Risicofactoren bij Ouders, Psychosociale Problemen bij Peuters en het Risico op Kindermishandeling

Abstract

Introduction Toddlers are at a heightened risk of being maltreated and this maltreatment may fall under the radar of professionals and social services. The goal of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of psychosocial problems in toddlers in the relationship between parental risk factors and teacher-reported risk of child maltreatment. It was expected for this relationships to indeed be partly mediated by psychosocial problems. Method Several questionnaires were filled out by 123 preschool teacher and 236 parents of 236 toddlers and subsequently analyzed using several regression analyses. Results Results indicate that there is no direct relationship between parental risk factors and child maltreatment risk as indicated by preschool teachers. There is, however, a significant relationship between all forms of psychosocial problems and reported risk of neglect, but no relationship with other forms of child maltreatment. Finally, an indirect relationship between parental risk factors, conduct problems and risk of neglect was found. Conclusion These results are in conflict with previous findings, which might indicate that preschool teachers miss cases of maltreatment or it might point to sampling problems. Results indicate, however, that screening for psychosocial problems can help preschool teacher and other professionals recognize cases of child maltreatment.