https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Sullivan2022

Sullivan, K. S., Richardson, S., Ross, A., Cederbaum, J. A., Pflieger, J., Abramovitz, L., Bukowinski, A., & Stander, V. (2023). Pre- and perinatal risk factors for child maltreatment in military families across the first two years of life. Child Maltreatment, 28(2), 209-220. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595221088198

Using a sample of 9,076 Service members who were also parents, this study explored whether an array of hypothesized risk and protective factors prior to or at birth were associated with parents’ odds of substantiated or suspected cases of child maltreatment in the first 2 years of life. Specifically, birth-related factors (e.g., preterm birth), military-specific factors (e.g., branch of service), Service member health factors (i.e., physical and mental health), and demographics (e.g., Service members’ age) were examined. Overall, preterm birth increased the odds of child maltreatment, whereas Service members’ being in the Navy or Air Force, better physical health, and older age decreased the odds of child maltreatment.

https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595221088198

Parents
Children
Child maltreatment
Mental health
Physical health
Substance use
Trauma

Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Air Force
Multiple branches

Active Duty
Guard
Reserve

Active duty service member
Military families

Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)

Quantitative Study

Sullivan, Kathrine S., Richardson, Sabrina, Ross, Abigail, Cederbaum, Julie A., Pflieger, Jacqueline, Abramovitz, Lisa, Bukowinski, Anna, Stander, Valerie

Military families are exposed to a unique constellation of risk factors, which may impact maltreatment outcomes. The present study examined prospective relationships between demographic, health, birth-related, and military-specific risk factors identified prior to a child’s birth on their risk for maltreatment in the first two years of life. Data from the Millennium Cohort Study, Department of Defense (DoD) operational records and Family Advocacy Program data on met-criteria maltreatment, and Birth and Infant Health Research program data on suspected maltreatment were linked for 9076 service member parents. Discrete time survival analysis showed that preterm birth increased risk of maltreatment while parents’ older age, physical health, and service in the Navy or Air Force decreased risk. Building on DoD’s New Parent Support Program, findings suggest the need for universal and targeted prevention efforts, beginning during pregnancy, which limit or eliminate risk factors for maltreatment in military families.

Sage Journals

Article
REACH Publication

Silver School of Social Work, New York University, KSS
Leidos, Inc., SRT
Leidos, Inc., JP
Leidos, Inc., LA
Leidos, Inc., AB
Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, SR
Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, JP
Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, LA
Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, AB
Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, VS
Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, AR
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, JAC