An examination of the characteristics of mothers neglecting their children: A mixed method research

This study aimed to examine the characteristics of neglected their children's mothers. For this purpose, data were collected by quantitative and qualitative methods. The mothers of 30 neglected children and 30 children who were not neglected were included in to the study. In addition to this 8 of the neglecting mothers were also included to the qualitative part of the study. Sociodemographic Information Form, Neglect Assessment Tool, Close Relationships Inventory, Perceived Social Support Scale, Marital Adjustment Scale, Childhood Trauma Survey Scale, SCID I and SCID II were used as data collection tools. Maternal perceptions were investigated in the direction of qualitative findings obtained from interviews with mothers of neglected children. T-test, ANOVA, Chi-square test, Kruskal Wallis, Pearson Correlation test were used for quantitative anlaysis and descriptive analysis method was used in the analysis of qualitative data. Mothers of neglected children were found to receive their best scores in the field of physical care and their worst scores in the areas of giving love and supporting the development of the child, and nearly half of the mothers were found to be insufficient in the area of ensuring the child's safety. In the quantitative findings obtained; mothers of neglected children and control group mothers differed in terms of their age, income perceptions, multidimensional perceived social support, marital adjustment, physical and emotional abuse subscales on the scale of childhood abuse, adult attachment patterns, however; it was found that there was no difference in terms of mental illness and personality disorder, and scores on sexual abuse subscale of child abuse. Qualitative results demonstrated that most of the mothers do not consider themselves adequate for parenting, do not get satisfied with their parenting role, have insufficient emotional investments in their children and cannot keep their roles in balance. Neglect affects many aspects of children's development and develops permanent damages. For this reason, it is important to provide support to neglecting families and family interventions should be established.. Keywords: Child neglect, maternal characteristics, risk factors for child neglect