U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

African American Caregivers and Substance Abuse in Child Welfare: Identification of Multiple Risk Profiles

NCJ Number
240503
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 27 Issue: 5 Dated: July 2012 Pages: 415-426
Author(s)
Eusebius Small; Patricia L. Kohl
Date Published
July 2012
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the typology of African American caregivers with substance abuse problems in the child welfare system.
Abstract
Despite the strong correlation between caregiver substance abuse and child maltreatment, little information exists to understand the typology of African-American caregivers with substance abuse problems in the child welfare system. Research shows African-American caregivers contend with multiple problems stemming from substance abuse. Unfortunately, the authors do not yet know how to best tailor resources to be responsive to varying groups of African-American caregivers. Using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW), this investigation tested for distinct multivariate profiles among a subset of African American caregivers with substance abuse problems (n=258). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to classify caregivers, and five classes were identified among this high risk sampleeach with distinct risk profiles. Based on these findings, the authors discuss implications for tailored practices to enhance the safety and stability of children involved with child welfare. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.