What Increases the Risk

Living in poverty or near poverty is a major risk factor for child maltreatment. People who live in poverty often do not have the resources to properly care for their children. Caregivers may have a high level of stress that makes it hard to deal with daily challenges. Also, some children have extreme physical or psychological needs, which can make parenting very stressful. Unemployment, single and inexperienced parents, mental illness in a caregiver, poor housing, and substance abuse are all risk factors.

Risk factors for parents and caregivers

• A history of poor impulse control, violence, domestic violence, or abusing children
• A history of substance abuse, which may include problems with alcohol
• Unrealistic expectations of a child and lack of knowledge about child development
• A high stress level that is not managed in healthy ways. Common sources of stress include being a single or teen parent or having several young children close in age.
• Isolation or lack of support. Parents who lack financial, emotional, and other types of support are more likely to abuse or neglect their children. A parent or caregiver who also lacks access to community social services may be left to deal with a variety of hardships all by herself or himself.
• A history of having been abused. Caregivers who themselves were abused as children, have low self-esteem, are depressed, or have other mental health problems are more likely to react to stress with violence.
• A history of mental health problems, such as depression

Risk factors for children

The risk of abuse and neglect increases when a child has a disability or other health issue, such as:

• Prematurity. Babies born early often add emotional and financial stress to a household by their need for longer and more expensive hospital care and general vulnerability that requires close monitoring after they are home. They may have persistent developmental problems.
• A physical disability, such as blindness or being confined to a wheelchair.
• Below-normal intelligence.
• Developmental delays.
• A difficult temperament.
• Behavioral problems, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

An insecure bond between a parent and child is also a risk factor for abuse and neglect. The failure to establish a close bond may be the result of:

• Parents not wanting the child.
• Birth of twins or other multiples.
• Long hospitalization of the newborn and separation from parents because of premature birth or health problems.
• Challenges related to fostering or adopting a child.
• Mental health problems in a caregiver. For example, a parent who is severely depressed may unintentionally neglect his or her child.
• A child with a major health problem or disability, such as blindness, deafness, or autism. These types of problems can make it hard for a parent to communicate or for the child to give and receive affection.