Most research on child abuse has been based on clinical studies, self-reports, survey data, or official records. This paper reports on behavioral research. A group of couples where child abuse had occurred were compared with a matched comparison group of nonabusing couples. All couples were interviewed in their homes where they completed an exercise involving a discussion of opinion differences. The discussion was taped and then coded on system variables. The focus was on the relationship between the health of the couples and the abuse of children. Variables included couples’ overall health, depression, and symbiosis. The opposite of a symbiotic relationship is an individuated relationship. An individuated relationship involves clear interpersonal boundaries, meaning that differences between individuals’ ideas and opinions are respected. A distinction between symbiosis and affection was also highlighted. Symbiosis was predicted to be associated with abuse. Affection was predicted not to be associated with abuse. Results were that couples with an abused child and comparison group couples differed significantly. The couples who had an abused child were less healthy overall and had higher levels of depression. They also demonstrated relatively higher levels of symbiosis (lower levels of individuation). As predicted, affection did not differentiate the two groups. Neither did the amount of conflict. Suggestions for therapeutic work with abusing couples were presented.

大多数关于虐待儿童的研究都是基于临床研究、自我报告、调查数据或官方记录。本文报告了行为研究。将发生过虐待儿童的一组夫妇与一组匹配的非虐待夫妇进行比较。所有夫妇都在家中接受了采访，在那里他们完成了一项涉及意见分歧讨论的练习。讨论被录音，然后在系统变量上编码。重点是夫妇的健康与虐待儿童之间的关系。变量包括夫妻的整体健康状况、抑郁症和共生关系。共生关系的反面是个体化关系。个性化的关系涉及明确的人际界限，这意味着尊重个人想法和意见之间的差异。共生和情感之间的区别也得到了强调。共生被预测与滥用有关。预计情感与虐待无关。结果是有受虐儿童的夫妇和对照组的夫妇有显着差异。受虐儿童的夫妇整体健康状况较差，抑郁程度更高。他们还表现出相对较高的共生水平（较低水平的个体化）。正如预测的那样，感情并没有区分这两个群体。冲突的数量也没有。提出了对虐待夫妇进行治疗工作的建议。结果是有受虐儿童的夫妇和对照组的夫妇有显着差异。受虐儿童的夫妇整体健康状况较差，抑郁程度更高。他们还表现出相对较高的共生水平（较低水平的个体化）。正如预测的那样，感情并没有区分这两个群体。冲突的数量也没有。提出了对虐待夫妇进行治疗工作的建议。结果是有受虐儿童的夫妇和对照组的夫妇有显着差异。受虐儿童的夫妇整体健康状况较差，抑郁程度更高。他们还表现出相对较高的共生水平（较低水平的个体化）。正如预测的那样，感情并没有区分这两个群体。冲突的数量也没有。提出了对虐待夫妇进行治疗工作的建议。