Certified Case Manager Practice Test

What is considered the number 1 form of maltreatment?

1. Emotional abuse

2. Neglect

3. Death

4. Physical abuse

The correct answer is: Death

The number one form of maltreatment is typically recognized as neglect. Neglect involves failing to provide for a child's basic physical, emotional, educational, or medical needs, and it is considered more prevalent than other forms of maltreatment, such as emotional abuse, physical abuse, or even fatal outcomes. Neglect can lead to severe long-term consequences for a child's development and well-being, making it a critical concern in social work, child welfare, and case management sectors. Emotional abuse, while harmful, often stems from other forms of maltreatment and is less frequently reported than neglect. Physical abuse refers to the actual infliction of harm, which, despite being a grievous form of maltreatment, does not occur as frequently in reported cases compared to neglect. While death as a consequence of maltreatment is devastating, it is not a separate category of maltreatment but rather an outcome that can occur as a result of neglect or abuse. Therefore, understanding the dominant prevalence and the significant implications of neglect is essential in the context of maltreatment in children.