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Published in:

01-11-2007 | Original Article

Characteristics Differentiating Neglected Children from Other Reported Children

Authors: Micheline Mayer, Chantal Lavergne, Marc Tourigny, John Wright

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 8/2007

Abstract

The aims of this study were twofold: first, to identify the characteristics that distinguish neglected children from other children reported to youth protection services; and second, to assess the relative importance of each of these characteristics in the differentiation of such children. Researchers analyzed data from the Quebec Incidence Study (QIS), which documented all reports retained for in-depth assessment out of 4,774 reports filed with youth protection services over a 3-month period. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses examined variables on different levels to establish which of the factors linked to the phenomenon of neglect were most significant. Results indicate that neglected children tend to be younger than other reported children, and have a greater frequency of prior referrals and a greater number of learning and development problems; their parents have a greater tendency to have personal, economic, and social problems and childhood histories of maltreatment.

The issue of neglect comprises nine categories involving physical, medical, educational, supervisory, and emotional neglect. Cases of supervisory neglect are distinguished according to whether physical, sexual or social harm has occurred. There is also a category for failure to obtain medical treatment. Finally, a category exists for cases in which the youth protection worker did not specify the type of neglect.

For a detailed presentation of the definitions of the various forms of maltreatment, see Tourigny et al. 2003.

OR = odds ratio

It should be noted that in cases in which children came from families with two parents displaying different social characteristics, the most desirable characteristics were retained. Thus, it would only be apparent that the parents had not completed high school if this were true for both parents.

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Title: Characteristics Differentiating Neglected Children from Other Reported Children
Authors: Micheline Mayer
Chantal Lavergne
Marc Tourigny
John Wright
Publication date: 01-11-2007
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 8/2007
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-007-9120-0

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Characteristics Differentiating Neglected Children from Other Reported Children

Abstract

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Abstract

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