NCJ Number
200156
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2003 Pages: 138-144
Editor(s)
Mark Chaffin
Date Published
May 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to determine the percentage of Medicaid-eligible, physically abused children and their caregivers receiving medical, legal, and mental health services and the relationship of receiving mental health services and changes in behavioral and emotional symptomatology.
Abstract
Previous research on health care use among children has typically focused on the general population. The lack of research on health service utilization among physically abused children has left a gap in understanding whether physically abused children receive various services and if those services are helpful in reducing the number of children’s symptoms. This study explored those economically disadvantaged children and families in an attempt to study a population at greater risk of negative mental health disorders. The study aimed to determine the percentage of Medicaid-eligible, physically abused children and their caregivers receiving medical, legal, and mental health services and assess the relationship between mental health service utilization and emotional and behavioral functioning. Participants included 37 Medicaid-eligible children who had substantiated cases of physical abuse and their caregivers and were recruited through the Department of Social Services (DSS) in 3 counties in South Carolina. Results indicated that fewer than half of the children were receiving mental health services and children were more likely to receive services if the maltreating caregiver was not in the home. More maltreating caregivers received mental health services than did their children. Caregivers were more likely to receive treatment if they acknowledged the abuse. Children who participated in treatment showed reductions in parent-reported problem behaviors. However, they showed increases in anxiety in comparison to children who did not participate in treatment. References