Substance Use and Child Maltreatment: Providing a Framework for Understanding the Relationship Using Current Evidence

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Document Type

Contribution to a Book

Publication Title

Child Maltreatment: Contemporary Issues in Research and Policy

Volume

14

DOI

10.1007/978-3-030-82479-2_12

First Page

259

Last Page

278

Abstract

Prevention efforts must be further developed to mitigate child maltreatment associated with substance-affected families prior to requiring child welfare interventions. Using a person-in-environment approach, this chapter explores multilevel mechanisms (i.e., environment, social context, and individual functioning) that contribute to parental substance misuse and the associated conditions that increase risk for child harm. Specifically, we review the empirical literature for differences observed across classes of psychoactive substances, findings as they relate to child abuse and neglect, and the mechanisms supporting those relationships. We share a conceptual framework based on the emerging understanding of the multilevel mechanisms that link substance use and parenting behaviors with examples of how this information can be used to inform future research, policy, and practice.

Department

Social Work

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