Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Risk factors for child abuse: methodologic standards in case-control studies

J M Leventhal

    Pediatrics
    |November 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary

    Child abuse research has methodological flaws. Rigorous study design is crucial, as prematurity is not a risk factor, but young maternal age may be.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    A decline in substantiated cases of child sexual abuse in the United States: good news or false hope?

    Child abuse & neglect·2001
    Same author

    Factors linked to bacterial vaginosis in nonpregnant women.

    American journal of public health·2001
    Same author

    The prevention of child abuse and neglect: successfully out of the blocks.

    Child abuse & neglect·2001
    Same author

    Referrals to a hospital-based child abuse committee: a comparison of the 1960s and 1990s.

    Child abuse & neglect·2001
    Same author

    The timing and predictors of the early termination of breastfeeding.

    Pediatrics·2001
    Same author

    Laxative-induced dermatitis of the buttocks incorrectly suspected to Be abusive burns.

    Pediatrics·2001

    Area of Science:

    • Child abuse research
    • Epidemiology
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Case-control studies on child abuse risk factors may be biased.
    • Methodological rigor is essential for valid findings.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To assess the methodological quality of 22 case-control studies on child abuse risk factors.
    • To identify specific methodological flaws impacting study validity.

    Main Methods:

    • Reviewed 22 case-control studies on child abuse risk factors (prematurity/low birth weight, young maternal age).
    • Evaluated studies against seven methodological standards to minimize bias.
    • Analyzed the impact of specific standards on study results.

    Main Results:

    • No study met all seven methodological standards.
    • Inadequate control groups and failure to adjust for confounders were common issues.
    • Lack of avoidance of detection bias significantly affected results in some studies.

    Conclusions:

    • Child abuse case-control studies often have significant methodological flaws.
    • Prematurity/low birth weight is unlikely a risk factor; young maternal age may be.
    • Adherence to methodological standards is critical for future child abuse research.

    Related Experiment Videos