Continued Harsh Parenting and Negative Self-Perception Among Child Welfare Involved-Youth

Background/Purpose: A large body of research has demonstrated the enduring adverse effects of harsh parenting. Harsh parenting is associated with conduct problems among youth and poor mental health outcomes in adulthood. A positive relationship with a parent is essential for developing positive self-perception, but limited research is available on the most vulnerable youth population. This study aims to examine 1) the extent of harsh parenting experienced by adolescents after the child protective service (CPS) investigation and 2) the effect of harsh parenting on adolescents' self-perception.

Methods: To examine continued harsh parenting, we used the second wave data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II. The analysis sample is limited to the adolescents living with a biological parent 18 months after the initial CPS investigation (n=522). Adolescents were 11 to 17 years (M = 13.6), 59% female, 55% White, 21% Black, and 24% Latinx. Only 8% had ever been placed in out-of-home care (OOH). We examined harsh parenting as psychological aggression and severe physical aggression, youth-reported subscales of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-PC). Self-perception was conceptualized into two measures: negative self-esteem and self-worth. Negative self-esteem was measured by five items of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Self-worth was constructed from a single item asking the youth, “what do you think are the chances you will live to be at least 35?” The responses were recoded into a dichotomous variable (Not Likely vs. Highly Likely). The study also included the youth's demographics, ever OOH placement, and peer relationships as covariates.

Results: About half of the adolescents reported psychological aggression (M= 15.13), and 10% reported severe physical abuse in the past year. Results from a weighted linear regression model (F=12.50, p<.001, R²=.35) showed that psychological aggression (b =.12, p<.001), but not severe physical aggression, was associated with negative self-esteem. Youth dissatisfied with their peer relationship (b =.30, p<.001) were more likely to report low self-esteem. A weighted logistic regression analysis (Χ²=32.31, p<.001) showed that experiencing severe corporal punishment in the past year (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = .11,.66), lowered the odds of self-worth by 72%. OOH was associated with 70% lower odds of self-worth (OR =.30, 95% CI = .89, .96).

Conclusion and Implication: The study confirms the adverse effects of harsh parenting on self-perception among child-welfare involved youth. Physical abuse leads to very poor self-worth, whereas psychological abuse damages self-esteem. Even though the families had previously been investigated for child maltreatment allegations, many adolescents were subject to harsh parenting. The findings present a sober reality of continued maltreatment of vulnerable youth and their fragile self-perception. Dissatisfaction with peer relationships and a history of OOH placement add other layers of risk. The child welfare system needs to emphasize the importance of supporting child welfare-involved families through parenting programs and intervention services for youth even after the cases were closed. Child welfare workers should consider asking youth directly during their prevention efforts and intervening if needed.