Abstract
The study used an experimental design to investigate factors that influence a child protective service worker's decisions to recommend court action in cases of child abuse involving physical injury. The focus was decisions that are made early in an investigation. Seriousness of injury, whether or not there was a previous child abuse report, the consistency of the explanation regarding nature and location of injury, and parental reaction toward the worker were all found to significantly affect case disposition decisions. Although there was a general tendency among workers not to recommend court action, there was substantial disagreement regarding the appropriateness of court action in particular child abuse cases. The findings substantiate the need for clarification of decision-making criteria in child abuse cases.
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