Development and Initial Evaluation of a Cost-effective, Internet-based Program to Assist Professionals in Reporting Suspected Child Maltreatment

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma

Volume

10

Issue

4

First page number:

385

Last page number:

393

Abstract

Many professionals in the U.S. are deficient in the identification and federally-mandated reporting of suspected child maltreatment, and there is a dearth of evidence-supported training programs in child maltreatment reporting. The Internet offers great promise for delivering such training because it is cost-effective and permits a vast audience. In this feasibility study, we describe the development and initial evaluation of an Internet-based training module specific to the identification and reporting of suspected child maltreatment. Participants who completed this training program gained a greater knowledge of child maltreatment reporting practices and were able to identify signs and symptoms of child abuse better than participants in a control condition (p <.001). There was also a significant change in participants’ self-reported knowledge (p <.001) after taking the tutorial. Finally, qualitative analyses indicated that participants reported that their experience with the training program was very positive. The results of this preliminary study suggest positive training outcomes in child maltreatment reporting can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time and without substantial cost. The examined training program may offer educational administrators in pre-professional child service delivery systems a method of training future professionals to manage child maltreatment. The study results also provide a base in which investigators can enhance training in child maltreatment reporting. © 2016, Springer International Publishing.

Language

english

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