Citation

Adshead G, Brooke D, Samuels MP, Jenner S, Southall DP. Child Abuse Negl. 2000; 24(9): 1175-1183.

Affiliation

Psychotherapy Department, Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, Berkshire, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11057704

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe maternal behavior in 15 women identified as having smothered their children. DESIGN: A descriptive study of maternal behavior and interaction with her child, using videotapes of mother and child together. These were obtained by covert video surveillance in a hospital setting. Maternal behavior was rated using an assessment schedule designed to be used with video. RESULTS: The mothers showed a range of behaviors. Three groups emerged; one whose interaction with the child resembled normal maternal behavior, a second who interacted in a hostile way, and a third who showed a paucity of interaction. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data suggest that smothering may reflect more than one type of abnormal maternal relationship or attitude towards children. This may have implications for treatment and prognosis.

Language: en