Do you know of any research on breaking cycles of abuse that have been passed down through generations?

Which search terms should I use?

Is there a current research review directly related to this topic?

Are there any key texts on this topic?

Is there any information on organisational websites?

How can I find specialist information on this topic?

Who can provide further information on this topic?

Which search terms should I use?

In this example, the key search terms would be:

• 'abuse', 'maltreatment', 'violence'
• 'child', 'young people'
• 'intergenerational', 'cycle', 'pattern'
• 'intervention', 'good practice'

back to top | back to FAQ homepage

Is there a current research review directly related to this topic?

There are two summaries of research reviews in the research in practice EvidenceBank that deal with this topic:

• C. Humphreys, C. Houghton and J. Ellis (2008) Better Outcomes for Children and Young People Experiencing Domestic Abuse – Directions for good practice (Edinburgh: Scottish Government). Full article can be downloaded here
• J. Barlow, D. Simkiss and S. Stewart-Brown (2006) ‘Interventions to Prevent or Ameliorate Child Physical Abuse and Neglect: Findings from a systematic review of reviews' Journal of Children's Services 1 (3) pp. 6-28.

There are two further publications on the research in practice website that also may be useful:

• Champions for Children No. 7 – M. Ryan (2006) Safeguarding (Totnes: research in practice )
• Audio Series No. 7 – research in practice (2003) Child Protection: Everybody's business (Totnes: research in practice ).

back to top | back to FAQ homepage

Are there any key texts on this topic?

The Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect contains a number of articles that deal with the topic of intergenerational abuse, including:

• M. Newcomb and T. Locke (2001) ‘Intergenerational Cycle of Maltreatment: A popular concept obscured by methodological limitations' Child Abuse and Neglect 25 (9) pp. 1219-1240.
• K. Pears and D. Capaldi (2001) ‘Intergenerational Transmission of Abuse: A two generational prospective study of an at-risk sample' Child Abuse and Neglect 25 (1) pp. 1439-1461.

A slightly older article, but one that is nonetheless relevant, is:

• S. Zuravin et al (1996) ‘The Intergenerational Cycle of Child Maltreatment: Continuity versus discontinuity' Journal of Interpersonal Violence 11 (3) pp. 315-334.

back to top | back to FAQ homepage

Is there any information on organisational websites?

NSPCC have done significant work in the area of interventions and child abuse, so it is worth checking out their website.

As part of their ‘What Works' series, Barnardo's published a resource in 2000 that may be useful:

• G. MacDonald (2000) What Works in Child Protection (London: Barnardo's).

back to top | back to FAQ homepage

How can I find specialist information on this topic?

There has been a recent American study into one particular approach to breaking the cycle of intergenerational abuse that may provide a useful practice example:

• J. Huefner et al (2007) ‘Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Abuse: The long-term impact of a residential care program' Child Abuse and Neglect 31 (2) pp. 187-199.

back to top | back to FAQ homepage

Who can provide further information on this topic?

It is worth taking a look at our register of researchers database. This contains details of current and completed research into intergenerational abuse and preventative work with children at risk, by researchers such as Marian Brandon, Helen Buckley and Julie Taylor.

back to top | back to FAQ homepage