Citation

Bourne R, Newberger EH. Child Abuse Negl. 1980; 4(2): 137-144.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The group process aspects of child protection in a children's hospital are examined. A team approach to case management enables personal support for individual members experiencing the strong emotions attached to protective service cases, eases the burden of individual decision-making, and divides the complex tasks of data gathering and analysis. Confusion is fostered by inattention to personal and group expectations, individual roles, the status structure, and the methods for maintaining social cohesion. A team handbook may help to standardize decision-making, but in such efforts to reduce conflict, group norms may be obscured. Task-oriented and social-emotional norms are discussed, and guidelines are offered to foster a more adequate approach to group problem solving.