Nursing Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceived Behavior Control and Intention to Report Cases of Child Abuse

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to explore nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes and intention to report cases of child abuse. Methods: A descriptive research design was used with a convenience sample of 202 nursing students. After explaining the purpose of the study, participants who signed the consent form were asked to complete a self-descriptive questionnaire, which included the Child Abuse Intension Scale (CARIS). Results: The number of correct answers for knowledge of child abuse and the law was 7.0 /13. The mean scores were, for attitude toward childrearing belief and discipline, 17.1±5.2, for punishment and culpability of offender or victim, 24.6±4.1, for professional responsibility, 30.5±5.1, and for perceived behavioral control, 25.3±5.0. The intended reporting behavior differed significantly by severity of abuse. Factors influencing the intention to report child abuse were attitude towards punishment of parents, professional responsibility, and perceived behavioral control (R²=.133). Conclusion: On the basis of our finding, developing education programs to help nursing students detect child abuse and improve reporting rates is important. Thus, we suggests that nursing students be provided with educational protocol for detection and reporting of child abuse.