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Characteristics Differentiating Neglected Children from Other Reported Children

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Abstract

The aims of this study were twofold: first, to identify the characteristics that distinguish neglected children from other children reported to youth protection services; and second, to assess the relative importance of each of these characteristics in the differentiation of such children. Researchers analyzed data from the Quebec Incidence Study (QIS), which documented all reports retained for in-depth assessment out of 4,774 reports filed with youth protection services over a 3-month period. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses examined variables on different levels to establish which of the factors linked to the phenomenon of neglect were most significant. Results indicate that neglected children tend to be younger than other reported children, and have a greater frequency of prior referrals and a greater number of learning and development problems; their parents have a greater tendency to have personal, economic, and social problems and childhood histories of maltreatment.

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Notes

  1. The issue of neglect comprises nine categories involving physical, medical, educational, supervisory, and emotional neglect. Cases of supervisory neglect are distinguished according to whether physical, sexual or social harm has occurred. There is also a category for failure to obtain medical treatment. Finally, a category exists for cases in which the youth protection worker did not specify the type of neglect.

  2. For a detailed presentation of the definitions of the various forms of maltreatment, see Tourigny et al. 2003.

  3. OR = odds ratio

  4. It should be noted that in cases in which children came from families with two parents displaying different social characteristics, the most desirable characteristics were retained. Thus, it would only be apparent that the parents had not completed high school if this were true for both parents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de recherche pour le développement social des jeunes, 1001 de Maisonneuve East, 7th floor, Montreal, Quebec, H2L 4R5, Canada

    Micheline Mayer & Chantal Lavergne

  2. Department of Sociology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada

    Micheline Mayer

  3. School of Social Service, University of Montréal, Montreal, Canada

    Chantal Lavergne

  4. Department of Psychoeducation, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada

    Marc Tourigny

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Montréal, Montreal, Canada

    John Wright

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  1. Micheline Mayer
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  2. Chantal Lavergne
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  3. Marc Tourigny
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  4. John Wright
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Correspondence to Chantal Lavergne.

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Mayer, M., Lavergne, C., Tourigny, M. et al. Characteristics Differentiating Neglected Children from Other Reported Children. J Fam Viol 22, 721–732 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-007-9120-0

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