A spatial analysis of social disorganization, alcohol access, and rates of child maltreatment in neighborhoods

Abstract

Parental substance abuse is a major contributing factor to increasing child welfare caseloads. Previous research on the role of substance abuse in child maltreatment has focused almost exclusively on the efficacy of substance abuse treatment programs for parents in reducing the reoccurrence of child abuse. Little attention has been given to the role of neighborhood characteristics or alcohol access on rates of child maltreatment. This study examines the relationship between alcohol access and neighborhood rates of child maltreatment. Using substantiated reports of child maltreatment for 940 census tracts in three counties in California, this study examines the role of neighborhood social disorganization and alcohol access on child abuse and neglect. Spatial regression models show that neighborhoods with higher percentages of poverty, female-headed households, Hispanic residents, population loss, and greater densities of bars have higher rates of child maltreatment. Neighborhoods provide an ideal mechanism for developing preventive interventions of child abuse and neglect because individual families or parents are not targeted for services. Instead, neighborhood characteristics that contribute to potentially harmful living situations for children can be identified and altered. These results suggest that efforts to prevent child maltreatment should focus on neighborhood disadvantage and alcohol outlet densities.