Study identifies factors associated with child maltreatment in the home

January 15, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact checked proofread by Australian Catholic University New research has identified a complex interplay of child, parental, and contextual factors associated with the maltreatment of children by their families.

The comprehensive findings by researchers from Australian Catholic University (ACU) identify key areas that could be targeted with support and parental education to reverse the trend. The research also highlights a variety of protective factors which keep children safe from harm. The research follows the release of the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) last year showing 62.2% of Australians aged 16 and over experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse , neglect, or exposure to domestic violence .

Almost two thirds of those were subjected to more than one child maltreatment type. ACU Institute of Child Protection Studies Director Professor Daryl Higgins, the lead author of the new rapid review research based on 52 studies, and an ACMS chief investigator, said while the associated factors were not necessarily causative, they highlighted key areas that needed to be targeted to better safeguard children.

"This new research has pinpointed multiple issues associated with experiences of child maltreatment and contact with a child protection service that we need to address as a matter of urgency," Professor Higgins said. "This is not about shaming or targeting individuals or circumstances, but rather about listening to the evidence and providing the supports needed to keep children safe and help families, in all their diversity, to thrive.

"For example, First Nations families were overrepresented in our child protection systems, but this is likely due to systemic issues such as racism, ableism, disadvantage, and violence which has disproportionately affected this group. It does not mean the risk of maltreatment is inherent in this group.

What we are seeing is an interplay of associated factors." The research, published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues was conducted by ACU Ph.D. student Gabrielle Hunt in coordination with the Australian Institute of Family Studies. It identified a range of factors associated with child abuse and neglect including: Professor Higgins said parent characteristics were the strongest association and better supports were needed.

"Government and community efforts must target specific strategies to combat child maltreatment towards these known associated factors, as well as investing in supports across the whole population," he said. More information: Daryl J. Higgins et al, Child, parent and contextual factors associated with child protection system involvement and child maltreatment in the family: A rapid evidence review, Australian Journal of Social Issues (2023).

DOI: 10.1002/ajs4.306 Provided by Australian Catholic University.