NCJ Number
227853
Journal
American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 1989 Pages: 43-62
Date Published
1989
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This survy of Federal human service providers in Arizona and New Mexico included questions about child abuse and neglect in Indian communities.
Abstract
The study found that the incidence of abuse/neglect factors among American-Indian children was consistent with that of the general population; however, differences of magnitude often emerged. Histories of abuse and neglect for Indian children were strongly related to severe levels of family chaos, increased psychiatric symptoms, greater frequency of running away, and expulsion from school, as well as greater involvement in drugs. Data were collected by using the key-informant method from 55 Federal service providers, who identified 1,155 children from birth to 21 years old for inclusion in the survey. Children were included if they were currently in mental health treatment, if they were in need of mental health treatment, or if they were known to have been abused or neglected. The data collection emphasized factors related to abuse and neglect, such as living arrangements, family disruption, psychiatric symptoms, substance abuse, and school adjustment. 13 tables and 21 references