@article{ref1,
title="Domains of housing insecurity: associations with child maltreatment risk",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2022",
author="Marcal, Katherine E.",
volume="131",
number="",
pages="e105696-e105696",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Housing insecurity increases risk for child maltreatment, although links from specific domains of housing hardship to specific maltreatment types are not well understood. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: The present study tested relationships between three domains of housing - quality, stability, and affordability - with three types of child maltreatment - psychological abuse, physical abuse, and neglect - in a sample of mothers with children age 5-9. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data came from a large, longitudinal survey that recruited mothers in hospitals shortly after giving birth in 20 large American cities; five follow-up interviews occurred over 15 years. The analytic sample was limited to mothers who retained at least partial custody when children were aged 5 and 9 and participated in the In-Home sub-study (N = 1804). <br><br>METHODS: A measurement model fit using confirmatory factory analysis estimated six latent constructs, while a path analysis estimated links from each housing domain to each maltreatment type. <br><br>RESULTS: Housing affordability was associated with reduced psychological and physical abuse (β = -1.10, p < 0.05 and β = -0.66, p < 0.05 respectively), but not with neglect. Neither housing quality nor stability had any significant association with any maltreatment type. The only significant predictor of neglect was maternal depression. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Housing affordability in particular may protect against maltreatment, but other domains of housing insecurity appear to have little to no effect controlling for other household factors. <br><br>FINDINGS highlight the need for increased affordable housing supply, as well as mental health supports for families cost-burdened by meeting basic needs.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105696",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105696"
}