How Social Workers' Perceptions as Mandated Reporters May Impact Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
Abstract
Child maltreatment is a worldwide concern. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, social
workers are mandated reporters. When there is reasonable suspicion, they are required by
law to report suspected child maltreatment to the appropriate Child Protective Services
office. In this study, the research problem was the underreporting of child maltreatment,
even when reasonable suspicion existed. The purpose of this study, as reflected in the
research questions, was to understand social workers’ perceptions of their role as
mandated reporters, to explore how their perceptions impacted reporting, and to develop
recommendations that could be implemented to help ensure appropriate reporting. An
action research study was conducted with master’s level social workers in southern
Virginia. Symbolic interaction theory was used in researching the social workers’ role
and their perceptions as mandated reporters interacting with clients. Qualitative data were
collected from a focus group of 6 social workers and analyzed using specific coding
protocols. Six themes emerged: (a) importance of the role of social worker as a mandated
reporter, (b) role conflict, (c) negative consequences, (d) feelings, (e) increased
knowledge of child abuse laws, and (f) education of clients. The findings of this study
may be used by regulators and agency personnel to design education, training, and
supervision to help ensure social workers are prepared to appropriately respond to
mandated reporting requirements.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
social workers, mandated reporters, roles, research, child abuse
Citation
Goulart, D. (2018). How Social Workers' Perceptions as Mandated Reporters May Impact Reporting Suspected Child Abuse (Dissertation). Walden University. 80 pp