What do we know about child neglect? A critical review of the literature and its application to social work practice

Abstract

Child neglect is a difficult and complex area of practice for social workers and other childcare professionals. To work effectively, practitioners need a good grasp of relevant literature and research – a point underlined by the moves to incorporate ‘research mindedness’ and ‘research literacy’ into social work education, training and practice. This paper aims to contribute to the debate around research literacy by looking in more detail at the research and knowledge base informing work with neglected children and their families, and considering the ways in which this can be applied in practice. In the first part of the paper, we provide a critical overview of the main aspects of research knowledge, summarizing ‘what we know’ currently about child neglect. Next, we look at some of the difficulties associated with this body of knowledge and at some of its limitations. Having noted these concerns, however, we go on to suggest ways in which the research evidence can be used in mainstream social work. We draw out some of the consequences for work with children and with their parents as well as considering the implications for social workers and their agencies.

Profiles of Families at High Risk of Child Maltreatment in Israeli Court Cases Dealing with the Termination of Parental Rights

“…Parental lack of economic means, in itself, was found to be a predictor of parental social deviance. These findings are consistent with studies showing that mental health problems, criminal records including drug abuse, and low economic means are major risk factors for child maltreatment (Cooklin 2006;Crittenden 1999;Erickson and Egeland 1996;Herrenkohl and Herrenkohl 2007;Tanner and Turney 2003;Jonson-Reid et al 2010), child maltreatment recurrence and recidivism (Drake et al 2006;Jonson-Reid et al 2010a, b;Drake et al 2003).…”

“…In cases where parents were deemed incapable of understanding their child's emotional needs or providing for them, a higher percentage of decisions in favor of involuntary adoption was found than in cases where such neglect was not present. These findings indicate that the courts acknowledge the importance of a parent's ability to cater to a child's emotional needs and concur with the professional literature demonstrating the severe negative effect of neglect on a child both in childhood and early adolescence (for example, DeBellis 2009;Jonson-Reid et al 2012;Smith and Fong 2004;Tanner and Turney 2003).…”

Study on Security Risk Propagation of Immune Mechanism under Complex Network Background

“…A SIR R   Model shares the same results of Formula (7), (8) and (9 ) with R SIR R   Model, which is: (12) …”

The Service Environment in Relationship-based Practice: “It's Like a Community”

“…Flexible work environments also help reduce time pressures to build relationships and push families through the service quickly, by ensuring that an adequate length of time is allocated for workers to develop and maintain quality relationships which meet the needs of service users (Clemence, Hilsenroth, Ackerman, Strassle, & Handler, 2005;de Boer & Coady, 2003, 2007. Such time pressures have been found to increase stress for workers (Clemence et al, 2005;de Boer & Coady, 2003;Tanner & Turney, 2003), which can lead to high staff turnover.…”