A macro-coding perspective: Interviewer support and child comfort in investigative interviews with young alleged victims of sexual abuse

Abstract

Macro-ratings of socio-emotional and cognitive qualities of interactions between children and forensic interviewers were examined in 95 interviews of 4- to-13-year-olds who disclosed sexual abuse. Lower quality interactions were more evident when children were recounting the abuse than during rapport-building or when children were discussing past disclosures. Older children expressed less discomfort and had more synchronous interactions with interviewers than younger children. The findings highlight room for improvement in the provision of cognitive and emotional support by forensic interviewers. The study showed the importance of considering multiple dimensions when assessing the socio-emotional and cognitive dynamics of forensic interviews and illustrated the value of macro-level coding.