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

5.6.2 Differences in Endangerment Standard Maltreatment Relatedto Metropolitan Status (Metrostatus) of County of ResidenceChildren in rural counties had higher incidence rates in all categories ofEndangerment Standard maltreatment. In nearly every category of maltreatment andlevel of severity, children living in rural counties had higher rates than those in majorurban counties. Also, in four maltreatment categories, children in rural counties hadhigher incidence rates than those in urban counties. Across all maltreatment categoriesand levels of outcome severity, the incidence of Endangerment Standard maltreatment inmajor urban counties did not differ from the incidence in urban counties.Overall Endangerment Standard Maltreatment, Abuse, and NeglectThe rate of Endangerment Standard maltreatment overall was significantlyhigher in rural counties than in major urban areas, with children in rural counties 2.2times as likely to experience Endangerment Standard maltreatment as children residing inmajor urban counties (68.1 versus 31.3 children per 1,000). Figure 5–25 shows thisconsistent pattern. The difference in incidence between the rural areas and (nonmajor)urban areas (where the rate was 39.1 children per 1,000) is statistically marginal.Figure 5–25.Incidence of Endangerment Standard Maltreatment by CountyMetrostatus5–56