Faculty Sponsor
Hannah White, PhD
Final Abstract for URS Program
The purpose of this study was to analyze literature surrounding intergenerational violence through the maternal pathway and determine effective methods for assisting at-risk mothers with breaking the cycle of childhood maltreatment with their own children. The majority of research on cyclical violence has been focused on paternal perpetrators and physical or sexual abuse of children; it was not until the last few decades that studies focused on all forms of abuse such as physical, sexual or emotional, and even more recently, neglect. Researchers sum the vast concepts of abuse and neglect into one term: childhood maltreatment. The project reviewed the literature concerning maternal childhood maltreatment and how this affects children’s emotional and behavioral development. The literature supports the finding that a mother’s history of childhood maltreatment increases the risk that their child will develop a variety of behavioral and psychological disorders, both externalized and internalized. Additionally, maltreated mothers are at an increased risk of maltreating their own children, usually through emotional abuse or neglect rather than physical or sexual abuse. The data do suggest a small, yet significant genetic influence on whether these children will develop certain disorders, but it is more likely that they will continue the child maltreatment cycle due to the power of learned behavior. The most effective way to break this cycle is to provide parenting programs and resources for at-risk mothers, such as parenting classes, support groups, and financial assistance to relieve added stress.
Presentation Type
Visual Presentation
Document Type
Article