Editing Physical abuse (section)

==Causes==

A number of causes of [[Child abuse#Physical abuse|physical abuse against children]] have been identified, the most common of which, according to Mash and Wolfe, being:<ref name=Mash />
* many abusive and neglectful parents have had little exposure to positive parental models and supports.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
* there is often a greater degree of stress in the family environment.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
* information-processing disturbances may cause maltreating parents to misperceive or mislabel their child's behavior, which leads to inappropriate responses.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
* there is often a lack of awareness or understanding the appropriate expected mental growth or development.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}