Beard, Imani
(2022)
Interpersonal Relationships, Access to CPS Resources, and Physical and Mental Health Outcomes: Implications for Child Maltreatment Intervention.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Background
Child Maltreatment is a severely underreported public health concern that impacts at least 4 million child a year, disproportionally impacts marginalized communities and those with specific risk factors and can cause lifetime repercussions for the involved families. Due to the highly sensitive and consequential nature of child maltreatment, research is continually being performed to ensure that interventions in place are sustainable, highly effective, and based on what may be more impactful for those who need it most. In addition, research continues to be performed to gain a better understanding of the pathway between early life experiences and later health outcomes.
Methods
Using the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) General Release Data, this project analyzed associations between maltreatment experience and later health outcomes relating to physical health and depression. This project targeted children aged 8 – 17 that had recent contact with the child welfare system and only Wave 1 data was reviewed. This project looked at how close interpersonal relationships with caregivers and peers and support from caseworkers could moderate the appearance and severity of negative health outcomes which has been shown in the literature to be closely related to maltreatment.
Results
Peer and Caregiver relationships had a positive association with the child’s depression scores meaning that as they reported improved relationships or decreased loneliness, these were associated with lower depression scores for the children. Even when accounting for the age between adolescents and teens, peer relationships continued to show a positive association with a child’s depression scores. Exposure to violence as both a witness or victim more than one time was positively associated with depression scores of the children as well.
Conclusion
The importance of social support for children and their families cannot be understated, and needs to include individual's outside of familial relationships, such as a child’s peers. The cumulative effects of multiple traumatic events for children must also be acknowledged to gain a better understanding of how interpersonal and community support can serve as a potential protective factor for these children during important developmental periods in their life.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
23 May 2022 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
25 April 2022 |
| Approval Date: |
23 May 2022 |
| Submission Date: |
20 May 2022 |
| Access Restriction: |
1 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 1 year. |
| Number of Pages: |
88 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Public Health Genetics |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
child maltreatment, child protective services, NDACAN, CPS, social support |
| Date Deposited: |
23 May 2022 14:16 |
| Last Modified: |
23 May 2023 05:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/43023 |
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