NCJ Number
215097
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2006 Pages: 410-424
Date Published
August 2006
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined the impact of different methods of assessing child maltreatment on participant responses in retrospective studies of child maltreatment.
Abstract
Overall, the results indicated that disclosure of child sexual or physical abuse by adult participants did not significantly differ by research method. However, victims of past abuse reported higher levels of distress and mood change than did nonvictims. Victims reported the highest levels of distress for the computer-administrated survey. Despite the higher levels of distress noted for the computer condition, the computer administrated survey was the most preferred research format and was seen as the most confidential method for assessing past abuse. Participants reported that the face-to-face interview method was the least desirable format for discussing past abuse. The findings suggest that future research concerning past abuse should include an informed consent process that states the risks of participation and the participants’ right to skip questions or end the research process. Follow-up calls should be made to participants reporting distress during research projects. Participants were 334 female undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to participate in 1 of 3 research conditions focusing on childhood maltreatment: (1) paper-and-pencil questionnaire; (2) face-to-face interview; or (3) computer-administrated survey. In all conditions, participants answered questions about their rates of abuse, psychological distress, mood change, preferences for assessment format, and perceptions of confidentiality. Resulting data were statistically analyzed. Future research should compare the emotional impact of research concerning past abuse to that of research concerning other sensitive topics, such as domestic violence, abortion, and substance abuse. Tables, references