Designing Child Neglect Indicators in Iran

Child neglect—the most common type of child abuse—is a pattern of failing to provide for a child’s basic needs such as not receiving adequate food، clothing، health، or supervision. Neglect incidence and prevalence study is a complicated process. Therefore usually there is no access to specific information about it. The purpose of this study is designing child neglect indicators in social، health and educational levels. This research conducted in a Delphi method. From 65 experts and activists in children’s area، which Delphi form has been sent for them، 35 experts stated the suggestion about research topics (child neglect indicators and formulas). In the first round، panelists were asked to declare their satisfaction with the proposed indicators and method of calculation from 0 to 10 and in the second round they were asked to express their satisfaction with the designed indicators according to the obtained results in the first round. More than 90% of participants agreed with the proposed indicators (M=9/77 and SD=0/78) in the first round. In the second round، three proposed formulas for calculating child neglect was confirmed (M=9/77 and SD=0/78). Three designed health، education and social indicators could be shown child neglect in Iran if information and its data gathering methods have the time and tool reliability. In future studies، an indicator with the ability of measurement of psychological neglect in addition to other dimensions could be designed.