PhD defence E.H.J. (Eline) Doelman

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Protecting children from abuse is an essential yet complex challenge. This dissertation examines the extent to which the involvement of Dutch child protection services contributes to the safety and healthy development of children in vulnerable situations. Based on unique data from adolescents and parents in families involved in the Dutch child protection system, the following findings emerged. First, this research sheds new light on the specific factors that explain the relationship between child abuse and later delinquent behavior in adolescents. The findings point to both individual factors, such as self-control, and environmental factors, such as exposure to criminal environments. Moreover, it appears that the involvement of child protection services leads to improvements: family violence decreases, children's well-being improves, and parental stress is reduced. These positive outcomes occur in both voluntary and court-mandated child protection support. This is encouraging, given the often more complex issues in court-mandated cases. However, challenges remain. There is still room for improvement in many families, and achieving change is complex. A reduction in violence does not automatically lead to improvements in other areas. It is crucial to tailor support to the unique needs of each family. The results highlight the importance of cooperation and coordination between parents and professionals. Shared goals and a mutual understanding of the problem are essential for achieving change. The dissertation provides recommendations for practice, aiming for more effective youth protection that contributes to a safe and healthy future for vulnerable children.