Child Protection System Histories Among Sexual Minority Youth: A Latent Class Analysis Using Linked Administrative Data

Background/Purpose:

Sexual minority youth (SMY) are overrepresented in foster care and are more likely to experience poorer outcomes as they transition to adulthood, including economic hardship and instability. Existing evidence suggests that these disparities may be linked to differences in pathways into and through the child protection system (CPS), including patterns of maltreatment, placement instability, and timing of system involvement (Prince et al., 2021). Yet, prior research has relied largely on surveys and has lacked detailed CPS histories. As a result, there is limited understanding of how SMY’s CPS trajectories differ from their peers and how these patterns may contribute to later disparities. This study’s objectives were to examine the timing, accumulation, and patterns of maltreatment and CPS involvement among SMY compared to heterosexual peers using a person-centered analysis.

Methods:

The study used survey data from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH) linked to statewide administrative CPS records that encompassed youths' entire childhoods (n = 715). SMY status was based on self-reported sexual orientation across waves. CPS measures captured maltreatment experiences (allegations, substantiations, and subtypes), placement characteristics (e.g., group home, relative, runaway), timing of first CPS report, and chronicity of system involvement (number of CPS reports). Descriptive and bivariate analyses (chi-square tests and t-tests) were used to compare CPS experiences by SMY status. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified subgroups of youth based on patterns of maltreatment and system involvement. Model fit indices and interpretability supported a four-class solution.

Results:

In the sample, 22.7% (n = 162) identified as SMY. Compared to their heterosexual peers, SMY had higher prevalence of substantiated physical abuse (30.3% vs. 21.0%, p < .05) and alleged sexual abuse (59.3% vs. 48.0%, p < .05). SMY had higher rates of multiple types of maltreatment alleged (35.2% vs. 21.7%, p < .01) and substantiated (15.4% vs. 9.3%, p < .01), indicating higher exposure to poly-maltreatment. SMY were older when first reported to CPS (M = 6.8 vs. 5.8 years, p < .05). The LCA identified four distinct classes: The largest (47.3%) reflected relatively lower-to-moderate levels of maltreatment and system involvement; the second (10.8%) was characterized by high group home placements and runaway rates; a third (about 32.2%) reflected early entry into CPS and high counts of reports; and the smallest (9.5%) showed the highest levels of substantiated physical abuse and poly-maltreatment. Differences in class membership by SMY status were statistically significant with SMY in the poly-maltreatment class at double the rate than their heterosexual peers (15.4% vs. 7.8%) and less likely to be in the early entry class (p < .05).

Conclusions/Implications:

Findings highlight that the constellation of CPS experiences differ for SMY and indicate complex patterns of maltreatment and system involvement. The distinct CPS profiles illustrate patterns that are not captured by single indicators, underscoring the value of leveraging linked administrative data to conduct person-centered analyses. These findings provide evidence to inform policy and practice, including the need for targeted supports for SMY in foster care to improve long-term outcomes.