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Child protection involvement of children of mothers with intellectual disability

Fernando Lima1, Melissa O'Donnell2, Jenny Bourke3

  • 1Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia.

Child Abuse & Neglect
|February 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children born to mothers with intellectual disability (ID) face significantly higher risks of child protection involvement and out-of-home care placement. Support services must address family needs to prevent unnecessary interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Child Welfare
  • Developmental Disabilities

Background:

  • Children of parents with intellectual disability (ID) are disproportionately represented in child protection services.
  • Limited population-based research exists on this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate child protection involvement for children born to mothers with intellectual disability (ID) in Western Australia.
  • To analyze risks of child protection services contact and care placement using linked administrative data.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study linked administrative data for 1106 children born to mothers with ID and 9796 comparison children.
  • Cox regression analyses, stratified by maternal Aboriginal status, examined risks and interactions with child age, maternal ID, mental health, and substance use.

Main Results:

  • Children born to mothers with ID had higher risks of child protection involvement (HR: 4.35) and out-of-home care (HR: 6.21).
  • Non-Aboriginal children of mothers with ID faced 7-12 times higher risks; Aboriginal children faced 1.8-1.9 times higher risks.
  • Infants and risks moderated by maternal mental health and substance use were significant.

Conclusions:

  • Intellectual disability alone should not justify child removal.
  • Adequate resources are crucial for family services to meet the needs of families with intellectual disability.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child protectionMaternal intellectual disabilityMaternal mental healthMaternal substance useOut-of-home care

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