Predictive Impact of Domestic Violence on Three Types of Child Maltreatment

• NCJ Number: 205498
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 25 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 869-883
• Author(s): William M. McGuigan; Clara C. Pratt
• Date Published: July 2001
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the co-occurrence of domestic violence and three types of child maltreatment: physical child abuse, psychological child abuse, and child neglect.

Abstract

Empirical research over the past two decades has indicated that domestic violence and physical child abuse are connected; in approximately 40 percent of cases, domestic violence and physical child abuse are both present. However, little is known about whether domestic violence has a predictive impact on other types of child maltreatment, such as psychological abuse. In order to probe this issue, data were gathered from the Oregon Healthy Start (OHS) program, which followed 2,544 at-risk mothers with their first-born children up to the children’s fifth year. Near the time of the child’s birth, mothers were screened with the Hawaii Risk Indicators (HRI) checklist and participants scoring high on multiple risk factors also completed the Kempe Family Stress Inventory (KFSI). After 6 months of home visits, Family Support Workers assessed the presence of domestic violence. Results of logistic regression analyses revealed significant relationships between domestic violence and the three types of child maltreatment. These effects remained after controlling for the mother’s score on the KFSI in terms of maltreatment risk. Of the 155 cases of confirmed child maltreatment, domestic violence co-occurred in 38 percent of cases (59 cases). Domestic violence preceded child maltreatment in 78 percent (46 cases) of the 59 cases of co-occurrence. Overall, the findings showed that domestic violence during the first 6 months of a child’s life is significantly related to physical child abuse, psychological child abuse, and child neglect up to a child’s fifth year. Implications for practice indicate that at-risk families should be provided with intervention services at least until the child’s fifth birthday and concurrent problems involving domestic violence should be addressed during these interventions. Tables, references