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DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH AND CHILD ABUSE

NCJ Number
144926
Author(s)
A J Sedlak
Date Published
Unknown
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Multiple-factor logistic analyses were performed on data elicited from nationally representative samples concerning children who have been harmed by abuse or neglect.
Abstract
Risk factors were identified for the occurrence of abuse or neglect and the probability that abused or neglected children will receive the attention of child protective services (CPS). The findings showed that children from low- income families and older children were at far greater risk in every category of maltreatment, and that risk was also related to family structure and size, child's sex and ethnicity, and metropolitan status of residential area. Interactions among risk factors were the rule, rather than the exception. Physically neglected low-income children, physically abused children in two-parent households, and physically or sexually abused minority adolescents were less likely to have their maltreatment investigated by CPS. 2 tables, 1 figure, 5 notes, 12 references, and 1 appendix