Axis 1 aims to further delineate, describe, and define this phenomenon and its extent in Canada using quantitative and innovative designs. The following ongoing and past projects are part of Axis 1:
Ongoing Projects
Intergenerational Continuity of Reported Child Maltreatment: Epidemiological Study of the Prevalence and Health-Related Risk Factors
This project aims to provide data on the prevalence of the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment by linking official data from Quebec Child Protective Agencies, the Régie de l’assurance-maladie du Québec (RAMQ), and the Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux (MSSS). Prevalence will be documented based on the first six years following delivery among young Quebec mothers who were between the ages of 13 and 25 at the time of delivery. The project will also evaluate whether a mother’s history of child maltreatment is a risk factor for second generation maltreatment and will examine whether prevalence rates and health-related risk factors differ depending on maltreatment type.
A Mixed Methods Study of Placement Decision Making for Children in Kinship Care
This project aims to enhance understanding of placement outcomes and decision-making processes for children in kinship care with grandparents who have a history of perpetrating child maltreatment, as well as the decision-making processes of child protective services (CPS) caseworkers, particularly in contexts of intergenerational continuity of maltreatment. Two studies will be conducted: 1) a quantitative comparison of placement outcomes for children in kinship care with offending and non-offending grandparents; 2) a qualitative exploration of CPS caseworkers’ decision-making process regarding kinship care placements. Together, this mixed methods thesis will provide a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes experienced by children in kinship care settings with and without offending grandparents and help illuminate the factors influencing placement decisions to better orient future recommendations on that matter for CPS workers.
Past Projects
Families Involved in Intergenerational Cycles of Reported Child Maltreatment
This study aims to document the characteristics of families involved in intergenerational cycles of reported child maltreatment using data from one of Montreal’s Child Protective Agency (CCSMTL). Our research has highlighted that there are a higher number of cases where parents and children are exposed to the same type of child maltreatment, so it is important to help parents develop alternative, and more positive parenting models. It has also been found that different forms of maltreatment experienced by parents may be related to their children’s placement outcomes. In this case, the goal is to provide interventions to parents and children, to be able to support families and break intergenerational cycles of child protection involvement. This project provides essential local data on this recognized but undocumented phenomenon (see Publications tab for published findings).