NCJ Number
113229
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study of 550 families in Alaska indicates that factors related to the risk of child abuse and neglect can be identified and systematically assessed to determine the potential for continued maltreatment.
Abstract
More than 100 variables were collected on each of the 550 randomly selected families referred to Alaska Family Services in 1985. Nearly 40 percent of the families had been previously referred to family services for child abuse or neglect. In addition to the characteristics of victims and their families, the study measured the impact of services provided during the followup period. Data analyses determined that although there was some overlap in factors predictive of continued abuse and neglect, the best results were attained when abuse and neglect were analyzed independently. The study also determined that it is possible, using traditional additive scales, to discriminate between groups of cases with high, moderate, and low risk for continued abusive or neglectful behaviors. The instruments devised were about equally predictive across the major Alaskan subpopulations. 2 tables, 4 figures, 3 references.