Professionals' attitudes and accuracy on child abuse reporting decisions in New Zealand
Rodriguez, Christina M.
Professionals' attitudes and accuracy on child abuse reporting decisions in New Zealand Rodriguez, Christina M. - Thousand Oaks, CA Sage 2002 - Journal of Interpersonal Violence .
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 17(3) March 2002 : 320-342
This article discusses a study that investigated the child abuse reporting decision-making patterns of health, education, and mental health professionals. Surveys were sent to these three professional groups, with a total of 255 participants partaking in 12 hypothetical abuse scenarios. The research evaluated professionals' attitudes and beliefs about abuse reporting policies, as well as the various factors that related to the accuracy of reporting decisions. It was found that mental health professionals were less accurate in reporting decisions than teachers or doctors. Those opposed to mandatory reporting were least accurate, but most certain in their reporting decisions. This was apparent across occupations. Accuracy was the highest for child abuse cases and the lowest for neglect scenarios. The results suggest that those who hold biases against mandatoryreporting are less accurate.
xxu
1552-6518
DEMOGRAPHICS
INTERVENTION
POLICY
SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
PREVENTION
CHILD ABUSE
NEW ZEALAND
Professionals' attitudes and accuracy on child abuse reporting decisions in New Zealand Rodriguez, Christina M. - Thousand Oaks, CA Sage 2002 - Journal of Interpersonal Violence .
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 17(3) March 2002 : 320-342
This article discusses a study that investigated the child abuse reporting decision-making patterns of health, education, and mental health professionals. Surveys were sent to these three professional groups, with a total of 255 participants partaking in 12 hypothetical abuse scenarios. The research evaluated professionals' attitudes and beliefs about abuse reporting policies, as well as the various factors that related to the accuracy of reporting decisions. It was found that mental health professionals were less accurate in reporting decisions than teachers or doctors. Those opposed to mandatory reporting were least accurate, but most certain in their reporting decisions. This was apparent across occupations. Accuracy was the highest for child abuse cases and the lowest for neglect scenarios. The results suggest that those who hold biases against mandatoryreporting are less accurate.
xxu
1552-6518
DEMOGRAPHICS
INTERVENTION
POLICY
SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
PREVENTION
CHILD ABUSE
NEW ZEALAND