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Children of Probationers in the Child Welfare System and Their Families

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Abstract

This study describes changes over a 36-month period in the lives of children of probationers who were subjects of reports of maltreatment. Data on a nationally representative sample of reported victims of maltreatment were used to examine probationer-parents’ contact with the criminal justice system, and concurrent changes in their children’s households, risk exposure, and emotional and behavioral problems. Results show that 36 months after coming in contact with the child welfare system, about 40% of probationer’s children no longer lived with their probationer-parents. During the same period, children’s exposure to risk (i.e., parental substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence) dropped markedly; however, there was an upward trend in the prevalence of child emotional and behavioral problems. These problems ultimately declined among very young children, but persisted among elementary school age children. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the confluence of factors affecting the outcomes of probationers’ children.

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Acknowledgment

NSCAW was conducted under contract by the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ACYF/DHHS). This particular study was supported by DHHS grant 90PH000401. The authors are solely responsible for the information and opinions expressed in this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1040 W. Harrison, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA

    Susan D. Phillips & Sonya J. Leathers

  2. Developmental Epidemiology, Duke University College of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Alaattin Erkanli

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  1. Susan D. Phillips
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  2. Sonya J. Leathers
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  3. Alaattin Erkanli
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Correspondence to Susan D. Phillips.

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Phillips, S.D., Leathers, S.J. & Erkanli, A. Children of Probationers in the Child Welfare System and Their Families. J Child Fam Stud 18, 183–191 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-008-9218-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-008-9218-x

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