Ability of the United States Air Force Family Needs Screener to Predict Child Maltreatment: A Prospective Study
Author ORCID Identifier
Randy McCarthy:https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0471-0889
Publication Title
Military Behavioral Health
ISSN
21635781
E-ISSN
21635803
Document Type
Article
Abstract
In the current study, we examined the extent to which the United States Air Force Family Needs Screener (FNS)—a scale that purportedly measures risk for child maltreatment–predicted future child maltreatment in a group of 87,982 mothers. Mothers’ FNS total scores predicted future child maltreatment overall (i.e., any type of maltreatment) and for individual types of child maltreatment (i.e., child physical abuse, child emotional abuse, and child neglect). Further, results did not vary across Air Force installations. Beyond the standard dichotomous FNS classifications (Low-Needs and Low-Needs), the finding that as individual FNS total scores increased so did the likelihood of future child maltreatment suggests that mothers with the highest FNS scores—even among those deemed high needs—may warrant special attention.
First Page
353
Last Page
360
Publication Date
7-2-2020
DOI
10.1080/21635781.2020.1765910
Keywords
: Family needs screener, air force, child maltreatment, family advocacy program, military, new parent support program, prediction, risk assessment, screening, secondary prevention
Recommended Citation
McCarthy, Randy J.; Milner, Joel S.; Walker, Margaret H.; Besetsny, Leasley K.; and Oliver, Mark A., "Ability of the United States Air Force Family Needs Screener to Predict Child Maltreatment: A Prospective Study" (2020). NIU Bibliography. 211.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/niubib/211
Department
Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault; Department of Psychology
