Maltreatment and life stressors in single mothers who have children with developmental delay

Frequency of child abuse and neglect was reported for the 226 single mothers of children with developmental delay and the 2,734 mothers of children with no delay from the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect. Neglect was most frequently reported, significantly moreso for the mothers of children with delay. These mothers were also reported significantly more frequently than the mothers of children without delay to maltreat longer term, to have lower income and levels of employment, to have children with numerous child functioning concerns, and to have a number of caregiver concerns (e.g., mental health issues, few social supports, low education, and being maltreated as a child). Alcohol abuse was relatively high for both groups of singl