Child Maltreatment: What Attitudinal Factors Drive Graduate Students in Speech-Language Pathology to Report?

Abstract

Purpose: To understand the factors that predict the likelihood graduate students in speech-language pathology will report maltreatment in order to assist in minimizing its occurrence and child mortality. Method: Graduate students in speech-language pathologists (N=148) attending accredited programs in the United States were surveyed regarding their attitudes (e.g., commitment, confidence, and concern) toward child maltreatment, including the likelihood they will report alleged abuse and neglect. The study was controlled for ethnicity and gender. The results of the survey were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and showed the strength of the relationship between the predictor variables (e.g., commitment, confidence, and concern), including the covariates (e.g., gender and ethnicity) on the criterion variable (e.g., reporting practices). The Theory of Reasoned Action served as the theoretical framework. Results: The results of the study suggested that the attitudinal dimensions of commitment and concern, including the covariate gender, have a statistically significant contribution to the likelihood that graduate students in speechlanguage pathology will report alleged child maltreatment. Conclusions: As the attitudinal dimensions of commitment and concern increase, so does the likelihood that graduate students in speech-language pathology will report suspected maltreatment, especially females.