Abstract: This study examined differences in professionals’ perceptions of the identification of child abuse according to Collectivist (Arabic and Indian) and Individualist (from several different Western countries) culture. A specially designed vignette concerning either a male or a female child that incorporated aspects from the current accepted definitions of abuse was follows by a specially designed 28 item questionnaire was completed by 201 participants (104 Arabic, 57 Indian and 40 Western). Supporting the hypothesis, abuse was rated higher across all groups when the child was female. Although there was no overall difference for culture in identifying the sexual abuse, partially supporting the hypothesis, there was a significant interaction between culture and the gender of the respondent, with females in the collectivist cultures identifying the abuse more than did the males. Also concerning the gender of the respondent, in the collectivist culture, females rated more highly than the males regarding the unacceptability of fondling behaviour by both the mother and the father. No similar differences were found in the Western culture, with respondents reporting the unacceptability of fondling behaviour. The results provide a better understanding of issues surrounding child sexual abuse among different cultures. This will guide future strategies aimed at increasing access and effective management to meet perceived needs.
Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse, Professionals’ Perceptions, Collectivist Cultures, Western Cultures.
Title: PROFESSIONALS' PERCEPTIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: COMPARISON OF ARABIC, INDIAN AND WESTERN CULTURES
Author: Samia Abul
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-3148 (online), ISSN 2348-313X (Print)
Research Publish Journals
