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Risk predictors for re-abuse or re-neglect in a predominantly Hispanic population
1Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, USA.
Objective:
To determine whether risk indicators of re-abuse/re-neglect, identified in earlier research by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD), would be predictive in a predominantly Hispanic population.
Method:
Data for 409 substantiated abuse/neglect cases, 67% involving Hispanic caretakers, were gathered from the files of the EI Paso Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Potential indicators of re-abuse were recorded from the time of substantiation, and follow-up data were collected to determine whether re-abuse or re-neglect occurred during the 2 years following the index substantiation.
Results:
Of 19 NCCD indicators, seven (37%) correctly predicted both allegations and substantiations of re-abuse/re-neglect during 2-year follow-up. An additional five items (26%) predicted subsequent allegations but not substantiations. Four items (21%) appeared clearly invalid. The remaining three items (16%) were questionable. When item scores were summed, total risk scores significantly predicted re-abuse/re-neglect.
Conclusions:
The findings indicate that a substantial number of NCCD risk indicators can validly predict re-abuse/re-neglect in predominantly Hispanic populations in the United States.