A frequently advocated strategy for increasing the efficiency of child abuse prevention programs is to deliver prevention services to "high-risk" populations. This article critically reviews procedures for the reliable and valid assessment of child abuse potential within an ecological perspective. Factors that limit the usefulness of child abuse risk assessment are discussed. These factors include the uncertain criteria of child abuse and neglect, the low base rate of the phenomenon, and the financial and social costs of such procedures. Finally, the prevention implications of the current and future state of the art in child abuse risk assessment are considered and preventive interventions that do not depend on individual case risk screening are advocated.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF01312610.pdf

The assessment of child abuse potential and the prevention of child abuse and neglect: A policy analysis

Is assessment of sexual arousal in rapists worthwhile? A critique of current methods and the development of a response compatibility approach

Sexual interactions among siblings and cousins: experimentation or exploitation?

This paper examines the taxonomic adequacy of the DSMIII-R category of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After reviewing the functions of classification and the current description of PTSD the following questions are raised: Is PTSD a mental disorder? Is PTSD an anxiety disorder? Do the current diagnostic criteria best characterize the sequelae typically induced by trauma? Is the current category sufficiently homogeneous or should subclassifications be made on the basis of precipitating trauma? Several suggestions for improving the taxonomic adequacy of this category are advanced.

Jean Dixen

Papers

Incestuous child sexual abuse: A review of treatment strategies