Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS–4)

Neglect. The pattern of group differences is somewhat different for theincidence of Harm Standard neglect. Children living with just one parent, under anyliving arrangement, had significantly higher rates of Harm Standard neglect (27.0 and19.6 per 1,000 children) than those living with two married biological parents (4.2 per1,000 children). The estimated rates in the single-parent conditions are more than 4 timesthe rate among children living with their married biological parents. Also, childrenwhose single parent had no partner had a significantly higher Harm Standard neglect ratethan children living with other married parents (19.6 versus 9.3 children per 1,000).In addition, children living with their two married biological parentsexperienced Harm Standard neglect at a lower rate than children with other married legalparents, children with unmarried parents, and children living with neither parent (4.2versus 9.3, 12.6, and 20.4 children per 1,000, respectively), although these differences arestatistically marginal.Specific Categories of Harm Standard AbusePhysical abuse. 69 As Figure 5–2 shows, the incidence of Harm Standardphysical abuse was significantly lower for children living with two married biologicalparents compared to children living in all other conditions. An estimated 1.9 per 1,000children living with two married biological parents suffered Harm Standard physicalabuse, compared to 5.9 or more per 1,000 children in other circumstances. In addition,children whose single parent had an unmarried, live-in partner were at significantlyhigher risk of Harm Standard physical abuse (19.5 children per 1,000) compared tochildren in 4 other arrangements: children whose single parent had no partner in thehome (5.9 children per 1,000), children with other married parents (9.8 children per1,000), children with unmarried parents (8.2 children per 1,000), and children living withno parent (6.8 children per 1,000).69 The estimate for children who lived with neither parent is less reliable, as it derives from fewer than 100sample children.5–21