Maternal Involvement in Child Protection Systems: A Longitudinal Analysis across Multiple Children

Background and Purpose: Child maltreatment often affects multiple children within a family, yet research has primarily focused on individual child-level estimates of CPS involvement. While valuable, this approach may not fully capture the complex family dynamics influencing maltreatment risk over time. This study aimed to document the cumulative prevalence of maternal CPS involvement across multiple births and examine variations in the timing and frequency of CPS contact based on maternal characteristics.

Methods: Linked birth and CPS records from California were used to follow a cohort of 194,514 first-time mothers who gave birth in 1999 over a 20-year period (1999-2019). Mothers were categorized by the number of live childbirths: one (25.7%), two (36.2%), three (20.9%), and four or more (17.2%). Maternal CPS interactions were measured by counting all unique CPS referrals associated with their children. Descriptive analyses were conducted to estimate the proportion of mothers reported to CPS and investigate patterns of CPS involvement by parity, birth payment method (as a proxy for socioeconomic status), and race/ethnicity.

Results: One-third (33%) of mothers were reported to CPS, with the likelihood of involvement increasing with the number of children (18.5% for one child vs. 63.1% for 4+ children). Mothers using public insurance had nearly triple the probability of being reported compared to those not using public insurance (46.9% vs. 17.8%). Racial disparities were evident, with Black mothers having the highest reporting probability (54.1%) followed by Hispanic/Latina (38.9%) and White (27.6%) mothers. Three quarters of mothers (72.8-81.5%) had their first CPS report after the birth of their second child or later. Repeated CPS reports were common, especially for mothers with more children, those using public insurance, and Black or White mothers.

Conclusion and Implications: This study provides a longitudinal, family-centered perspective on maternal CPS involvement, complementing existing child-level estimates. The strong associations between higher parity, socioeconomic disadvantage, and chronic CPS involvement underscore the need for prevention and support services tailored to the unique challenges faced by families with multiple children. Interventions should expand beyond a focus on first-time mothers to address the needs of multiparous mothers experiencing complex circumstances. The delayed timing of initial CPS contact for most mothers highlights potential gaps in current prevention programs. Further research using rigorous statistical modeling is needed to better understand the risk and protective factors influencing family-level CPS involvement. Policies and practices should prioritize addressing the multifaceted needs of families facing chronic maltreatment to promote lasting child and family well-being.