Which statement is false about physical and social isolation's effect on maltreatment risk?

The statement that caregivers are encouraged to use physical punishment as a result of physical and social isolation is misleading and does not accurately represent the dynamics of maltreatment risk. Instead, what isolation typically does is create an environment where abusers may feel empowered to act without scrutiny, which could lead to maltreatment, but does not inherently prompt caregivers to resort to physical punishment as a response to their circumstances.

Physical and social isolation often leads to diminished social support networks and a lack of external oversight. This situation can increase the risk of maltreatment in several ways: it gives potential abusers unfettered access to their victims, makes it less likely that individuals in the community will intervene or report any signs of abuse, and can lead to feelings of hopelessness in both caregivers and those receiving support. Therefore, the notion that isolation would specifically encourage physical punishment is not supported by the broader understanding of how isolation impacts the risk of maltreatment.