Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Lanesskog, Deirdre

Abstract

Individuals working with children should have the ability to identify and report child abuse based off their knowledge as a mandated reporter. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of individuals working with children on their ability to identify and report child abuse. The literature suggests that some mandated reporters lack adequate training and display little knowledge of what to do in a situation where a child shows signs of abuse. This study incorporates the Systems Theory Approach and the Psychosocial Development Theory.

This study uses a cross-sectional quantitative research design using an online questionnaire designed by the researcher and administered using Qualtrics survey software. Fifty participants completed the 28-question survey. All participants answered true to the statement that mandated reporters are individuals who are responsible to report known or suspected abuse or neglect relating to children. Results suggest that participants are aware of their obligations to report child abuse, and yet, only a portion of participants indicated their intention to report suspected abuse. The study’s results are discussed and are compared to the literature on mandated reporting. In addition, implications for social work research and practice are explored.

Included in

Social Work Commons

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