Supplementary Analyses of Race Differences in Child Maltreatment Rates in the NIS-4

Differences in Racially Disproportionate Reporting of Child Maltreatment Across Report Sources

“…The most recent wave of the NIS (NIS-4), however, did find that the maltreatment rate was higher for African-American children than for White children in certain maltreatment categories even when socioeconomic factors were controlled for (Sedlak, McPherson, & Das, 2010). Differences in maltreatment rates by race were small or nonexistent for families with low socioeconomic status (Sedlak et al, 2010).…”

“…Differences in maltreatment rates by race were small or nonexistent for families with low socioeconomic status (Sedlak et al, 2010). However, African-American children from families of middle and high socioeconomic status were two times more likely than White children from similar socioeconomic status to be at risk of physical abuse (Sedlak et al, 2010).…”

Racial Bias in Child Protection? A Comparison of Competing Explanations Using National Data

“…24 Published NIS estimates of actual CA/N rates according to race generally have large SEs and therefore large confidence intervals. 25 Another complication is that the reported findings of the NIS-3 and NIS-4 are divergent. The NIS-3 investigators reported "no race differences in maltreatment incidence" (italics in original), whereas the NIS-4 investigators did find a difference; according to their results black children are 73% more likely than white children to suffer CA/N as defined by the endangerment standard.…”

“…The NIS-3 investigators reported "no race differences in maltreatment incidence" (italics in original), whereas the NIS-4 investigators did find a difference; according to their results black children are 73% more likely than white children to suffer CA/N as defined by the endangerment standard. 16,18,25 Although we cannot measure actual CA/N with confidence, other measures of child well-being should be sensitive to the same risk factors but not sensitive to bias in reporting or decision making. At a national level, valid estimates of rates of infant mortality, low birth weight, and premature birth according to race are available.…”

Initial Findings from a Feasibility Trial Examining the SafeCare Dad to Kids Program with Marginalized Fathers

“…Those children most at risk for these forms of maltreatment are young children under 5 years of age and those living in poverty. Racial disparities exist among children substantiated for child maltreatment, with data indicating an overrepresentation of Black children as compared to White children, likely due to the disproportionate and disparate needs of racial minorities living in poverty (Sedlak, McPherson, & Das, 2010). …”