NCJ Number
160775
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1996) Pages: 81-92
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study provides the first empirical description of child and interviewer behaviors that occurred within semistructured assessment interviews with children suspected of being victims of sexual abuse.
Abstract
Specifically, relationships between child and interviewer characteristics and interview credibility were examined. Using the Child Abuse Interview Interaction Coding System (CAIICS, Wood, 1990), 55 videotaped interviews of high-risk sex abuse cases seen at a multidisciplinary assessment center were behaviorally coded. Findings support the interrater reliability and criterion-related validity of the CAIICS. Results also show that children were initially rated as relaxed and displayed few emotional behaviors. Thus, the assumption that a credible disclosure of abuse must necessarily include the display of emotion by the child was not supported. Second, several behavioral differences between preschool and school-aged children were identified; however, no significant gender differences were found. Third, supporting evidence was found for both age and gender effects in judgments of interview credibility, with girls and school-aged children judged as more credible. Fourth, although the interviewer did engage in so-called leading behaviors, these behaviors were not found to be related to rating of interview credibility; however, interviewer behaviors may have affected interview credibility through an intervening variable. Finally, implications for further use of the CAIICS for examining interviewer-child interactions, evaluating standards of practice, and assisting with interviewer training are discussed. 2 tables and 64 references