Testing if Social Services Prevent Fatal Child Maltreatment Among a Sample of Children Previously Known to Child Protective Services

Douglas, Emily M.

doi:10.1177/1077559516657890

Cited by 14 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…In terms of services, we found in previous research that neglecting families were more likely to have had a full risk assessment conducted on them, as compared with abusing families; they were also more likely to have received psychotherapy or counselling services (Douglas, 2014). In terms of prevention, previous research using the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) data set showed that more standard social services helped to prevent fatalities among abuse victims, as compared to neglect victims (Douglas, 2016b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in Determining Child Maltreatment Fatalities: What Do We Really Know?

Douglas

Lee

2020

Child Abuse Review

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The challenges associated with determining causes of fatal child maltreatment have been documented by multiple professional fields and by the US government. This study explored these challenges, as well as the relative lethality of determinations of general neglect, medical neglect and physical abuse. Existing sources of information were used for this study: (1) data from the US National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) data set extracted from annual Child Maltreatment reports published by the US Department of Health and Human Services; and (2) information published in recent state‐level child death review team (CDRT) reports. Results from the NCANDS data set indicated that more children died from general neglect (x̅ = 70.9%) than abuse (x̅ = 44.8%) or medical neglect (x̅ = 8.2%). Children who experienced medical neglect died at the highest rate (6.82 per 1000 medical neglect victims), making it the most lethal, followed by physical abuse and general neglect. The findings from CDRT reports were inconsistent, with some states indicating that more children died from abuse than neglect, which is in direct contrast to national statistics. The inconsistent and confusing use of language and constructs from CDRTs has important implications for multiple child‐serving fields.Key Practitioner Messages Professional child‐serving fields struggle with making accurate determinations of abuse or neglect‐related fatalities. Most child maltreatment fatalities are related to neglect. In terms of lethality, medical neglect appears to be most lethal, followed by physical abuse, and then general neglect. US‐state CDRT reports are not consistent in their use of terms and confuse constructs such as ‘neglect’ and ‘accident’. This makes it challenging to use their reviews as reliable sources of information. We recommend the adoption of consistency in the use and understanding of terms related to child maltreatment deaths, at a minimum across all jurisdictions in the USA, if not across all nations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in Determining Child Maltreatment Fatalities: What Do We Really Know?

Douglas

Lee

2020

Child Abuse Review

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“…When CPS workers saw victims one week prior to their death in the USA, for example, the most frequently mentioned family characteristics included parental unemployment, parental mental ill‐health and inappropriate age expectations of the child, suggesting these factors had not been adequately addressed. Douglas (2016) found that CPS case management, family support, family preservation and foster care services reduced fatality risk, but the results were not uniform. Unfortunately, children who were fatally maltreated have also been found to receive fewer of these services, and many causes of death are natural and not preventable (Douglas & Mohn, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, children who were fatally maltreated have also been found to receive fewer of these services, and many causes of death are natural and not preventable (Douglas & Mohn, 2014). While it would be ideal if a CPS report and services could prevent all deaths, the mere presence of a prior CPS case or a currently open CPS case has been found to predict earlier fatality (Berson & Yampolskaya, 2013; Douglas, 2016; Parks et al ., 2011; Putnam‐Hornstein, 2011; Sabotta & Davis, 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with Child Maltreatment Fatality among Young Children with an Open Child Protective Services Case at Death

2021

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One of the goals of Child Protective Services (CPS) is to prevent maltreatment deaths. We analysed deaths of children younger than five years of age with an already open CPS case at the time of death for characteristics that might be associated with increased risk of fatality with child maltreatment. We used 2513 cases in the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention – Case Review System during the years 2004–2016 for children ages 0–4 years who died with an already open CPS case. Among these, we compared 1370 children who died from causes determined to be ‘caused or contributed to’ by abuse or neglect to 1143 children who died from other causes. Those who died from maltreatment were older, experienced prior maltreatment, lived in an overcrowded residence, and had a caregiver with history of substance abuse, interpersonal violence, criminal delinquency and their own maltreatment. These risk factors and others may be associated with a higher likelihood of dying with abuse or neglect for children who already have an open CPS case. Key Practitioner Messages Compared with children dying from other causes, children with an already open CPS case at the time they died as a result of maltreatment were more likely to be older, male and living in a parental home with overcrowding. Caregivers were more likely to be male, or had a history of substance abuse, delinquency or prior maltreatment, both as a victim or perpetrator. When cases are opened with CPS, caseworkers should consider these potential risk factors and whether additional services can be put in place to reduce future maltreatment fatality. While additional research is needed, we speculate that other services, such as coordinated paediatric care, universal reporting, child fatality review teams, citizen review panels and public education campaigns, can offer additional ways to decrease future maltreatment deaths.

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Risk Factors for Fatal Maltreatment Victimization and Perpetration

Douglas

2016

Child Maltreatment Fatalities in the United States

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Testing if Social Services Prevent Fatal Child Maltreatment Among a Sample of Children Previously Known to Child Protective Services

Cited by 14 publications

References 68 publications

Challenges in Determining Child Maltreatment Fatalities: What Do We Really Know?

Challenges in Determining Child Maltreatment Fatalities: What Do We Really Know?

Factors Associated with Child Maltreatment Fatality among Young Children with an Open Child Protective Services Case at Death

Risk Factors for Fatal Maltreatment Victimization and Perpetration

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