Risk assessment in child abuse prevention program

Risk assessment in child abuse prevention programs is a relatively new practice that has received little attention. This article explores two issues central to the use of risk assessment scales: (1) the validity of staff assessments of various risk factors and (2) the relationship between these risk factors and the participant's potential for child abuse. Providers at 11 prevention programs were asked to complete three risk assessment scales on all new participants while the participants completed the Child Abuse Potential Inventory. The results suggest that providers make consistent judgments across various risk measures and that these judgments correlate with participants' self-reports of potential for physical child abuse. The study found several risk factors significantly related to physical child abuse potential, including financial difficulties, social isolation, and low self-esteem. The implications for prevention programs are discussed.