NCJ Number
227457
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2009 Pages: 168-180
Date Published
June 2009
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This British study used semistructured interviews with 15 nurses and midwives working in pediatrics in order to explore their views and feelings about their involvement in child-protection cases.
Abstract
A significant finding was the depth and intensity of feelings that stemmed from their involvement in child-protection cases. This apparently was linked to the nature of the support and information they received at the time they encountered the child's injury and the parents' actions. Adverse experiences included feeling isolated, vulnerable, and abandoned. Positive feelings included learning from the experience and having validation of the importance of their involvement. Study participants expressed concern about how others would judge their performance and competency, which caused some reluctance in asking questions they feared would show their lack of knowledge and experience in such cases. Respondents also expressed some frustration when they had a "gut feeling" about a child's being abused without being able to provide tangible data or evidence of such abuse that would persuade pediatricians supervising the cases. The findings suggest that nurses and midwives involved in child-protection cases should have a contact person or persons who are continuously accessible for timely information and emotional support. The study was conducted in the spring of 2008 at a district general hospital in the south of England. The semistructured interview explored the experiences and feelings of the 15 nurses and midwives while they were involved in child-protection cases, their perceptions of their support needs, the support mechanisms they viewed as most helpful, and suggestions for how support for and training of nurses could be improved to prepare them for such cases. 32 references