Effect of Race on the Risk of Out-of-Home Placement Among Children with Caregivers Who Reported Domestic Violence

Increased attention has been given to domestic violence as a risk factor for out-of-home placement; however, few previous studies have examined the influence of race/ethnicity. This analysis used data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being to longitudinally compare time to out-of-home placement among a sample of 630 children with African American (n = 162), Hispanic (n = 95), and White (n = 373) female caregivers who reported domestic violence. Propensity score analysis was used to balance the group of caregivers based on observed characteristics. Findings indicated race was not a determinant factor of out-of-home placement; rather, other characteristics may better predict out-of-home placement among families affected by domestic violence. Recommendations for future research and practice are provided.