Longitudinal Analysis of Repeated Child Abuse Reporting and Victimization: Multistate Analysis of Associated Factors

Abstract

Most child subjects of maltreatment reports to child protective services (CPS) are involved just once, whereas other children experience repeated investigations and victimizations. This study examines individual, maltreatment, and service-related factors associated with maltreatment rereporting and substantiated rereporting in a multistate context. Case-level National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System data (505,621 children) were analyzed. Within 24 months, 22% of children were rereported, and 7% were rereported with substantiation. Younger and White and mixed race children, those with disabilities, and those whose caregivers abused alcohol were more likely to be rereported and rereported and substantiated. Service provision, including foster care placement, was associated with increased likelihood of subsequent events. When CPS agency performance is assessed using measures of reentry, separate measures may be necessary for children who receive services, so that improvements in safety can be appropriately recognized. Reentry into CPS is a complex interaction of risks to children and systemic factors tied to the intervention they receive.

A Focus on Neglect: Comparing the Characteristics of Children and Parents in Cases of Neglect, Abuse, and Non-CAN (Child Abuse and Neglect) in Israeli Rulings on Termination of Parental Rights

“…These variables represented predictor factors between the two groups. Although previous findings in the literature on maltreatment suggest that children with special needs and disability have a higher risk of maltreatment (Baker, 2007;Fluke, Shusterman, Hollinshead, & Yuan, 2008;Robinson & Rosenberg, 2004;Sullivan & Knutson, 2000), the findings of this study specifically associate a higher incidence of developmental problems with neglected children and a higher incidence of mental health problems with abused children. Because early mental health and developmental problems can both be a risk factor and outcome of both forms of maltreatment (Baker, 2007;Hildyard & Wolfe, 2002;Robinson & Rosenberg, 2004;Sullivan & Knutson, 2000), it remains unclear why mental health problems are more prevalent among abused children, whereas developmental problems are more prevalent among neglected children and further research is needed to explore this question.…”

Why is Childhood Maltreatment Associated with Adolescent Substance Abuse? A Critical Review of Explanatory Models

“…Childhood involvement with the child welfare system might indicate that the experienced maltreatment was of reduced severity (i.e., time-limited because intervention caused maltreatment to cease) and thus would be expected to have less effect on later substance abuse and other dysfunction. On the other hand, it is possible that more severe maltreatment, in multiply-disadvantaged families with multiple functioning problems, is more likely to be detected by child welfare authorities, and child-welfare recidivism is a common problem (Fluke et al 2008).…”

The Use of Mapping in Child Welfare Investigations: A Strength-based Hybrid Intervention

“…However, the total child welfare recurrence rates in Ontario are not well known. Estimates of recurrence rates in the United States indicate that 16% of all cases are reopened within 24 months of the initial investigation, and a further 6% within an additional 12 months (Fluke, Shusterman, Hollinshead, & Yuan, 2008). Although there is debate with regards to the difference between recurrence and re-opening, for the purposes of this study the two concepts are discussed within the same context.…”