07/31/2026
By Stephanie Block

The University of Massachusetts Lowell Department of Psychology invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Alexandria P. Winstead on “A Mixed Methods Approach to Exploring Patterns of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosures, Caregiver Responses, and Multidisciplinary Team Functioning.”

Event Details

  • Candidate: Alexandria P. Winstead
  • Degree: Doctoral
  • Defense date: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026
  • Time: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Coburn 275 and Zoom
  • Dissertation title: A Mixed Methods Approach to Exploring Patterns of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosures, Caregiver Responses, and Multidisciplinary Team Functioning

Committee

  • Advisor: Stephanie D. Block, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Committee members:
    • Yan Wang, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell
    • Joseph E. Gonzales, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell
    • Linda M. Williams, Ph.D., Justice and Gender-Based Violence Research Initiative, Wellesley Centers for Women

Brief Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a pervasive public health issue with significant consequences for children and families. Timely abuse reporting and effective multidisciplinary team (MDT) responses are essential to promoting child safety, facilitating access to services, and supporting legal outcomes. However, gaps remain in the literature about how abuse characteristics influence disclosure, the decisions caregivers make in reporting their child’s abuse, and how CSA professionals function in a team. This dissertation begins to address these gaps through three complementary studies examining key stages of the CSA response continuum.

The first study used latent class analysis to identify patterns of abusive acts and perpetrator tactics and examined whether class membership was associated with children's disclosure recipients. Three patterns of abusive acts, two patterns of perpetrator tactics, and two combined patterns were identified; however, abuse characteristics were not associated with disclosure recipients. Although these abuse patterns were not associated with disclosure recipients, the findings could suggest that disclosure decisions are likely influenced by broader developmental, interpersonal and contextual factors rather than abuse characteristics alone.

The second study employed qualitative interviews with non-offending caregivers to examine how they first became aware of their child's abuse and the pathways to reporting to authorities. Caregivers identified three primary methods of becoming aware of the abuse: direct disclosure, accidental discovery of abuse-related evidence and third-party notification. After caregivers learned about the abuse, they either reported immediately to formal systems, such as police or child protective services, or first sought informal consultation before taking formal action. This study expands existing research by recognizing that caregiver awareness of abuse may occur in multiple ways beyond direct verbal disclosure from the child and provides insight into the factors shaping caregivers' reporting decisions.

The third study surveyed multidisciplinary professionals to examine barriers and facilitators to MDT functioning and professional burnout rates. Overall, MDT professionals reported positive perceptions of team functioning, identifying organizational support, effective communication, good professional relationships and active participation as important facilitators of team dynamics. They also had average rates of burnout that were not influenced by team factors. These findings extend the limited literature examining team dynamics within CSA MDTs and emphasize the importance of organizations investing in team processes to support workforce sustainability and employee well-being.

Findings from this dissertation can advance information available to caregivers on informal and formal supports following abuse discovery and provide organizations with guidance on what MDT professionals are identifying as facilitators in their team.