Introduction: While the National Incidence Studies have repeatedly reported no racial differences in rates of maltreatment, certain minority groups (African-Americans) are overrepresented in child protective services (CPS) caseloads, while others are underrepresented (Asian Americans). It is widely believed that estimates based on CPS caseloads do not reflect actual rates of abuse or neglect in these groups. Rather these rates may reflect differential processes of CPS referral, investigation, and service allocation for minority groups. Method: The current study examined prevalence of maltreatment by race and subsequent CPS involvement using self-reports (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) of 1049 youth in a public system of care. The sample was comprised of 395 Caucasian-Americans, 235 African-Americans, 317 Hispanic-Americans, and 102 Asian-Americans recruited from one of five service sectors: Alcohol/Drug Services, Child Welfare (CPS), Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, and Special Education. Results: In preliminary analyses, racial differences in prevalence of maltreatment were not generally found. There were however, racial differences in service sector involvement, such that African American and Hispanic American youth were far more likely to be active to CPS, even after controlling for maltreatment experiences, income, age and gender. Furthermore, race interacted with maltreatment experience such that the logical positive association between maltreatment and CWS involvement held for all youth except African American youth who were just as likely to be involved with CWS irrespective of maltreatment history. Implications: Taken together, these findings provide compelling evidence that the overrepresentation of children of color in the CPS is not a result of higher incidence of maltreatment.
Learning Objectives: 1.Discuss literature on race/ethnicity and child maltreatment. 2.Describe the relationship between race/ethnicity, maltreatment and public service sectors of care.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Ethnicity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.