Cumulative Risk and Protection Models of Child Maltreatment

Abstract The often misused concepts of risk, vulnerability, protective factors, and resilience are clearly defined and existing models of child risk are presented. Research of risk and protective factors for child maltreatment is then discussed as it reflects on these models. A major conclusion is that child maltreatment exists within a complex context of cumulative risk and protection which needs to be considered in designing research of intervention programs. This article provides one of the clearest presentations and integrations in the literature of the conceptual bases and research findings relevant for considering child risk and resilience.