Enhancing parent-child communication about sexual abuse: a pilot study. 1998

E S Burgess, and S K Wurtele
Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 80933-7150, USA.

OBJECTIVE To determine if a commercially produced video, "What Do I Say Now?" (Committee for Children, 1996) leads to an increase in parent-child discussion about child sexual abuse (CSA). METHODS Forty-five parents of children 2-6 years of age were randomly assigned to participate in either a CSA prevention workshop or a workshop on home safety (control). The post-test measure assessed parents' beliefs about the severity of CSA and their children's vulnerability to abuse (threat appraisal), along with their self-efficacy and response-efficacy beliefs (coping appraisal). The effects of the coping- and threat-appraisal components of Roger's (1983) protection motivation theory (PMT) on parents' intentions to talk to their children about the topic were also examined. During a followup telephone interview, parents were asked to report the amount of communication they had engaged in with their children about CSA since attending the workshop. RESULTS Parents who had participated in the CSA workshop reported significantly greater intentions of talking to their children about CSA, compared to the control group. At followup, these parents also reported having had significantly more discussions about CSA with their children compared with control parents. The PMT coping-appraisal components were found to be associated with parent intentions to discuss the topic. CONCLUSIONS Results provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of an educational video for increasing parent-child communication about CSA. Support was also found for the coping-appraisal components of PMT. Suggestions for increasing parent involvement in CSA prevention efforts are offered.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010287 Parent-Child Relations The interactions between parent and child. Parent-Offspring Interaction,Parent Child Relationship,Parent-Child Relationship,Interaction, Parent-Offspring,Parent Child Relations,Parent Child Relationships,Parent Offspring Interaction,Parent-Child Relation,Parent-Child Relationships,Parent-Offspring Interactions,Relation, Parent-Child,Relationship, Parent Child,Relationship, Parent-Child
D010865 Pilot Projects Small-scale tests of methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that these methods and procedures can work. Pilot Studies,Pilot Study,Pilot Project,Project, Pilot,Projects, Pilot,Studies, Pilot,Study, Pilot
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002650 Child Abuse, Sexual Sexual maltreatment of the child or minor. Child Molestation,Child Molestation, Sexual,Molestation, Sexual, Child,Sexual Abuse of Child,Sexual Abuse, Child,Abuse, Child Sexual,Child Sexual Abuse,Molestation, Child,Sexual Child Abuse,Sexual Child Molestation
D003142 Communication The exchange or transmission of ideas, attitudes, or beliefs between individuals or groups. Miscommunication,Misinformation,Social Communication,Communication Programs,Communications Personnel,Personal Communication,Communication Program,Communication, Personal,Communication, Social,Communications, Social,Miscommunications,Misinformations,Personnel, Communications,Program, Communication,Programs, Communication,Social Communications
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000223 Adaptation, Psychological A state of harmony between internal needs and external demands and the processes used in achieving this condition. (From APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, 8th ed). Behavior, Adaptive,Healthy Adaptation,Positive Adaptation,Psychological Recovery,Adaptation, Psychologic,Adjustment,Psychological Adaptation,Adaptation, Healthy,Adaptation, Positive,Adaptive Behavior,Adaptive Behaviors,Healthy Adaptations,Positive Adaptations,Psychologic Adaptation,Psychological Recoveries,Recovery, Psychological
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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