Research
Maltreatment Risk in Mothers

Investigator: Theressa Jacobsen, Ph.D.

The central aim of this study is to investigate factors that predict whether a mother with a severe mental disorder is at high risk for child maltreatment. Despite the growing awareness of the problems involved in determining whether a parent with chronic mental illness is at risk for child maltreatment, there are no systematic studies on the determinants of maltreatment risk in this population. Data from a sample of 100 women with severe mental disorders will be used to construct a case control study to examine factors that distinguish women who are at high vs. low risk for child maltreatment. The study will specifically compare two groups of women: (1) a High Risk Group of mothers with a major mental disorder who have maltreated their children in the past; and (2) a Low Risk Group of mothers with a major mental disorder who have never lost custody of their children and where there is no evidence for child maltreatment. The two groups are matched in terms of severity of mental illness. Five domains of determinants of maltreatment risk will be studied: (1) maternal attitudes about childrearing and children; (2) maternal behavior; (3) intergenerational influences; (4) social support; (5) maternal illness and treatment factors. The study will provide information that can be used to guide assessments and to develop more effective treatments for these vulnerable parents and their children.