Neglectful child abuse: mental health and psychosocial risk in mothers with legal records

Abstract

A study with a descriptive qualitative approach is presented, supported by quantitative data that aimed to characterize the mental health status and psychosocial risk factors in a group of mothers with child abuse records due to neglect. The sample consisted of 5 women who, between the years 2019 and 2020, had open legal proceedings in the five family police stations of the municipality of Rionegro (Antioquia, Colombia) for alleged threat, violation or non-observance of their children's rights. The findings show that these mothers present symptoms of depression, severe anxiety and low satisfaction with life; in addition to precarious socioeconomic conditions and low availability of support networks. It is concluded that mental health is a fundamental condition for the exercise of respectful parenting.

Keywords

• child abuse
• mental health
• psychosocial risk
• abandoned child
• parenting