AN ASSESSMENT OF AN EDUCATION PACKAGE INTERVENTION TARGETING THE APPROPRIATE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE

Author

• Clinton K. Wirtz, Western Michigan University

Date of Award

6-2005

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

R. Wayne Fuque Ph.D.

Second Advisor

James Carr, Pd.D.

Third Advisor

James Henry, Ph.D.

Keywords

child abuse, child protective services

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The proper reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect continues to be a concern despite laws requiring professionals working with children to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to Children's Protective Services (CPS). This study assesses the efficacy of an education intervention versus the Michigan Child Protection Law (CPL) using 29 undergraduate child psychology students. Videotaped scenarios of simulated child interviews were used in a pretest/posttest between-groups design. Child physical abuse was the focus of the study. The results of the student participants' decisions regarding the videotaped scenarios were compared to the results of 10 CPS employees having 3 to 25 years of experience who also rated the scenarios. No significant difference was found between the education packet intervention and the CPL as measured by the ratings of the participants tested.

Recommended Citation

Wirtz, Clinton K., "AN ASSESSMENT OF AN EDUCATION PACKAGE INTERVENTION TARGETING THE APPROPRIATE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE" (2005). Masters Theses. 5535.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/5535