Do laypersons conflate poverty and neglect

Bibliographic Data

ID21454939
AuthorsKelli L Dickerson (0000-0002-1710-7651, University of California, Irvine), Jennifer Lavoie (0000-0002-2247-7905, University of Edinburgh), Jodi A Quas (0000-0002-3789-3733, University of California, Irvine)
Year2020
Volume44
Issue4
Pages311-326
Publication date2020-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLaw and Human Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0147-7307 • E-ISSN: 1573-661X
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/lhb0000415
PMID32673001
OpenAlexW3042665575
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited27

OBJECTIVE: Child neglect is often initially identified via adults who come into contact with children and report their suspicions to the authorities. Little is known about what behaviors laypersons view as constituting neglect and hence worth reporting. We examined laypersons' perceptions of neglect and poverty, particularly how these factors independently and jointly shaped laypersons' decisions about what warrants official reporting of neglect, and how laypersons' socioeconomic background related to their decisions. HYPOTHESES: We anticipated that neglect would be correctly perceived as such, but that extreme poverty would also be perceived as neglect, with these latter perceptions being most pronounced among laypersons of higher socioeconomic background. METHOD: In 2 studies, adults read vignettes about a mother's care of her daughter and rendered decisions about whether the mother's behavior met the legal standard of neglect and should be reported. In Study 1 (N = 365, 55% female, mean age = 37.12 years), indicators of poverty and neglect were manipulated. In Study 2 (N = 474, 53% female, mean age = 38.25 years), only poverty (housing instability: homelessness vs. not) was manipulated. RESULTS: Laypersons often conflated poverty and neglect, especially in circumstances of homelessness. Laypersons of lower socioeconomic background were less likely to perceive neglect in general and to report an obligation to make a referral (R2s ranged from 17-26%, odds ratios ranged from 2.24-3.08). CONCLUSIONS: Laypersons may overreport neglect in circumstances of poverty. Increasing public awareness of how to recognize and separate neglect from poverty may enhance identification of vulnerable children and families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

Child abuse · Child neglect · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Neglect · Poison control · Political science · Population · Poverty · Psychiatry · Socioeconomic status · Child Abuse and Trauma · Elder Abuse and Neglect · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Psychology