Vered Ben-David

The association between childhood maltreatment experiences and the onset of maltreatment perpetration in young adulthood controlling for proximal and distal risk factors

The evidence for association between child maltreatment victimization and later maltreatment perpetration is both scant and mixed. The objective of the present study was to assess the association between childhood maltreatment experiences and later perpetration of maltreatment in young adulthood controlling for proximal young adult functioning, prior youth risk behaviors, and childhood poverty. The study included 6,935 low-income children with (n=4,470) or without (n=2,465) maltreatment reports prior to age 18 followed from ages 1.5 through 11 years through early adulthood (ages 18-26). Administrative data from multiple regional and statewide agencies captured reports of maltreatment, family poverty and characteristics, system contact for health, behavioral risks and mental health in adolescence, and concurrent adult functioning (crime, mental health and poverty). After controlling for proximal adult functioning, repeated instances of neglect or mixed type maltreatment remained associated with young adult perpetration. Females and subjects with adolescent history of runaway, violent behaviors or non-violent delinquency also had higher risk. Greater caregiver education remained associated with reduced risk. The study concludes that prevention of recurrent neglect and mixed forms of maltreatment may reduce risk of maltreatment for future generations. Intervening to increase parental education and decrease adolescent risk behaviors may offer additional benefit.

Study of Termination of Parental Rights: An Analysis of Israeli Court Decisions in Favor or Against Termination of Parental Rights

A court decision to terminate parental rights and declare a child eligible for adoption (TPR) has far-reaching consequences. However, little is known about the legal decision-making process involved. This study aims to fill this gap and identify the main considerations taken into account by the courts in TPR cases. After analyzing the contents of 261 court decisions, the study found differences between decisions in favor or against TPR based on the characteristics of the child–parent relationship, the parents and the child. Predictors of TPR decisions were also identified. The study discusses the findings and their implications for social work and legal practices and suggests directions for future research.

Two-generation psychiatric intervention in the prevention of early childhood maltreatment recidivism

OBJECTIVE: This article describes experience and early outcomes of a two-generation approach to preventive psychiatric care in the common setting of foster care, in which young children in particular are at extreme high-risk for child maltreatment and its long-term consequences. Currently there exist few reimbursable mechanisms by which to implement what has been shown to offset risk for maltreatment recidivism among families in the child welfare system. This represents a missed opportunity for the prevention of psychopathology in childhood. METHODS: The manuscript briefly reviews the current literature on child maltreatment as a preventable cause of psychopathology, discusses current best practices for its prevention in the setting of foster care, and describes the experience and early outcomes of a two-generation clinical psychiatric service, the SYNCHRONY Project, developed at Washington University and based on the Tulane model described by Zeanah et al. (2001). RESULTS: In comparison to an historic cohort of 247 young children in foster care in St. Louis County whose cases were closed prior to the launch of the SYNCHRONY Project, we observed among program participants significant reductions in time in foster care, despite the fact that the referred cases were at substantially higher risk than an average historic case. Serial standardized observations of the children and families in the program revealed improved adaptive functioning of the children, improvement in parenting practices of the parents as a function of evidence-based parenting education (provided as a component of intervention), and extremely low rates of maltreatment recidivism. CONCLUSION: Two-generation psychiatric care, including evidence-based parenting education, can be successfully implemented among infants and young children at extreme high risk, was associated with steady improvement in adaptive and relational functioning of parent-child dyads, and represents a promising intervention for the prevention of child maltreatment recidivism in public health practice. Language: en

Understanding change among multi-problem families: Learnings from a formative program assessment

This paper describes the implementation of a long-term voluntary intervention to prevent chronic maltreatment among multi-problem families with histories of child welfare involvement. A small formative evaluation included a limited number of interviews with program participants during the first year of program implementation (n=10), a retrospective case file review (n=17) of closed cases following the first three years of implementation, and notes from ongoing meetings and discussion with program staff. Findings regarding client engagement, long-term interaction between risk and services, and program refinement are discussed. Despite the programs voluntary nature, positive comments from families, and extensive engagement strategies, only about 22% of families remained engaged for the full two-year program. Material hardship was one of the most persistent risk factors from baseline to termination. In many cases, unforeseen negative events occurred that, at least partly, derailed progress. In all cases, progress made was not reflective of a consistent linear process used in the design of most child welfare programs. Implications for program theory and design are discussed.

The Impact of Parental Incapacity as an Adoption Cause on the Termination of Parental Rights: An Analysis of Court Decisions

ABSTRACT Based on an analysis of 261 court decisions, the study demonstrates how the addition of a “parental incapacity” clause as grounds for termination of parental rights (TPR) in Israeli law affected the decision-making process. Specifically, the study examines how the legal reasoning, the rate of TPR rulings, and the type of cases presented to the courts changed following the introduction of the new clause. Less emphasis on parents’ rights was found as opposed to greater emphasis on parental social normativity and a higher rate of TPR rulings based on “parental incapacity.” These findings and their implications are discussed.

A Focus on Neglect: Comparing the Characteristics of Children and Parents in Cases of Neglect, Abuse, and Non-CAN (Child Abuse and Neglect) in Israeli Rulings on Termination of Parental Rights

ABSTRACT This study attempts to expand the knowledge base about neglect by comparing the characteristics of children and parents involved in termination of parental rights proceedings in the Israeli legal system. Cases were classified as neglect (72.7%), abuse (19%) or non-child abuse or neglect (non-CAN; 8%) and were compared on a range of variables. The results show that neglected children have the most developmental problems, and generally come from single-parent families, compared to abused children, who suffer the most mental health problems and come from 2-parent families. Finally, neglect is associated with the mother’s history of drug abuse, and abuse is associated with the father’s drug abuse and criminal record. In non-CAN cases, the courts criticize the Child Protective Service more than in neglect and abuse cases. Implications of the findings for social work practice as well as future research directions are discussed.