Missionaries of the Sacred

Risk Factors PDF Print

 

There are certain types of factors associated with child maltreatment: parent or caregiver factors, family factors, child factors and environmental factors. Below are some of the risk factors. For more information, visit http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/foundation/foundatione.cfm (Chapter 5). It is important to note that the below are risk factors, not signs that a parent may be abusing his/her child. Just because a parent or child may fall into a category below, does not mean that the parent is abusive or nelgectful or that the child is maltreated.

  • the psychological well-being of the parent or caregiver
  • if the parent or caregiver has a history of maltreatment
  • substance abuse on the part of the parent or caregiver
  • lack of knowledge on the parent or caregiver with regard to normal child development or behavior management
  • single parent homes (children living in single parent homes had a 77 % greater risk of being physically abused than their peers living with both parents)
  • domestic violence (in 30-60% of families where domestic violence against a spouse occurs, child maltreatment also occurs)
  • if a child has physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities (a 1993 study showed that children who have disabilities are 1.7 times more likely to be maltreated)
  • if the family lives in poverty or if the parent or caregiver is unemployed
 

Child Maltreatment Information

Quick Tip

Participate in your child's activities and get to know his/her friends and his/her friends' parents/caregivers.

 

 
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