| The purpose of this study was to understand the relationships of ethnic identity, level of acculturation, and experience of childhood abuse to ethnically diverse, pregnant adolescents' definitions of child abuse and neglect. The intent of this study was not to justify or sanction abusive or neglectful behaviors toward children in the name of cultural diversity. Rather, the aim was to acknowledge the potential conflicts between Western societal standards and one's own cultural standards.; Using a cross-sectional survey design, 54 pregnant adolescents of African-American, African-Caribbean, and Latina descent, who resided in a maternity residence foster care agency in New York City, participated. Participants completed the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure, the Minority-Majority Relations Survey, the Child Trauma Questionnaire, the Child Abuse Potential Inventory, and assigned seriousness ratings to vignettes depicting child maltreatment.; Respondents' perceptions of whether parenting behaviors were abusive were related to their ethnic identities, levels of acculturation, and histories of childhood maltreatment. Relationships between variables varied for each ethnic group. In addition, respondents found to be at risk of future abuse perceived behaviors associated with physical abuse, nutritional neglect, medical neglect, cleanliness, and clothing as less harmful than respondents not found to be at risk.; The findings indicated that ethnic identity, level of acculturation, and a history of abuse are complex factors which may exert varying influence upon pregnant adolescents' perceptions and definitions of child maltreatment. The results emphasize that within the same community, different groups may construct definitions of child abuse differently. There are implications for culturally competent research and child abuse prevention and intervention efforts, particularly in light of the high-risk factors associated with teen parenting. The present research also contributes to more informed communication about child maltreatment between professionals, community members, and the populations they serve. |
