Hispanic fathers and risk for maltreatment in father-involved families of young children.
Date
2011
Journal Title
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Publisher
Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research
Abstract
The Hispanic population is the fastest growing segment of U.S. population. However,
risks for child maltreatment in the foreign-born and native-born Hispanic populations are
largely understudied. To address this knowledge gap, we explore the association of
sociodemographic factors, psychosocial parenting factors, and nativity status with
Hispanic fathers’ aggression toward their young children (3 to 5 years). Using the Fragile
Families and Child Wellbeing Study and the follow-up In-Home Longitudinal Study of
Pre-School Aged Children, we examine data for 372 foreign-born (FB; n = 155) and
native-born (NB; n = 217) Hispanic biological fathers residing in the home when the
study target child was 3 years old. Results of analysis at the bivariate level show FB
Hispanic fathers engage in fewer aggressive behaviors than NB Hispanic, White, or
Black fathers. Time-lagged path models of Hispanic fathers show FB Hispanic fathers
use less aggression than NB Hispanic fathers. Length of time in the United States was not
associated with parenting aggression. Path models also examine paternal psychosocial
factors such as alcohol use, depression, parenting stress, and involvement in caregiving,
and control for the child’s aggressive behavior. Results suggest one reason Hispanic
children do not face heightened risk for child welfare involvement, despite
socioeconomic risks, is that FB Hispanic fathers use less aggression toward their young
children. An implication of this finding is that socioeconomic and parenting behavior
risks must be considered separately when practitioners are considering issues related to
the representation of minority children in the child welfare system.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
parenting, child maltreatment, family, Hispanic
Citation
Lee, S. J., Altschul, I., Shair, S. R., & Taylor, C. A. (2011). Hispanic fathers and risk for maltreatment in father-involved families of young children. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 2(2), 125-142.