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Predictors of permanent loss of custody for mothers of infants and toddlers in foster care
Author(s) -
Larrieu Julie A.,
Heller Sherryl S.,
Smyke Anna T.,
Zeanah Charles H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
infant mental health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1097-0355
pISSN - 0163-9641
DOI - 10.1002/imhj.20165
Subject(s) - conviction , intervention (counseling) , cumulative risk , psychology , foster care , child abuse , psychiatry , medicine , toddler , family history , developmental psychology , suicide prevention , poison control , environmental health , political science , law , radiology , nursing
The maltreating mothers of abused and neglected infants and toddlers were evaluated as part of an intensive intervention program. The purpose of this study was to examine cumulative risk versus specific risk factors that led to permanent loss of custody by mothers, predicated upon decisions by the Juvenile Court with regard to permanency planning. The following risk factors were analyzed as potential predictors of placement outcomes: maternal education, maternal history of abuse as a child, history of psychiatric difficulties, substance‐abuse history, conviction history (excluding child‐abuse charges), depressive symptomatology, degree of partner violence experienced, and cumulative number of risks the mother experienced. Results indicated that mothers who lost custody had significantly more risk factors than those who were reunified with their children. Cumulative risk was a stronger predictor than specific risk factors. Implications for intervention are discussed.