Child Abuse Experts Disagree About the Threshold for Mandated Reporting

Levi, Benjamin H.; Crowell, Kathryn

doi:10.1177/0009922810389170

Cited by 51 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 45 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our findings agree with earlier research that has exposed difficulties in confirming suspicions and set thresholds for mandated reporting maltreatment . This is not surprising as even experts on child abuse can vary in their assessment of abuse .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The dilemma of reporting suspicions of child maltreatment in pediatric dentistry

Kvist

Wickström

Miglis

et al. 2014

European J Oral Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examined the factors that lead specialists in pediatric dentistry to suspect child abuse or neglect and the considerations that influence the decision to report these suspicions to social services. Focus group discussions were used to identify new aspects of child maltreatment suspicion and reporting. Such discussions illuminate the diversity of informants' experiences, opinions, and reflections. Focus groups included 19 specialists and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry. We conducted video-recorded focus group discussions at the informants' dental clinics. All sessions lasted approximately 1.5 hours. We transcribed the discussions verbatim and studied the transcripts using thematic analysis, a method well-suited to evaluating the experiences discussed and how the informants understand them.The analysis process elicited key concepts and identified one main theme, which we labeled "the dilemma of reporting child maltreatment." We found this dilemma to pervade a variety of situations and divided it in three subthemes: to support or report, differentiating concern for well-being from maltreatment, and the supportive or unhelpful consultation.Reporting a suspicion about child maltreatment seems to be a clinical and ethical dilemma arising from concerns of having contradicting professional roles, difficulties confirming suspicions of maltreatment, and perceived shortcomings in the child protection system.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The dilemma of reporting suspicions of child maltreatment in pediatric dentistry

Kvist

Wickström

Miglis

et al. 2014

European J Oral Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…() have identified several barriers to reporting: Lack of knowledge – Healthcare professionals do not always recognise signs and symptoms of abuse (Berkowitz, ; Jenny et al ., ; Markenson et al ., ), and do not always fully understand mandatory reporting procedures (Ward et al, ). Many professionals may believe that they need strong and clear‐cut evidence in order to report, rather than a reasonable suspicion of maltreatment (Flaherty et al ., ; Levi and Crowell, ; Pietrantonio et al ., ). Concern regarding potential negative consequences for clients – The nature of relationships between paediatricians and children's families and the fear of potential harms to the families caused by the report could be a barrier to reporting (Asnes and Leventhal, ; Bannon and Carter, ; Jones et al ., ). Negative attitudes toward CPS – Health professionals who have had prior negative experiences in dealing with CPS may feel reluctant to report to CPS, believing that involvement of CPS may cause more harm than benefit (Flaherty et al, ; Jones et al ., ). Other clinicians appear reluctant to involve child protection agencies on the basis of their belief that doing so would not be in the best interests of the child's welfare (Bannon and Carter, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Israeli Paediatricians' Attitudes and Experiences of Reporting Child Maltreatment and Related Training Needs

Jedwab

Benbenishty

2017

Child Abuse Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Healthcare professionals and particularly paediatricians have a significant responsibility to diagnose and report child maltreatment. In situations where there is a suspicion of maltreatment, the professionals have to report the case to the authorities. Even though reporting is mandatory, previous research indicates that health professionals tend to report only a few of their suspected cases. The aims of the current study are to: (1) examine paediatricians' attitudes and experiences concerning the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect cases; (2) assess paediatricians' training needs; and (3) examine the associations between paediatricians' attitudes and years of experience with suspected maltreatment handling and their training needs. A sample of 200 Israeli paediatricians, all members of the Israeli Paediatric Association, completed telephone interviews regarding their attitudes, experiences and training needs. The findings indicate high rates of reporting and a need for additional training. Paediatricians who had less experience with such cases or those with minimal training were more likely to ask for training. There was no significant correlation between the paediatricians' attitudes and years of experience. The authors suggest the development of specialised training programmes that will provide paediatricians with theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to child abuse and neglect. Key Practitioner Messages Health professionals are often required by law to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Prior studies indicate that there are various barriers to reporting. Studies indicate a need for further theoretical and practical training and education of health professionals.

show abstract

“…3 -5 The authors of 1 study showed that even child abuse experts do not agree on where the threshold for reporting lies. 6 Without a specific definition or cutoff for reasonable suspicion, there continues to be variability in reporting practices. 7 There are also numerous reasons that physicians may decide not to make a report, even when there is a suspicion for child abuse.…”

Section: Larissa Hines MD Commentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Marijuana for Minors May Be Considered Child Abuse

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Food and Drug Administration categorizes marijuana (cannabis) as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has no currently accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse, and no good data on safety. Other Schedule I drugs are heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide, peyote, methaqualone, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"). The authors of some studies have shown that marijuana can reduce nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, can improve food intake in patients with HIV, can reduce neuropathic pain, and may slow the growth of cancer cells. In many states, marijuana use is illegal. No state has approved its use for children. What, then, should doctors do if they become aware that parents are using marijuana to treat medical conditions in their children? What if the children have adverse reactions to the marijuana? In this Ethics Rounds, we present such a case and ask experts in child protection and child abuse to discuss the appropriate response.

show abstract

Child Abuse Experts Disagree About the Threshold for Mandated Reporting

Abstract: This study found no consensus in how experts on child abuse interpret reasonable suspicion.

Cited by 51 publications

References 45 publications

The dilemma of reporting suspicions of child maltreatment in pediatric dentistry

The dilemma of reporting suspicions of child maltreatment in pediatric dentistry

Israeli Paediatricians' Attitudes and Experiences of Reporting Child Maltreatment and Related Training Needs

Medical Marijuana for Minors May Be Considered Child Abuse

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About