UCLA

Over the past several decades, research has demonstrated that minoritized groups, such as Black and Indigenous communities, disproportionately experience adverse child welfare outcomes. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the experiences of Asian American families involved with the child welfare system, which hinders a comprehensive assessment of maltreatment issues and the effectiveness of prevention and intervention practices in this diverse community. This dissertation employs data from the California Child Welfare Services/Case Management System (CWS/CMS) between 2014 and 2020 and used logistic regression and survival analysis to examine racial disproportionality and disparities in disposition and recidivism outcomes, along with the predictors thereof, among various Asian ethnic groups. The findings reveal that Asian American children generally experience fewer prior referrals and recidivism incidents related to maltreatment. Their dispositions are also more likely to be determined with the 30-day timeframe compared to specific racial/ethnic groups. Nonetheless, disparities persist among different Asian subgroups, particularly among Southeast Asian groups such as Laotians, Hmong, and Cambodians. The density of the Asian American population serves as a protective factor that reduces the risk of substantiation and re-report for Asian American families, although it does not impact case recurrence. This study challenges the model minority myth by revealing ethnic disparities among Asian subgroups and their unique positions in relation to other racial groups. The insights gained aim to inform policymakers and practitioners in developing culturally sensitive interventions and policies tailored to the specific needs of each racial and ethnic group within the child welfare system.