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Child abuse potential: Correlates with child maltreatment rates and structural measures of neighborhoods

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  • Merritt, Darcey H.

Abstract

This community-based research investigates differential child maltreatment rates per 1000 same-age population within communities, and compares the rates to survey data that capture the potential for child abuse by a random sample of individuals in the same community in order to evaluate the impact of neighborhood conditions (e.g., maltreatment rates, child care burden, poverty) and individual factors (e.g., demographic and network support) on parents' potential for abuse. This study used a National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect dataset comparing 20 census tracks and 400 cases of substantiated maltreatment claims. Data were analyzed with hierarchical linear models to account for the nested sampling design. The relationship between substantiated maltreatment in a given community and the potential to abuse was significant, and parents' potential for abuse increased when they were men, lived in impoverished communities, or were burdened by child care demands; abuse potential decreased when they were married (vs. single), working full time (vs. not working), had at least a high school diploma (vs. no diploma), enjoyed a higher income and when they had support from families and friends. Findings suggest that policymakers focus attention on increasing financial resources, educational opportunities, and relieving child care demands for families at risk of abuse.

Suggested Citation

  • Merritt, Darcey H., 2009. "Child abuse potential: Correlates with child maltreatment rates and structural measures of neighborhoods," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 927-934, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:31:y:2009:i:8:p:927-934
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    1. Durkin, M.S. & Davidson, L.L. & Kuhn, L. & O'Connor, P. & Barlow, B., 1994. "Low-income neighborhoods and the risk of severe pediatric injury: A small- area analysis in Northern Manhattan," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 84(4), pages 587-592.
    2. Hampton, R.L. & Newberger, E.H., 1985. "Child abuse incidence and reporting by hospitals: Significance of severity, class, and race," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 75(1), pages 56-60.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ha, Yoonsook & Collins, Mary Elizabeth & Martino, David, 2015. "Child care burden and the risk of child maltreatment among low-income working families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 19-27.
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    6. Block, Kristina & Kaplan, Jacob, 2022. "Testing the Cinderella effect: Measuring victim injury in child abuse cases," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    7. Maguire-Jack, Kathryn & Font, Sarah A., 2017. "Intersections of individual and neighborhood disadvantage: Implications for child maltreatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 44-51.
    8. McLeigh, Jill D. & McDonell, James R. & Lavenda, Osnat, 2018. "Neighborhood poverty and child abuse and neglect: The mediating role of social cohesion," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 154-160.
    9. Reiko Boyd & Abigail Williams-Butler & Katarina Ploch & Kristen Slack, 2023. "Multidimensional Aspects of Social Networks: Implications for CPS Recurrence," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, April.
    10. Klein, Sacha & Merritt, Darcey H., 2014. "Neighborhood racial & ethnic diversity as a predictor of child welfare system involvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 95-105.
    11. Li, Fenfang & Godinet, Meripa T. & Arnsberger, Pam, 2011. "Protective factors among families with children at risk of maltreatment: Follow up to early school years," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 139-148, January.
    12. Ono, Mayo & Honda, Sumihisa, 2017. "Association between social support and child abuse potential among Japanese mothers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 88-92.
    13. Sprague-Jones, Jessica & Singh, Pallavi & Rousseau, Mallory & Counts, Jacqueline & Firman, Casandra, 2020. "The Protective Factors Survey, 2nd Edition: Establishing validity and reliability of a self-report measure of protective factors against child maltreatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
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