Neglect and adolescents: A multi-site longitudinal study

Principal Investigator

• Alan Litrownik (San Diego Subcontract)

Funding

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (10/2000 - 7/2005) through the University of North Carolina with subcontracts to the 5 LONGSCAN sites.
  • Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN)

Project Description

We propose to examine the impact of child neglect on adolescent mental health, delinquency, and substance abuse. We will study the impact of neglect on adolescents by utilizing an existing longitudinal sample of 1435 at-risk and maltreated children in the LONGSCAN consortium of studies supplemented with a new wave of data collected for up to 888 of the oldest subjects when they turn 14.

Longitudinal data from multiple sources, including child protective service report narratives, parents/caregivers, teachers, and child self-reports will be used.

The specific aims of the study

1. Examine alternative definitions of neglect and separate the characterization of the experience of neglect from official determinations of neglect.
2. Determine the social, behavioral and health consequences of childhood neglect on adolescents.
3. Study the nature of and impact of neglect experienced during adolescence.

We will employ diagnostic test methodologies, relative risk determinations with stratified analyses, and mixed mathematical models. Comparable data from two other national studies will be used. This study will provide new information about the relationships between neglect, parenting practices, supervision, and adolescent outcomes.

The rich data from this project will help inform the ongoing discussion of the role that neglect may play in adverse teen outcomes and promote the development of valid and reliable definitions and measures of neglect.