Substance use behaviors by parents and the decision to substantiate child physical abuse and neglect by caseworkers. (August 2017) - Freisthler, Bridget
Abstract: The changing policy landscape with regards to marijuana and a growing epidemic related to opioid misuse may affect caseworkers' decisions to substantiate maltreatment involving use of those two substances. This study examined whether caseworkers factor marijuana and opioid use, including whether or not the drug was medically prescribed, into substantiation decisions. In this study, each respondent ( n = 467) was given two vignettes (one for neglect and one for physical abuse) with one of five drug use conditions. Logistic regression models showed that any drug use was related to higher odds of substantiating neglect. Only illicit opioid or marijuana use was positively related to substantiating physical abuse. Any substance use may impair a parent's functioning and be interpreted as placing a child in greater risk for potential harm from neglect. For physical abuse, caseworkers may view illicit substance use as participating in a deviant behavior making physical abuse seem more likely. Highlights: Social workers substantiated neglect more often when any drug use was present. Social workers substantiated physical abuse more often for illicit drug use. No difference between substantiation occurred for marijuana or prescription opioids.