Distinguishing Maltreating Versus Nonmaltreating At-Risk Families: Implications for Foster Care and Early Childhood Education Interventions

This article describes a study that examined whether indicators of socioeconomic status and parenting stress could distinguish maltreating from nonmaltreating families.

Distinguishing Maltreating Versus Nonmaltreating At-Risk Families: Implications for Foster Care and Early Childhood Education Interventions

by Stephanie M. Curenton, Lenore M. McWey, and Melissa G. Bolen (April 2009)

Summary

This study used a discriminant function analysis to distinguish 92 maltreating versus nonmaltreating families on indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) and parenting stress. While families were similar in terms of SES, only maltreating families had clinical levels of parenting stress. The paper concludes with implications for family therapy and early childhood education interventions. This article appeared in Families in Society, Volume 90, Issue 2.

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