Factors associated with intellectual disabilities in maltreated children according to caseworkers in child protective services

Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at least four times more at risk of maltreatment than other children; consequently, they are often overrepresented in the population of maltreated children. Only a few studies so far have examined the characteristics of this specific population. Furthermore, very few have taken an ecological approach to better understanding why these children are more likely to experience maltreatment. To identify characteristics of maltreated children with ID that differ from those of other maltreated children, this cross-sectional study uses a representative sample of children from Quebec (Canada) whose reports of maltreatment were deemed substantiated further to investigations by child protective services. This study compares child maltreatment victims with ID (n = 62) with those without ID (n = 950), considering a variety of associated factors, such as individual and familial factors as well as those related to child protective services. Overall, the results indicate that the factors most associated with maltreated children with ID are: higher age, physical disability, self-destructive behaviors, substantiated neglect, caregivers with ID, caregivers without drug abuse problems, and a greater number of past investigations by child protective services. This study shows that maltreated children with ID face more adverse associated factors, which child protective service interventions must address.