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All of the causes of child abuse are not
known, but a significant amount of research points to a number
of factors that put children at risk for abuse. Generally,
risk factors can be divided into 4 categories: the child,
the family, the community and the society. It is important
to understand that the child is not responsible for the abuse,
however there are some child characteristics that put the
child at greater risk for maltreatment. It is important to
note that this is not an all-inclusive or exhaustive list
and these factors do not imply causality and should not be
interpreted as such (CDC, 2007; CDC, 2007a; CWIG, 2006; PCA-NY,
2003):
Child Risk Factors
- Premature birth
- Birth anomalies
- Low birth weight
- Exposure to toxins in utero
- Temperament: difficult or slow to warm up
- Physical/cognitive/emotional disability, chronic or serious
illness
- Childhood trauma
- Anti-social peer group
- Age
- Child aggression, behavior problems, attention deficits
Parental/Family Risk Factors
- Poverty
- Parental substance abuse
- Parental impulsivity
- Parental low self-esteem
- A lack of social support for the family.
- Parental immaturity
- Parents' unrealistic expectations
- Unmet emotional needs
- The stress of caring for children
- Economic crisis
- Domestic/intimate partner violence
- Lack of parenting knowledge/skills
- Lack of communication skills
- Inaccurate knowledge and expectations about child development
- Difficulty in managing relationships
- Depression, anxiety or other mental health problems
- Personality factors
- External locus of control
- Low tolerance for frustration
- Feelings of insecurity
- Lack of trust
- Insecure attachment with own parents
- Childhood history of abuse
- Family structure - single parent with lack of support,
high number of children in household
- Social isolation, lack of support
- Separation/divorce, especially high conflict divorce
- High general stress level
- Poor parent-child interaction, negative attitudes and
attributions about child's behavior
Community Risk Factors
- Low socioeconomic status
- Stressful life events
- Social isolation/lack of social support
- Dangerous/violent neighborhood
- Community violence
- Poverty
- Lack of access to medical care, health insurance, adequate
child care, and social services
Societal Risk Factors
- Homelessness
- Exposure to racism/discrimination
- Poor schools
- Exposure to environmental toxins
- Narrow legal definitions of child maltreatment
- Social acceptance of violence (as evidenced by music
lyrics, television, film and video games)
- Political and religious views that value noninterference
in families
Ken Hammond, USDA
Continue to Protective
Factors for Child Abuse and Neglect/Maltreatment
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