1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The first objective of this study was to examine if ID [intellectual disabilities] was associated with an elevated risk of being investigated or of having a substantiated allegation for four types of maltreatment, among children investigated for maltreatment. The second goal of this study was to identify the individual, environmental, and service-related factors distinguishing children with ID from those without ID among a recent representative sample of children with a substantiated child maltreatment allegation.» (p. 2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«The final sample in this study included 2053 children whose average age was 10.7 years […] and of whom 49.2% were girls. Among those children, 5.7% presented with an ID […].» (p. 3)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«This study indicates that population-based findings regarding maltreatment experiences of children with ID must not simply be extrapolated to CPS [child protection services]-based populations. Among children known and investigated by CPS, ID did not play a role in predicting investigation and substantiation for physical and sexual abuse, and in predicting substantiated neglect. The fact that ID predicts neglect investigations but not neglect substantiations suggests that chil- dren with ID may be more likely to be reported and investigated for situations that appear neglectful but are not upon further investigation. Alternatively, it may suggest that neglect may be more difficult to substantiate when children, such as children with ID, may lack some communication and social skills preventing disclosure by the child. It is worth noting that these limited skills may therefore not only be known risk factors for child maltreatment, but may also play a role in decision-making among CPS. These characteristics could also be at work in explaining why ID is associated with much lower odds of being investigated and substantiated for psychological maltreatment […]. That being said, the difference in odds between psychological maltreatment and neglect could be influenced by the fact that there can be more material evidence, in addition to children’s testimonies, to support neglect allegations than for psychological maltreatment.» (p. 4-5)