Child, Family and Societal Factors Related to Neglect Recurrence After CPS Investigation

Area of Science:

• Child Welfare Research
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Preventing child neglect recurrence is a key goal for child protection systems and public health initiatives aimed at mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
• While factors leading to initial neglect are studied, specific drivers of neglect recurrence post-child protective services (CPS) investigation require further understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the patterns of child neglect recurrence.
• To identify child, family, report characteristics, state neglect definitions, and CPS post-investigation service referrals associated with neglect recurrence.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Child Files from FY2015-2020 from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System.
• Inclusion of the Neglect and Prevention Policies Dataset to examine state-level factors.
• Statistical examination of socioecological model exposures, including child, family, and report characteristics, and service referrals.

Main Results:

• Confirmed child maltreatment most frequently recurs as neglect, with a notable proportion of second confirmed reports involving the same maltreatment type.
• Significant associations with neglect recurrence were found across socioecological levels, including child, family, and report factors.
• Broader state neglect definitions correlated with increased confirmed neglect recurrence; racial disparities diminished when adjusted for family financial factors.
• While some post-investigation services showed a reduction in neglect recurrence, most did not demonstrate a significant effect.

Conclusions:

• Child neglect recurrence is influenced by a complex interplay of individual, familial, and systemic factors.
• CPS agencies and states can leverage specific case characteristics to identify at-risk families and implement targeted services to reduce neglect recurrence.
• Further research into effective post-investigation interventions is warranted.