Patterns of vulnerability: A descriptive study on intergenerational child welfare involvement

• This study built on a prior work of families involved in Child Welfare over generations. • Distinct clinical profiles were found for each latent class group. • Mothers in the Risk of CM group presented with histories of neglect and criminality. • Parents in the Highly Polyvictimized group had pervasive trauma and mental health needs. • The Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, and Neglect group featured paternal chronic illness. • Exposure to IPV and Psychological Maltreatment group featured complex conflicts. Limited research has thoroughly examined the experiences of families intergenerationally involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), which restricts our understanding of their complex realities. Building on a previous latent class analysis (BLIND CITATION), this descriptive study aimed to document clinically relevant profiles of Quebec urban families intergenerationally involved with CPS. A sample of 108 children and their parents were categorized into four groups based on prior latent class analyses of child substantiated child maltreatment (CM): (1) Risk of CM ( n = 11), (2) Highly Polyvictimized ( n = 30), (3) Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, and Neglect ( n = 25), and (4) Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Psychological Maltreatment ( n = 42). Drawing on CPS case file data, the study provided group comparisons on parental psychosocial functioning of families in each group, including mental health problems, substance use, criminal behaviour, chronic illness or disability, and contextual adversity. Findings indicate that all families faced a significant number of challenges. Distinct clinical profiles also emerged among the groups. Notably, mothers in the Risk of CM group often presented significant histories of childhood neglect, substance use, and criminal involvement, highlighting systemic challenges in breaking the cycle. The Highly Polyvictimized group was characterized by pervasive trauma, with parents frequently exhibiting substantial mental health issues and job insecurity. Findings highlight distinct patterns of vulnerability across CM subgroups, underscoring the need for tailored interventions, such as targeted prenatal interventions for families at risk of CM.