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Emotional maltreatment in a sample of Singaporean adolescents : an exploratory study
Author
Poon, Siew Luan
Supervisor
Khor, Peter Sinn Yeou
Abstract
This exploratory study investigated perceptions of emotional maltreatment in a sample of Singaporean adolescents, and the degree of resultant adverse effects. Further, it examined whether adolescents varied in their perceptions of emotional maltreatment by their parents, in relation to their gender, academic performance, self-esteem and peer-relations. In addition, it also examined whether birth order amongst siblings in the family was a factor associated with parental emotional maltreatment of children.
The results reported a positive correlation between adolescents' perceptions of the frequency of occurrence of emotional maltreatment by parents and its adverse effects on them, suggesting that the greater adolescents perceived the occurrence of emotional maltreatment, the greater they would be affected by such maltreatment. Subsequently, the results also showed that both male and female adolescents were just as likely to experience such maltreatment by their parents.
Further, there were clearly factors which distinguished adolescents who reported higher occurrence of emotional maltreatment by parents than those who reported lower occurrence of such maltreatment. High and low self-esteem adolescents differed in their perceptions of emotional maltreatment by parents, with low self-esteem adolescents reporting higher incidences of such maltreatment. Similarly, the results also showed that high and low peer-relations adolescents were affected by emotional maltreatment by their parents. Low peer-relations adolescents reported higher occurrences of emotional maltreatment, and were more adversely affected than high peer-relations adolescents. In addition, the results also showed that adolescents who were the middle child reported higher occurrence of emotional maltreatment by their fathers, and were more adversely affected by such maltreatment than those who were the oldest child or youngest child.
The results of the study have implications for counselling and public education on the detrimental effects of emotional maltreatment by parents. The study further highlighted the importance of helping the public understand the needs of these adolescents, and to guide them so that they will not join deviant peer groups.
The results reported a positive correlation between adolescents' perceptions of the frequency of occurrence of emotional maltreatment by parents and its adverse effects on them, suggesting that the greater adolescents perceived the occurrence of emotional maltreatment, the greater they would be affected by such maltreatment. Subsequently, the results also showed that both male and female adolescents were just as likely to experience such maltreatment by their parents.
Further, there were clearly factors which distinguished adolescents who reported higher occurrence of emotional maltreatment by parents than those who reported lower occurrence of such maltreatment. High and low self-esteem adolescents differed in their perceptions of emotional maltreatment by parents, with low self-esteem adolescents reporting higher incidences of such maltreatment. Similarly, the results also showed that high and low peer-relations adolescents were affected by emotional maltreatment by their parents. Low peer-relations adolescents reported higher occurrences of emotional maltreatment, and were more adversely affected than high peer-relations adolescents. In addition, the results also showed that adolescents who were the middle child reported higher occurrence of emotional maltreatment by their fathers, and were more adversely affected by such maltreatment than those who were the oldest child or youngest child.
The results of the study have implications for counselling and public education on the detrimental effects of emotional maltreatment by parents. The study further highlighted the importance of helping the public understand the needs of these adolescents, and to guide them so that they will not join deviant peer groups.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
RC569.5.P75 Poo
Date Submitted
1999