The Scope, Nature, and Causes of Child Abuse and Neglect

Abstract

Child maltreatment is a complex problem affecting millions of children in the United States every year. This article examines existing knowledge on the scope, nature, and causes of child abuse and neglect. First, we review the discordant definitions and conceptualizations of child maltreatment and consider the implications of broad and narrow definitions for the size and scope of the child welfare system and for child safety. Second, we provide an assessment of the quality and comprehensiveness of existing data for understanding the incidence rates and trends in child abuse and neglect. Third, we review theory and evidence on the causes of child maltreatment, with particular attention to whether and how social policy can reduce its prevalence. Last, we provide recommendations for improving the use of data and scientific evidence in child welfare policy and systems.

Research to Consider While Effectively Re-Designing Child Welfare Services

“…On the other hand, it is not clear how such clarifications should be implemented. As Font and Mcguire-Jack (2020b) have stated: “… whereas the distinction between poverty and neglect can and should drive decisions about how to intervene—in-home services versus foster care, court-mandated services versus voluntary community supports—it is not clear such distinctions should determine whether to intervene” (p. 29). For example, while some may prefer a narrower requirement of actual harm to drive intervention, using “threat of harm” in state definitions allows states greater leeway to offer preventive services to families (Rebbe, 2018).…”

“…Building off the prior section, poor outcomes associated with neglect are also found not only when compared to abuse but also when controlling for poverty. Such studies find both behavioral and academic problems across childhood and into young adulthood (e.g., Bunting et al, 2018; Font & Maguire-Jack, 2020b; Manly et al, 2013; Mills et al, 2011; Nikulina et al, 2011; Vidal et al, 2017). Some research also indicates that child neglect is linked to additional risk of other forms of victimization as well as trauma symptoms (Turner et al, 2019).…”

Childhood adversities and bipolar disorder: a neuroimaging focus

“…Examples of early life adverse events include parental loss, maltreatment and bullying, all harming in some form the child's physical and emotional wellbeing and health (Butchart, 2006). According to recent studies and estimates, approximately 10% of children every year are victims of some form of maltreatment, with neglect, physical and sexual abuses being the most common (Font and Maguire-Jack, 2020).…”

Redesigning State Intervention on Behalf of “Neglected” Children

“…Second, even in the studies that focus on the most serious negative developmental outcomes, for example serious delinquent behavior and lower rates of completing high school, the great majority of the neglect group did not experience these outcomes (e.g., Font & Maguire Jack, 2020a, 2020b. Unfortunately, too much research merely reports differences between groups that are statistically meaningful but the effect sizes are small; the actual percentages of children that experience a particular outcome often is not even included.…”