Court-level stakeholders’ reunification decisions and perceived role in parents’ readiness to support early emotional development post-abuse and/or neglect

Caregiver–child dyads exist within systems that may reinforce and/or establish structures to support holistic needs, awareness of roles, and capacity-building efforts. Systems can be challenged in fortifying such structures, however, following substantiated abuse and/or neglect. In the current study, the author surveyed 27 family court judges and judicial hearing officers collectively presiding over ~2800 birth-5 cases (~39% response) in one Mid-Atlantic state in the United States. Despite court-level stakeholders’ pivotal role in reunification, it is unclear how they perceive current processes, existing barriers, and proposed initiatives targeting emotional development post-abuse and/or neglect. Findings and implications are discussed.