Risk factors and neglect subtypes: Findings from a nationally representative data set.

Abstract

Child neglect is a multidimensional concept encompassing various forms. Prior studies suggest that risk factors differ by neglect subtypes such as physical or supervisory neglect, but few studies address how risk factors vary between other neglect subtypes. This study aimed to examine how risk factors were related to neglect subtypes such as physical neglect, lack of supervision, exposure to domestic violence, substance-abusing parent, and mixed neglect. This study used secondary data from a nationally representative sample of children (National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being-II, N = 5,872), and 786 children with a first-time child protective services investigation for neglect allegations alone were selected. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to explore how individual, family, and community risk factors may be associated with specific neglect subtypes. Five risk factors were able to discriminate between subtypes of neglect. For example, being a young child is associated with a greater risk of experiencing multiple forms of neglect. Caregiver's mental health problem is associated with a higher likelihood of being referred for multiple forms of neglect, particularly as compared with the risk of being referred for lack of supervision. Having poor social support is associated with a higher risk of physical neglect, and caregiver high stress is related to a higher risk of domestic violence. While most intervention programs target risk factors for overall child neglect, not specific neglect subtypes cases, our findings suggest that the intervention approach based on an understanding of the heterogeneity in risk factors between neglect subtypes is advisable. Public Policy Relevance StatementChild neglect is not a unitary construct, but most intervention programs focused on risk factors related to overall child neglect rather than capturing subtypes of child neglect. This study identified five risk factors that were able to discriminate between subtypes of neglect and suggested that interventions and policies should consider the heterogeneity of risk factors associated with different neglect subtypes. Also, while it is perhaps unusual to include exposure to domestic violence in studies of neglect due to the varying ways handled in states, this article offers a unique opportunity to advance understanding of the reporting nature and the relative risk factors.This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.Chien-Jen Chiang https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2059-5315 The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Chien-Jen Chiang contributed in conceptualization, methodology, writingoriginal draft preparation, reviewing, and editing. Hyunil Kim contributed in writing-original draft preparation, reviewing, and editing. Melissa Jonson-Reid contributed in conceptualization, reviewing, and editing. Miyoun Yang contributed in reviewing...