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Freisthler, B., & Holmes, M. R. (2012). Explicating the Social Mechanisms Linking Alcohol

Use Behaviors and Ecology to Child Maltreatment. Journal of Sociology & Social

Welfare, 39(4), 25-48.

In this article, Freistheler and Holmes (2012) investigate and explain the social mechanisms that link alcohol use behaviors and ecology to child abuse. Such mechanisms are associated with the outlet densities and child maltreatment. Some of the mechanisms identified by the authors include the impacts on social disorganization, parents’ drinking behaviors, as well as parental supervision. The rationale is that by understanding the possible mechanisms, new knowledge can be gained on the significance and role of alcohol and its availability in the etiology of child maltreatment. Another significance of the study is that the information gathered can be utilized in future studies. This is especially to further tailor the interventions to those situations that are most likely to hamper and lower maltreatments. The type of research used was quantitative. This is because it investigated the alcohol outlet density and relate it with number of cases of child abuse within a given environment or neighborhood. This was done with the aim of determining whether high number of alcohol selling outlets influence child abuse within a given neighborhood, and to investigate if low cases of child abuse occur in areas where there are few alcohol outlets. To collect data, the researchers used interviews, questionnaires as well as observations. In addition, the researchers gathered data from authorities such as law enforcement agencies, healthcare institutions and government t bodies that have data concerning the alcohol distribution information. Secondary data from law enforcers were needed especially when it comes to investigating the number of cases of child abuse within an area. The study found the existence of a strong relationship between alcohol distribution density and child abuse. This means that areas where there were many bars and alcohol retail centers were reported to have high cases of child abuse. The reverse was true of areas where the number of alcohol distribution outlets was few.

Freisthler, B. (2011). Alcohol Use, Drinking Venue Utilization, and Child Physical Abuse:

Results from a Pilot Study. Journal Of Family Violence, 26(3), 185-193.

doi:10.1007/s10896-010-9352-2

In his research work titled Alcohol use, drinking venue utilization, and child physical abuse: results from a pilot study, Freisthler (2011) seek to examine ways in which a parent’s use of drinking locations is linked to physical abuse of children. The research rationale is to understand the contributing factors of child physical abuse in a parent’s utilization of alcohol. This is considered to be important, keeping in mind that the rates of child abuse, especially when it comes to physical abuse, are higher among individuals reporting excessive consumption of alcohol. The research results can be used to serve as an eye opener to lawmakers towards taking bold steps aimed at minimizing the number of alcohol drinking venues. Furthermore, the article is important in understanding the types of drinking venues that contribute most in child abuse. By understanding the type of drinking venues and their relationship with child abuse, the researchers help inform concerned authorities and experts to seek better ways of regulating their expansions and reducing their numbers. The main research method used was quantitative. In this respect, a convenience sample of 103 parents was selected as study participants. The method of data collection utilized took the form of questionnaires, interviews and focused groups. They were asked questions relating to physical abuse using Conflict Tactics Scale-Parent Child, present drinking behaviors, as well as drinking frequencies in different venues. After analyzing the data in a series of probit analyses for the past year alcohol use, frequency of attendance at drinking venues and child assault behaviors, the study found that the number of physical drinking locations positively correlated to physical child abuse.

Laslett, A., Room, R., Dietze, P., & Ferris, J. (2012). Alcohol's involvement in recurrent

child abuse and neglect cases. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 107(10), 1786-1793.

doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03917.x

In their article titled Alcohol’s involvement in recurrent child abuse and neglect cases, Laslett, Room, Dietze and Ferris (2012) seek to evaluate whether or not caregivers’ alcohol consumption is linked to recurrent child maltreatment. In addition, the researchers seek to investigate the risk factors that that influence this relationship. Finally, they evaluate whether drug abuse or alcohol abuse that play a major role in child maltreatment. The rationale for conducting the study is to seek ways of directing policymaking decisions towards focusing attention on the influence of alcohol on child abuse. In addition, the study seeks to prioritize efforts meant at reducing child abuse to major factors such as alcohol consumption. Furthermore, the study creates awareness to the public on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. The type of research that was conducted was mixed method. This is because qualitative method was utilized for investigating the parents’ experiences of child abuse, their feelings and kids’ perceptions, whereas quantitative research was utilized to investigate the fraction of population groups that were highly affected in terms of gender, age and socio-economic status. The strategy used to gather data took the form of interviews, observations, questionnaires, and focus groups. Secondary data kept in databases were also used for examining the risk factors for recurrence, with the utilization of bivariate and multivariate techniques. To analyze the data, Stata version 11 SE was utilized. The study found that almost one-quarter of kids in CPS experienced recurrent incidents of child maltreatment within a span of five consecutive years.

Freisthler, B., & Gruenewald, P. J. (2013). Where the Individual Meets the Ecological: A

Study of Parent Drinking Patterns, Alcohol Outlets, and Child Physical Abuse.

Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 37(6), 993. doi:10.1111/acer.12059

In this article, Freisthler and Gruenwald (2013) seek to understand how drinking in various locations such as bars and parties linked to physically abusive parenting practices are. This study was carried out to understand the problems relating to alcohol consumption, keeping in mind that there are over 120000 cases of child maltreatment in the United States, according to child welfare agencies such as USDHHS. The rationale of the study is to assess whether the location of alcohol consumption influences parents’ abusive behavior. This is because where a parent or guardian takes alcohol can serve as a significant factor in the maltreatment risk for kids. The research was conducted qualitatively since the drinking behaviors were measured with the utilization of continued drinking mechanisms. To qualitatively evaluate the data, telephone interviews, questionnaires, and observation were used as data gathering mechanisms. Respondents were selected across fifty cities in the state of California, who recorded cases of drinking in their past one year. Furthermore, child physical abuse and corporal punishments were assessed qualitatively with the utilization of the Conflict Tactics Scale, Parent version. Thereafter, the gathered data were analyzed using the zero inflated poisson models. The outcome of the research showed that talking alcohol at homes, parties or bars more frequently was linked to higher cases of physically abusive parents. In addition, the utilization of greater amounts of alcohol in combination with drinking at bars seemed to increase the chances of corporal punishments, which is a dose-response impact. However, dose-response impacts were not seen for drinking at homes or parties for physical abuse.

Widom, C. S., & Hiller-Sturmhöfel, S. (2001). Alcohol abuse as a risk factor for and

consequence of child abuse. Alcohol Research & Health.

In this research work, Widom and Hiller-Sturmhofel (2001) were faced with the problem of understanding and investigating the alcohol abuse as a risk factor for and impact of child abuse. This is because in the United States, over one million kids undergo some kinds of abuses or neglects. This problem prompts research since child abuse is one of the many kinds of violence linked to alcohol utilization, either as an impact or as a causative factor. The rationale for conducting the research was that individuals who have been abused physically or mentally may be at increased risk of developing alcohol abuse as adults. This trend and risk needs to be reversed. Parental alcohol abuse plays a major role in the abusive treatment of kids. The research method that was mainly used by the two authors is quantitative design. This took the form of content analysis and review of previous works done by other researchers and government agencies to evaluate the relationship between alcohol abuse by parents and child maltreatment. Some of the factors that the researchers identified in previous works that contributed to or influence child abuse included coping skills, antisocial behaviors, as well as psychosocial problems including posttraumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, the researchers sought to understand if the experiences that children go through during their growing years may contribute to their risks for alcohol-related behaviors when they grow older. According to the research findings, individuals who have been abused as children may be at a higher risk of developing alcohol abuse as adults, suggesting that alcohol use plays a role in child abuse.

Balsa, A. I., & French, M. T. (2012). The Impact of Parental Drinking on Children's Use of

Health Care. Substance Use & Misuse, 47(4), 450-460.

doi:10.3109/10826084.2011.648044

In their article titled The impact of parental drinking on children’s use of health care, Balsa and French (2012) seek to investigate the health challenges faced by children arising from parental alcohol misuse. The rationale for carrying out that research is that little studies have been done to investigate the relationship between parental problem of taking alcohol and the children’s health care. Besides, Balsa and French (2012) argue that researchers and members of the public should anticipate seeing an increase in kid’s healthcare in the event that alcohol-misusing parents get responsive to their kid’s healthcare needs. Conversely, children’s health care needs are likely to be ignored by parents in situations where the alcohol-misusing parents were irresponsive to such needs. The study makes use of mixed research methods, which is my preferred research design. This is made possible by examining a nationality representative sample of parents and children, as well as data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). In addition, the researchers use qualitative design by selecting both parents and children and using observation and interviews to investigate children’s feelings and perceptions concerning their parents’ alcohol use and healthcare needs. The main technique utilized for the analysis of data is the PSM techniques, which is aimed at estimating the relationship between parental alcohol misuse and their kid’s utilization of healthcare services. This is done by drawing comparison between groups of treated individuals with group of untreated individuals who are similar in their degree of alcohol consumption. The researchers found that parents who heavily consume alcohol are more likely to neglect their children’s healthcare needs than their counterparts who do not consume alcohol.

References

Balsa, A. I., & French, M. T. (2012). The Impact of Parental Drinking on Children's Use of

Health Care. Substance Use & Misuse, 47(4), 450-460.

doi:10.3109/10826084.2011.648044

Freisthler, B. (2011). Alcohol Use, Drinking Venue Utilization, and Child Physical Abuse:

Results from a Pilot Study. Journal Of Family Violence, 26(3), 185-193.

doi:10.1007/s10896-010-9352-2

Freisthler, B., & Gruenewald, P. J. (2013). Where the Individual Meets the Ecological: A

Study of Parent Drinking Patterns, Alcohol Outlets, and Child Physical Abuse.

Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 37(6), 993. doi:10.1111/acer.12059

Freisthler, B., & Holmes, M. R. (2012). Explicating the Social Mechanisms Linking Alcohol

Use Behaviors and Ecology to Child Maltreatment. Journal of Sociology & Social

Welfare, 39(4), 25-48.

Laslett, A., Room, R., Dietze, P., & Ferris, J. (2012). Alcohol's involvement in recurrent

child abuse and neglect cases. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 107(10), 1786-1793.

doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03917.x

Widom, C. S., & Hiller-Sturmhöfel, S. (2001). Alcohol abuse as a risk factor for and

consequence of child abuse. Alcohol Research & Health.