Keeping the child in mind: child protection practice and parental mental health

Authors:
JEFFREYS Helen, ROGERS Nancy, HIRTE Craig
Publisher:
Government of South Australia. Department for Families and Communities
Publication year:
2011
Pagination:
57p., bibliog.
Place of publication:
Adelaide

The association between adult mental health disorders and child abuse and neglect has been well documented. This study sought to identify the numbers of substantiated child abuse and neglect cases in South Australia where parental mental health difficulties are identified as a significant risk factor. It also aimed to examine how child protection workers identify parental mental health disorders, what they classify as such, and how this impacts upon their decision-making. The study was undertaken in 3 stages: analysis of administrative data relating to cases of child abuse and neglect from a statutory child protection agency (Families SA, Department for Families and Communities); in-depth analysis of 30 randomly selected cases, through interviews with the Families SA caseworker; and focus groups with Families SA’s Psychological and Anti-Poverty Services. The results suggested that parental mental health difficulties are likely to be present in approximately half of all substantiated cases of abuse and neglect. Most parents presented with borderline personality disorder or low intensity depression. These parents typically did not have a formal clinical diagnosis and were not connected with adult mental health services. The impact of these mental health difficulties on their parenting skills, engagement with caseworkers, and decision making of the caseworkers is discussed.

Subject terms:
mental health problems, parenting, parents, personality disorders, child abuse, child protection, depression, parental mental health;
Content types:
research, government publication
Location(s):
Australia
Link:
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ISBN print:
978 1 921649 22 6

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