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Understanding the Risks of Child Neglect: An Exploration of Poverty and Parenting Characteristics

NCJ Number
207756
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2004 Pages: 395-408
Author(s)
Kristen Shook Slack; Jane L. Holl; Maria McDaniel; Joan Yoo; Kerry Bolger
Date Published
November 2004
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the impact of poverty and parenting characteristics on subsequent child physical neglect.
Abstract
While research has documented the link between poverty and child neglect, little is understood about why and how poverty impacts child neglect. The current study relied on data from current and former welfare recipients to test various indicators of poverty and parenting characteristics in the prediction of child physical neglect as reported to Child Protective Services (CPS). Participants were 583 respondents to the 2001 Illinois Families Study: Child Well-Being (IFS-CWB) survey; respondents had at least 1 child 3 years of age or younger. Independent variables assessed included indicators of poverty and income, parenting stress, use of physical discipline, and indicators of parent-child interaction patterns. Results of correlational and multivariate analysis indicated that certain indicators of poverty and parenting were significantly associated with child physical neglect reports to CPS. Poverty indicators significantly associated with child neglect were perceived hardship and proportion of quarters with earnings. The parenting indicators most influencing child neglect were degree of parental warmth, use of spanking as a discipline strategy, and amount of television viewing by children. The findings suggest that strategies to overcome child neglect should include efforts to address the material needs of the family. Future research should focus on other indicators of poverty and parenting, including use of community-based resources and father involvement. Tables, notes, references