Maternal childhood polyvictimization and neglect of their children: Evidence among Salar Muslim women

Background

Limited research has been conducted on child neglect among ethnic minority groups in China. The Salar, a Turkic-Muslim ethnic minority predominantly residing in western China, face unique challenges in this regard. Influenced by their ethnicity, Islam, and Chinese Confucianism, Salar women are particularly vulnerable to various forms of childhood victimization. These victimizations further compound the difficulties they face in providing adequate care for their children.

Objective

The 3-D polyvictimization theory introduced three key concepts to measure polyvictimization: invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity. These concepts aim to provide a nuanced understanding of an individual’s victimization experiences. In light of this theory, this study aims to test a hypothesis regarding the relationship between childhood polyvictimization experienced by Salar mothers and the neglect of their children.

Method

A probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling approach was used to collect a random representative multi-stage cluster sample of 201 married Salar women in 2022. Random effects Poisson regression models were used to test the five hypotheses.

Results

The participants reported a 65.6% rate of child neglect, and all the mothers included in the study had a history of childhood polyvictimization. The Poisson regression in the main effect model demonstrated that invasive and exploitative of the childhood polyvictimization are associated with child neglect. Moreover, a two-way interaction between invasiveness and exploitativeness, as well as exploitativeness and severity of the childhood polyvictimization, showed a strong positive association with child neglect. Lastly, a three-way interaction involving invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity of the childhood polyvictimization was also strongly positively associated with child neglect.

Conclusions

This research indicates that a history of maternal childhood polyvictimization is associated with an increased risk of child neglect, especially when the experiences of polyvictimization involved high levels of invasiveness and exploitativeness. It emphasizes the importance of considering the nuanced nature of polyvictimization in understanding its relationship with child neglect.