Gender Differences in Psychosocial Predictors of Attitudes Toward Reporting Child Sexual Abuse in the United Kingdom. Issue 3 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Humphries, Rachel L.; Debowska, Agata; Boduszek, Daniel; Mattison, Michelle L. A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of child sexual abuse. Volume 25:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 293
• Page End: 309
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse -- gender differences -- interpersonal manipulation -- masculinity -- social support; Child sexual abuse -- Periodicals; Child sexual abuse -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Child molesters -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Sexually abused children -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Child Abuse, Sexual -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2016.1133752
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-8712

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is a dearth of research investigating psychosocial correlates of attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse in males and females and a lack of such studies drawing on participants from the United Kingdom. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to examine gender differences in social and psychological predictors of attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse. Participants drawn from the United Kingdom general population were recruited via an opportunistic sampling method. Cross-sectional design using a self-report questionnaire was utilized. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that social support, masculinity, and age form significant associations with attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse in females (total variance explained by the model was 25%). In the male sample, the only significant predictor of attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse was interpersonal manipulation (total variance explained by the model was 9%). This study provides an important insight into psychosocial barriers and facilitators to reporting child sexual abuse. Such knowledge is crucial for the early detection and prevention of abuse.