Risk and protective factors for child neglect during early childhood: A cross-study comparison

Kristen Shook Slack*, Lawrence M. Berger, Kimberly DuMont, Mi Youn Yang, Bomi Kim, Susan Ehrhard-Dietzel, Jane L. Holl

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

169 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present analysis relies upon data from three separate longitudinal studies to identify risk and protective factors associated with subsequent neglect during early childhood. All three studies (Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing [FFCW]; Healthy Families New York [HFNY]; Illinois Families Study-Child Wellbeing [IFS]) involve probabilistic samples or subsamples of low-income families with young children. Multivariate logistic regressions predicting official reports of investigated neglect allegations and a dichotomous indicator of neglect from the Parent-child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-PC) were conducted separately for each study, using common sets of predictors derived from baseline or initial survey waves. Across the three studies, consistencies emerged with respect to the predictors of both neglect outcomes. Specifically, consistencies emerged related to indicators of economic resources and hardships, parent well-being, and parenting. Understanding the predictors of child neglect is of critical importance to the development of child maltreatment prevention strategies since a clearer understanding of the risk and protective factors associated with neglect would enable more effectively targeted and tailored interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1354-1363
Number of pages10
JournalChildren and Youth Services Review
Volume33
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011

Funding

This research was supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Individual studies referenced in this research were supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and a consortium of private foundations and state agencies. The Chapin Hall Center for Children provided the administrative data linkages for the Illinois Families Study-Child Wellbeing.

Keywords

  • Child neglect
  • Maltreatment
  • Predictors
  • Risk

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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