NURSES RESPONSES TO CHILD-ABUSE - A FACTORIAL SURVEY

According to interactionist theory, recognition and reporting of child abuse will vary by characteristics of the event, characteristics of t he observer and characteristics of the organization in which the proce ss occurs. To test hypotheses derived from this theory, a factorial su rvey design was employed. A probability sample of nurses (N = 1,038) r esponded to vignettes where case characteristic variables were systema tically manipulated. Analysis using ordinary least squares regression showed that case characteristics involving type and level of seriousne ss of abuse, perpetrator status, and perpetrator psychology had the gr eatest effects on the average recognition and reporting scores. Victim age and gender had consistently significant but small effects on both recognition and reporting. Perpetrator account had mixed effects on r ecognition and reporting. The addition of nurse characteristics and or ganizational characteristics accounted for a small additional amount o f the variance.