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

Figure 5–4.Incidence of Outcomes from Harm Standard Maltreatment by FamilyStructure and Living Arrangement.Serious harm. The incidence of children who suffered serious harm due toHarm Standard maltreatment was significantly lower for children living with two marriedbiological parents (2.6 per 1,000 children) compared to children living with parents underall other circumstances (9.1 or more children per 1,000).Children living with a single parent who had a cohabiting partner had morethan 2 times the risk of suffering serious harm compared to children living with othermarried parents (20.8 versus 9.1 per 1,000 children), a statistically marginal difference.Moderate harm. Children living with their married biological parents had asignificantly lower rate of moderate harm from Harm Standard maltreatment compared tochildren in any other condition. The highest risk of moderate harm was among childrenwho lived with one parent who had an unmarried partner (33.0 children per 1,000); theirrisk was 8 times higher than that of children who lived with their married biologicalparents, a considerable rate differential. Additionally, the rate of moderate harm forchildren whose single parent was cohabiting with a partner was significantly highercompared to the rates for children with other married parents and for children withunmarried parents (33.0 versus 11.1 or more children per 1,000). Children living with oneparent with a cohabiting partner experienced moderate harm from Harm Standard5–25