RT Article
T1 Child welfare system involvement among children with medical complexity
JF Child maltreatment
VO 27
IS 2
SP 257
OP 266
A1 Azzopardi, Corry
A2 Cohen, Eyal
A2 Pépin, Karine
A2 Netten, Kathy
A2 Birken, Catherine
A2 Madigan, Sheri
LA English
YR 2022
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1845515404
AB Children with medical complexity may be at elevated risk of experiencing child maltreatment and child welfare system involvement, though empirical data are limited. This study examined the extent of child welfare system involvement among children with medical complexity and investigated associated health and social factors. A retrospective chart review of children with medical complexity (N = 208) followed at a pediatric hospital-based complex care program in Canada was conducted. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios using logistic regression were computed. Results showed that nearly one-quarter (23.6%) had documented contact with the child welfare system, most commonly for neglect; of those, more than one-third (38.8%) were placed in care. Caregiver reported history of mental health problems (aOR = 3.19, 95%CI = 1.55-6.56), chronic medical conditions (aOR = 2.86, 95%CI = 1.09-7.47), and interpersonal violence or trauma (aOR = 17.58, 95%CI = 5.43-56.98) were associated with increased likelihood of child welfare system involvement, while caregiver married/common-law relationship status (aOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.16-0.74) and higher number of medical technology supports (aOR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.57-0.99) were associated with decreased likelihood. Implications for intervention and prevention of maltreatment in children with high healthcare needs are discussed.
K1 child maltreatment; child welfare
K1 Child Protection
K1 children with medical complexity
K1 maltreatment risk
K1 pediatric health
DO 10.1177/10775595211029713