Abstract
This paper describes the methodological changes that occurred across cycles of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child
Abuse and Neglect (CIS), specifically outlining the rationale for tracking investigations of families with children at risk
of maltreatment in the CIS-2008 cycle. This paper also presents analysis of data from the CIS-2008 examining the differences
between those investigations focusing on risk of maltreatment and those investigations focusing on an incident of maltreatment.
The CIS-2008 uses a multi-stage sampling design. The final sample selection stage involves identifying children for which
(a) there was a concern of a specific incident of maltreatment, and (b) there was no specific concern of past maltreatment
but the risk of future maltreatment was being assessed. The present analysis included 11,925 investigations based on specific
inclusion criteria. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to better understand maltreatment and risk only investigations
in the CIS-2008. Families investigated for alleged maltreatment, compared to those investigated for future risk, were more
likely to live in a home that was overcrowded, live with the presence of at least one household hazard, and run out of money
for basic necessities. Younger children were more likely to be the subject of a risk investigation. Caregiver alcohol abuse,
household hazards, and certain child functioning issues were associated with an increased likelihood in a finding of substantiated
maltreatment. Several primary caregiver functioning concerns were associated with the decision to substantiate risk, as well
as household hazards and overcrowding. This study represents the first exploration of a national profile of risk only investigations.
The analyses provided an opportunity to examine differences in the profile of children and families in risk only investigations
and child maltreatment investigations, revealing several important differences.
Abuse and Neglect (CIS), specifically outlining the rationale for tracking investigations of families with children at risk
of maltreatment in the CIS-2008 cycle. This paper also presents analysis of data from the CIS-2008 examining the differences
between those investigations focusing on risk of maltreatment and those investigations focusing on an incident of maltreatment.
The CIS-2008 uses a multi-stage sampling design. The final sample selection stage involves identifying children for which
(a) there was a concern of a specific incident of maltreatment, and (b) there was no specific concern of past maltreatment
but the risk of future maltreatment was being assessed. The present analysis included 11,925 investigations based on specific
inclusion criteria. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to better understand maltreatment and risk only investigations
in the CIS-2008. Families investigated for alleged maltreatment, compared to those investigated for future risk, were more
likely to live in a home that was overcrowded, live with the presence of at least one household hazard, and run out of money
for basic necessities. Younger children were more likely to be the subject of a risk investigation. Caregiver alcohol abuse,
household hazards, and certain child functioning issues were associated with an increased likelihood in a finding of substantiated
maltreatment. Several primary caregiver functioning concerns were associated with the decision to substantiate risk, as well
as household hazards and overcrowding. This study represents the first exploration of a national profile of risk only investigations.
The analyses provided an opportunity to examine differences in the profile of children and families in risk only investigations
and child maltreatment investigations, revealing several important differences.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-011-9351-4
- Authors
- Barbara Fallon, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1V4
- Nico Trocmé, School of Social Work, McGill University, 3506 University Street, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3A 2A7
- Bruce MacLaurin, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Vandna Sinha, Centre for Research on Children and Families, McGill University, 3506 University Street, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3A 2A7
- Tara Black, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1V4
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874