Design: A descriptive study design was used to generate knowledge regarding the practice of APNs assessment of CAN risk factors during family assessments.

Population, Sample, Setting: The target population is Advanced Practice Nurses: either Certified Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, or Certified Nurse Midwives. The study sample is 330 APNs who practice in six counties of a Midwestern state. The choice of setting to complete the survey was decided by the respondent.

Concept or Variables Studied: The concepts studied are parenting potential for abusive behavior and the assessment practices of APNs.

Findings: The study demonstrated that 76% of respondents seldom assess the parent's history of severe discipline as a child. Although 50% assess past or present spousal abuse, 35% seldom do. Parental self-esteem is seldom assessed by 34% of respondents, and 38% of APNs do not assess for low income. Nurses with ten years or more of APN experience reported a higher number of incidences of suspected CAN.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence of a deficit of knowledge and understanding of the significance of key risk factors for CAN.

Implications: Further research is needed to identify barriers that prevent APNs from assessing risk factors during family assessments.

Methods: Respondents were surveyed regarding which risk factors are included in the family assessment documentation completed in their clinical practice. A self-report questionnaire was mailed to respondents. The questionnaire used is the Parenting Profile Assessment (PPA)by Anderson. This instrument consists of twenty items that are most predictive of parental potential for abusive behavior. The following demographic information was requested: gender, APN certification, and years of APN experience.

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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004