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Gnanamanickam ES, Segal L. Receipt of parenting, disability, unemployment, and other income support payments in persons aged 16 to 33 years - the associations with child maltreatment. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 154:106925. [PMID: 38996579 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child maltreatment (CM) is a major public health concern with life-long effects. Its impact on income support has rarely been studied. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between CM and receipt of income support payments and the budgetary impact for persons 16 to 33 years. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A South Australian birth cohort, born 1986 to 2004 (n = 339,411). METHODS We linked child protection (CP) administrative records with national welfare payment records, ending March 2020. Receipt of income support payments and mean payment amounts were described by CP contact (adjusted for child and family attributes). Budget impact was modelled at the national level. RESULTS Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for receipt of any income support payment was 3.01 (2.95-3.07) for individuals with any CP contact versus no CP contact. Among those receiving any payment, adjusted annualised mean benefit payment was $3754 (US$1446) among individuals with no CP contact, $6262 (US$4,307) in persons with any CP contact, and $9,747 in persons who'd been in OOHC. Cumulative payments modelled from age 16 to 33 years totalled $38,570 (US$26,652) for individuals with no CP contact, and $181,743 (US$125,003) for individuals who'd been in OOHC. Modelled for the Australian population to age 33, the extra cost associated with CP contact added 39 % to the government income support budget. CONCLUSION CM is strongly associated with receipt of income support payments. Investment in effective preventive and protective strategies for CP involved children could address this core social determinant of health, while providing budget savings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leonie Segal
- Health Economics and Social Policy Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Lanais K, Gnanamanickam E, Maclean M, Segal L. Investigating the impact of Out-of-Home Care on early childhood development. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 154:106856. [PMID: 38850748 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early childhood development is influential for life course capability. Children exposed to child maltreatment and at high risk of harm may be removed for their safety, but the effect on child development is uncertain. OBJECTIVES To assess developmental vulnerability at school commencement across five developmental domains to ascertain whether removal of children with substantiated maltreatment to foster/kinship care is likely protective, or not, of developmental vulnerabilities. METHODS The study drew on linked-data for a South Australian population birth cohort (2003 to 2014) N = 74,751. For children exposed to substantiated child maltreatment meeting study criteria (N = 2011, mean age = 5.7 years, 50.7 % boys), the effect of placement in foster/kinship care (N = 666) on developmental vulnerability was explored using generalized linear models, adjusted for child and family covariates, maltreatment severity and propensity score. RESULTS Children placed in care had a reduced risk of developmental vulnerability on the Physical Health and Wellbeing (aRR = 0.73 [0.64, 0.84]), Language and Cognitive Skills (school based) (aRR = 0.79 [0.68, 0.92]), and Communication Skills and General Knowledge (aRR = 0.81 [0.70, 0.94]) domains, compared to children who were not removed. However, these children had increased risk of vulnerability on Social Competence (aRR = 1.14 [1.01, 1.29]) and Emotional Maturity (aRR = 1.20 [1.05, 1.37]) domains. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest placement in out-of-home care supported physical health and wellbeing, communication and cognitive but not social and emotional early childhood development. These results highlighting the need for professional therapeutic support for children in care and better attending to the physical development, communication and cognitive skills in maltreated children remaining at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal Lanais
- Health Economics and Social Policy Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Emmanuel Gnanamanickam
- Health Economics and Social Policy Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Miriam Maclean
- Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Leonie Segal
- Health Economics and Social Policy Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Segal L, Dawe S, Nguyen H, Dennison S, Gnanamanickam ES, Bell M, Spittal M, Kinner S, Preen DB. Child protection system involvement in children of incarcerated mothers: A linked data study. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 139:106126. [PMID: 36889149 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women prisoners are a growing portion of the prison population. Health and social outcomes of their children have been studied and found to be poor, but little is known about child protection outcomes. OBJECTIVES Ascertain child protection system contact of children exposed to maternal incarceration. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING All children born between 1985 and 2011 exposed to the incarceration of their mothers in a Western Australian correctional facility and a matched comparison group. METHODS A matched cohort study using linked administrative data on 2637 mothers entering prison between 1985 and 2015 and their 6680 children. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of child protection service (CPS) contact post maternal incarceration (four concern levels), comparing rates for children exposed to maternal incarceration with a matched non-exposed group, adjusting for maternal and child factors. FINDINGS Exposure to maternal incarceration increased risk of CPS contact. Unadjusted HRs exposed vs unexposed children were 7.06 (95%CI = 6.49-7.69) for substantiated child maltreatment and 12.89 (95%CI = 11.42-14.55) for out-of-home care (OOHC). Unadjusted IRRs were 6.04 (95%CI = 5.57-6.55) for number of substantiations and 12.47 (95%CI = 10.65-14.59) for number of removals to OOHC. HRs and IRRs were only slightly attenuated in adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS Maternal incarceration is a warning flag for a child at high risk of serious child protection concerns. Family-friendly rehabilitative women's prisons, incorporating support for more nurturing mother-child relationships could provide a placed-based public health opportunity for disrupting distressing life trajectories and intergenerational pathways of disadvantage of these vulnerable children and their mothers. This population should be a priority for trauma-informed family support services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Segal
- Health Economcis and Social Policy Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | - Sharon Dawe
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Ha Nguyen
- Health Economcis and Social Policy Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Susan Dennison
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Emmanuel S Gnanamanickam
- Health Economcis and Social Policy Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Megan Bell
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Matthew Spittal
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Stuart Kinner
- Justice Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - David B Preen
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Francis JKR, Andresen JA, Guzman A, McLeigh JD, Kloster HM, Rosenthal SL. Research Participation of Minor Adolescents in Foster Care. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2021; 34:190-195. [PMID: 33333259 PMCID: PMC8005475 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE In this study we evaluated published studies about foster care to: (1) determine the types of data used; (2) describe the degree to which a sexual/reproductive health topic was addressed; and (3) describe the consent process. DESIGN Analysis of published literature. SETTING PubMed was searched using "foster care" for English articles published between January 1, 2017 and September 4, 2019. PARTICIPANTS None. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Articles were coded into 4 data source categories: primary, secondary, peripheral, or perspective data. Articles with a primary data source were coded for participant ages: only 9 years old and younger, 10- to 17-year-olds (minor adolescents), and only 18 years old and older. Articles using a secondary data source were coded for the source of the data registry. All articles were coded for presence of a sexual/reproductive health outcome. The primary data articles that included minor adolescents were coded for the study topic and consent process. RESULTS Of the 176 articles about foster care, 72/176 (41%) used primary data, 53/176 (30%) used secondary data, and 51/176 (29%) used peripheral/perspective data. Forty-eight of the primary data articles included minor adolescents. Secondary data sources included few national research surveys. Sexual/reproductive health outcomes were measured in 17 articles, 4 of which used primary data. The consent process for minor adolescents varied and had no consistent pattern across studies. CONCLUSION Research on best practices for consent processes and use of registries could be developed to increase research on sexual/reproductive health outcomes among adolescents in foster care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny K R Francis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Children's Health, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Jane A Andresen
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexis Guzman
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | - Heidi M Kloster
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Susan L Rosenthal
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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Chikwava F, Cordier R, Ferrante A, O’Donnell M, Speyer R, Parsons L. Research using population-based administration data integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings: A systematic review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249088. [PMID: 33760881 PMCID: PMC7990188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the past decade there has been a marked growth in the use of linked population administrative data for child protection research. This is the first systematic review of studies to report on research design and statistical methods used where population-based administrative data is integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings. METHODS The systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The electronic databases Medline (Ovid), PsycINFO, Embase, ERIC, and CINAHL were systematically searched in November 2019 to identify all the relevant studies. The protocol for this review was registered and published with Open Science Framework (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/96PX8). RESULTS The review identified 30 studies reporting on child maltreatment, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse and education. The quality of almost all studies was strong, however the studies rated poorly on the reporting of data linkage methods. The statistical analysis methods described failed to take into account mediating factors which may have an indirect effect on the outcomes of interest and there was lack of utilisation of multi-level analysis. CONCLUSION We recommend reporting of data linkage processes through following recommended and standardised data linkage processes, which can be achieved through greater co-ordination among data providers and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadzai Chikwava
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Reinie Cordier
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Ferrante
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Melissa O’Donnell
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Renée Speyer
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lauren Parsons
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Armfield JM, Gnanamanickam E, Nguyen HT, Doidge JC, Brown DS, Preen DB, Segal L. School Absenteeism Associated With Child Protection System Involvement, Maltreatment Type, and Time in Out-of-Home Care. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2020; 25:433-445. [PMID: 32166980 DOI: 10.1177/1077559520907682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Greater school absenteeism is associated with numerous negative educational outcomes. We used a retrospective cohort design with linked administrative data on 296,422 children to examine the relationship between school absenteeism and child protection system (CPS) involvement. Children with substantiated maltreatment had 4.1 times more unexplained and problem absences than children with no CPS involvement. In multivariate analyses, children with substantiated maltreatment had significantly greater "chronic" truancy (OR = 3.41) and less "acceptable" levels of absences (OR = 0.74) compared to children with no CPS involvement. Greater absenteeism was seen for children with substantiated neglect and who had their first CPS notification earlier in life. Being in out-of-home care for 3+ years was a protective factor for children who had a CPS notification before age 5. Additional adversities had a strong additive effect with CPS involvement on absenteeism and chronic truancy. This study demonstrates the potential scope for reducing problem absenteeism and helps inform the public debate regarding how the type and timing of CPS involvement might ameliorate or exacerbate harm for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Armfield
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, 1067University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Gnanamanickam
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, 1067University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ha T Nguyen
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, 1067University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - James C Doidge
- UCL Great Ormond Hospital Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom
- 14207Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Derek S Brown
- Brown School, Washington University at St Louis, MO, USA
| | - David B Preen
- School of Population and Global Health, 2720University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Leonie Segal
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, Cancer Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, 1067University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Maclean MJ, Taylor CL, O'Donnell M. Adolescent education outcomes and maltreatment: The role of pre-existing adversity, level of child protection involvement, and school attendance. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2020; 109:104721. [PMID: 32987322 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maltreated children are at high risk for low educational achievement, however few studies have accounted for confounding risk factors that commonly co-occur (including child, family and neighbourhood risk factors) and results have been mixed, particularly for adolescents. OBJECTIVES We aimed to 1) examine the relationship between maltreatment and low educational achievement among Year 9 students, taking into account child, family and neighbourhood risk factors; 2) assess subgroup differences in outcomes based on level of child protection involvement and maltreatment type; and 3) identify prevalence and risk factors for low educational achievement. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A population birth cohort of West Australian children (N = 33,866) who sat national reading achievement tests between 2008 and 2010 was used for the main analysis. METHODS Linked administrative data from Departments of Health, Communities (Child Protection and Family Support), Education, and the Disability Services Commission was used to conduct a series of logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Maltreatment was significantly associated with low Year 9 achievement, even after accounting for many child, family and neighbourhood risk factors (aOR 1.51, 95 % CI 1.35-1.69). Educational outcomes were consistently poor across subgroups in the child protection system, including those with different levels of child protection involvement and maltreatment types. Other notable risk factors for low achievement included intellectual disability, attendance, parents' level of education, Aboriginality, and being older (indicating possible grade retention). CONCLUSIONS Adolescents with a history of maltreatment are at risk for poor educational outcomes and need additional support. Multiple contributing risk factors suggest the need for whole-of-government solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam J Maclean
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
| | - Catherine L Taylor
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Melissa O'Donnell
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Huefner JC, Ainsworth F. Comparing the Effectiveness of Home-based and Group-Care Programs for Children and Young People: The Challenge and Path Forward. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/0886571x.2020.1746948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Ainsworth
- School of Social Work and Human Services, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
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Cordier R, Ferrante A. Engaging with big data: Occupational therapy needs to recognise the potential of using linked data to support evidence-based practice. Aust Occup Ther J 2019; 66:3-4. [PMID: 30714629 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reinie Cordier
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Anna Ferrante
- School of Public Health, Health Research and Data Analytics Hub, PHRN Centre for Data Linkage, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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