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Psychological Functioning of Adolescents from Violent Families. SERBIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/sjecr-2019-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the association of family violence with the functioning of the family system, psychological functioning and development of specific characteristics of the adolescents who grew up in a violent families.
Methods. The study was carried out on a sample of 308 adolescents, aged 15–18, divided in a FV group of adolescents coming from dysfunctional families (n=68) adolescents who grew up inviolent families and were exposed to family violence, which was reported and processed, and a control group (n=240) adolescents from families in which according to the CPRS-R Questionnaire there was not found any form of violence, alcoholism or any other psychosocial pathology. FACES III Scale and Questionnaire for the examination of psychosocial characteristics of the adolescents and family (Revised CPRS-R) were used for measuring dimensions of family functioning, Cybernetic model of personality dimensions (CON-6) for conative functioning of the adolescents, Теst for reasoning images (TRI) for measuring intellectual development and the Scale of Latent Maturity (SLM) for determining the level of psychological maturity. The data were processed by using linear regression analysis.
Results. Family functioning disorders caused by family violence were significantly and highly associated with psychological functioning of the adolescents: concern about family relationships (β =-.968), need for professional help (β =-.873), cooperation with people (β =.523), orientation towards the future (β =.669), latent maturity (β =.618), psychosomatic reactions (β =-.509), dissociative reactions (β =-.591), excused absence from school (β =.618), unexcused absence from school (β =-.824), memory disorders (β =-.541), night fears (β =−722), running away from home (β =-.569), breaking rules and getting punished at school (β =-.569), conflicts with peers (β =−.460). Conative functioning of the adolescents exposed to a violent family environment showed a pathological form of functioning in dissociative, anxiety reactions and social adaptability.
Conclusion. Exposure of adolescents to a violent family environment was associated with changes in psychological functioning, development of specific personality characteristics and risk of developing internalized and externalized symptoms when it came to socialadaptation, anxiety and dissociative reactions. The mediators between family violence and psychological functioning and development of the adolescents was family cohesion and disorders within the marital dyad.
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Guo Y, Zhang YQ, Wu CA, Yin XN, Zhang JY, Wu JB, Jing J, Jin Y, Lin L, Chen WQ. Bidirectional associations between parenting styles and conduct problems in Chinese preschool children: the Shenzhen Longhua Child Cohort Study. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2021; 27:2007-2020. [PMID: 34818948 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2021.1999994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The bidirectional associations between parenting styles and conduct problems in Chinese children attending preschools were rarely discussed. A study covering 171 preschools in Longhua District of Shenzhen, China was conducted among children when they first attended preschools. Parents of children reported the self-perceived parenting styles and their children's conduct problems using validated questionnaires. The bidirectional associations between parenting styles and conduct problems in children were assessed using multivariate linear or logistic regressions in both cross-sectional and cohort settings. In cross-sectional settings, the bidirectional associations were present in all dimensions of parenting styles with children's conduct problems. After 1.01 years of follow-up, increases in parenting dimensions of rejection, control attempts, and favoring subject were significantly associated with children's conduct problems at follow-up, while increases in emotional warmth of parents significantly reduced such risk. In addition, parents of children who had conduct problems at baseline but regressed to normal at follow-up showed decreased scores in negative parenting dimensions. In contrast, among children who developed conduct problems during the study period, the scores of rejection and favoring subject in their parents have increased significantly, while the scores of emotional warmth have decreased. Parent-to-child effect was similar between fathers and mothers, while child-to-parent effect was stronger in fathers than that in mothers. In order to stop the negative feedback loop between poor parenting styles and children's conduct problems, our study underscored the importance of intervention not only in parents but also in their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Guo
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Qi Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuan-An Wu
- Department of Child Healthcare, Women's and Children's Hospital of Longhua New District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Na Yin
- Department of Child Healthcare, Women's and Children's Hospital of Longhua New District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing-Yu Zhang
- Department of Child Healthcare, Women's and Children's Hospital of Longhua New District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Bo Wu
- Department of Child Healthcare, Women's and Children's Hospital of Longhua New District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin Jing
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Jin
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Qing Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Ertekin Z, Gunnar MR, Berument SK. Temperament moderates the effects of early deprivation on infant attention. INFANCY 2021; 26:455-468. [PMID: 33687780 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Institutional care has been shown to increase the risk of attention problems in children, but some children are more sensitive to their environment, both for better and for worse. With this in mind, the current study examined the moderating role of temperament (falling reactivity) between early adversity and attention skills. Six- to 15-month-old infants residing in institutions (n = 63) and infants reared by their biological families from low socioeconomic environments (n = 59) were recruited. The infants' attention skills were measured by calculating the length of time they spent looking at toys. The infants' temperaments were measured by a subscale of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire (falling reactivity/rate of recovery from distress). The findings were in line with the differential susceptibility theory. Compared to infants with high levels of falling reactivity, infants with lower levels of falling reactivity had better attention skills if they were in a family group, but they had lower attention skills if they were residing in institutions. The attention skills of the infants who had higher scores for falling reactivity did not appear to be affected by the adverse environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan R Gunnar
- University of Minnesota, Institute of Child Development, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Early family adversity, stability and consistency of institutional care and infant cognitive, language and motor development across the first six months of institutionalization. Infant Behav Dev 2019; 57:101387. [PMID: 31711029 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.101387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study extends research on the effects of institutionalization-by examining the trajectories of cognitive, language and motor development of 64 Portuguese infants and toddlers across the first six months of institutionalization, while determining whether pre-institutional adversities and the stability and consistency of institutional care predict children's development. At time of enrollment, 23.4%, 32.8% and 31.3% of the children were moderately to severely delayed, respectively, in their cognitive, linguistic and motor functioning. Developmental problems persisted after six months of institutionalization. The accumulation of early pre-institutional adversities predicted cognitive and motor limitations at admission to the institutions, but not variation in subsequent development. The stability and consistency of institutional care also failed to predict developmental growth and change. Children who had never lived with their families of origin showed a better language development at enrollment than their counterparts who had lived with their families of origin before institutionalization. Such advantage was followed by a deceleration in language growth after six months of institutional placement. Results are discussed in terms of short- vs. longer-term effects of institutionalization.
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Baptista J, Silva JR, Marques S, Martins C, Soares I. EARLY MALTREATMENT AND CURRENT QUALITY OF RELATIONAL CARE PREDICT SOCIOEMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AMONG INSTITUTIONALIZED INFANTS AND TODDLERS. Infant Ment Health J 2018; 39:718-729. [PMID: 30339735 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The present study is focused on child socioemotional problems 6 months after institutionalization, by considering the putative predictive role of child maltreatment, of developmental functioning at admission and the following months, and of the quality of institutional relational care. Fifty institutionalized infants and toddlers participated in this study. Child developmental functioning (i.e., cognitive, language, and motor development) was assessed at admission to the institution (Wave 0), and 3 (Wave 1) and 6 months (Wave 2) thereafter. The quality of institutional relational care-operationalized in terms of caregivers' sensitivity and cooperation-was measured at Wave 2. Caregivers reported on the presence of disturbed socioemotional behaviors at Wave 2. Child gestational age, birth weight, age, and stunted growth at admission to the institution served as covariates. Results revealed significant associations between socioemotional difficulties and lower levels of motor development at Waves 0 and 1, child maltreatment, and less sensitive caregiving. A logistic regression showed that child maltreatment and caregiver insensitivity were the only significant predictors of disturbed socioemotional functioning by the end of 6 months of institutionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Baptista
- University of Minho, School of Psychology, CIPsi, Braga, Portugal.,Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana R Silva
- University of Minho, School of Psychology, CIPsi, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sofia Marques
- University of Minho, School of Psychology, CIPsi, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carla Martins
- University of Minho, School of Psychology, CIPsi, Braga, Portugal
| | - Isabel Soares
- University of Minho, School of Psychology, CIPsi, Braga, Portugal
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Corval R, Belsky J, Baptista J, Mesquita A, Soares I. Development and validation of an observational measure of symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder. Attach Hum Dev 2018; 21:111-131. [PMID: 30021479 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2018.1499209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is presumed to be a consequence of social neglect and deprivation of the kind particularly associated with institutional care. Despite its clinical relevance there is a lack of assessment tools for RAD based on the direct observation of child-caregiver interaction. Here we describe the development and validation of such a tool for use with preschool children, the Rating of Inhibited Attachment Disordered Behavior (RInAB). The RInAB is composed of 17 ratings grouped in three subscales assessing (1) Attachment, (2) Exploratory, and (3) Socioemotional behavior. Participants were 134 institutionalized preschool children (M = 54.84 months; SD = 10.83; 60% boys) and their caregivers. Adequate reliability was found for RInAB subscales and total score. Confirmatory factor analyses documented the three aforementioned RInAB subscales. Correlational analyses documented: (i) construct validity via positive and significant associations with caregiver sensitivity and quality of child-caregiver relationship; (ii) convergence validity via association evidence with some emotionally/withdrawn inhibited items of the Disturbed Attachment Interview (DAI), as well as, with Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)'s somatic complaints and withdraw syndrome scales; and (iii) discriminant validity via nonsignificant or negative associations with DAI-indiscriminate subscale, Rating of Infant and Stranger Engagement (RISE) and CBCL-externalizing problems. Discussion highlights the contributions complementary roles of RInAB for a comprehensive assessment of child RAD-related functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Corval
- a School of Psychology , CIPsi, University of Minho , Braga , Portugal
| | - Jay Belsky
- b Department of Human Ecology , University of California , Davis , USA
| | - Joana Baptista
- a School of Psychology , CIPsi, University of Minho , Braga , Portugal
| | - Ana Mesquita
- a School of Psychology , CIPsi, University of Minho , Braga , Portugal
| | - Isabel Soares
- a School of Psychology , CIPsi, University of Minho , Braga , Portugal
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Troller-Renfree S, Zeanah CH, Nelson CA, Fox NA. Neural and Cognitive Factors Influencing the Emergence of Psychopathology: Insights From the Bucharest Early Intervention Project. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES 2017. [PMID: 29531577 DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The adverse effects of institutionalized care and psychosocial deprivation have been documented for more than 100 years. Children who have been raised in institutions are at heightened risk of developing internalizing and externalizing disorders. Given the profound biological and psychological effects of institutional rearing, identifying neural and cognitive factors that influence the emergence of psychopathology in institutionalized children is of great interest. Using data from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a randomized control study on the effects of institutional care and a foster care intervention, this article examines two factors that appear to influence the emergence of psychopathology in children who have been institutionalized-neural indices of cognitive control and visual attention biases.
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Baptista J, Belsky J, Mesquita A, Soares I. Serotonin transporter polymorphism moderates the effects of caregiver intrusiveness on ADHD symptoms among institutionalized preschoolers. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 26:303-313. [PMID: 27430630 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-016-0890-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Research consistently chronicles a variety of mental health difficulties that plague institutionally reared children, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), even if not all institutionalized children evince such problems. In seeking to extend work in this area, this research on gene × environment (GXE) interplay investigated whether the effect of the quality of institutional care-most notably, caregiver intrusiveness-on ADHD symptoms is moderated by the serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism. One hundred and twenty-seven institutionalized preschoolers were evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist. Caregiver-rated attention problems and hyperactivity were unrelated to both 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and caregiver intrusiveness. A significant GXE effect, independent of age at placement or duration of institutionalization, emerged, however, consistent with the differential-susceptibility hypothesis: s/s homozygotes manifest the most and least ADHD symptoms when they experienced, respectively, more and less intrusive caregiving. These results provide new insight into the reasons why some institutionalized children, but not others, exhibit ADHD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Baptista
- Psychology Research Center-CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-050, Braga, Portugal
| | - Jay Belsky
- University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Ana Mesquita
- Psychology Research Center-CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-050, Braga, Portugal
| | - Isabel Soares
- Psychology Research Center-CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-050, Braga, Portugal.
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Mesquita A, Belsky J, Li Z, Baptista J, Carvalho-Correia E, Maciel P, Soares I. Institutionalization and indiscriminate social behavior: Differential-susceptibility versus diathesis-stress models for the 5-HTTLPR and BDNF genotypes. Physiol Behav 2015; 152:85-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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