PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES OF CHILD OUT-OF-HOME LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AMONG AT-RISK PREGNANT-WOMEN

The purpose of this study was to identify the maternal psychosocial fa ctors associated with child out-of-home living arrangements among preg nant women living in poverty. One hundred and sixty women considered a t psychosocial risk for child maltreatment were interviewed according to a structured questionnaire when they presented for prenatal care at a large urban hospital-based clinic. Mothers whose children were curr ently living with substitute caregivers were compared with mothers who se children resided with them. The policy and practice implications of the findings are discussed.