Childhood cruelty to animals in China: the relationship with psychological adjustment and family functioning. Issue 5 (13th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wong, J.; Mellor, D.; Richardson, B.; Xu, X.
• Is Part Of: Child care health and development. Volume 39:Issue 5(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 668
• Page End: 675
• Publication Date: 2012-09-13
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child care -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Children with disabilities -- Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1111/cch.12001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-1862

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="cch12001-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The current study broadened the general scope of research conducted on childhood cruelty to animals by examining the association between psychological adjustment, family functioning and animal cruelty in an Eastern context, China.</p> </sec> <sec id="cch12001-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>The mothers and fathers of 729 children attending primary school in Chengdu, China participated in this study. Each parent completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Chinese Family Assessment Instrument, and the Children's Attitudes and Behaviours towards Animals questionnaire.</p> </sec> <sec id="cch12001-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Findings from an actor partner interdependence model demonstrated that parents' ratings of family functioning and of their child's externalizing coping style predicted only modest amounts of variance in animal cruelty. In particular, parents' ratings of their child's externalizing coping style most consistently predicted animal cruelty. Family functioning, fathers' ratings in particular, played a minor role, more so for boys compared with girls.</p> </sec> <sec id="cch12001-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>This study provided the first insight into childhood animal cruelty in China, and suggests that further research may enhance our understanding of these phenomena.</p> </sec> </abstract>