Capitol News

Child maltreatment is a significant public health concern in the United States, particularly affecting young children who rely heavily on caregivers. Infants under two years old represent over one-quarter of all maltreatment cases, with those under one year experiencing the highest victimization rates, as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Recent research from Michigan State University (MSU) suggests that state-paid family leave could be an effective measure to prevent such abuse. Previous studies indicated that paid family leave policies promote secure attachments, improve maternal and child health outcomes, enhance parental mental health, and support household economic stability—all protective factors against child maltreatment. MSU researchers have now established a direct link between paid family leave and reductions in infant maltreatment.

"Child maltreatment is a complex issue that requires innovative tools to address the multiple challenges faced by vulnerable families," said Jenny Tanis, MSU College of Social Science doctoral candidate and assistant professor of social work at Hope College. "Our research provides evidence that paid family leave policies may be an effective innovative policy tool to promote child safety and family well-being."

Sacha Klein, co-author of the study and associate professor in MSU's School of Social Work, highlighted that the United States is among only five countries worldwide without federal compensation for maternity leave. "In the absence of a national paid family leave policy, U.S. states have been left to decide whether they should adopt this as a state policy," Klein stated.

To date, 14 states along with Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico have enacted state-paid family leave policies. Several other states are considering similar measures.

The research team compared four states—California, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island—that implemented paid family leave to those without it. They found statistically significant reductions in infant maltreatment rates over time for states with these policies compared to those without them. The results were notably impactful in states with high levels of poverty and adults lacking high school education.

Klein emphasized that this research adds to growing evidence supporting household economic stability as a crucial tool for preventing child maltreatment. "Traditional arguments in support of paid family leave policy highlight its positive effect on maternal labor force participation and maternal and infant health benefits," Klein noted.

The findings underscore considerable implications for designing future paid family leave policies at both national and state levels by demonstrating their beneficial impact on reducing infant maltreatment rates.

Tanis added that "paid family leave provides designated time at home to care for and bond with a new child without the added pressure of economic hardship." This approach aligns with addressing risk factors across individual, family, community, and societal levels within a socioecological model for preventing child maltreatment.

This study was published in Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal with contributions from doctoral candidate Hannah Boyke alongside Tanis and Klein.