Assessment of the Recidivism Rates of Substantiated and Unsubstantiated Maltreatment Cases

• NCJ Number: 205228
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 25 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2001 Pages: 1207-1218
• Author(s): Kevin M. Thompson; Stephen A. Wonderlich; Ross D. Crosby; Forrest F. Ammerman; James E. Mitchell; David Brownfield
• Editor(s): Richard D. Krugman
• Date Published: September 2001
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In understanding and explaining the role of maltreatment in contributing to adverse child outcomes, this study examined whether the recidivism rates of juveniles whose cases of maltreatment were unsubstantiated differed significantly from those whose cases were substantiated and whether subsequent referral histories of substantiated and unsubstantiated maltreatment cases differed from those of juvenile offenders.

Abstract

A 1996 study showed that nationwide between 60 and 65 percent of all maltreatment reports are closed because of the initial finding that the case is unsubstantiated. In these cases, unsubstantiated refers to cases that are dismissed after an investigation by a qualified social service investigator finds insufficient evidence upon which to proceed or upon which no risk factors of abuse or neglect can be identified. This study explored whether the status of a maltreatment case (substantiated versus unsubstantiated) has implications for recidivism. It also compared recidivism rates for substantiated and unsubstantiated maltreated juveniles to juvenile offenders. The study used a historical, prospective research design drawing from 3 years of juvenile court records to assemble recidivism information on youth referred to the court for maltreatment investigations and/or services. The data utilized for the study were gathered as part of an overall juvenile court disposition assessment project in North Dakota. Findings from the study indicate that youth whose maltreatment reports were unsubstantiated were significantly less likely to recidivate than maltreated youth. The unsubstantiated maltreatment group exhibited a briefer court history than abused or neglected youth. When the two maltreatment groups were compared to a group of juvenile offenders, it was found that being initially referred to the court on offending charges increased the odds of recidivating relative to being referred for maltreatment. The overall findings suggest that it is premature to begin including unsubstantiated cases in sampling frames involving maltreated children. Study limitations are presented and discussed. References