Physical Abuse in U.S. Children: Risk Factors and Deficiencies in Referrals to Support Services |
| |
Authors: | Suzanne R Dakil Matthew Cox Hua Lin Glenn Flores |
| |
Institution: | 1. Department of Pediatrics , Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital , Park Ridge , Illinois , USA Suzanne.Dakil@advocatehealth.com;3. Department of Pediatrics , University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center , Dallas , Texas , USA |
| |
Abstract: | More than 600,000 U.S. children are reported for physical abuse annually. Risk factors are proposed in the literature, but a comprehensive, national assessment of risk factors and support services has not been conducted. An analysis of national data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Dataset revealed that domestic violence, parental alcohol and drug use, prior child abuse and neglect, public assistance receipt, and child behavior problems are associated with higher odds of substantiated physical abuse reports, compared to unsubstantiated reports. Most families, however, failed to receive relevant support services for any of these risk factors. Screening by physicians, child protection workers, and others for these risk factors could help identify children at increased risk for physical abuse and inform prevention efforts and support-service provision. |
| |
Keywords: | child abuse primary health care risk factors |
|
|