Child Abuse: The Need for Research

Reviews the book, Child Abuse Prediction: Policy Implications edited by Raymond H. Starr, Jr. (1982). This book is a collection of ten papers that address the complexity of defining child abuse and predicting its occurrence. The focus of this book is on research. The need for improved research is frequently cited throughout the book, since most child abuse literature is based on clinical experiences rather than on carefully controlled research. It is unfortunate that the research bias of this book tends to diminish the value of treatment models that are based on clinical observation. I strongly encourage practitioners to read this text because the research results that are reported can provide valuable input for treatment decisions. The major strength of this work is its presentation of relevant and interesting empirical research. Thus the book provides a useful comparison to the spate of case study works in the field. This volume takes an important step toward stressing the importance of continued research on child abuse. I recommend this book both to practitioners and to university professors who teach courses in child abuse treatment and research. It is a relevant and useful addition to the literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)