Journal on Developmental Disabilities
Le journal sur les handicaps du développement

Abstract

The literature on physical harm to children with developmental delays who are reported for child maltreatment suggests some increased risk for those living with step-parents (mostly male). The present study selected the 666 cases identified as having development delay of the 7,672 cases sampled in the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect. The analysis explored the relationship between a single variable, presence or absence of physical harm, and five types of parent composition. Results indicated no differences in the expected rates of physical harm among two biological parents, one biological parent and one step-parent, and one biological parent and another parent figure. There were also no differences between rates of physical harm for two parent families and one male parent families. Rates of physical harm were significantly lower, however, in one female parent families. Since most children live with two permanent parent figures or one female parent, most case of physical harm occur in these settings. On the whole, this analysis provides support for the view that children with developmental delays who live with non-related male parent figures or male single parents are not at special risk for physical harm.

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