data ........... .... ............. 133 Design of the Study .................... ........ 134 Data Analysis .......... ............... .........136 CHAPTER IV. PART I. RESULTS .............. ....... .......... 137 Demographic Data of the Mothers ................. 138 Demographic Data of the Children ............ 148 Locus of Control and Birth Order Data ........ 149 Locus of Control Scores as Related to Abusive/ Neglective Mothers and Children's Sex ..........150 Locus of Control Scores Between the Mother-Child Pair s ..................... ............... 152 Locus of Control as Related to Birth Order ....... 154 PART II. DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS ... ........ .... 156 Demographic Findings as Related to the Literature. 156 Testing of Hypotheses ............... 158 CHAPTER V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 166 Summary ............................ 166 Conclusions ..................... 167 Recommendations for Research.......... 167 BIBLIOGRAPHY.... ......... ........................ 171 APPENDIX ........................... .... .......----182 vi LIST OF TABLES.AND SCATTERGRAM Page TABLE I . DISTRIBUTION OF MOTHERS'AGES ...... 138 TABLE II. MARITAL STATUS OF MOTHERS ............... 139 TABLE III. LENGTH OF TIME AT PRESENT RESIDENCE ..... 141 TABLE IV. NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY ,.. .... 142 TABLE V. OCCUPATIONS OF MOTHERS, HER EX-SPOUSE AND PARENTS ...................... 144 TABLE VI. RESPONDENTS' INCOME LEVEL NAD HER PARENT'S INCOME LEVEL ......... 145 TABLE VII. EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF RESPONDENT, HER EX-SPOUSE, FATHER AND MOTHER ........... 146 TABLE VIII. MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY DURING RESPONDENT'S CHILDHOOD .......... .148 TABLE IX. LOCUS OF CONTROL SCORES FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ..................... 150 TABLE X. SIMILARITY BETWEEN MOTHER'S LOCUS OF . CONTROL SCORE AND CHILD'S LOCUS OF . CONTROL SCORE .... ................. .152 TABLE XI. LOCUS OF CONTROL AS RELATED TO BIRTH ORDER AND S E X _______ 155 SCATTERGRAM I. MOTHER'S LOCUS OF CONTROL AS RELATED TO CHILD'S LOCUS OF CONTROL SCORE ....... 153 ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine if the abusive/neglective mother perceives the outcome of events as being the result of chance or fate and if her child holds a similar view. The subjects were selected by strat­ ified sample of single-parent families from the current caseloads at the place of their treatment, either the Boze­ man or Billings Public Health Departments. The sample was further stratified into two groups of mother-child pairs characterized by: (I) known or suspected physical child abuse and/or neglect (Group I), and (2) the absence of abuse and neglect (Group II). The data was collected using two standardized scales (Bialer's and Rotter's Locus of Control Scales) and a questionnaire seeking socioeconomic and demographic data. The sample consisted of 17 mother-child pairs, eight in Group I and nine in Group II. The collection of data was done in the subjects' homes. Comparisons were then made between: the mother's score on Rotter's I-E Scale and the child's score on Bialer's Children's I-E Scale; mothers' I-E scores and demographic data in Group I and mothers' I-E scores and demographic data in Group II; and finally, between children's I-E scores and demographic data in Group I and children's I-E scores and demographic data in Group II. Since the sample size was so small, a descriptive analysis was done^ The data were presented using tabula­ tions, tables and a scattergram. The findings, based on so few subjects, could only suggest trends in the locus of control orientation of the abusive/neglective