Mandatory reporting of child maltreatment when delivering family-based treatment for eating disorders: A framework analysis of practitioner experiences

Melissa Kimber; Jill R McTavish; Candice Luo; Jennifer Couturier; Gina Dimitropoulos; Harriet MacMillan

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.010

Mandatory reporting of child maltreatment when delivering family-based treatment for eating disorders: A framework analysis of practitioner experiences

Child Abuse Negl. 2019 Feb:88:118-128. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.010. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Authors

Melissa Kimber¹, Jill R McTavish², Candice Luo³, Jennifer Couturier⁴, Gina Dimitropoulos⁵, Harriet MacMillan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: kimberms@mcmaster.ca.
² Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
³ Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
⁴ Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
⁵ Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.

PMID: 30476720
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.010

Abstract

Background: Increasingly, evidence-based treatment guidelines emphasize the role of parents in first-line treatment approaches for child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Yet there are no best practice guidelines for practitioners on the identification and reporting of suspicions and disclosures of child maltreatment to child protection services (CPS) in these circumstances. This is particularly concerning given that undetected and unreported child maltreatment may exacerbate the vulnerabilities of youth with mental illness.

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe family-based practitioners' experiences of reporting child emotional abuse (CEA) and child exposure to intimate partner violence (CEIPV) to CPS.

Participants and setting: Data from 30 practitioners based in five countries were included in this study.

Methods: We use deductive framework analysis of qualitative interviews with practitioners providing family-based treatment to youth diagnosed with eating disorders. Interviews for the primary study elicited participants' perceptions and experiences of identifying and responding to CEA and CEIPV in practice. All transcripts were analysed by two authors using constructs identified by a qualitative meta-synthesis of mandatory reporting experiences among service providers.

Results: Three participants identified as male, 27 as female. Practitioners described negative experiences when reporting CEA and CEIPV to CPS, as well as variable CPS responses to their reports. Findings confirm the need for additional training for mental health practitioners to recognize and report CEA and CEIPV.

Conclusions: Management of CEA and CEIPV while delivering family-based treatment remains an important area of practice that requires further inquiry.

Keywords: Child emotional abuse; Child exposure to intimate partner violence; Child maltreatment; Mandatory reporting; Qualitative research.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Child Abuse*
Child Protective Services
Confidentiality
Family Therapy* / ethics
Family Therapy* / statistics & numerical data
Feeding and Eating Disorders / therapy*
Female
Health Personnel*
Humans
Informed Consent
Interviews as Topic
Intimate Partner Violence*
Male
Mandatory Reporting*
Parents
Qualitative Research