NCJ Number
165081
Journal
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma Issue: 1 Dated: (1997) Pages: 147-185
Date Published
1997
Length
39 pages
Annotation
A large, nationally representative database of child abuse and neglect cases was analyzed to identify demographic risk factors for the occurrence of different types of abuse and neglect.
Abstract
Analyses were based on data collected in the second National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect concerning children who were harmed by abuse or neglect. Multiple factor logistic models were developed to identify risk factors for the occurrence of abuse or neglect in six maltreatment categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment, physical neglect, educational neglect, and multiple maltreatment. Findings revealed that children in families with incomes below $15,000 per year were at far greater risk in every category of maltreatment. In addition, older children were generally at greater risk in every category, and risk was related to family structure, family size, child's sex and race, and metropolitan status of the county of residence. These relationships, however, applied to only certain types of abuse or neglect or took different forms in different maltreatment categories. Interaction among risk factors was the rule rather than the exception. Analyses emphasize the need for better coordination between human services and income support services to families. Findings also indicate risk assessment can be facilitated by going beyond simple matrix approaches that independently consider different factors by developing assessment models that incorporate interactions between different risk factors. Supplemental data on the six maltreatment categories are appended. 32 references, 13 footnotes, 9 tables, and 5 figures