Citation

Mullins SM, Bard DE, Ondersma SJ. Child Maltreat. 2005; 10(1): 72-81.

Affiliation

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077559504272101

PMID

15611328

Abstract

It is unclear whether intensive services for women using drugs during pregnancy can reduce child maltreatment. Within-subjects, dose-response analyses can be conducted using Child Protective Services (CPS) reports. Dose of services received can indicate either engagement or higher need for services. Using data from an intensive intervention program for mothers of drug-exposed infants, the authors examined associations between CPS reports and (a) dose of services received and (b) a termination status variable combining dose of services received with duration of service involvement and progress on treatment plan goals. Cox regression revealed no association between dose of services and follow-up CPS reports. The termination status variable was strongly related to follow-up CPS reports, such that higher ratings were associated with significantly lower risk of re-report, even after controlling for baseline motivation. Findings suggest that program effects may be detectable using a treatment process-- based index that combines dose, duration, and quality of program involvement.

Language: en