The Role of Attitudes and Beliefs in Decision-Making to Intervene in Minor Sexual Exploitation/Trafficking Cases
Natalia (Natasha) Smith, MSW, LICSW-S, PIP | September 19 | 3:15-4:15 pm EDT
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
The literature illustrates that helping professionals’ decisions to intervene (e.g., improve well-being) are often influenced by characteristics such as their beliefs, attitudes, culture, education, and emotions. Studies exist that provide a glimpse into the role of attitudes and beliefs in reporting decisions. Yet, how and what types of attitudes and beliefs influence decision-making when intervening at different stages of the helping process with minor sexual exploitation/trafficking (MSE/T) cases are still understudied. This study sought to understand: 1) what attitudes and beliefs influence helping professionals to choose one of several intervention options? and 2) what is the role of client and case-specific factors in the decision-making? Using Pragmatic Qualitative Inquiry, 43 interviews were conducted via Zoom, involving 16 helping professionals, using a three-series interview structure. The participants represented all four U.S. regions, were predominantly female (87.5%), white (75%), and social workers (56.25%) by training. All helping professionals had experience intervening in MSE/T cases. Findings suggest that helping professionals held attitudes and beliefs that contributed to engagement in equal intervention options despite individual or case-specific factors, individualized intervention options to meet the unique needs of the clients, or inequitable intervention decisions resulting from individual or case-specific biases/stereotypes. The attitudes and beliefs are influenced by a lack of knowledge and resources, agency mission and values, and personal biases. Practice, policy, and research implications will be discussed, including increased education (e.g., in higher education and employment) across all professions, the need for deconstructing biases and assumptions, and supervision opportunities.
Presentation Objectives:
• Understand what factors influence helping professionals’ attitudes and beliefs
• Learn how helping professionals’ decision-making differs based on attitudes and beliefs to intervene in MSE/T cases
• Recommend changes that strengthen helping professionals’ ability to engage in equitable decision-making