Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
Risk factors for recurrence of maltreatment: a systematic review
N Hindley1, P G Ramchandani, D P H Jones
1Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Service, Oxford, UK. nick.hindley@obmh.nhs.uk
Insights
Children previously maltreated face a sixfold higher risk of recurrent maltreatment. Key predictors include prior maltreatment episodes, neglect, parental conflict, and parental mental health issues.
Area of Science:
- Child welfare research
- Risk assessment in child protection
Background:
- Children experiencing maltreatment are at elevated risk for subsequent harm.
- Accurate identification of high-risk children is crucial for effective child protection.
- Assessing risk for recurrent maltreatment presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing research on predictors of recurrent child maltreatment.
- Identify factors associated with an increased risk of future maltreatment in children.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of cohort studies.
- Analysis of factors linked to substantiated maltreatment recurrence in children.
Main Results:
- Sixteen studies were included, showing heterogeneity in maltreatment types.
- Consistent predictors of recurrent maltreatment: prior episodes, neglect, parental conflict, parental mental health.
- Children with prior maltreatment were ~6 times more likely to experience recurrence.
- Recurrence risk was highest within 30 days of the initial maltreatment episode.
Conclusions:
- Specific factors are clearly associated with increased risk of recurrent maltreatment.
- These factors should inform professional risk assessments for maltreated children.
- A comprehensive risk assessment approach offers greater child protection.
Background:
Children who have been maltreated are at increased risk of further maltreatment. Competent identification of those at highest risk of further maltreatment is an important part of safe and effective practice, but is a complex and demanding task.
Aim:
To systematically review the research base predicting those children at highest risk of recurrent maltreatment.
Methods:
Systematic review of cohort studies investigating factors associated with substantiated maltreatment recurrence in children.
Results:
Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were heterogeneous. A variety of forms of maltreatment were considered. Four factors were most consistently identified as predicting future maltreatment: number of previous episodes of maltreatment; neglect (as opposed to other forms of maltreatment); parental conflict; and parental mental health problems. Children maltreated previously were approximately six times more likely to experience recurrent maltreatment than children who had not previously been maltreated. The risk of recurrence was highest in the period soon after the index episode of maltreatment (within 30 days), and diminished thereafter.
Conclusions:
There are factors clearly associated with an increased risk of recurrent maltreatment, and these should be considered in professional assessments of children who have been maltreated. A comprehensive approach to risk assessment, including but not solely based on these factors, is likely to lead to interventions which offer greater protection to children.
Related Concept Videos
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
02:04Bullying
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
01:28Conduct Disorder