NCJ Number
201765
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 211-217
Date Published
August 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined the extent of child abuse training offered in the American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited clinical, counseling, and school psychology doctoral programs in 1992 and in 2001.
Abstract
Child abuse is consistently noted as having the potential to cause problematic emotional and behavioral sequelae in both children and adults. However, aside from some anecdotal evidence in a few psychology programs, little is known about the amount and type of training offered to psychology students about child abuse and neglect. As such, the authors examined 114 APA-accredited programs in both 1992 and 2001 to ascertain the training opportunities offered in the area of child maltreatment within doctoral course work, clinical practicum, and research. Information regarding the doctoral programs was provided by the training directors of the programs through a survey instrument. Findings revealed that few programs offered specific course work in child maltreatment; however, more than half of the programs covered child maltreatment within three or more other courses. Most programs also discussed child maltreatment in ethics or professional seminars. Only 20 percent of the programs in 1992 and 22 percent of the programs in 2001 reported offering practicum placements in settings serving individuals in treatment for problems related to child maltreatment. On the other hand, 60 percent of the programs in 1992 and 47 percent of the programs in 2001 reported considerable research activities in the area of child maltreatment. Despite these research opportunities, the authors concluded that doctoral training in child maltreatment falls short of the APA recommendations for minimal levels of competence. Recommendations include the development of interdisciplinary training and attention to essential competencies. Tables, references