[A cross-sectional study of maternal social isolation and child maltreatment risk: The impact of social support and loneliness among mothers].

Abstract

Objective　This study examined the association between maternal social isolation and child maltreatment risk by measuring social support and loneliness among mothers.Methods　Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to 365 mothers who underwent health checkups for their infants. The examined parameters were the Japanese version of the Duke Social Support Index, revised University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (third edition), and Childcare Stress-Short Form. Child maltreatment risk was assessed using an 11-item scale developed by the author, based on previous research. Additionally, the basic attributes of the mothers and infants were collected. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted with child maltreatment risk as the dependent variable and demographics, social support, loneliness, and parenting stress as independent variables. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the hypothetical model, and indirect effects were examined using mediation analysis.Results　This study included 91 questionnaires (response rate; 24.9%) returned to the authors' institutions. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that "stress-related child characteristics" was a risk factor for child maltreatment by mothers. Mothers who reported lower levels of social support had higher levels of loneliness and parenting stress; consequently, higher levels of child maltreatment risk, indicating that social support was related to child maltreatment risk through loneliness and parenting stress.Conclusion　This study revealed that maternal social isolation can lead to high parenting stress and increased risk of child maltreatment. It is important to increase the level of social support for mothers, alleviate their loneliness, and implement highly specialized intervention programs to prevent child maltreatment.