The following research studies and resources identify parent, child, family, and environmental risk factors associated with the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, which are not necessarily different than the risk factors for child maltreatment. Recurrence of child maltreatment, however, deals with a different population—families that are already more at risk or vulnerable due to past incidences of maltreatment.
The Recurrence of Maltreatment in Child Welfare (PDF - 733 KB)
Lwin (2016)
Practice and Research Together
Offers a review of factors associated with an increased risk for the recurrence of maltreatment. The materials describe child, caregiver, and case factors that play a role in repeating child maltreatment investigations.
Reducing Maltreatment Recurrence Through Home Visitation: A Promising Intervention for Child Welfare Involved Families
Lee, Kirkland, Miranda-Julian, & Greene (2018)
Child Abuse & Neglect, 86
Investigates whether home visiting programs are effective at preventing child maltreatment recurrence. Results of the study showed that program participants were half as likely as nonparticipants to be confirmed for repeat abuse or neglect due to less parenting stress and improved life satisfaction.
Repeat Maltreatment in Alaska: Assessment and Exploration of Alternative Measures (PDF - 1,056 KB)
Vadapalli & Passini (2015)
Institute of Social and Economic Research
Examines the problem of repeat maltreatment in Alaska, which has one of the highest maltreatment recurrence rates in the country. The report explores demographics of repeatedly maltreated children, time periods between abuse, indicators of abuse, and more.
Risk Factors for Recurrent Injuries in Victims of Suspected Non-Accidental Trauma: A Retrospective Cohort Study (PDF - 763 KB)
Deans, Thackeray, Groner, Copper, & Minneci (2014)
BMC Pediatrics, 14
Identifies risk factors for repeated non-accidental injuries in children. Risk factors include rural residence; age of less than 30 months old; only one or two initially detected injuries; and a dislocation, open wound, or superficial injury in a previous event.
Risk Factors That Predict Longitudinal Patterns of Substantiated and Unsubstantiated Maltreatment Reports
Holbrook & Hudziak (2020)
Child Abuse and Neglect, 99
Explores substantiated and unsubstantiated reports of child maltreatment to identify patterns of recurrence over a 5-year period and identifies risk factors that may help predict recurrence.