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Coercive uses of mandatory reporting in therapeutic relationships
Author(s) -
Anderson Elizabeth,
Levine Murray,
Sharma Anupama,
Ferretti Lousie,
Steinberg Karen,
Wallach Leah
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.2370110310
Subject(s) - coercion (linguistics) , legislation , anger , attendance , psychology , suicide prevention , medicine , poison control , psychiatry , political science , medical emergency , law , philosophy , linguistics
Mandatory reporting legislation was enacted with little consideration of its consequences for ongoing therapeutic relationships. One consequence is the unanticipated and coercive uses of the law in mental health settings. Thirty therapists and 25 child protective service workers were interviewed about their experiences with mandatory reporting in therapy relationships. The interviews revealed unanticipated as well as coercive uses of mandatory reporting in therapeutic relationships, including prompting crisis in family systems to promote change, and using reporting or threats of it to enforce attendance and engagement in therapy. Therapists'd anger and view of reporting as a form of power or tool for social control also related to coercive uses of mandatory reporting. The special case of coercion in mandated cases resulting from mandatory reporting legislation is discussed as well.