Influence of Case and Professional Variables on the Identification and Reporting of Child Maltreatment: A Study of Licensed Psychologists and Certified Masters Social Workers

• NCJ Number: 168561
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1997 Pages: 313-332
• Author(s): D J Hansen; K M Bumby; L M Lundquist; R M Chandler; P T Le; K T Futa
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined several factors that may influence the identification and reporting of child maltreatment.

Abstract

All 50 States have laws that require mental health and other professionals to report suspected child maltreatment. Unfortunately, many professionals who are mandated to report suspicions of child maltreatment often fail to recognize potential maltreatment or fail to report their suspicions. The subjects in this study were licensed psychologists in the Midwest and certified Masters social workers in Nebraska. Child maltreatment included neglect, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, and sexual abuse. Characteristics associated with the family or "case" (race, socioeconomic status of the family, age of victim, and type of maltreatment) were manipulated and presented in hypothetical case vignettes. Characteristics of the professional (e.g., training and experience with identification and reporting, personal history of maltreatment and violence) were also investigated. Ratings of the severity of the potential maltreatment situation, suspiciousness that maltreatment is occurring, and likelihood of reporting maltreatment were completed after reading each case vignette. The findings show that a variety of case and professional factors may influence identification and reporting of maltreatment. Implications for training professionals and further research are discussed. 7 tables and 27 references