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Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to provide a concise overview of the issue of child abuse and neglect and to identify its points of connection with the Hungarian system of psychological aptitude testing in child protection.
Methodology: The paper is partly based on theoretical and literature review, and partly outlines the psychological characteristics that can be explored through child protection psychological aptitude assessments.
Findings: Child abuse and neglect extend far beyond the level of the individual or the family. They cause social harm that must be prevented and addressed on multiple levels—of which psychological aptitude testing represents only one. Several personality traits are associated with abusive behaviour, which may also stem from severe personality disorders or other psychopathological conditions. Since the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) does not recognize an “abusive personality” as a distinct diagnostic category, risk assessment must rely on the identification of psychological factors such as aggression, impaired impulse control, egocentric functioning, low frustration tolerance, unresolved childhood trauma, and reduced empathy.
Value: The study contributes to the methodology of psychological aptitude testing for professionals working in child protection institutions by providing guidelines for assessment directions, drawing attention to high-risk personality traits, and highlighting—based on prior experience—the inherent difficulties of effective screening.
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