Child neglect: relation to child temperament and family context.

Relationships among neglect and child and family characteristics were examined in a sample of 121 urban, low-income families with a child under 30 months. Maternal reports of more difficult child temperament predicted emotional neglect; family context was indirectly related, as mothers in well functioning families with more support reported their children as being less difficult. Neither child temperament nor family context was related to physical neglect.