A Call for Help? Adolescent Neglect Reports as Indicators of Mental and Behavioral Health Struggles
Dublin Core
Title
A Call for Help? Adolescent Neglect Reports as Indicators of Mental and Behavioral Health Struggles
Subject
Health behavior in adolescence
Electronic Resource Item Type Metadata
Journal Name
Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume
Vol. 78
Issue
No. 4
Publication Date
2026
Publisher
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Document Type
Journal article
Language
English
ISBN
18791972
Access
Restricted Access
View Source
Abstract
Purpose
Adolescents facing maltreatment are at an increased risk for negative outcomes, yet Child Protective Services (CPS) interventions are less frequent for this age group. Clarifying the concerns leading to neglect allegations is crucial to enhancing CPS responses and support for adolescents. This study examines the types and contributors to reports of adolescent neglect.
Methods
A random sample of 993 CPS referrals (2017–2019) from California was analyzed. Data included structured and unstructured elements, categorizing adolescent and family concerns such as parental substance use, domestic violence, adolescent behavior, and mental health.
Results
Neglect allegations were predominately related to adolescent behavior concerns (44%) and the adolescent's mental health (31%). Suicidality was noted in 31% of mental health-related referrals, accounting for 1 in 10 referrals overall. Parental substance use and lack of protection were commonly denoted family concerns.
Discussion
Adolescents referred for neglect are often facing acute behavior and mental health challenges, necessitating improved access to mental health services and direct adolescent engagement in care.
Adolescents facing maltreatment are at an increased risk for negative outcomes, yet Child Protective Services (CPS) interventions are less frequent for this age group. Clarifying the concerns leading to neglect allegations is crucial to enhancing CPS responses and support for adolescents. This study examines the types and contributors to reports of adolescent neglect.
Methods
A random sample of 993 CPS referrals (2017–2019) from California was analyzed. Data included structured and unstructured elements, categorizing adolescent and family concerns such as parental substance use, domestic violence, adolescent behavior, and mental health.
Results
Neglect allegations were predominately related to adolescent behavior concerns (44%) and the adolescent's mental health (31%). Suicidality was noted in 31% of mental health-related referrals, accounting for 1 in 10 referrals overall. Parental substance use and lack of protection were commonly denoted family concerns.
Discussion
Adolescents referred for neglect are often facing acute behavior and mental health challenges, necessitating improved access to mental health services and direct adolescent engagement in care.
Cataloger
Edrina Adjei-Manu
Citation
“A Call for Help? Adolescent Neglect Reports as Indicators of Mental and Behavioral Health Struggles,” ICMGLT Digital Library, accessed November 3, 2026, https://library.icmglt.org/items/show/849.