Developmental and Social-Emotional Screening in Child Welfare: Implications for Young Children in Rural Settings

Abstract

Studies of child maltreatment in rural areas are equivocal, with some showing higher rates and others showing no differences compared with other communities. The current study presents findings on developmental and social-emotional screenings among young child welfare-involved rural children (N = 1,321). Almost half of these children showed problems requiring further assessment. Children who spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and children in foster care demonstrated more developmental problems, while biracial children and children referred for parental substance abuse had more social-emotional concerns. This study adds to the scarce literature on the needs, challenges, and strengths of child welfare-involved families in rural communities.

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