(SDAR) A Developmental Perspective in Child Welfare: Caregiver Mental, Behavioral, and Physical Health as Determinants of Childrens Health Outcomes
Grantee: Colorado State University
Principal Investigator: Samantha M. Brown
Project Number: R40MC31758
Project Date: 07/01/2018
Age group(s)
- Women/Maternal
- Perinatal/Infancy (0-12 months)
- Toddlerhood (13-35 months)
- Early Childhood (3-5 years)
- Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
- Adolescence (12-18 years)
Targeted/Underserved Population
- African American
- Hispanic/Latino
- Low-income
- Native American/Alaskan Native
Abstract
The overall objective of this study is to understand developmental differences in the social determinants of children's health to inform developmental health screening and alignment of health services that meet the unique needs of children and families in high-risk environments. Child welfare-involved children are a particularly vulnerable population with disproportionately high rates of socio-emotional, mental, and physical health need. This study aims to identify risk profiles of their caregivers and the protective role of children's social support and receipt of health care services in affecting the health outcomes of children investigated for maltreatment. This study will use data from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Wellbeing (NSCAW II), a national, longitudinal study of 5,872 children, aged birth to 17.5 years, and their caregivers in contact with child welfare services. Children are 51% male and 49% female and 28% Hispanic or Latino, 35% African American, and 51% White non-Hispanic or Latino. We will use baseline (wave 1) and longitudinal data (waves 2 and 3) from caregivers and caseworkers collected between 2008 and 2012; we will use the full sample to increase generalizability and conduct sub-analyses when sample size allows. Specifically, this study will use latent class analysis to identify common profiles of caregiver's mental (depression), behavioral (alcohol and drug abuse), and physical (quality of physical health) health risk. These profiles will then be tested in relation to children's health outcomes. This includes prosocial skills development; internalizing and externalizing problems; and obesity, diabetes, asthma, serious illness or injury, sleep health, and dental hygiene. We will conduct longitudinal analyses across three waves of data to gain a more nuanced understanding of the factors affecting disparities in children's health across developmental stages. Using moderation analysis, this study further tests the protective role of children's social support and receipt of health care services in the relation between caregiver risk profiles and children's health outcomes. Our objectives of 1) identifying caregiver risk profiles, 2) linking caregiver risk profiles to children's health across developmental stages, and 3) testing the protective role of children's social support and receipt of health care services in affecting children's health will result in the creation of a developmental health screening tool to better align health services, training materials for child welfare and health care service professionals, and three manuscripts. This study aligns with MCHB's mission to achieve health equality among disadvantaged populations and specifically addresses Strategic Research Issues II and IV by identifying risk and protective factors that may help to eliminate health disparities and promote healthy development among child welfare-involved children and families.<< Previous Next >>