Factors associated with substantiated child maltreatment cases in South Korea

ABSTRACT This study examines the factors associated with the substantiation of child maltreatment in Korean child protective services (CPS), including organisational, external, and individual case factors based on social ecology. Multilevel logistic regression was utilised with data from 14,014 alleged child maltreatment cases and 36 CPS agencies and their jurisdictions. The results revealed that maltreatment substantiation is associated with the characteristics of alleged child maltreatment cases and the backgrounds of organisations and communities. Specifically, using time-limits to determine decision-making at CPS agencies was associated with a higher likelihood of substantiation, whereas more workload of investigation workers and residents’ mobility in communities were associated with a lower likelihood of substantiation. Additionally, a child’s mental health concerns, the caregiver’s risk factors, caregiver being parent, the family structure, and police officer accompanied for investigation were associated with substantiation. Based on the findings, improving substantiation decisions in the Korean CPS were discussed.