Methods: A representative sample of 208 high school girls ages 14 to 18 years old completed self-administered surveys. The survey included items measuring demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, parental satisfaction, and physical abuse by parents, siblings, relatives, teachers, and others. Bivariate and multivariate statistics were utilized to address the research questions.

Results: The majority of participants indicated that they were physically abused at least one time by their fathers (52%), mothers (56%), or siblings (65%). Furthermore, about 16% said they were physically abused by other immediate relatives (uncles, cousins, etc.), and 46% were abused by their teachers or others.

The results of the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient indicate that participants who had more brothers reported significantly less physical abuse by their fathers, relatives, and teachers (p < .05). The results also show that participants who were physically abused by siblings, were also abused by their parents, relatives, and teachers (p < .05).

Using a stepwise multiple regression analysis, two factors emerged as significant predictors of overall physical abuse (F = 9.62, p < .001): closeness to mother (beta = -.45, p < .001) and parental satisfaction (beta = -.27, p < .05). That is, lower physical abuse was a function of greater mother-daughter’s relationship and greater parental satisfaction. This model explains about 32% of the variance in physical abuse (R = .56).

Implications: Implications of the findings include the need for (1) a school policy on physical punishment, (2) school social workers and psychologists, and (3) family intervention. Other implications and recommendations for social work research are discussed.