NCJ Number
106814
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1986) Pages: 125-139
Date Published
1986
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The decisionmaking process in suspected cases of child maltreatment involves reaching interprofessional consensus. Interprofessional consensus in seriousness ratings of maltreatment incidents for the welfare of the child was examined by surveying 39 case vignette ratings by 295 pediatric hospital professionals from 5 occupations.
Abstract
The survey instrument was derived from research by Geovannoni and Becerrra (1979). An exploratory factor analysis yielded five categories of maltreatment: physical abuse, sexual abuse, general failures in care, minor neglect/discipline, and lifestyles/values. A sixth category, parental sexual preference, was rated not very serious and did not appear to belong in the maltreatment domain. Nurses and social workers rated incidents as most serious, differing significantly from psychiatrists and, often, from physicians and psychologists. Variables such as sex, parenthood status, years of experience, and medical specialty showed some relationship to ratings within some professional groups. 23 references and 8 tables. (Author abstract modified)