This study verified the existence of a relationship between parental stress, social support, and physical child abuse. Two groups were compared, G1 - caregivers reported for abuse, and G2 - caregivers not reported for abuse. Three questionnaires were applied: one assessing social demographic and economic variables, one measuring Social Support, and one assessing the Parental Stress Index. Results indicated that G1 not only showed higher levels of stress and lower levels of social support, but also lower values on the dimensions "Affective" and "Positive Social Interaction". The parents of G1 were younger when their first child was born, and reported less satisfaction with their neighborhood. The investigated variables should be incorporated in prevention and treatment programs directed to reduce physical child abuse.
physical abuse; parental stress; social support; maltreatment
