Comparison of hope of maltreating parents whose children were removed from home with those whose children were kept at home

Following descriptive analyses using t-tests, multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to develop models of the predictors of hope in each of the groups and to examine the differences in the models. No significant group difference was found in any of the study variables. The mean levels of basic and family hope in both groups were soundly above the midpoint of the scale, and the mean levels of the other variables hovered around the middle of their respective scales. Social support and self-esteem were major correlates of the hope of both groups. However, covert narcissism and closeness to and influence of the mother correlated with hope only among parents whose children were removed from home.