CPS response and service factors for the child maltreatment recurrence in South Korea

Abstract

This study examined whether the response and service characteristics of Child Protective Services (CPS) in Korea are different between the initial reports and subsequent reports in the context of child maltreatment recurrence and to identify the CPS system factors at initial reports associated with the first recurrence and the second recurrence. Study results from 7,544 maltreatment cases show that children and families of maltreatment recurrence were likely to have more emergency separation, legal action, case closure, out-of-home placement, in-home services, and counselling services for subsequent reports compared to initial reports. Also, reporter type, time to disposition decision, out-of-home placement, caregiver receiving mental health therapy, in-home services, and counselling for family members were associated with the risk of the first recurrence and a number of field visits for investigation and mental health therapy for family members were associated with the risk of the second recurrence. Implications were discussed based on the study findings.