Psychosocial Characteristics of Fathers Who Have Abused Their Children as Seen by Public Health Nurses

This study aims to identify details of the psychosocial characteristics of fathers who have abused children as they appear to public health nurses (PHNs). In this study a qualitative descriptive design was applied to the data analysis. Interviewees were 10 public health nurses (PHNs), in charge of maternal and child health services for 5 or more years at public health centers. The study analyzed 13 cases reported in the PHNs interviews. The characteristics of the fathers who had abused children as seen by the PHNs were the psycho-social characteristics of ‘weak suppression and control of impulsiveness’, ‘cognitive dissonance in the fatherhood role’, ‘poor social sensitivity’, ‘unbalanced relationship with other members of the family’ and ‘weak relationships with people around the father’. The father’s impulsiveness and cognitive dissonances in the fatherhood role are associated with weaknesses in the family relationships and social adaptation. Conversely, the weakness in the strength of family relationships and social adaptation affects the father’s ability to control impulsiveness and give rise to the cognitive dissonance in the fatherhood role. These in turn interact to create a negative downward spiral, a steadily worsening situation. The findings of this study suggest the necessity for PHNs to focus on the background to the cognitive dissonance in the fatherhood role and to work to educate and guide the fathers.