Violence Sensitivity and Violent Discipline Use of Parents With Disabled and Non-Disabled Children

Abstract

Aim: Children with disabilities are more vulnerable than non-disabled children. The family is the key point in preventing and starting violence against children. However, data on the violence sensitivity and violent discipline used by parents with disabled children are quite insufficient. This study aimed to determine violence sensitivity and violent discipline used by parents with disabled and non-disabled children. Methods: One hundred and fifty-five parents (with 60 disabled and 95 non-disabled children) completed the Violence Sensitivity Towards Children Scale with sociodemographic and disciplinary practices information form. Results: In this study, it was determined that the Violence Sensitivity Towards Children Scale’s mean score of the parents with disabled children (41.66±5.30) was lower than that of the parents with non-disabled children (44.18±4.94), and the difference between them was statistically significant. It was also found that the percentages of discipline used by the parents with disabled children and of the parents with non-disabled children were 96.7% and 84.2%, respectively, and using verbal violence most frequently. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups only in terms of verbal and physical violence. Conclusion: The study concludes that parents with disabled children are less sensitive to violence against their children and they resort to violent discipline more than parents with non-disabled children. Keywords: disabled children, parents, violence