Understanding how children remember and talk about events related to abuse
Children's Comprehension and Memory of Event Sequences and Its Implications for Maltreatment Disclosure
This study looks at how kids of different ages remember and talk about bad experiences, like abuse, to help find better ways for adults to ask them questions in court so they can share their stories more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11075137 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how children of different ages recall and report sequences of events related to maltreatment. It aims to identify effective questioning strategies that can help children accurately convey their experiences in legal settings. By analyzing legal transcripts and conducting experiments, the study will explore the relationship between children's age, memory, and the way they respond to questions about their experiences. The findings could improve the methods used by caregivers and legal professionals when interviewing children about sensitive topics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include children aged 0-21 who have experienced or witnessed maltreatment.
Not a fit: Children who have not experienced maltreatment or are outside the age range of 0-21 may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better interviewing techniques that enhance the accuracy of children's testimonies in abuse cases, ultimately improving child protection outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that effective questioning techniques can significantly improve the accuracy of children's reports in legal contexts, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klemfuss, Jessica Zoe — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Klemfuss, Jessica Zoe
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.