Substantiation of child maltreatment among parents with disabilities in the United States

ABSTRACT

This article describes the first United States-based national study to compare the rates of substantiation of maltreatment among cases reported to child protective services involving caregivers with and without disabilities. Using data from the 2014 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System dataset, parents with emotional disturbances, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, medical conditions and multiple disabilities were all found to have higher odds of substantiation of child maltreatment after being reported to child protection in comparison to parents without disabilities after controlling for demographic and risk factors. Inadequate housing, financial instability and receipt of public assistance were also associated with higher rates of substantiation.

KEYWORDS:

• Disability
• parents
• child protection
• child welfare
• disparities
• disproportionality

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station [55-055].

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Lightfoot

Elizabeth Lightfoot, PhD, is a Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. Her research centers on social welfare policy and practice related to people with disabilities of all ages.

Mingyang Zheng

Mingyang Zheng, MSW, is a doctoral candidate in the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. His current research interests include long-term services and supports for people with disabilities, mental health among older adults, and program evaluation and assessment.

Sharyn DeZelar

Sharyn DeZelar, PhD, MSW, LICSW, is an assistant professor in the Master of Social Work program at St. Catherine University. Her research interests include exploring the intersection of disability and child welfare, disparities in and access to community participation for persons with disabilities, and supports for families impacted by disability.