Factors affecting foster care placement of children receiving child protective services

Abstract

Research on placement predictors can provide valuable information about factors that drive the decision making of child welfare professionals. This study focused on identifying predictors of placement in a sample of 1,035 physically abusive or neglectful families reported to the public child protection program of a large mid-Atlantic city. Five of nine predictors from three domains—family demographic characteristics, maltreatment characteristics, and maternal problems—had a unique effect on placement status. Analyses revealed interactions between maternal substance abuse problems and maternal developmental limitations and domestic violence and between developmental limitations and maternal mental health problems. Recommendations for future research are discussed.