Faculty Collaboration Database

Two-generational trauma-informed assessment improves documentation and service referral frequency in a child protection program. Child Abuse Negl 2020 Mar;101:104327

Date

12/20/2019

Pubmed ID

31855665

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104327

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85076348741 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   8 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Two-generational trauma-informed assessment (TIA) helps providers conduct holistic family well-being assessment (FWbA). This tool makes it possible to use families' trauma history in the case-finding process.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the documentation and frequency of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and service referral rates for index children and their caretakers in two groups of families evaluated in a child abuse clinic (CAC).

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The sample consisted of 364 children stratified into two groups: Group 1 - children seen in the CAC after implementation of FWbA in years 2014, 2015, 2016 and Group 2 - children seen in the CAC prior to implementation of FWbA in years 2011, 2012, 2013.

METHODS: Researchers utilized retrospective chart review method and analyzed data regarding ACEs and service referrals for patients and their caregivers.

RESULTS: Documentation of ACEs was higher in Group 1 for children (77.7 % vs 26.6 %,p <  0.0001) and caretakers (60.7 % vs 7.3 % p <  0.0001). Caretakers in Group 1 had a higher rate of four or more ACEs (47.0 % vs 5.1 % p <  0.001) while the increase for children was not statistically significant (61.4 % vs 51.1 %, p =  0.110). Both children and caretakers were referred to more services in Group 1 (2.7 + 1.5 vs 1.5 + 1.3, and 3.0 + 1.9 vs 1.2 + 1.2, respectively, p <  0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: In families evaluated for child abuse and neglect, conducting TIA in addition to conventional psychosocial evaluation increased documentation regarding trauma history, which led to increased referral rates.

Author List

Kottenstette S, Segal R, Roeder V, Rochford H, Schnieders E, Bayman L, McKissic DA, Dahlberg GJ, Krewer R, Chambliss J, Theurer JL, Oral R

Author

Rachel Segal MD Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Child
Child Abuse
Documentation
Family
Female
Humans
Male
Medical History Taking
Referral and Consultation
Retrospective Studies
Tertiary Care Centers
Wounds and Injuries