title: Predictors of re-entry into the child protection system in Singapore: a cumulative ecological-transactional risk model.
abstract: This study examines the risk factors of re-entry for 1,750 child protection cases in Singapore using a cumulative ecological-transactional risk model. Using administrative data, the present study found that the overall percentage of Child Protection Service (CPS) re-entry in Singapore is 10.5% based on 1,750 cases, with a range from 3.9% (within 1 year) to 16.5% (within 8 years after case closure). One quarter of the re-entry cases were observed to occur within 9 months from case closure. Seventeen risk factors, as identified from the extant literature, were tested for their utility to predict CPS re-entry in this study using a series of Cox regression analyses. A final list of seven risk factors (i.e., children's age at entry, case type, case closure result, duration of case, household income, family size, and mother's employment status) was used to create a cumulative risk score. The results supported the cumulative risk model in that higher risk score is related to higher risk of CPS re-entry. Understanding the prevalence of CPS re-entry and the risk factors associated with re-entry is the key to informing practice and policy in a culturally relevant way. The results from this study could then be used to facilitate critical case management decisions in order to enhance positive outcomes of families and children in Singapore's care system.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Rehabilitation and Protection, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore.
authors.forename: Dongdong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Rehabilitation and Protection, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore; Clinical and Forensic Psychology Branch, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chi Meng
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Office of the Director of Social Welfare, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore.
authors.forename: Wei Chern
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Family and Child Protection and Welfare Branch, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore.
authors.forename: Wai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Leong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004651:Employment; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Child protection; Cox regression; Cumulative risk; Ecology; Re-entry; Risk factors