The Effects of Father-Perpetration of Maltreatment on Adolescent Health Risk

Abstract

Maltreatment perpetrated by fathers may entail distinct characteristics and threats, and therefore differing effects from maltreatment perpetrated by mothers alone. This study examines the extent to which father perpetration of maltreatment is associated with variability in subsequent adolescent health outcomes relative to mother-alone maltreatment. A sample of youth ( N = 377) with recently completed Child Protective Services investigations concerning reports of maltreatment attributed to fathers and/or mothers was drawn from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being. Youth were 11-17 years old ( M = 13.8, SD = 2) at 18-month follow-up. Predictor variables (baseline) included caseworker-reported perpetrator (father vs mother alone), maltreatment type and severity, and co-occurring risk factors (prior reports of maltreatment, caregiver substance use, serious mental health problems, and recent arrest or detention, and intimate partner violence). Outcome measures were youth-reported sexual risk behavior (the number of past-year sexual partners), substance use severity (use of illicit drugs other than marijuana, number of substances used, and CRAFFT raw scores), and parent-to-adolescent physical aggression (minor, moderate, and severe) at 18-month follow-up. Structural equation modeling assessed the effects of father perpetration on outcomes. Father perpetration was prospectively associated with more parent-to-adolescent aggression ( β = 0.16, p = .034) and less sexual risk behavior ( β = −0.17, p = .017) than mother-alone perpetration. Findings suggest protective effects of father perpetration relative to mother-alone perpetration on sexual risk taking but greater risk on further victimization by parents. Future research is needed to replicate findings and examine potential youth gender differences.

Father–Mother Co-Involvement in Child Maltreatment: Associations of Prior Perpetration, Parental Substance Use, Parental Medical Conditions, Inadequate Housing, and Intimate Partner Violence with Different Maltreatment Types

“…Not only are mothers’ and fathers’ data used jointly, but also the entire family serves as the unit of analysis in family systems-informed studies such as ours. Given the generally atheoretical nature of prior studies on the topic of mother–father co-involvement in child maltreatment [ 2 , 9 , 10 ], the application of family systems theory is a key contribution of this study, challenging current theoretical models on child abuse to consider the joint roles of mothers and fathers and risk factors that occur at the parental dyad or family level. Our study also importantly informs and contributes to maltreatment prevention policy and practice.…”

“…Another study using NSCAW-II data showed that child maltreatment cases were most likely to be substantiated when both mothers and fathers were involved (approximately 30% in which two parents were involved vs. 20% where either parent was involved alone) [ 9 ]. More recently, a study showed that physical abuse and sexual abuse were 1.5 times more likely to occur in families where fathers were co-involved with the mothers in committing child maltreatment compared to families where only mothers were involved [ 10 ]. That said, given data limitations, the researchers needed to combine families where fathers were solely involved in child maltreatment with families where fathers and mothers were co-involved in child maltreatment, making it difficult to distinguish which group drove the high rates of physical and sexual abuse.…”

“…A number of risk factors have been identified for mother–father co-involved child maltreatment, especially for physical abuse and neglect [ 2 , 9 , 10 ]. Kobulsky et al [ 9 ] showed that the most salient risk factors of mother–father co-involvement in child maltreatment (e.g., physical abuse, neglect) included parental substance use, mental health problems, and intimate partner violence (IPV).…”