The overrepresentation of First Nations children and families involved with child welfare: Findings from the Ontario incidence study of reported child abuse and neglect 2013.
Adolescent
Child
Child Abuse
/ ethnology
Child Welfare
/ statistics & numerical data
Child, Preschool
Cohort Studies
Decision Making
Female
Humans
Indians, North American
/ statistics & numerical data
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Mandatory Reporting
Ontario
/ epidemiology
Physical Abuse
/ ethnology
White People
/ ethnology
Disparities
First nations
Ontario
Overrepresentation
Racial discrimination
Journal
Child abuse & neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Titre abrégé: Child Abuse Negl
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7801702
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
04 2019
04 2019
Historique:
received:
10
10
2018
revised:
27
01
2019
accepted:
29
01
2019
pubmed:
12
2
2019
medline:
21
4
2020
entrez:
12
2
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
While there are national studies on the overrepresentation of First Nations children in the Canadian child protection system, there is a dearth of provincial/territorial studies. The objectives are to: 1) estimate the rate of overrepresentation of First Nations children and youth involved in child welfare investigations in the Ontario child welfare system and, 2) determine which factors drive the overrepresentation of First Nations children in child welfare at the investigation stage compared to White children. Child welfare workers completed a three-page data collection form at the conclusion of a child protection investigation. A secondary analysis of the Ontario Incidence Study 2013 was conducted. Incidence rates were calculated and bivariate analyses were conducted, comparing investigations involving First Nations children to investigations involving White children. First Nations children represent 2.5% of the child population; however, they represent 7.4% of child maltreatment related investigations in Ontario. The rate of investigations for First Nations children was approximately three times higher than the rate for White children. Overrepresentation was most pronounced for investigations of neglect and exposure to intimate partner violence. Rates of substantiation, ongoing child welfare services, child welfare court, and placement in care were higher for the First Nations child population. The findings provide a foundation for further research and analyses examining the compounding of disparities across the investigation process. Research is needed to disentangle factors that influence decision-making in the child welfare system and how these vary based on a child's race.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
While there are national studies on the overrepresentation of First Nations children in the Canadian child protection system, there is a dearth of provincial/territorial studies.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives are to: 1) estimate the rate of overrepresentation of First Nations children and youth involved in child welfare investigations in the Ontario child welfare system and, 2) determine which factors drive the overrepresentation of First Nations children in child welfare at the investigation stage compared to White children.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
Child welfare workers completed a three-page data collection form at the conclusion of a child protection investigation.
METHODS
A secondary analysis of the Ontario Incidence Study 2013 was conducted. Incidence rates were calculated and bivariate analyses were conducted, comparing investigations involving First Nations children to investigations involving White children.
RESULTS
First Nations children represent 2.5% of the child population; however, they represent 7.4% of child maltreatment related investigations in Ontario. The rate of investigations for First Nations children was approximately three times higher than the rate for White children. Overrepresentation was most pronounced for investigations of neglect and exposure to intimate partner violence. Rates of substantiation, ongoing child welfare services, child welfare court, and placement in care were higher for the First Nations child population.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings provide a foundation for further research and analyses examining the compounding of disparities across the investigation process. Research is needed to disentangle factors that influence decision-making in the child welfare system and how these vary based on a child's race.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30743022
pii: S0145-2134(19)30042-0
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.01.022
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
52-65Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.