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Iktilat K, Isacson M, Tzemah-Shahar R, Agmon M. The link between exposure to violence and psychological distress among middle-aged Muslims in Israel: the role of gender. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1382053. [PMID: 38903569 PMCID: PMC11188443 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1382053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction To date, it is still unclear if exposure to violence affects psychological distress in middle-aged adults and if the effects are gender specific. This age group is of special interest as it is at the onset of the aging process and is often overlooked or understudied in scholarly research. Specifically, targeted research on middle-aged Muslims living in Israel, a unique population exposed to increasing violence, is lacking. Methods We examined the relationship between exposure to violence and psychological distress in a cohort of 363 middle-aged adults (223 women) from three Muslim villages in northern Israel, collecting data on violence exposure (Screen for Adolescent Violence Exposure (SAVE) questionnaire), psychological distress (Kessler 6 Psychological Distress questionnaire), and other demographic characteristics including education level and socioeconomic status. We used this data to answer two questions: (1) is exposure to violence a predictor of psychological distress in middle-aged Muslims, and (2) does the relationship between exposure and distress differ between men and women? Results We revealed a positive link between exposure to violence and psychological distress (β = 0.145, p = 0.017) when controlling for gender, age, education level, and socioeconomic level. Discussion Despite previous evidence of gender-based differences in this interplay in younger cohorts, we did not find a significant interaction between gender and the violence exposure-psychological distress interplay. Our findings are some of the first to focus on middle-aged individuals and show that both men and women exhibit connections between exposure to violence and psychological distress when considering covariates. This research provides insights that can be used when planning community-wide interventions and treatment schemes to support healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Iktilat
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Health and Social Welfare, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Ramat Gan Academic College, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Roy Tzemah-Shahar
- The Cheryl Spencer Institute for Nursing Research, Faculty of Health and Social Welfare, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maayan Agmon
- The Cheryl Spencer Institute for Nursing Research, Faculty of Health and Social Welfare, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Tsheole P, Makhado L, Maphula A. Childhood Trauma and Exposure to Violence Interventions: The Need for Effective and Feasible Evidence-Based Interventions. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1760. [PMID: 38002851 PMCID: PMC10670457 DOI: 10.3390/children10111760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Several crimes in South Africa cause physical, economic, and mental problems. Xenophobic attacks, mob justice, and other violent conduct directly traumatise children. Service delivery riots and physical and sexual abuse are examples. This evaluation evaluates childhood trauma and exposure to violence interventions. The review describes the therapeutic methods for traumatised children exposed to violence, the healthcare professionals administering them, and the strategies used to tailor the interventions. The researcher systematically searched PsycINFO, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and EBSCOhost. Literature from 2011 to 31 July 2023 was searched, and 19 papers were chosen for further review after the systematic search. The authors conducted an eligibility evaluation according to PRISMA guidelines. A thorough review of article texts identified 19 papers that met eligibility standards. Only nineteen studies have validated trauma and violence therapies for children. An effective multi-phased intervention that is feasible and adaptable to varied socioeconomic backgrounds is needed. Further studies on the mental health benefits of brief trauma intervention treatment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petunia Tsheole
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Lufuno Makhado
- Public Health, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; (L.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Angelina Maphula
- Public Health, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; (L.M.); (A.M.)
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Rathnum CD, Moodley J. Negative social interactions and the persistence of depression: Evidence from the women of Westbury, South Africa. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2021.2018161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Dalene Rathnum
- Department of Psychology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Moodley
- Department of Psychology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Lester P, Mogil C, Milburn N, Murthy G, Sherin J. A Public Partnership to Support Well-Being: Population Health Implementation of Trauma and Resilience Informed Care Across Child and Family Ecosystems. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2021; 30:737-750. [PMID: 34538445 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Early life adversity and trauma can jeopardize child and family well-being. Mitigating the effects of early adversity and trauma requires a tiered, public health approach that includes trauma-informed mental health promotion, prevention, screening, early intervention, and effective and equitable treatment across community ecosystems and service systems. This article describes the development of a partnership between a public academic (University of California at Los Angeles) and community mental health system (Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health) and provides a roadmap for core principles and actionable steps to implement coherent, comprehensive, and adaptive trauma-informed community systems of support for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Lester
- UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, 760 Westwood Plaza, A8-159, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Catherine Mogil
- UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, 760 Westwood Plaza, A8-159, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Norweeta Milburn
- UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, 760 Westwood Plaza, A8-159, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Gita Murthy
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health + UCLA Strike Team, 3261 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001, USA
| | - Jonathan Sherin
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
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Kimber M, Ferdossifard A. Children's exposure to trafficking, sexual exploitation and community-based violence in Canada: A narrative summary and policy perspective. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 119:104790. [PMID: 33139070 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the formidable health burdens associated with children's exposure to community-based violence (CBV) and trafficking and exploitation (TE), continued investments in determining their epidemiology constitute an important focus for Canada. OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study is to provide a narrative summary and policy perspective concerning the quantitative studies reporting on the risk and protective factors and prevalence of children's (<18 years) exposure to CBV and TE in Canada. METHODS To identify literature, we searched eight electronic databases. English and French citations from database inception to December 2018 were included; this was supplemented with citation chaining for peer-reviewed publications and grey literature up to December 2019. Evidence is synthesized via a narrative summary. RESULTS There are few studies that have investigated children's exposure to TE and CBV in Canada. Self-reported exposure to these forms of violence varies according to the type investigated, with estimates ranging from 2 % - to - 23 % and 5 % - to - 53 % for TE and CBV, respectively. Literature focused on risk and protective factors for these forms of victimization are also limited. CONCLUSIONS Canada has the infrastructure in place to make significant gains in their data collection and monitoring of children's exposure to TE and CBV via five national-level studies. To help realize the goal of ending all forms of violence against children by 2030, incorporation of reliable measures of these forms of exposure in new and ongoing national-level data collection systems is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Kimber
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Ayda Ferdossifard
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
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Filiatreau LM, Giovenco D, Twine R, Gómez-Olivé FX, Kahn K, Haberland N, Pettifor A. Examining the relationship between physical and sexual violence and psychosocial health in young people living with HIV in rural South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 23:e25654. [PMID: 33340267 PMCID: PMC7749553 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Experiences of violence during youth contravene young people’s rights and increase the risk of depression and poor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care outcomes among youth living with HIV (YLWH). Intervention targets for mitigating the negative psychosocial effects of violence are needed, particularly in areas like rural South Africa where violence remains pervasive and mental healthcare is limited. This study aims to quantify the associations between physical and sexual violence and depressive symptoms in YLWH in rural South Africa and explore the modification of these associations by key measures of psychosocial well‐being. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional survey among 362 YLWH ages 12 to 24 in rural South Africa to ascertain participants’ history of physical and sexual violence, current depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression Scale) and levels of social support (Medical Outcomes Social Support Scale), resilience (Conner‐Davidson Resilience Scale) and self‐esteem (Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale). Log‐binomial regression was used to estimate the association between history of physical or sexual violence and clinically meaningful depressive symptoms (scores ≥16). Effect measure modification by high versus low resilience, social support and self‐esteem was assessed using likelihood ratio tests (α = 0.20). Results A total of 334 individuals with a median age of 21 (interquartile range: 16 to 23) were included in this analysis. Most participants were female (71.3%), single (81.4%) and attending school (53.0%). Ninety‐four participants (28.1%) reported a history of physical or sexual violence and 92 individuals (27.5%) had clinically meaningful depressive symptoms. Meaningful depressive symptoms were significantly higher among participants with a history of physical or sexual violence as compared to those with no history of violence (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.43, 2.83). However, this association was significantly modified by social support (p = 0.04) and self‐esteem (p = 0.02). Conclusions In this setting, the prevalence of meaningful depressive symptoms was significantly higher among YLWH with a history of physical or sexual violence as compared to those without a history of violence. However, higher levels of self‐esteem or social support appeared to mitigate this association. Programmes to improve self‐esteem and social support for youth have the potential to minimize depressive symptoms in YLWH who have experienced physical or sexual violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey M Filiatreau
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Danielle Giovenco
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rhian Twine
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - F Xavier Gómez-Olivé
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Audrey Pettifor
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Pathways from witnessing community violence to mental health problems among South African adolescents. S Afr Med J 2020; 110:145-153. [PMID: 32657687 PMCID: PMC9327528 DOI: 10.7196/samj.2020.v110i2.13929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intersection of violence exposure and mental health problems is a public health crisis for South African (SA) adolescents. Understanding the impact of community violence on adolescent mental health can inform future interventions. OBJECTIVES To assess pathways between community violence exposure and internalising and externalising problems in SA adolescents receiving mental healthcare, and the roles of parent and peer relationships in these associations. METHODS Participants (N=120 parent-adolescent pairs) were recruited from four mental health clinics in Western Cape Province to participate in a pilot test of a family-based HIV prevention study. Adolescents reported on their exposure to community violence, parental attachment, peer support of risk behaviour, and mental health. Parents reported on adolescents' internalising and externalising mental health problems. Participants received transport money (ZAR30 = USD3) and a shopping voucher or cash (ZAR50 = USD5) for their time. RESULTS Adolescents were 12 - 18 years old (mean (standard deviation) 14.39 (1.82) years), 53% were male, and 67% and 33% reported black African and mixed-race ethnicity, respectively. Parents were 94% female and reported an average monthly income of ZAR3 973 (USD397). Boys reported significantly higher rates of witnessing community violence than girls. Among boys, significant paths emerged from community violence and low parent attachment to externalising symptoms and from community violence to peer support of risky behaviour. For girls, the only significant path was from low parent attachment to peer support of risky behaviour. CONCLUSIONS This cross-sectional study sheds new light on the possible pathways from witnessing community violence to mental health problems among SA adolescents. Identifying factors that drive and mitigate psychological distress in the context of persistent community violence is critical to SA's future and can inform the selection and delivery of appropriate and targeted evidence-based interventions.
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