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Child Abuse and Neglect: Screening for Risks During the Perinatal Period
T Besier1, M Pillhofer1, S Botzenhart1
1University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, Ulm.
Insights
A new screening tool, the "short questionnaire for risk indices around birth" (RIAB), effectively identifies families at risk for child abuse and neglect in maternity clinics. Early detection via RIAB enables timely interventions to support vulnerable families.
Area of Science:
- Child development and public health
- Psychometrics and clinical assessment
Background:
- Child maltreatment prevention requires early identification of at-risk families.
- Maternity clinics offer a crucial setting for early screening.
- Existing screening tools may not be optimally integrated into early intervention contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate the psychometric properties of the "short questionnaire for risk indices around birth" (RIAB).
- To assess the RIAB's utility as an early screening instrument in maternity clinic settings.
- To establish the reliability and validity of the RIAB for identifying risk factors for child abuse and neglect.
Main Methods:
- The study involved data collection across three distinct studies at Ulm University Hospital.
- Interrater reliability was assessed using case vignettes rated by students and maternity clinic experts.
- Criterion validity was examined by comparing RIAB results with the German version of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) in at-risk and general families.
Main Results:
- The RIAB demonstrated high interrater reliability, with both laymen and experts understanding and correctly applying the instrument.
- A significant concordance was observed between parent self-reports and expert ratings.
- Parents identified as low-risk by RIAB reported fewer stressors and burdens compared to those indicated for further examination.
Conclusions:
- The RIAB is a practical and widely applicable screening instrument for use in maternity clinics.
- The RIAB facilitates early identification of risk factors for child abuse and neglect.
- Early screening with RIAB enables timely and targeted interventions for families in need.
Abstract:
Purpose: Currently, there is a claim for earlier interventions for families in order to prevent child maltreatment. Here, a screening instrument to assess risk indicators for child abuse and neglect already in the context of maternity clinics is introduced. The present study is the first report on the psychometric properties of this instrument, the "short questionnaire for risk indices around birth" (RIAB). Material and Methods: Data were collected in the context of three different studies conducted at Ulm University Hospital. To examine interrater reliability eight case vignettes were rated by n = 90 study participants (50 students and 40 experts working at a maternity clinic). Criterion validity was examined in two studies applying the German version of the child abuse potential inventory CAPI (n = 96 families at risk and n = 160 additional families). Results: Both laymen and experts were able to understand and use the screening instrument correctly, leading to a high agreement with the sample solutions given. A high concordance was found between parents' and experts' ratings: In case of no reported risk factors applying the screening instrument RIAB, parents themselves reported significantly less stressors and burdens, compared to those parents with an indication for a thorough examination as pointed out in the RIAB. Conclusion: In the context of maternity clinics the RIAB is a useful, broadly applicable instrument, screening for existing risk factors at the earliest and thus allowing for the initiation of specific interventions when needed.
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