Child maltreatment reporting patterns and predictors of substantiation: Comparing adolescents and younger children
Date
2014
Journal Title
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Publisher
Child Maltreatment
Abstract
Adolescents, and especially male adolescents, make up a disproportionately smaller
portion of maltreatment reports compared to younger children. This study used the National
Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) to better understand the characteristics of
adolescents reported to Child Protective Services (CPS), to examine if these characteristics
changed over time, and to determine if certain child or CPS report characteristics predicted CPS
involvement. Whereas adolescents were the focal group, younger children were also analyzed
for comparison. Between 2005 and 2010, reports of neglect and the proportion of children of
Hispanic and unknown racial/ethnic origins increased. Concurrently, the proportion of cases
resulting in CPS involvement declined. Although race/ethnicity predicted CPS involvement, this
pattern was not consistent across all age groups or races/ethnicities. The type of alleged
maltreatment did not typically predict CPS involvement; however, allegations of sexual abuse
among school-age children and adolescents, particularly among girls, were more likely to result
in CPS involvement. These findings can assist child welfare professionals in determining
appropriate services tailored to families and developing prevention programs targeting
adolescents.
Description
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Keywords
child maltreatment, reporting
Citation
Raissian, M., Dierkhising, C., Geiger, J., & Schelbe, L. Child maltreatment reporting patterns and predictors of substantiation: Comparing adolescents and younger children. Child Maltreatment, Forthcoming. 2014.