APPENDIX L: RISK FACTORS FOR ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT

Risk Factors for

Abuse and/or Neglect

1. Child Risk Factors

· Premature birth

· Colic

· Physical disabilities

· Developmental disabilities

· Chronic illness

· Emotional/behavioral difficulties

· Unwanted child

2. Abuser's Risk Factors

· Low self esteem

· Depression

· Poor impulse control

· Substance abuse

· Abused as a child

· Teenage parent

· Unrealistic expectations of child's behavior

· Negative view of themselves and children in care

· Punitive child-rearing style

3. Social/Situational Stresses

· Isolation

· Family/domestic violence

· Non-biologically-related male in the home

· Unemployment/financial problems

· Single parenthood

4. Triggering Situations

· Crying baby

· Child's misbehavior

· Discipline gone awry

· Argument, adult-adult conflict

· Overly zealous toilet learning/training