Timing and Chronicity of Child Neglect and Substance Use in Early Adulthood
Date
2019
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Child Abuse & Neglect
Abstract
Background: Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment with consequences that
appear to be as serious as for abuse. Despite this, the problem has received less than its due
attention.
Objective: To examine the relationship between the timing and chronicity of neglect during
childhood and substance use in early adulthood.
Participants and Setting: The sample consisted of a subset of 475 participants from the
prospective Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) consortium from
five geographic areas around the U.S. Method: Neglect was assessed using abstracted information from CPS reports (birth-18) and selfreports of neglect (12–18). Participants completed a follow-up online survey (mean age of 24
years) that probed their use of substances.
Results: The prevalence of substance use during the past year was comparable in this high-risk
sample to the general population. Latent class analysis supported the presence of three groups
related to the presence and timing of neglect: Chronic Neglect, Late Neglect and Limited Neglect.
Late Neglect was the pattern most strongly linked to substance use in early adulthood.
Conclusions: High-risk youth experiencing neglect beginning in mid- adolescence are
especially vulnerable to later substance use. Those working with such youth and their families can
play a valuable role helping ensure their basic needs are adequately met, and recognizing early
signs of substance use and abuse.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
child neglect, research, substance use, adolescents, longitudinal
Citation
Dubowitz, H., Roesch, S., Arria, A. M., Metzger, R., Thompson, R., Kotch, J. B., & Lewis, T. (2019). Timing and chronicity of child neglect and substance use in early adulthood. Child abuse & neglect, 94, 104027.