According to interactionist theory, recognition and reporting of child abuse will vary by characteristics of the event, characteristics of the observer, and characteristics of the organization in which the process occurs. To test hypotheses derived from this theory, a factorial survey design was employed. A probability sample of nurses ( N = 1,038) responded to vignettes where case characteristic variables were systematically manipulated. Analysis using ordinary least squares regression showed that case characteristics involving type and level of seriousness of abuse, perpetrator status, and perpetrator psychology had the greatest effects on the average recognition and reporting scores. Victim age and gender had consistently significant but small effects on both recognition and reporting. Perpetrator account had mixed effects on recognition and reporting. The addition of nurse characteristics and organizational characteristics accounted for a small additional amount of the variance.
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