Risk factors for child neglect: A meta-analytic review

Abstract

Knowledge of risk factors and their effects is vital for successfully preventing and reducing child neglect. This study provides a meta-analytic update of research on risk factors for child neglect. A total of 315 effect sizes were extracted from 36 primary studies and classified into 24 risk domains. Effects of 15 risk domains were significant and ranged from small (r = .110) to large (r = .372) in magnitude. Most risks were found at the parental level, such as having a history of antisocial behavior/criminal offending (r = .372); having a history of mental/psychiatric problems (r = . 259); having mental/physical problems (r = .207); and experiences of abuse in own childhood (r = .182). The effect of mother-related risk factors was not significantly different from the effect of father-related risk factors. It is concluded that child neglect is determined by multiple risk domains and that especially parent-related risk factors are important in preventing and reducing child neglect. Implications of the results for clinical practice are discussed.

Factors influencing resubstantiation of child neglect in South Korea: A comparison with other maltreatment cases

“…For instance, perpetrator characteristics such as exposure to spousal abuse and hygiene problems were found to be associated with resubstantiation only in child neglect cases. The findings are supported by some of the previous research that highlighted the strong link between exposure to family violence and child maltreatment (Mulder et al, ; Stith et al, ). Moreover, since failure to provide hygienic environment and hygiene support to children by definition is a form of neglect (Mennen, Kim, Sang, & Trickett, ), the link between parent's hygiene problem and resubstantiation of child neglect cases may indicate parent's difficulty in supporting children's hygienic needs.…”

“…However, some inconsistencies exist in findings on the link between child characteristics and neglect. In their meta‐analytic studies, Stith et al () and Mulder et al () did not find any significant association between child characteristics and neglect. However, some studies have documented the increased vulnerability of younger children and children with behavior problems in child neglect cases (Logan‐Greene & Semanchin Jones, ; Semanchin Jones & Logan‐Greene, ).…”

“…Some similarities and differences in these factors have been documented (Stith et al, 2009). A growing number of studies have investigated risk and protective factors associated with the occurrence of child neglect (Mulder, Kuiper, van der Put, Stams, & Assink, 2018;Stith et al, 2009). Some of the risk factors that have been found to be associated with child neglect include parent's mental or physical health problems, substance use, and parenting stress (Logan-Greene & Semanchin Jones, 2018;Mulder et al, 2018;Semanchin Jones & Logan-Greene, 2016;Slack et al, 2011;Stith et al, 2009).…”

“…A growing number of studies have investigated risk and protective factors associated with the occurrence of child neglect (Mulder, Kuiper, van der Put, Stams, & Assink, 2018;Stith et al, 2009). Some of the risk factors that have been found to be associated with child neglect include parent's mental or physical health problems, substance use, and parenting stress (Logan-Greene & Semanchin Jones, 2018;Mulder et al, 2018;Semanchin Jones & Logan-Greene, 2016;Slack et al, 2011;Stith et al, 2009). Family characteristics, such as exposure to family violence, low family socioeconomic status (SES), and single parenthood, are also associated with child neglect (Mulder et al, 2018;Stith et al, 2009).…”

“…Some of the risk factors that have been found to be associated with child neglect include parent's mental or physical health problems, substance use, and parenting stress (Logan-Greene & Semanchin Jones, 2018;Mulder et al, 2018;Semanchin Jones & Logan-Greene, 2016;Slack et al, 2011;Stith et al, 2009). Family characteristics, such as exposure to family violence, low family socioeconomic status (SES), and single parenthood, are also associated with child neglect (Mulder et al, 2018;Stith et al, 2009). Specifically, a strong relationship between family poverty (or low SES) and child neglect has been well established (Loman, 2006;Sedlak et al, 2010;Slack et al, 2011;Yang & Maguire-Jack, 2016).…”