Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems

IntroductionPregnant women with psychosocial problems experience various parenting struggles, which, in the absence of adequate social support, can lead to child maltreatment. This study aimed to identify risk- and preventive factors for child maltreatment among pregnant women with psychosocial prob...

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Main Authors: Michi Ogawa, Tasuku Hashimoto, Mami Tanaka, Hiroki Ishii, Ryota Seki, Aiko Sato, Atsushi Kimura, Jun Okayama, Mamiko Endo, Naoki Saito, Masaomi Iyo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1552740/full
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author Michi Ogawa
Tasuku Hashimoto
Tasuku Hashimoto
Tasuku Hashimoto
Mami Tanaka
Hiroki Ishii
Hiroki Ishii
Hiroki Ishii
Ryota Seki
Aiko Sato
Aiko Sato
Atsushi Kimura
Jun Okayama
Mamiko Endo
Naoki Saito
Masaomi Iyo
Masaomi Iyo
author_facet Michi Ogawa
Tasuku Hashimoto
Tasuku Hashimoto
Tasuku Hashimoto
Mami Tanaka
Hiroki Ishii
Hiroki Ishii
Hiroki Ishii
Ryota Seki
Aiko Sato
Aiko Sato
Atsushi Kimura
Jun Okayama
Mamiko Endo
Naoki Saito
Masaomi Iyo
Masaomi Iyo
author_sort Michi Ogawa
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionPregnant women with psychosocial problems experience various parenting struggles, which, in the absence of adequate social support, can lead to child maltreatment. This study aimed to identify risk- and preventive factors for child maltreatment among pregnant women with psychosocial problems to facilitate the appropriate allocation of social support.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic medical records of all consecutive pregnant women with psychosocial difficulties who visited and delivered at Chiba University Hospital, and were registered with the hospital’s child protection team between April 2016 and March 2019. The primary objective was to identify risk- and preventive factors associated with child maltreatment, defined as cases requiring intervention by a child guidance center. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors and preventive factors influencing child maltreatment within the first month postpartum.ResultsA total of 253 pregnant women were included in the analysis, of whom 54 were reported for child maltreatment. Maternal grandmother’s support (OR: 7.85, 95%CI [3.47–17.77]) and other family members’ support (OR: 3.57, 95%CI [1.51–8.41]) were identified as preventive factors. Maternal mental illness (OR: 0.40, 95%CI [0.18–0.89]) was identified as a risk factor. Additionally, the higher the mother’s age (OR: 1.08, 95%CI [1.02–1.14]), the lower the incidence of child maltreatment, indicating that adolescent pregnancy is also a risk factor.ConclusionsFamily support, particularly from the maternal grandmother, plays a crucial role in enhancing parenting skills of women with psychosocial difficulties. Assessing these factors and integrating them into public support initiatives could contribute to the prevention of child maltreatment.
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spelling doaj-art-b6af7b867db94e9fae84926b4ee9062b2025-08-20T03:08:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-05-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15527401552740Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problemsMichi Ogawa0Tasuku Hashimoto1Tasuku Hashimoto2Tasuku Hashimoto3Mami Tanaka4Hiroki Ishii5Hiroki Ishii6Hiroki Ishii7Ryota Seki8Aiko Sato9Aiko Sato10Atsushi Kimura11Jun Okayama12Mamiko Endo13Naoki Saito14Masaomi Iyo15Masaomi Iyo16Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Sodegaura-Satsukidai Hospital, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, International University of Health and Welfare Narita Hospital, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Teikyo University, Tokyo, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Sodegaura-Satsukidai Hospital, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, International University of Health and Welfare Narita Hospital, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, International University of Health and Welfare Narita Hospital, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanDepartment of Psychiatry, International University of Health and Welfare Narita Hospital, Chiba, JapanIntroductionPregnant women with psychosocial problems experience various parenting struggles, which, in the absence of adequate social support, can lead to child maltreatment. This study aimed to identify risk- and preventive factors for child maltreatment among pregnant women with psychosocial problems to facilitate the appropriate allocation of social support.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic medical records of all consecutive pregnant women with psychosocial difficulties who visited and delivered at Chiba University Hospital, and were registered with the hospital’s child protection team between April 2016 and March 2019. The primary objective was to identify risk- and preventive factors associated with child maltreatment, defined as cases requiring intervention by a child guidance center. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors and preventive factors influencing child maltreatment within the first month postpartum.ResultsA total of 253 pregnant women were included in the analysis, of whom 54 were reported for child maltreatment. Maternal grandmother’s support (OR: 7.85, 95%CI [3.47–17.77]) and other family members’ support (OR: 3.57, 95%CI [1.51–8.41]) were identified as preventive factors. Maternal mental illness (OR: 0.40, 95%CI [0.18–0.89]) was identified as a risk factor. Additionally, the higher the mother’s age (OR: 1.08, 95%CI [1.02–1.14]), the lower the incidence of child maltreatment, indicating that adolescent pregnancy is also a risk factor.ConclusionsFamily support, particularly from the maternal grandmother, plays a crucial role in enhancing parenting skills of women with psychosocial difficulties. Assessing these factors and integrating them into public support initiatives could contribute to the prevention of child maltreatment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1552740/fullchild maltreatmentfamily supportperinatal mental healthpregnant womenpsychosocial problems
spellingShingle Michi Ogawa
Tasuku Hashimoto
Tasuku Hashimoto
Tasuku Hashimoto
Mami Tanaka
Hiroki Ishii
Hiroki Ishii
Hiroki Ishii
Ryota Seki
Aiko Sato
Aiko Sato
Atsushi Kimura
Jun Okayama
Mamiko Endo
Naoki Saito
Masaomi Iyo
Masaomi Iyo
Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems
Frontiers in Psychiatry
child maltreatment
family support
perinatal mental health
pregnant women
psychosocial problems
title Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems
title_full Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems
title_fullStr Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems
title_full_unstemmed Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems
title_short Identification of risk- and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems
title_sort identification of risk and preventive factors predicting child maltreatment in pregnant women with psychosocial problems
topic child maltreatment
family support
perinatal mental health
pregnant women
psychosocial problems
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1552740/full
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