재정자립도와 이혼율이지역사회 아동학대 발생률에 미치는 영향

Objectives: This study examines the relationships between child maltreatment rates and localgovernment's fiscal independence ratios (FIR) and divorce rates, which reflect materialresource and stability levels of the local governments, respectively. Additionally, this studyconsiders mediating effects of social connectedness and interaction effects of FIR and divorcerates to explore interventions to mitigate child maltreatment. Methods: The data from the 2016 nationwide child maltreatment report and the KoreanStatistical Information Service (KOSIS) at the local government level was collected and analyzedusing structural equation modeling. Results: First, child maltreatment rates were related positively with divorce rates and negativelywith FIR. Second, divorce rates affected child maltreated rates via the levels of socialconnectedness. Third, the negative relationship between FIR and maltreatment rates wasstronger in the communities with low levels of divorce rates than those with high levelsof divorce rates. Conclusions: The priority of the establishment of the center for child protective serviceshould be given to the local government with low FIR. The ways to increase FIR and levelsof social connectedness of the local governments are suggested.