The links between types of maltreatment and demographic characteristics of children

This paper examines the relative impact of demographic characteristics of the child, family structure, and economic variables on types of child abuse and neglect. The current analysis is based on data from the second National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-2), which collected information from both CPS and non-CPS agencies (e.g., schools, hospitals) in a national sample of 29 counties (Westat, 1988). The NIS-2 offers a unique opportunity to examine abuse and neglect issues with a large, national data set. This paper looks at a series of exploratory logistic regression models to distinguish between four different types of maltreatment: (a) physical abuse, (b) sexual abuse, (c) emotional maltreatment, and (d) physical neglect. Our findings show that physical neglect, in comparison with the other types of abuse, is the most predictable and distinguishable. It is most clearly related to economic factors such as low income and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) status, regardless of race. Additionally, both sexual abuse and physical neglect occur at younger ages than previously shown. The policy implications for these findings are discussed.