Exploratory Factor Analysis and Psychometric Evaluation of the Teacher Reporting Attitude Scale for Child Sexual Abuse

• NCJ Number: 241959
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 21 Issue: 5 Dated: September - October 2012 Pages: 489-506
• Author(s): Kerryann Walsh; Mehdi Rassafiani; Ben Mathews; Ann Farrell; Des Butler
• Date Published: October 2012
• Length: 18 pages
• Contract Number(s): DP664847
• Sponsoring Agency: Australian Research Council; Queensland University of Technology
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper presents an evaluation of an instrument to measure teachers' attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse.

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of an instrument to measure teachers' attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse and discusses the instrument's merit for research into reporting practice. Based on responses from 444 Australian teachers, the Teachers' Reporting Attitude Scale for Child Sexual Abuse was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis. The scale isolated three dimensions: commitment to the reporting role, confidence in the system's response to reports, and concerns about reporting. These three factors accounted for 37.5 percent of the variance in the 14-item measure. Alpha coefficients for the subscales were 0.769 (commitment), 0.617 (confidence), and 0.661 (concerns). The findings provide insights into the complexity of studying teachers' attitudes toward reporting of child sexual abuse and have implications for future research. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.