Translational Research on Child Neglect: Progress and Future Needs

Child neglect is a serious public health concern in the United States and across the world and represents the most common form of maltreatment, with high rates of recidivism and many negative consequences. This special issue presents articles describing research that was funded largely, or in part, by Federal agencies who participated in the creation of the Federal Child Neglect Research Consortium. With this as a reference, the author believes it is worthwhile to begin with a brief history of the Federal Consortium and to describe the process that led to the creation of the Translational Research on Child Neglect Consortium (TRCNC) to place this work in a historical perspective. In the second part of this introduction, the author comments briefly on the five articles included here, pointing out the variety of approaches and designs used to study aspects of the functioning of neglected children and adults. Finally, the author takes this opportunity to call attention to some of the controversies in the field and offer suggestions for future research. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.