RISK ASSESSMENT IN CHILD-ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Risk assessment in child abuse prevention programs is a relatively new practice that has received little attention. This article explores tw o issues central to the use of risk assessment scales: (1) the validit y of staff assessments of various risk factors and (2) the relationshi p between these risk factors and the participant's potential for child abuse. Providers at 11 prevention programs were asked to complete thr ee risk assessment stales on all new participants while the participan ts 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 facto rs significantly related to physical child abuse potential, including financial difficulties, serial isolation, and low self-esteem. The imp lications for prevention programs are discussed.