Citation

Powell MB, Fisher RP, Hughes-Scholes CH. Child Abuse Negl. 2008; 32(11): 1007-1016.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.05.005

PMID

19027162

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A single study tested the hypothesis that simulated practice interviews for investigative interviewers of children are more effective when the role of the child respondent is played by trained actors (i.e., postgraduate psychology students) than untrained fellow participants (i.e., child protection workers). METHOD: The interviewers included 50 child protection service workers. Each interviewer received instruction in the use of open-ended questions and then engaged in two simulated practice interviews. The role of the child respondent in the practice interviews was played by either a trained psychology student or an untrained fellow participant. The key outcome measure was the proportion of open-ended questions, which was assessed immediately prior to and after the practice sessions, as well as 12 weeks post-training. RESULTS: Interviewers who had practiced with trained actors had higher post-training performance (M=.83, SD=.12) compared to those who had practiced with untrained fellow participants (M=.73, SD=.13, p<.05), even at the 12-week follow up (M actors=.66, SD=.25; M untrained actors=.49, SD= .23, p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Training programs that make better use of practice opportunities (e.g., by using trained respondents) will be more effective in improving the performance of investigative interviewers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A single study investigated the relative effectiveness of two simulated practice exercises for professionals who interview children about abuse. This research is relevant to professionals who design investigative interviewer training programs because it indicates that practical exercises, which are currently chosen onan 'adhoc' or convenience basis, can vary markedly in their effectiveness in encouragingadherence toopen questions.

Language: en