Parental Risk and Protective Factors in Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Date
2022
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Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Abstract
This study systematically reviews and synthesizes evidence on parental risk and protective factors along with identifying
differences in the presence of these factors based on maltreatment type. In all, 68 quantitative, published, empirical studies
were included from electronic databases for the systematic review. Quality appraisal did not exclude any studies and data
were extracted from all. Results were narratively synthesized using the Risk and Resilience Ecological framework. The
findings revealed more risk factors on the micro (individual and family) ecological level compared to mezzo and macro
levels. At the micro level, findings mirror results of prior systematic reviews such as parental substance abuse, history of
childhood maltreatment, and intimate partner violence (IPV). Social support was the most significant protective factor
across all ecological levels and across all maltreatment types except child sexual abuse but differed in definition widely
across studies. Physical abuse had the most risk factors unique to this type followed by neglect, and IPV was a common
risk factor across all maltreatment types. Fewer studies on emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and protective factors were
identified. The findings of this review delineated key parental risk and protective factors at various ecological levels along
with associations between distinct factors and types of maltreatment. Interventions working with parents to reduce
child maltreatment risk can use these findings to guide development of targeted programs for families based on risk and
maltreatment type. For researchers, the findings can guide further investigation in under-researched areas of parental
sexual and emotional abuse and protective factors.
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Keywords
protective factors, child maltreatment, literature review
Citation
Younas, F., & Gutman, L. M. (2022). Parental Risk and Protective Factors in Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 15248380221134634.