Abstract
This study examined factors associated with decisions in favour of out-of-home placement following investigations involving
infants at risk of maltreatment. We used data from a sample of children less than 1 year of age (n = 763) investigated by child welfare services across Canada in 2003. We tested unadjusted relationships with placement using
Pearson’s chi-square statistic. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified parental substance abuse, mental health
problems and few social supports as being associated with an increased likelihood of placement. Child’s toxicology at birth,
abandonment, physical harm and number of previous family openings also increased the likelihood of placement. Several variables
that have been associated with increased placement in previous studies, such as single motherhood and young maternal age,
did not show a statistically significant association in our analysis. Among those infants that were placed, there was insufficient
power to compare kinship and non-kinship care. This analysis demonstrates the need for the implementation of established prevention
programs, such as the Nurse-Family Partnership and substance abuse programs for caregivers.
infants at risk of maltreatment. We used data from a sample of children less than 1 year of age (n = 763) investigated by child welfare services across Canada in 2003. We tested unadjusted relationships with placement using
Pearson’s chi-square statistic. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified parental substance abuse, mental health
problems and few social supports as being associated with an increased likelihood of placement. Child’s toxicology at birth,
abandonment, physical harm and number of previous family openings also increased the likelihood of placement. Several variables
that have been associated with increased placement in previous studies, such as single motherhood and young maternal age,
did not show a statistically significant association in our analysis. Among those infants that were placed, there was insufficient
power to compare kinship and non-kinship care. This analysis demonstrates the need for the implementation of established prevention
programs, such as the Nurse-Family Partnership and substance abuse programs for caregivers.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-19
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-011-9350-5
- Authors
- Lil Tonmyr, Injury and Child Maltreatment Section, Health Surveillance and Epidemiology Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Gabriela Williams, Injury and Child Maltreatment Section, Health Surveillance and Epidemiology Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Susan M. Jack, School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Harriet L. MacMillan, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and of Pediatrics, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874