Caring for Our Children: 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 Caring for Our Children, 2nd ed. Copyright 2002. National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care 1-800-598-KIDS(5437) info@nrckids.org