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Correlates of Substantiated Emotional Maltreatment in the Second Canadian Incidence Study

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the correlates of substantiated psychological maltreatment (PMT) in Canada on functions of maltreatment characteristics, child profile, household profile, and child protection services interventions. This study is based on a secondary analysis of data collected in the second Canadian Incidence Study. PMT investigations were categorized into six groups: emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and other maltreatment as single form, and these same three groups when they co-occurred with another form of maltreatment. Six logistic regressions, comparing all pairs of groups, were carried out. Cases of PMT (single form) were more chronic and associated with greater adverse emotional impact than other forms of maltreatment. Mothers of psychologically maltreated children had more mental health issues. Emotional neglect cases were more complex (e.g., substance abuse, mental health, and social housing). The three co-occurrent groups present more negative factors but more risk factors are observed when PMT are also observed (e.g., emotional harm, alcohol abuse, housing problems, chronicity, and referral to other services).

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Notes

  1. A copy of the CIS-2003 data collection form can be found at http://www.cwrp.ca1cis-2008 in Appendix F.

  2. Allegations on already open cases could not be feasibly tracked because in most jurisdictions there is no systematic method for identifying allegations on already open cases, short of completing a file review of every open case. However, it should be noted that many cases had been open previously and that the history of previous openings is documented in the CIS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Montréal, Downtown Station, P.O. Box 6128, Montreal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada

    Claire Chamberland

  2. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Barbara Fallon & Tara Black

  3. School of Social Work, McGill University, Québec, Canada

    Nico Trocmé & Martin Chabot

Authors
  1. Claire Chamberland
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  2. Barbara Fallon
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  3. Tara Black
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  4. Nico Trocmé
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  5. Martin Chabot
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claire Chamberland.

Additional information

This research was supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Secondary analysis of Emotional Maltreatment has been supported by the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare and Canada’s Research Chair on Child Victimization.

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Chamberland, C., Fallon, B., Black, T. et al. Correlates of Substantiated Emotional Maltreatment in the Second Canadian Incidence Study. J Fam Viol 27, 201–213 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9414-8

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