Predictors of neglect within low-SES families: The importance of substance abuse.

Abstract

A case-control design (N = 203) was used to explore the relative ability of substance abuse, depression, social support, and negative life events to predict neglect status among low-socioeconomic-status families with and without substantiated neglect. Substance abuse emerged as the strongest predictor of neglect status as well as of parental disposition and adequacy of home environment.