The impact of individuals' characteristics and experiences on their definitions of child maltreatment.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to explore the extent to which individuals' own characteristics and experiences, particularly those involving child-rearing and child maltreatment, influence their definitions of abuse and neglect.


METHODS
An anonymous written questionnaire asking respondents to rate the importance of individual factors to an abuse determination, as well as to rate the likelihood of specific acts incorporated into vignettes to constitute abuse, was administered to participants (n = 323) representing six groups with diverse relationships and experience with children: mental health professionals, legal professionals, medical professionals, preschool and elementary school teachers, parents, and adult nonparents.


RESULTS
Parenting experience had only a minimal effect on assessments of abuse, while having encountered a case or suspected case of maltreatment at work predisposed individuals to view more ambiguous acts as less likely to constitute abuse. Nonetheless, this latter group was less receptive to factors offered in mitigation of perpetrator liability. Surprisingly, no effect was detected for individuals themselves identifying as a victim or perpetrator of abuse or neglect.


CONCLUSIONS
Although personal experiences with child-rearing and child maltreatment had only a marginal effect on individuals' assessments of abuse and neglect, the role played by professional experiences with such cases should be investigated further as it does appear to impact these determinations. Along with the delineation of key factors discussed in this study, such work can assist in the development of a much needed standard to guide practitioners, particularly in regard to more ambiguous acts which tended to produce more guarded reactions from professionals.
Portwood
S G
SG
Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D002668:Child Rearing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology