Rights statement: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Child Abuse and Neglect. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Child Abuse and Neglect, 107, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104605
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Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Antenatal risk factors for child maltreatment
T2 - Linkage of data from a birth cohort study to child welfare records
AU - Baldwin, Helen
AU - Biehal, Nina
AU - Allgar, Victoria
AU - Cusworth, Linda
AU - Pickett, Kate
N1 - This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Child Abuse and Neglect. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Child Abuse and Neglect, 107, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104605
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Background Understanding the risk factors for child maltreatment is critical to efforts to reduce its prevalence. Objective This study investigated the association between characteristics and circumstances of mothers during pregnancy and the subsequent identification of concerns about child maltreatment. Participants and setting The study drew on two data sets: (i) data from questionnaires administered to the expectant mothers of 11,332 children born in a deprived multi-ethnic local authority in England between 2007 and 2011, for a birth cohort study, and (ii) administrative data on children referred to child welfare services. Methods The linkage of these two pre-existing data sets enabled the prospective study of risk factors for child maltreatment. Results A range of factors captured during the antenatal period were associated with an increased likelihood of subsequent recorded child maltreatment concerns, including: younger maternal age (HR=0.96; p < .001), lower maternal education level (HR=1.36; p < .001), maternal mental illness (HR=1.17; p = .001), maternal smoking in pregnancy (HR=1.69; p < .001), single motherhood (HR=1.41; p = .022), larger family size (HR=1.13; p < .001), multiple deprivation (HR=1.01; p = .011), social housing (HR=1.72; p < .001), paternal unemployment (HR=1.79; p < .001), and the receipt of means-tested welfare benefits (HR=1.43; p < .001). A greater total number of risk factors during pregnancy also increased the risk of subsequent maltreatment concerns (HR=1.45; p < .001). Conclusions The identification of multiple risk factors in this study supports claims that single targeted interventions are unlikely to be successful in preventing or reducing child maltreatment due to its multifactorial nature, and that multidimensional interventions are required.
AB - Background Understanding the risk factors for child maltreatment is critical to efforts to reduce its prevalence. Objective This study investigated the association between characteristics and circumstances of mothers during pregnancy and the subsequent identification of concerns about child maltreatment. Participants and setting The study drew on two data sets: (i) data from questionnaires administered to the expectant mothers of 11,332 children born in a deprived multi-ethnic local authority in England between 2007 and 2011, for a birth cohort study, and (ii) administrative data on children referred to child welfare services. Methods The linkage of these two pre-existing data sets enabled the prospective study of risk factors for child maltreatment. Results A range of factors captured during the antenatal period were associated with an increased likelihood of subsequent recorded child maltreatment concerns, including: younger maternal age (HR=0.96; p < .001), lower maternal education level (HR=1.36; p < .001), maternal mental illness (HR=1.17; p = .001), maternal smoking in pregnancy (HR=1.69; p < .001), single motherhood (HR=1.41; p = .022), larger family size (HR=1.13; p < .001), multiple deprivation (HR=1.01; p = .011), social housing (HR=1.72; p < .001), paternal unemployment (HR=1.79; p < .001), and the receipt of means-tested welfare benefits (HR=1.43; p < .001). A greater total number of risk factors during pregnancy also increased the risk of subsequent maltreatment concerns (HR=1.45; p < .001). Conclusions The identification of multiple risk factors in this study supports claims that single targeted interventions are unlikely to be successful in preventing or reducing child maltreatment due to its multifactorial nature, and that multidimensional interventions are required.
KW - Risk factor
KW - Antenatal
KW - Child maltreatment
KW - Abuse and neglect
KW - Cohort
KW - Linkage
U2 - 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104605
DO - 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104605
M3 - Journal article
VL - 107
JO - Child Abuse & Neglect
JF - Child Abuse & Neglect
SN - 0145-2134
M1 - 104605
ER -