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dc.titleEnhancing Detection of Child Maltreatment and Neglect: An Evaluation of Psychological Tools Adapted for Schools
dc.contributor.authorSidders, Mercedes
dc.contributor.authorDorna, Guadalupe
dc.contributor.authorPerez-Vincent, Santiago M.
dc.contributor.authorPeña, Norma
dc.contributor.authorLopez, Maria Cecilia
dc.contributor.authorMüller, Maria Beatriz
dc.contributor.orgunitCitizen Security Division
dc.contributor.orgunitInstitutions for Development Sector
dc.coverageLatin America
dc.coverageThe Caribbean
dc.date.issue2025-11-06T00:11:00
dc.description.abstractThis study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of scalable early detection tools that schools can use to identify child maltreatment. Child maltreatment, with severe consequences for children's wellbeing, remains difficult to detect due to underreporting, stigma, and the limits of existing tools. We conducted a cross-sectional study of over 1,000 students in five schools in Buenos Aires and Cordoba, Argentina, implementing three scalable tools projective drawings (Kinetic Family and Person in the Rain), the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, and a teacher's checklist against comprehensive psychological assessments as the reference standard. Results show that approximately 35% of the children in the sample exhibited signs of maltreatment or neglect. Each of the tools demonstrated a precision rate of over 50%, with the combination of projective drawings and teacher's checklist achieving up to 76% precision. The overall sensitivity was 36.8%, significantly enhancing detection rates compared to existing school processes. These findings indicate that early detection tools can significantly enhance identification of maltreatment and hold potential for broader implementation, though they should complement rather than replace comprehensive psychological evaluations.
dc.format.extent65
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0013796
dc.identifier.urlhttps://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Enhancing-Detection-of-Child-Maltreatment-and-Neglect-An-Evaluation-of-Psychological-Tools-Adapted-for-Schools.pdf
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInter-American Development Bank
dc.subjectChildren
dc.subjectChild Abuse
dc.subjectRating
dc.subjectChild Development
dc.subjectEducation
dc.subjectRisk Management
dc.subjectPopulation Aging
dc.subjectYouth and Children
dc.subjectHealth
dc.subjectLabor Force
dc.subject.jelcodeJ12 - Marriage • Marital Dissolution • Family Structure • Domestic Abuse
dc.subject.jelcodeJ13 - Fertility • Family Planning • Child Care • Children • Youth
dc.subject.keywordschild maltreatment;Violence against children;early detection;child protection;violence prevention;diagnostic accuracy
dc.typeWorking Papers
idb.identifier.pubnumberIDB-WP-01738
idb.operationRG-E1840
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