Risk and Protective Factors

Risk Factors for Child Maltreatment

A combination of individual, relational, community, and societal factors contribute to the risk of child maltreatment. Although children are not responsible for the harm inflicted upon them, certain individual characteristics have been found to increase their risk of being maltreated. Risk factors are those characteristics associated with child maltreatment-they may or may not be direct causes.

Risk Factors for Victimization

Individual Risk Factors

• Children younger than 4 years are at greatest risk for severe injury or death
• Disabilities or mental retardation in children that may increase caregiver burden
  
  

Risk Factors for Perpetration

Individual Risk Factors

• Parents' lack of understanding of children's needs and child; development, and parenting skills
• Parents' history of child abuse in family of origin
• Substance abuse in the family
• Young, single non-biological parents
• Parental thoughts and emotions supporting maltreatment behaviors
• Parental stress and distress, including depression or other mental health conditions

Family Risk Factors

• Social isolation of families
• Poverty and other socioeconomic disadvantage such as unemployment or lack of education
• Family disorganization, dissolution, and violence, including intimate partner violence
• Poor parent-child relationships and negative interactions

Community Risk Factors

• Community violence
  

 

Protective Factors for Child Maltreatment

Protective factors buffer children from being abused or neglected. These factors exist at various levels. Protective factors have not been studied as extensively or rigorously as risk factors. However, identifying and understanding protective factors are equally as important as researching risk factors.

There is scientific evidence to support the following protective factor:

Family Protective Factors

• Supportive family environment

Several other potential protective factors have been identified. Research is ongoing to determine whether these factors do indeed buffer children from maltreatment.

Family Protective Factors

• Nurturing parenting skills
• Stable family relationships
• Household rules and child monitoring
• Parental employment
• Adequate housing
• Access to health care and social services
• Caring adults outside the family who can serve as role models or mentors

Community Protective Factors

• Communities that support parents and take responsibility for preventing abuse

(DHS 2003)

 

Additional Resources

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study

The ACE Study examines the links between adverse childhood experiences, including maltreatment, and adult health.

National Scientific Council on the Developing Child*

The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child is a multidisciplinary collaboration comprising leading scholars in neuroscience, early childhood development, pediatrics, and economics.

Literature Reviews

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (US), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACF). Child maltreatment 2006 [online]. Washington (DC): Government Printing Office; 2008. Available from: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm06/index.htm

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACF). Emerging practices in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Washington (DC): Government Printing Office; 2003. Available from: www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/programs/whatworks/report/report.pdf
[PDF 2 MB]

Runyan D, Wattam C, Ikeda R, Hassan F, Ramiro L. Child abuse and neglect by parents and caregivers. In: Krug E, Dahlberg LL, Mercy JA, Zwi AB, Lozano R, editors. World report on violence and health. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2002. p. 59-86. Available from: www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/global_campaign/en/chap3.pdf*
[PDF 176 KB]