Domestic violence and children

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence from Vietnam

Although socioeconomic inequality has been identified as a significant factor for violence against women, the connection between these two variables has not been widely recognized and addressed in many countries. This study aims to quantify the degree of socioeconomic inequalities in intimate partner violence (IPV) in Vietnam and investigate the contribution of each determinant factor that contributes to the observed inequality. We utilized the Vietnamese National Survey on Domestic Violence against Women (N = 4,019) for the analysis. Household wealth was used as a proxy for socioeconomic status. We used a concentration index to quantify the degree of socioeconomic inequality in emotional, physical, or sexual violence and a combination of these three types of violence. We further decomposed the concentration index to identify the contribution of each determinant to the observed inequality in IPV. We found that the prevalence of IPV was significantly concentrated among the worse-off across all types of IPV and that disparities in husband's occupation (48%), women's education (39%), husband's education (38%), and class (34%) were the primary factors contributing to increased inequalities in IPV. Our results indicated that higher education and engagement in skilled jobs were highly concentrated among the better-off, creating unequal distribution of these variables across wealth. Policy could mitigate the inequality in IPV by expanding women's access to education and economic opportunities. However, interventions should target both men and women and within couples because husband's characteristics also play an important role in explaining socioeconomic inequalities in IPV.

Child-Reported Family Violence: A Systematic Review of Available Instruments

The impact of family violence (FV) on children is a significant global public policy issue. Earliest identification of FV among children is critical for preventing escalating sequelae. While practitioners routinely ask adults about FV, there are relatively few measures that enable children to reliably self-report on their own safety. This review sought to systematically identify and appraise all available child self-report measures for screening and assessment of FV in both clinical and research settings. Database searching was conducted in January 2022. Articles were eligible for review if they included a validated child (5-18 years) self-report measure of FV (including victimization, perpetration, and/or exposure to inter-parental violence). Screening of an initial 4,714 records identified a total of 85 articles, representing 32 unique validated instruments. Results provide an up-to-date catalog of child self-report measures of FV, intended to benefit practitioners, services and researchers in selecting appropriate tools, and in understanding their suitability and limitations for different cohorts and practice goals. While just under half of the measures captured both exposure to inter-parental violence and direct victimization, none captured all three domains of exposure, victimization and perpetration together. Instruments with provision for input from multiple respondents (e.g., both child and parent report) and with assessment of contextual risk factors were few. Findings point to the need for developmentally appropriate, whole-of-family screening and assessment frameworks to support children in the early identification of family safety concerns.

How do traditional masculinity ideologies and emotional competence relate to aggression and physical domestic violence in cisgender men?

Background

Men are disproportionately often perpetrators of physical domestic violence (DV). Gender role constructs, such as traditional masculinity ideologies (TMI), are broadly accepted as an explanation for this effect. Emotional competence further constitutes an important role in TMI and the prevention of DV. However, the interactions between these constructs remains unclear.

Objective

The present study aims to investigate associations of TMI with aggression, DV perpetration, and emotional competence, while also examining emotional competence as a potential moderator.

Method

A sample of 428 cisgender men (Mage = 43.9 ± 15.3) from German-speaking countries in Europe completed an anonymous online survey that assessed TMI, aggression, and DV perpetration as well as alexithymia, emotion regulation, and self-compassion as indicators of emotional competence.

Results

Strong TMI were associated with high levels of aggression and overall reduced emotional competence, as reflected by high levels of alexithymia, frequent use of expressive suppression, and low levels of self-compassion. Strong conformity to TMI was associated with a higher likelihood for DV perpetration when considering relevant sociodemographic covariates. Moderation analyses revealed that expressive suppression buffered the association between TMI and DV perpetration.

Conclusion

Men with strong TMI report high levels of aggression and impaired emotional competence. While strong conformity to TMI was associated with more frequent perpetration of DV, higher expressive suppression seems to buffer the association between TMI and DV perpetration. The present study highlights the importance of addressing gender ideologies when working on aggression, DV perpetration and emotional competence in men.

The relationship between aggressive behaviors of preschool children and the violence against Iranian women in the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

During epidemics, supports are limited and individual and collective vulnerabilities as well as domestic violence are increased. Therefore, various groups in society, especially children and their mothers, are extremely vulnerable. This study aimed to assess the relationship between aggressive behaviors of preschool children and the violence against Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in October-November 2020. Stratified random sampling was performed among preschool children in Kerman. Data were collected using the Violence toward Women Inventory and the Aggression scale for preschoolers Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS25, ANOVA, independent t-test, and Pearson correlation test.

RESULTS

The results showed that the total mean scores of violence against women and preschoolers' aggression were 54.43 ± 10.6 and 88.44 ± 6.5, respectively. The results showed a statistically significant difference in aggressive behaviors of preschool children, mother's job, number of children, mother's education, income, and age. A positive and significant relationship was also found between the subscales of violence against women and aggression in preschool children.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed a positive and significant relationship between violence against women and aggression of preschool children. Therefore, it is recommended that parents identify and eliminate the risk factors for domestic violence during the COVID-19 in order to protect their children. Parents also must learn coping strategies for stress and resilience in the epidemic crises.

Does Domestic Violence Against Women Increase Teacher-Student School Violence? The Mediating Roles of Morbidity and Diminished Workplace Performance

This research reveals how domestic gender violence suffered by female teachers affects teacher-student school violence in the classroom. Based on a representative survey of 1,542 female professors in 95 public schools in the Callao metropolitan region of Peru using variance structural equation modelling, there is a strong positive relation found between both types of violence (β = 0.34), accompanied by the existence of mediating effects of morbidity and diminished workplace performance. These results demonstrate that in order to reduce the incidence of school violence we must not only address violence between educators and students, but also violence suffered by teachers at the hands of their domestic partner.

Lived Experiences of Domestic Violence in Women and Their Children: A Phenomenological Study

This study explores women and their children’s lived experience of domestic violence (DV). A qualitative phenomenological research approach was used. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews. Five women and five adult children participated in this study. COREQ reporting guidelines were utilized. Three main themes and six subthemes emerged from the interviews with the women; the main themes were “living with suffering”, “insecurity in daily life”, and “conformity in coping behaviors”. Two main themes and four subthemes were identified from the interviews with the children; the main themes were “barriers to learning and interactions with peers” and “a sense of threat to life”. The findings show that the women and their children had to cope with not only the DV itself but also the negative consequences of the violence. Several recommendations are made for the police and first-line healthcare and social work systems and to prevent DV by integrating the care provided to the family. The findings provide prevention and integration care for mothers and their children experiencing DV systematically.

Adverse childhood experiences in offspring living with parental mental illness: a controlled study from China

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect children's development, and their harm to health is pervasive throughout the life course.

AIMS

To identify ACEs and their risk factors in Chinese household with or without parental mental illness.

METHODS

A controlled study was conducted among 181 young adults with parental mental illness (positive group) and 201 demographically matched individuals without parental mental illness (negative group). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to study the correlation between ACEs and their risk factors.

RESULTS

The positive group suffered emotional abuse, domestic violence, bullying, and cumulative ACEs more frequently than the negative group. In the positive group, living in rural areas and having a low household economic status during childhood were identified as risk factors for cumulative ACEs, whereas a higher education level of the mother was a protective factor for cumulative ACEs in univariate analyses. Low household economic status remained an independent risk factor for cumulative ACEs in the positive group in multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Children living with parental mental illness are more vulnerable to ACEs, and our findings highlight the importance of socioeconomic factors in increasing the risk of ACEs. To alleviate the deleterious impact of parental mental illness on offspring, multidimensional supports are needed.

Early trauma and associations with altruistic attitudes and behaviours among young adults

BACKGROUND

Childhood and adolescent traumas are exceptionally prevalent worldwide. Despite their high prevalence and substantial impact, little research has investigated the rates and specific types of early trauma by gender. It is also unknown whether the types of early trauma are differentially associated with heightened or hindered prosocial attitudes and behaviours.

OBJECTIVE

To address this gap, this study aims to explore the rates of different types of early trauma (i.e., abuse: sexual, physical, and emotional; neglect: physical and emotional) among young Australian adults and investigate whether these differ according to participant gender (female, male and transgender/gender diverse). The study will also examine the associations between the different types of early trauma and current altruistic attitudes and behaviours (including the affective, behavioural and cognitive altruism domains), among a young adult Australian cohort.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data was collected from 511 young Australians aged 18-20 years using an online self-report survey.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analyses revealed that transgender/gender diverse individuals were over 3-times more likely to experience all types of maltreatment than females and over 3-times more likely to experience emotional and sexual abuse and emotional neglect than males. Experiencing one or more trauma types was negatively associated with the cognitive domain of altruism, experiencing physical neglect was associated with the affective domain, and having a family member involved in domestic violence was associated with the behavioural domain, after controlling for gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings show how early traumatic experiences can influence individuals' attitudes and behaviours during the pivotal developmental period of young adulthood.

A Pilot Study of Younger Sibling Adaptation: Contributions of Individual Variables, Daily Stress, Interparental Conflict and Older Sibling's Variables

Older siblings are powerful socialization agents, playing a significant role in the sociocognitive, social, and emotional development of their younger siblings. However, there are few clues about the variables that explain younger sibling's adaptation. The objective of this pilot study was to identify the determinants of younger siblings' adaptation and to analyze the role played by personal, sibling, family and older siblings' variables using 50 dyads of siblings aged between 7 and 18 years. The variables considered were the sibling relationships and the maladaptation of older siblings, and individual (sex, number of siblings, extroversion, and agreeableness) and contextual variables (interparental conflict, daily stress) were controlled. Hierarchical multiple regressions provided evidence in favor of the model that analyzed the younger siblings' maladaptation to school, showing positive associations both with the older siblings' level of school maladaptation and with sibling conflict. In addition, the study highlighted the relevance of the trait of agreeableness and of family stress in the adaptation of younger siblings.

10-Year Study of Christian Church Support for Domestic Violence Victims: 2005-2015

PURPOSE

This 10 -year study explored the climate of support for victims of domestic violence among Christian clergy and church members between 2005 and 2015.

METHOD

Using a convenience sample, surveys were sent out to congregations in the Upper Midwest in 2005 and 2015. The survey included demographics; two items measuring perception of domestic violence in the congregation andcommunity; six Likert Scale items regarding agreement with statements concerning leaving an abusive marriage; four 'Yes-No' items regarding the impact of faith in leaving, support of the congregation, community resources,and clergy as counselors. The clergy's survey had the same questions, plus open-ended questions about their skills in counseling victims, their congregation's support for victims, community resources, and beliefs that could impact a victim's choice in leaving.

ANALYSIS

Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple frequencies, and bivariate correlations. Narrative data were analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS

The results of this study indicated that change is slow. Members want their clergy to become more educated in counseling and in speaking about domestic violence from the pulpit. Clergy felt comfortable in making referrals for professional counseling, while the majority of members would prefer counseling with their pastor if they were in a violent relationship. Both clergy and members want to create a safe and supportive environment for victims/survivors of violent relationships. Findings from this study exemplify the need for pastors to remove the silence about domestic violence in their congregations and address the misunderstood social religious beliefs that may bind a victim to the violence.

Prevalence and correlates of neurocognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders among schoolchildren in Wakiso District, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background: There is limited data on the burden of mental disorders among children in the general population in Africa. We examined the prevalence and correlates of neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders among schoolchildren in Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 322 schoolchildren aged 5-17years in Wakiso, Uganda. We assessed for neurocognitive impairment using the Kaufmann-Assessment-Battery, and psychiatric disorders (major-depressive-disorder (MDD), attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD), generalised-anxiety-disorder (GAD), and substance-use-disorder (SUD)) using the parent version of the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5, and Youth Inventory-4R Self Report. Prevalence and risk factors were determined using respectively descriptive statistics, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Twenty-five participants (8%) had neurocognitive impairment. Nineteen (5.9%) participants had MDD, nine (2.8%) had ADHD, seven (2.2%) had GAD, 14 (8.6%) had SUD; and 30 (9.3%) had any psychiatric disorder. Among the exposure variables examined in this study, including asthma, age, sex, grade of schooling, type of school and maternal and father's education and family socio-economic status, only asthma was associated with the disorders (MDD). Conclusions: The relatively high burden of mental disorders in this general population of children warrants targeted screening of those at risk, and treatment of those affected. Further, future studies should extensively investigate the factors that underlie the identified psychiatric disorders in this and similar general populations.

Prevalence and correlates of neurocognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders among schoolchildren in Wakiso District, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background: There is limited data on the burden of mental disorders among children in the general population in Africa. We examined the prevalence and correlates of neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders among schoolchildren in Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 322 schoolchildren aged 5-17years in Wakiso, Uganda. We assessed for neurocognitive impairment using the Kaufmann-Assessment-Battery, and psychiatric disorders (major-depressive-disorder (MDD), attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD), generalised-anxiety-disorder (GAD), and substance-use-disorder (SUD)) using the parent version of the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5, and Youth Inventory-4R Self Report. Prevalence and risk factors were determined using respectively descriptive statistics, and univariable and  multivariable logistic regression. Results: Twenty-five participants (8%) had neurocognitive impairment. Nineteen (5.9%) participants had MDD, nine (2.8%) had ADHD, seven (2.2%) had GAD, 14 (8.6%) had SUD; and 30 (9.3%) had any psychiatric disorder. Among the exposure variables examined in this study, including asthma, age, sex, grade of schooling, type of school and maternal and father's education and family socio-economic status, only asthma was associated with the disorders (MDD). Conclusions: The relatively high burden of mental disorders in this general population of children warrants targeted screening of those at risk, and treatment of those affected. Further, future studies should extensively investigate the factors that underlie the identified psychiatric disorders in this and similar general populations.

Prevalence and correlates of neurocognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders among schoolchildren in Wakiso District, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background: There is limited data on the burden of mental disorders among 'healthy' children in Africa. We examined the prevalence and correlates of neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders among schoolchildren in Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 322 schoolchildren aged 5-17years in Wakiso, Uganda. We assessed for neurocognitive impairment using the Kaufmann-Assessment-Battery, and psychiatric disorders (major-depressive-disorder (MDD), attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD), generalised-anxiety-disorder (GAD), and substance-use-disorder (SUD)) using the parent version of the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5, and Youth Inventory-4R Self Report. Prevalence and risk factors were determined using percentages and logistic regression. Results: Twenty-five participants (8%) had neurocognitive impairment. Nineteen (5.9%) participants had MDD, nine (2.8%) had ADHD, seven (2.2%) had GAD, 14 (8.6%) had SUD; and 30 (9.3%) had any psychiatric disorder. None of the factors examined were associated with the disorders. Conclusions: The unexpectedly high burden of mental disorders in this general population of children warrants targeted screening of those at risk, and treatment of those affected. Further, future studies should extensively investigate the factors that underlie the identified psychiatric disorders in this and similar general populations.

Children's experiences and needs in situations of domestic violence: A secondary analysis of qualitative data from adult friends and family members of female survivors

Estimates suggest that 15% of children in the United Kingdom have been exposed to at least one form of domestic violence (DV) during their childhood, with more than 3% having witnessed an incident during the past year. This exposure increases the risk of children suffering both short-term and long-term impacts, including effects on their behaviour, social development, physical and mental health, educational attainment and quality of life. In addition, children living in environments where there is DV are at higher risk of maltreatment. Adult relatives and friends of the family often observe the experiences of children in situations of DV, and have the potential to shed light in a way that children and survivors may struggle to articulate, or be reluctant to acknowledge or disclose. Such accounts are largely absent from existing research, and yet bring a perspective which can broaden our understanding of the impact that DV has on children. This paper reports a secondary analysis of qualitative data collected during 21 in-depth interviews with people across the United Kingdom who were a friend or family member of a woman experiencing DV. An inductive thematic analysis was undertaken and the themes generated were as follows: 'the context of DV: a chaotic and unpredictable home life'; 'the roles children assume within households where there is DV including: witness of, victim of and conduit of violence and abuse',; 'the impacts of DV on children'; and 'children's coping and resilience'. The implications of these findings are discussed using a basic needs model lens.

Prisoners' ambivalent sexism and domestic violence: a narrative study

PURPOSE

Gender inequality and sexism are often at the root of domestic violence against women and children, with both serving to justify male domination. This runs in parallel with mother-blaming bias, which constitutes a pervasive common sense and scientific error derived from the myth of the good and the bad mother, characterising a large part of studies on deviance. The purpose of this paper is to consider the possible role of sexism in prisoners' deviant biographies; for this, the authors considered the role of the mother in the biographies of prisoners, and the results lend support to the idea that mother-blaming is a serious fallacy. Starting from a critical psychology point of view and following the retrospective methodology, the authors interviewed 22 drug-addicted prisoners through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) regarding their biographies and their relationships with parents and partners.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

In the survey, the authors followed the same intention, and the results lend support to the idea that mother-blaming is a serious fallacy. The authors interviewed 22 drug-addicted prisoners through IPA concerning their biographies and their relationships with parents and partners.

FINDINGS

The main result of this qualitative study was the recognition of a fundamental sexism assumed by participants, characterised by a paradox between the representation of the mother and the representation of the ideal woman. Despite the mother being their positive affective referent, and battered by her husband/partner, the same participants had been witnesses of domestic violence, and sometimes victims, they interiorised from their father an ambivalent sexism: benevolent sexism with regard to their mother and exhibited hostile sexism with their partner. On the one hand, it emerged that female empowerment was desirable with respect to the mothers. On the other hand, the ideal woman was exactly as their mother was, that is, being absolutely subordinated to men (a patient, caring, submissive housewife, totally dedicated to her children and her husband).

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

From a mainstream psychological perspective, the limits of the research are linked to the utilisation of the narrative method. Also, this methodology does not verify any hypotheses, so quotations from the participants are used to illustrate themes, and thus, it is difficult to report the informational complexities arising from the dialogues. However, the literature has emphasised that these limitations do not invalidate qualitative research findings, despite the difficulties in generalising the results of the qualitative studies. Thereafter, the critical analysis moved within the intersection of experience-centred approaches and the culturally oriented treatment of narratives, so that the focus on the stories of the prisoners makes meaning because it applies structure to experience, albeit, with the form and content of the texts. This research did not permit us to measure and evaluate post-hoc any post-traumatic hypotheses, which, in turn, would give room for further research. Another limitation of the research was that the relationship between culture of origin and gender biases, especially with participants from non-European countries, was not analysed. This topic would require an important in-depth study, which encompasses how women are treated in different countries and its effects on social maladjustment for immigrants in Italy.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The outcome of this study suggests that within similar structures in the Institute of Mitigated Custody, the theme of sexism should be considered in more depth. Since sexism justifies violence against women, and is therefore a factor that can cause recidivism in the antisocial behaviour of prisoners once they have served their sentences. It is important to allow them to analyse the relationship between their sexist attitudes, witnessing violence in childhood and the possibility of changing moral values of reference in favour of equality. This type of psychological intervention must necessarily be based not only on the elaboration of traumas suffered during childhood with an abusive father, but also on issues related to gender equality and the theme of social inclusion.

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The study suggests the idea that male sexism can be a factor responsible for suffering and maladjustment for men and that therefore an education that promotes equality of gender differences can also help prevent the social distress associated with drug addiction and deviance.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

The paper considers some cogent issues inherent to ambivalent sexism that pervades prisoners' aspirations for their future.

Police Response to Children Present at Domestic Violence Incidents

Police response to domestic violence (DV) has continued to change and expand over the past several decades. Although DV was originally considered a private matter, it now represents one of the most common calls for service received by police agencies. While police response to DV incidents has improved substantially, intervention when children are present remains an undeveloped area of research and practice. The present study examined 345 police reports from an agency in the Northwestern United States to explore police response to DV incidents when children are present. Regression analyses indicated that child presence was a statistically significant predictor of victim-directed intervention, victim-directed follow-up, and arrest although in differing directions. While child presence increased the odds of victim-directed intervention and victim-directed follow-up, it decreased the odds of arrest. Findings further indicated that the frequency of police interaction with children present at DV incidents was minimal. Based on these findings, recommendations for policy and practice are discussed.

The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on the Psychosocial Development of Toddlers

This study used data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II to examine the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on child-welfare-involved toddlers' psychosocial development. The sample was limited to toddlers aged 12 to 18 months with mothers who did ( n = 102) and did not ( n = 163) report IPV physical victimization. Multiple linear regression analyses showed, when compared with mothers who did not report IPV physical victimization, mothers who reported IPV physical victimization were more likely to have toddlers with higher levels of socioemotional and behavioral problems ( B = 5.06, p < .001). Conversely, delayed social competence was not associated with IPV ( B = -1.33, p > .05). Further analyses examining only toddlers with mothers who reported IPV physical victimization revealed, when compared with IPV-exposed toddlers who had a child welfare report of physical abuse as the primary maltreatment type, those with IPV as the primary maltreatment type were at lower risk of having socioemotional and behavioral problems ( B = -12.90, p < .05) and delayed social competence ( B = 3.27, p < .05). These findings indicate a significant concern regarding toddler psychosocial development when a mother has experienced IPV. This concern is even greater among IPV-exposed toddlers who experience physical abuse. We recommend child welfare workers assess for IPV. Once identified, early prevention and intervention services should be offered and tailored to the specific needs of IPV-affected families.

Depressive Symptoms in College Women: Examining the Cumulative Effect of Childhood and Adulthood Domestic Violence

The purpose of this study was to examine the cumulative effect of childhood and adulthood violence on depressive symptoms in a sample of Jordanian college women. Snowball sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. The participants were heterosexual college-aged women between the ages of 18 and 25. The participants were asked about their experiences of childhood violence (including physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and witnessing parental violence), partner violence (including physical partner violence and sexual partner violence), experiences of depressive symptoms, and about other demographic and familial factors as possible predictors for their complaints of depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regression analysis was implemented to identify demographic- and violence-related predictors of their complainants of depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was further performed to identify possible type(s) of violence associated with the increased risk of depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms in this sample was 47.4%. For the violence experience, witnessing parental violence was the most common during childhood, experienced by 40 (41.2%) women, and physical partner violence was the most common in adulthood, experienced by 35 (36.1%) women. Results of logistic regression analysis indicated that experiencing two types of violence (regardless of the time of occurrence) was significant in predicting depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 3.45, p < .05). Among college women's demographic characteristics, marital status (single vs. engaged), mothers' level of education, income, and smoking were significant in predicting depressive symptoms. Assessment of physical violence and depressive symptoms including the cumulative impact of longer periods of violence on depressive symptoms is recommended to be explored in future studies.

Violence against women by male partners and against children within the family: prevalence, associated factors, and intergenerational transmission in Romania, a cross-sectional study

Background

Domestic violence is a public health problem with negative consequences. We aimed to determine the prevalence of violence between parents and by parents against children, types of intimate partner violence against women, the intergenerational transmission of violence, and to identify a profile of beliefs and judgements regarding violent behaviour.

Methods

The data used for this article were sourced from three cross-sectional studies performed in Romania in 2009–2011. We sampled 869 respondents (male and female) with a homogenous distribution between environment, gender, educational level, and age group (18 to 75). From a 96-item questionnaire regarding family and reproductive health, this article refers to four items: (1) feelings relating to the family in which they were raised; (2) whether they witnessed violence between parents or were victims of violence by parents or other family members during childhood or the teenage years; (3) opinions relating to 10 statements on violence from Maudsley Violence Questionnaire; (4) the manifestation of psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse from the partner in the family of procreation (FOP). The data were analysed by Pearson chi-square tests and latent class analysis.

Results

During childhood, 35% of respondents witnessed parental violence and 53.7% were victims of family violence. Psychological abuse by men against women was the most common type of violence reported in the FOP (45.1%). Violence in childhood and adolescence correlated with the perception of the family of origin as a hostile environment and of violence against women as a corrective measure, and that insults, swearing, and humiliation by their partner within the FOP is acceptable (p < 0.05). A profile of beliefs and judgements about violent behaviour indicated that the Impulsive reactive cluster is represented by men in rural areas, and by subjects who witnessed parental violence or were victims of violence during childhood (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In Romania, the use of violence as a form of discipline or instruction of children and women remains a significant problem, with a higher rate of intimate partner violence than in other developed countries. Furthermore, implementing intervention mechanisms for psychological abuse is urgently required, as are education and intervention in high-risk populations.

[Domestic violence and the adolescent that was infected with HIV through vertical transmission: analysis of protection and vulnerability factors]

The scope of this study was to analyze protection and vulnerability factors in physical and psychological domestic violence among adolescents infected with HIV/AIDS through vertical transmission. This group is especially susceptible as they have vulnerability factors such as chronic disease, orphanhood with consequent change of caregivers and impaired body image. The research was conducted in a public hospital. The first stage used the Parent Child Conflict Tactics and the Degree of Psychological Violence Scale to determine what domestic violence occurred. In the second qualitative stage, the adolescents who scored the most or the least for violence in the quantitative instrument were interviewed. The questionnaires and the interviews revealed a high prevalence of physical and psychological violence and abusive domestic dynamics, thereby corroborating the extant literature. In view of the consequences of this kind of violence, it is essential that the health professional should be able to identify violent situations and recognize vulnerability factors and to promote protection factors against ill-treatment.

Child sexual abuse: consequences and implications

Sexual abuse is a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States. Given the sheer numbers of sexually abused children, it is vital for pediatric nurse practitioners to understand both short-term and long-term consequences of sexual abuse. Understanding consequences of sexual abuse can assist the pediatric nurse practitioner in anticipating the physical and mental health needs of patients and also may assist in the identification of sexual abuse victims. Sexual abuse typically does not occur in isolation. Implications for practice will be discussed.

Prevalence and characteristics of child physical abuse in Sweden - findings from a population-based youth survey

AIM

To examine prevalence rates of child physical abuse perpetrated by a parent/caretaker, abuse characteristics and the extent of disclosures.

METHODS

A population-based survey was carried out in 2008 amongst all the pupils in three different grades (n = 8494) in schools in Södermanland County, Sweden. The pupils were asked about their exposure to violence and their experiences of parental intimate-partner violence. Data were analysed with bi- and multivariate models and a comparison between means of accumulating risk factors between three groups were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 15.2% of the children reported that they had been hit. There were strong associations between abuse and risk factors and there was a dose-response relationship between risks and reported abuse. It was shown that children who reported parental intimate-partner violence were at a considerably higher risk for abuse than other children and that only 7% of the children exposed to violence had disclosed this to authorities.

CONCLUSION

Even though child abuse in Sweden has decreased markedly during the last 40 years, violence against children is still a considerable problem. It is a challenge to develop methods of assessment and interventions that will ensure that the violence and its underlying causes are directly addressed.

Caring for the future: strategies for promoting violence prevention in pediatric primary care

PURPOSE

To identify strategies that will assist nurse practitioners (NPs) to incorporate universal youth violence screening and prevention strategies into their practices.

DATA SOURCES

Extensive reviews of the extant literature, clinical and anecdotal information, and professional experiences and encounters were utilized to explore and identify current practice recommendations related to youth violence prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

NPs' expertise in health promotion makes them an important member of interdisciplinary team efforts to prevent youth violence. Knowledge of risk factors, appropriately focused assessment, and relevant intervention strategies can assist NPs to fulfill a valuable role in this critical endeavor.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Recently, there has been an increased recognition of the role that healthcare providers at all levels can play in decreasing youth violence. A greater emphasis on strategies already employed by NPs to promote the development of healthy families can contribute greatly to reducing the problem of youth violence. Universal screening for warning signs and level of violence risk in youth, as well as utilizing appropriate interventions and referrals will provide NPs with the opportunity to contribute to this important goal.

Silent Victims: Children Exposed to Family Violence

Annually an estimated 3 million or more children are exposed to acts of domestic violence between adults in their homes. These children are at risk for abuse themselves as well as other immediate and long-term problems, especially if they have been exposed to repeated episodes of domestic violence. Multiple behavioral manifestations, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, may be associated with violence exposure, and it is imperative that school nurses recognize these. All children should be screened for domestic violence exposure at regular intervals, and those who are at risk should have a more thorough health assessment. Planning for the safety of the child, nonoffending caregiver, and siblings and the school nurse involved in the situation is of utmost importance.

Addressing domestic violence through maternal-child health home visiting: what we do and do not know

Domestic violence (DV) has been described as a public health epidemic. Health care providers of all disciplines encounter victims of DV in every practice setting. However, the vast majority of DV health care research has focused on care provided to victims in traditional acute care and clinic settings. Few investigators have conducted studies with community health nurses (CHNs) who visit DV victims in their homes. CHNs, providing preventive maternal-child health (MCH) care through home visits with families, have been described by some as key providers in DV prevention. However, there is a dearth of knowledge about the actual practice and related outcomes of these nurses when working with families experiencing DV. The purpose of this article is to provide a baseline view of the current state of knowledge on which nurses may begin building future research that leads to evidence-based practice. The article describes the potential role of home-visiting MCH nurses in DV prevention and intervention, provides a critical review of the existing research, identifies primary gaps in scientific knowledge, proposes future research priorities, and makes recommendations for practice.