Portwood, S. "The Impact of Individuals' Characteristics and Experiences on Their Definitions
             Of Child Maltreatment." Child Abuse & Neglect Vol. 22, No. 5 (1998): 437-452.
             This article focused on a study done by Portwood to try and identify and determine what constitutes child abuse and or neglect. The current state of definitions presents a dilemma not only to researchers attempting to elucidate the dynamics of child maltreatment, but also to a variety of professionals involved in the identification, assessment, treatment, and prosecution of cases of abuse and neglect. The goal of the study was to assist researchers and law-and policy makers in clarifying the roles of such personal characteristics and experiences in individuals' decision-making in regards to child maltreatment. Attention was paid in particular to the impact of parenting experience and personal experiences with actual and potential abuse as a professional, perpetrator, and or victim. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) non parents are more likely than parents to define an act as maltreatment; and (2) an increase in parenting experience is related to a reduced likelihood of rating acts as abuse or neglect.
             There were 323 participants used for the study (110 males and 213 females.) Participants represented six groups with diverse relationships and experience with children; mental health professionals, legal professionals, medical professionals, preschool and elementary school teachers, parents and adult non-parents. Approximately half of the participants (170) had children of their own or had had children under age 18 live in their home. Participants had offspring ranging in age from less than 1 year to 38 years of age. The sample reflected a wide range of educational and religious backgrounds. Of particular interest was half of the participants (50.9%, #163) reported that they had come into contact with a case or suspected case
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