Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-sxzjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T22:04:41.861Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Factors influencing psychologists’ decisions to report child abuse: A pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Michelle K. Turner
Affiliation:
Swinburne University of Technology
Ann Knowles*
Affiliation:
Swinburne University of Technology
*
Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn Victoria 3122, Phone: +61 (03) 9214 8205, Fax: +61 (03) 9819 0574, E-mail: aknowles@swin.edu.au
Get access

Abstract

This exploratory study investigated factors influencing psychologists’ decisions to report child abuse. Sixty Victorian psychologists, most of whom had experience with alleged child abuse situations, completed a questionnaire that presented vignettes in which a father denied abusing his daughter. The father's level of denial was varied between angry denial with no acknowledgment of any problems and denial combined with acknowledging problems existed. After each vignette, the psychologists answered questions relating to the incident and general questions dealing with reporting of child abuse. Participants were more likely to report in the vignette when the father angrily denied the abuse as compared to denial with an acknowledgment that problems existed. In deciding whether abuse had occurred, psychologists gave most weight to their confidence that she was being abused. Psychologists who had reported an actual case of child abuse were more likely to report in the hypothetical situation. Generally, respondents supported the introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse, although some expressed concerns about the quality of community services in this area.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Angus, G., & Hall, G.(1996). Child abuse and neglect Australia 1994–95. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Child Welfare Series No. 16, AGPS, Canberra.Google Scholar
Australian Psychological Society. (1997). Code of ethics. Melbourne: Author.Google Scholar
Australian PsychologicalSociety. (1999). Guidelines on confidentiality (including when working with minors). Melbourne: Author.Google Scholar
Beck, K. A., & Ogloff, J.R.P. (1995). Child abuse reporting in British Colombia: Psychologists’ knowledge of and compliance with the reporting law. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 26, 245251.Google Scholar
Brosig, C. L., & Kalichman, S.C. (1992). Child abuse reporting decisions:Effects of statutory wording of reporting requirements. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 23, 486492.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Finlayson, L.M., & Koocher, G.P. (1991). Professional judgement and child abuse reporting in sexual abuse cases. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice,22, 464472.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kalichman, S.C., & Craig, M.E. (1991). Professional psychologists’ decisions to report suspected child abuse: Clinician and situation influences. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 22, 8489.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kalichman, S. C., Craig, M.E., Follingstad, D.R. (1988). Mental health professionals and suspected cases of child abuse: An investigation of factors influencing reporting. Community Mental Health Journal, 24, 4351.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kalichman, S. C, Craig, M.E., & Follingstad, D.R. (1989). Factors influencing the reporting of father-child sexual abuse: A study of licensed practising psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 20, 8489.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kalichman, S.C., Craig, M.E., & Follingstad, D.R. (1990). Professionals’ adherence to mandatory child abuse reporting laws: Effects of responsibility attribution, confidence ratings, and situational factors. Child Abuse and Neglect, 14, 6977.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kennel, R.G., & Agresti, A.A. (1995). Effects of gender and age on psychologists’ reporting of child sexual abuse. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 26, 612615.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MacMahon, M., & Knowles, A. (1997). Psychologists’ and psychiatrists’ perceptions of the dangerous client. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 4, 207216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muehleman, T., ’ Kimmons, C. (1981). Psychologists’ views on child abuse reporting, confidentiality, life, and the laws: An exploratory study. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 12, 631638.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pope, K.S., Tabachnick, B.G., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (1987). The beliefs and behaviours of psychologists as therapists. American Psychologist, 42, 9931006.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Powell, M.P. (1991). Investigating and reporting child sexual abuse: Review and recommendations for clinical practice. Australian Psychologist, 26, 7783.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zellman, G.L. (1990). Child abuse reporting and failure to report among mandated reporters. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 5, 322.CrossRefGoogle Scholar