1
|
Leone C, Hawkins L, Geary M, Bolanos V. Sex Stereotypes and Child Physical Abuse: Mediating Effects of Attitudes on Beliefs about Consequences for Abusive Parents. Psychol Rep 2024:332941231225394. [PMID: 38206786 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231225394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
We hypothesized that (a) sex stereotypes would influence individuals' attitudes toward and beliefs about physically abusive parents and (b) these attitudes would mediate the connection between sex stereotypes and beliefs. Participants read one of four scenarios in which (a) sex of parents and sex of children were systematically varied while (b) holding constant the actions of parents and children as well as surrounding circumstances. Participants then expressed their attitudes about those parents and their beliefs about appropriate consequences for these parents. As expected, participants held more unfavorable attitudes about fathers than mothers and believed lenient consequences were more appropriate for mothers than fathers. Moreover, the linkage between parents' sex and participants' beliefs was mediated by participants' attitudes such that the effects of sex stereotypes on beliefs were all indirect rather than direct. Limitations (e.g., cross-sectional design, sample representativeness) and future directions (e.g., alternative parental and child behaviors, individual differences as moderators) are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Leone
- Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - LouAnne Hawkins
- Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Mary Geary
- Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Valentina Bolanos
- Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Landau AY, Blanchard A, Atkins N, Salazar S, Cato K, Patton DU, Topaz M. Black and Latinx Primary Caregiver Considerations for Developing and Implementing a Machine Learning-Based Model for Detecting Child Abuse and Neglect With Implications for Racial Bias Reduction: Qualitative Interview Study With Primary Caregivers. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e40194. [PMID: 36719717 PMCID: PMC9929722 DOI: 10.2196/40194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child abuse and neglect, once viewed as a social problem, is now an epidemic. Moreover, health providers agree that existing stereotypes may link racial and social class issues to child abuse. The broad adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) in clinical settings offers a new avenue for addressing this epidemic. To reduce racial bias and improve the development, implementation, and outcomes of machine learning (ML)-based models that use EHR data, it is crucial to involve marginalized members of the community in the process. OBJECTIVE This study elicited Black and Latinx primary caregivers' viewpoints regarding child abuse and neglect while living in underserved communities to highlight considerations for designing an ML-based model for detecting child abuse and neglect in emergency departments (EDs) with implications for racial bias reduction and future interventions. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 20 Black and Latinx primary caregivers whose children were cared for at a single pediatric tertiary-care ED to gain insights about child abuse and neglect and their experiences with health providers. RESULTS Three central themes were developed in the coding process: (1) primary caregivers' perspectives on the definition of child abuse and neglect, (2) primary caregivers' experiences with health providers and medical documentation, and (3) primary caregivers' perceptions of child protective services. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight essential considerations from primary caregivers for developing an ML-based model for detecting child abuse and neglect in ED settings. This includes how to define child abuse and neglect from a primary caregiver lens. Miscommunication between patients and health providers can potentially lead to a misdiagnosis, and therefore, have a negative impact on medical documentation. Additionally, the outcome and application of the ML-based models for detecting abuse and neglect may cause additional harm than expected to the community. Further research is needed to validate these findings and integrate them into creating an ML-based model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aviv Y Landau
- School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ashley Blanchard
- New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nia Atkins
- Columbia College, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephanie Salazar
- Columbia School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kenrick Cato
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Phildelphia, PA, United States
- Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Phildelphia, PA, United States
| | - Desmond U Patton
- School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Phildelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Phildelphia, PA, United States
| | - Maxim Topaz
- Columbia University School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Columbia University Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hendaus MA, Al-Khuzaei AM, Samarah O, Hamad SG, Selim BA, El Ansari W. Child abuse and neglect in a rapidly developing country: Parents' perspectives. J Family Med Prim Care 2020; 9:3053-3059. [PMID: 32984172 PMCID: PMC7491849 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_971_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To identify parental awareness and knowledge regarding child abuse and neglect in the State of Qatar. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation, the only tertiary pediatric hospital in the State of Qatar at the time of the study. Parents of children of all ages were offered a questionnaire that included demographic details, parental knowledge, and awareness of child abuse and neglect. Results: 300 questionnaires were completed (response rate = 95%). More than 70% of parents were older than 30 years of age, 60% of them were females, and 66% were college graduates. The majority of the participants stated their familiarity about child abuse, and 6% witnessed morbidity or mortality due to child abuse in the society. Despite the identified laws, only 50% of the parents were aware of laws restricting child abuse. In regards to children with special needs, only 16% of the participants agreed that disabled children are at a higher risk of abuse compared to healthy children, while 33% were neutral and 52% disagreed. In addition, one-fifth of the respondents stated that hitting is discipline, while 63% disagreed. Almost one-third of the respondents agreed that hitting hands and buttock or hitting with soft objects is acceptable form of discipline. Unexpectedly, one-quarter of participants stated that it is okay to hit a child as long as no damage incurs. As for verbal abuse, around one-third of parents stated that yelling is not a form of child abuse, and that yelling does not affect growth and development. Comparing both corporal and verbal abuse, approximately 70% of parents stated that yelling is less harmful than hitting. In terms of child neglect, around half of the respondents agreed with the statement “Leaving a child (<5 years) unattended at home is a form of neglect,” while 42% were neutral. Finally, approximately 50% of the participants believed that it is okay to depend on nannies in assisting their children in eating and using the bathroom. Conclusion: Parents residing in the State of Qatar believe that they have a good knowledge regarding child abuse and neglect. However, this study shows many deficiencies in parental knowledge of child abuse and neglect. Parents’ attitudes and perceptions are considered indispensable targets for community health intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Hendaus
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Academic General Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Pediatrics, Hamad General Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Clinical Pediatrics, Weill- Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Amna M Al-Khuzaei
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Academic General Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Osama Samarah
- Pediatric Residency Program, Hamad General Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara G Hamad
- Pediatric Residency Program, Hamad General Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Basma A Selim
- Pediatric Residency Program, Hamad General Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Walid El Ansari
- Department of Surgery, Hamad General Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dickerson KL, Lavoie J, Quas JA. Do laypersons conflate poverty and neglect? LAW AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2020; 44:311-326. [PMID: 32673001 PMCID: PMC7905956 DOI: 10.1037/lhb0000415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Child neglect is often initially identified via adults who come into contact with children and report their suspicions to the authorities. Little is known about what behaviors laypersons view as constituting neglect and hence worth reporting. We examined laypersons' perceptions of neglect and poverty, particularly how these factors independently and jointly shaped laypersons' decisions about what warrants official reporting of neglect, and how laypersons' socioeconomic background related to their decisions. HYPOTHESES We anticipated that neglect would be correctly perceived as such, but that extreme poverty would also be perceived as neglect, with these latter perceptions being most pronounced among laypersons of higher socioeconomic background. METHOD In 2 studies, adults read vignettes about a mother's care of her daughter and rendered decisions about whether the mother's behavior met the legal standard of neglect and should be reported. In Study 1 (N = 365, 55% female, mean age = 37.12 years), indicators of poverty and neglect were manipulated. In Study 2 (N = 474, 53% female, mean age = 38.25 years), only poverty (housing instability: homelessness vs. not) was manipulated. RESULTS Laypersons often conflated poverty and neglect, especially in circumstances of homelessness. Laypersons of lower socioeconomic background were less likely to perceive neglect in general and to report an obligation to make a referral (R2s ranged from 17-26%, odds ratios ranged from 2.24-3.08). CONCLUSIONS Laypersons may overreport neglect in circumstances of poverty. Increasing public awareness of how to recognize and separate neglect from poverty may enhance identification of vulnerable children and families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Dickerson
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
| | - Jennifer Lavoie
- Moray House School of Education and Sport, The University of Edinburgh
| | - Jodi A Quas
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Spilsbury JC, Gross-Manos D, Haas BM, Bowdrie K, Richter F, Korbin JE, Crampton DS, Coulton CJ. Change and consistency in descriptions of child maltreatment: A comparison of caregivers' perspectives 20 years apart. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2018; 82:72-82. [PMID: 29870865 PMCID: PMC6589824 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Although approximately one-fifth of child maltreatment reports originate with family members, friends, neighbors, or community members, their efforts to identify and report child maltreatment are still not well understood. Nor is it well understood how these individuals' perceptions of what constitutes maltreatment may change over time. This study examined descriptions of behavior perceived as maltreatment by caregivers of minors in Cleveland, Ohio, USA neighborhoods. Data were obtained from two neighborhood-based cross-sectional surveys of caregivers of minors: one conducted in 1995-1996 and the other in 2014-2015. The sample consisted of 400 caregivers living in 20 census tracts with varying profiles of maltreatment risk in the 1995-1996 study, and 400 caregivers living in the same 20 census tracts surveyed in 2014-2015. Each time point, participants were asked to provide three examples of behaviors they considered to be child abuse and neglect. All responses were categorized using the 1995-1996 coding scheme. Logistic regression analyses including all 800 participants, adjusted for individual and neighborhood characteristics, and accounting for residential clustering in neighborhoods, showed that participating in the 2014-2015 survey was associated with 51% increased odds of mentioning an act of neglect and a 39% decreased odds of mentioning an act of physical abuse. No significant temporal changes were observed for inadequate supervision, emotional or verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and parental misbehavior. Associations between specific types of maltreatment and individual and neighborhood characteristics were observed. Potential practice implications and future research directions include seeking greater familiarity with caregivers' perceptions of maltreating behaviors to better understand how these perceptions might "translate" into child maltreatment reports and investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James C Spilsbury
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States.
| | - Daphna Gross-Manos
- Department of Social Work, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, 1220800, Israel
| | - Bridget M Haas
- Center for Child Health and Policy, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 11100 Euclid Avenue MS 6036, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
| | - Kristina Bowdrie
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, The Ohio State University, 1070 Carmack Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Francisca Richter
- Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences Room 212, Case Western Reserve University, 11402 Bellflower Court, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
| | - Jill E Korbin
- College of Arts and Sciences, Schubert Center for Child Studies, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
| | - David S Crampton
- Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences Room 212, Case Western Reserve University, 11402 Bellflower Court, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
| | - Claudia J Coulton
- Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences Room 212, Case Western Reserve University, 11402 Bellflower Court, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Williams SE. Redrawing the line: An exploration of how lay people construct child neglect. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2017; 68:11-24. [PMID: 28391074 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
While there has been an increasing professional and political focus on the prevalence and harmfulness of child neglect, little has been done to explore what child neglect means outside child protection circles. This qualitative study explores lay constructions of child neglect by thematically analyzing focus group discussions between 46 self-defined 'lay' people in England. Participants viewed neglect as extremely damaging for children and as arising when children's physical, emotional, training and supervisory needs were unmet due to abnormal parental behavior. Children with unmet needs were positioned as deprived, unloved, uncontrolled and escaping. They were only positioned as neglected when failure to meet their needs was attributable to a lack of parental knowledge and skill (clueless parents), a lack of appropriate parental disposition (underinvested parents) or both (unsuitable parents). 'Normal' parents - those with the appropriate parental disposition, skills and knowledge - who failed to meet their children's needs were not seen as neglectful but rather as overburdened. As 'normal parenting' has fragmented in late modernity, society wide consensus on child neglect was felt by participants to have retreated to child protection definitions, alienating lay understandings. If child neglect really is 'everybody's business', then it is important that lay people are included in forging new definitions of and responses to meeting the needs of children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Emma Williams
- University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ige OK, Fawole OI. Preventing child sexual abuse: parents' perceptions and practices in urban Nigeria. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2011; 20:695-707. [PMID: 22126111 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2011.627584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This study examined parents' perceptions of child sexual abuse as well as prevention practices in an urban community in southwest Nigeria. Questionnaires were collected from 387 parents and caregivers of children younger than 15 years of age. Results showed that many parents felt CSA was a common problem in the community, and most parents disagreed with common child sexual abuse myths. In addition, almost all parents ( >90%) reported communicating with their child(ren) about stranger danger. However, about 47% felt their children could not be abused, and over a quarter (27.1%) often left their children alone and unsupervised. There were no significant variations in the perceptions of child sexual abuse and communication practices. The implications of findings for child sexual abuse prevention are discussed.
Collapse
|
8
|
Shackel RL. The beliefs commonly held by adults about children's behavioral responses to sexual victimization. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2008; 32:485-495. [PMID: 18457874 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2006] [Revised: 04/05/2007] [Accepted: 04/27/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Laura Shackel
- Faculty of Law, University of Sydney, 173-175 Phillip Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lee PY, Fraser JA, Chou FH. Nurse Reporting of Known and Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Cases in Taiwan. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2007; 23:128-37. [PMID: 17389177 DOI: 10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70387-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the frontline role of taking care of children, nurses in Taiwan have been reluctant to report known and suspected cases of child abuse and neglect (CAN). This problem threatens the success of legislation aimed at reducing CAN cases in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of nurses' perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge on suspecting and reporting CAN cases in health care settings in Taiwan. Two hundred and thirty-eight nurses were surveyed using structured questionnaires with a return rate of 79.3%. Health care settings surveyed in this study included emergency units, pediatric units, and community centers from eight hospitals in southern Taiwan. Almost 3/4 (70%) of the sample of nurses thought they needed more training courses on CAN. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between suspecting and reporting CAN with perception, attitude, and knowledge. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that perception (beta = 0.475), knowledge (beta = 0.265), and attitude (beta = 0.246) accounted for 60% of the variance in suspecting and reporting CAN. The focus and scope of training programs for nurses in Taiwan should take these findings into consideration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yu Lee
- Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Goodvin R, Johnson DR, Hardy SA, Graef MI, Chambers JM. Development and confirmatory factor analysis of the community norms of child neglect scale. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2007; 12:68-85. [PMID: 17218649 DOI: 10.1177/1077559506296667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This article describes the development of the Community Norms of Child Neglect Scale (CNCNS), a new measure of perceptions of child neglect, for use in community samples. The CNCNS differentiates among four subtypes of neglect (failure to provide for basic needs, lack of supervision, emotional neglect, and educational neglect). Scenarios ranging in seriousness for each subtype were presented to a large community sample (N = 3,809). Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a four-factor model provided a better fit to the data than did a model specifying only one overall neglect factor, suggesting this sample distinguished among the four subtypes of neglect. The authors tested measurement equivalence across individuals who work with children and lay community respondents and across rural and urban respondents, with results indicating a very similar structure across these groups. These initial reliability and validity data suggest that the CNCNS may be of use in comparing perceptions of child neglect among individuals and across communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Goodvin
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Center on Children, Families, and the Law, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|