1) Fantuzzo, J. W., Perlman, S. M. & Dobbins, E. K. (2011). Types and timing of child maltreatment and early school success: A population-based investigation. Children and Youth Services Review, 33 (8), 1404-1411.
2) Rouse, H. L., Fantuzzo, J.W. & LeBoeuf, W. (2011). Comprehensive challenges for the well-being of young children: a population based study of publicly monitored risks in a large urban centre. Child and Youth Care Forum, 40(4), 281-302.
The co-occurrence of child maltreatment with specific health, maternal, or social risks underlines the fact that young children who experience maltreatment often present with multiple risk experiences, which can compromise school achievement. This summary is a compilation of two studies; the first, article by Rouse, Fantuzzo and LeBoeuf (2011), examined the relationship between risk factors and academic and behavioural outcomes of 3rd grade children, and the second examined the relationship between child maltreatment type and timing, including children’s multiple-risk context on early academic success of 2nd grade children (Fantuzzo, Perlman, & Dobbins, 2011).
Both studies are based on population-based data that linked public health, human services, supportive housing, and education administrative data. Data were collected from 10,738 3rd grade students (Rouse, Fantuzzo & LeBoeuf, 2011) and from 11,835 2nd grade students (Fantuzzo, Perlman & Dobbins., 2011). The measures of risk in both studies included birth risk (low birth weight), inadequate prenatal care, teen mother (less than 20 years old), low maternal education (less than 12 years of schooling), high lead exposure (10 micrograms/deciliter or higher), experience of homelessness (registration in a public shelter) and child maltreatment.
Regarding the relation between risks factors and academic and behavioral outcomes of 3rd grade children (Rouse et al., 2011), academic and behavioral outcomes included non-proficiency in reading and mathematics, truancy, suspension and classroom conduct, indicated by a checklist of children’s behavioural adjustment and engagement. Analysis was conducted, with two sets of multilevel, multiple logistic regression models used for each outcome to determine the effects of the risk factors on academic and behavioural adjustment.
The highest prevalence of risk factors experienced by students were inadequate prenatal care, low maternal education and having a teen mother. High rates of co-occurrence were also found. Controlling for demographics and nesting of children in schools, low maternal education, high lead exposure, child maltreatment, inadequate care and birth related risk were amongst the highest risks for non-proficiency in reading. Children born to a teen mother and/or a mother with low education were most likely to demonstrate poor behavioural outcomes. Child maltreatment had the strongest relation with poor classroom conduct and second strongest relation with truancy. The cumulative effects of risk were also examined and for each additional risk factor, the risk of non-proficiency in reading and mathematics increased. Overall, maltreatment and homelessness were found to be uniquely related to both academic and behavioural outcomes, and to higher rates of every other risk factor in the study. Maternal education was the only risk factor found to be associated with every educational outcome in the study.
For the relation between child maltreatment type and timing on children’s multiple-risk context of early academic success among 2nd grade children (Fantuzzo et. al., 2011), academic achievement was measured with the TerraNova 2nd edition achievement test. Academic engagement was measured by Learning Behaviors Performance Assessment (LBPA) and social skills, stemming from Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA). Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association of child maltreatment characteristics on academic achievement and academic engagement outcomes, while controlling for demographics, and risks.
Co-occurrence of other risks with maltreatment was found to be higher among children of substantiated physical abuse and neglect. Lower levels of risk factors were found for children of unsubstantiated maltreatment, but higher than those without any maltreatment reports. Regarding academic achievement, substantiated child neglect and unsubstantiated reports were associated with poorer academic achievement outcomes than physical abuse. Also, pre-kindergarten neglect increased the risk of poor performance on standardized assessments of reading, language, and science compared to their peers. As for academic engagement, pre and post-kindergarten neglect were related to poor learning behaviours, poor social skills, poor attendance, and more suspensions than their peers. Finally, pre-kindergarten physical abuse was related to poor learning behaviours while post-kindergarten physical abuse was not significantly associated with any academic engagement outcomes.
The use of population-based data made it possible to understand the association between maltreatment type and academic achievement and engagement in a multiple risk context. Eventually, these administrative data can also be used to identify resiliency and to develop interventions in regard to academic outcomes. Finally, additional risk factors, as well as additional information about child welfare services provided to children can lead to distinguish services offered to children with substantiated allegations, versus services offered to children with unsubstantiated allegations when looking at their academic outcomes.
Future research should focus on including additional risk factors, as well as additional information of the kinds of child welfare services provided to children with histories of physical abuse and neglect. The present study did not include data from the behavioral health system. These systems routinely collect data on maternal depression and substance abuse. Given the high co-occurrence of these risks with child maltreatment, it would be important for future studies to include these risk factors. Additionally, given the risk associated with experiences of physical abuse and neglect, it would be important to develop an understanding of the constellation of services offered to children and families experiencing these risks; and the degree to which these services mediate the adverse effects of maltreatment experiences.