Child sexual abuse has existed for a long time, but it has only been recognized as a national problem since the 1960s. There has been minimal research in this area and the prior literature on child sexual abuse has ignored many important research issues. For instance, not much attention has been devoted to the issue of how child sexual abuse cases are substantiated or the variables that are predictive of the decision making process to substantiate or unsubstantiate child sexual abuse cases. / This study addresses the question of "What factors affect the decision making process in the substantiation of child sexual abuse cases?" The research question is important because there is little known about the decision making process that results in some individuals being labeled "victims" and some "abusers." The present study uses labeling theory in an attempt to clarify the decision making process by determining the types of variables that are most predictive of the substantiation decision. / To investigate this research question, secondary data from the Protective Services Unit of the Department of Human Resources in Opelika, Alabama were used. Case files of children reported to the agency between January 1982 to October 1987 for sexual abuse allegations were examined. A study group of 233 children was used to analyze results. / Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether or not there was a relationship between specified factors and the decision to substantiate or unsubstantiate sexual abuse cases. Findings indicate that the most important predictor influencing the decision making process was statements made by children admitting or denying the sexual abuse allegations. When children admitted sexual abuse allegations, the case was more likely to be substantiated. Also, when children denied sexual abuse allegations, the case was more likely to be unsubstantiated. Overall, the results from this research provide some support for labeling theory. In order to verify the findings, however, further research is needed. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-02, Section: A, page: 0543. / Major Professor: Gordon P. Waldo. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77939 |
| Contributors | Heard, Chinita Ann., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 241 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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