“I’m here to listen and want you to know I am a mandated reporter”: Understanding how text message-based crisis counselors facilitate child maltreatment disclosures

dc.contributor.authorCash, S. J., Murfree, L., & Schwab-Reese, L.
dc.date.accessioned2021-05-10T14:50:30Z
dc.date.available2021-05-10T14:50:30Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractEmerging research suggests technology-facilitated crisis services are a promising method to support young people during child maltreatment disclosure. Little is known about how employees/volunteers respond to child maltreatment disclosure in these platforms and how they may support young victims through the disclosure process. Objectives We sought to determine how crisis counselors respond to child maltreatment disclosures using a content analysis of all conversations within a text-based crisis organization that resulted in a mandatory report. Methods We conducted an iterative team-based content analysis of 244 conversations (24,730 text messages) between a young person and a crisis counselor from an anonymous text-based crisis service. All conversations included in the sample resulted in a mandatory report to child protective services. Results There were two crucial points in maltreatment disclosure conversations. The first occurred immediately after the disclosure. At this point, crisis counselors most often provided sympathy and affirmation. The second crucial point after disclosure was the discussion of mandatory reporting. In many cases, crisis counselors confirmed both parties understood mandatory reporting and encouraged young people to consider the repercussions of their decision to share identifiable information that would permit a mandatory report. Conclusion Understanding how crisis counselors responded to young people in one text-based crisis service, particularly characteristics of well-received conversations, may inform the policies and processes for other organizations. Continued exploration of crisis text-based services may improve the disclosure process for young victims.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCash, S. J., Murfree, L., & Schwab-Reese, L. (2020). “I’m here to listen and want you to know I am a mandated reporter”: Understanding how text message-based crisis counselors facilitate child maltreatment disclosures. Child abuse & neglect, 102, 104414.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145213420300697
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/5086
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherChild Abuse & Neglecten_US
dc.subjectmandatory reportingen_US
dc.subjectchild abuseen_US
dc.subjectdisclosureen_US
dc.subjectresearchen_US
dc.subjectonline counselingen_US
dc.subjectcrisis servicesen_US
dc.title“I’m here to listen and want you to know I am a mandated reporter”: Understanding how text message-based crisis counselors facilitate child maltreatment disclosuresen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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