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Para S, Shahrokhi H, Maserat E, Mohammadzadeh Z. Design and evaluation of child abuse web-based application for parent education & strengthen. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:710. [PMID: 38443811 PMCID: PMC10916122 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18248-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child abuse is one of the major health and social problems in the world and has severe short-term and long-term consequences on children's psychological, social and physical functioning. One of the effective strategies to control and prevent child abuse is training parent through web-based applications. The aim of this study is to design and evaluation of child abuse web-based application for parent education and strengthen. METHODS This study is an applied-developmental study that performed in Razi Educational and Therapeutic Center in Tabriz. The study consisted of three main phases. The requirements assessment and design phases were completed between November 2022 and February 2023. The research community was parents referring to Razi Center and convenience sampling was used to select the samples. In firststage, a questionnaire was designed by searching in library sources and consulting with specialists for needs assessment and application design. The questionnaire was completed by psychiatric specialists, health information management and health information technology.Finally, the usability of designed application was evaluated with the participation of 30 parents and specialists. RESULTS Based on the identified information elements and capabilities, a child abuse web-based application was designed. Application capabilities were such as concepts of child abuse, prevention and treatment strategies, parenting skills, childrens behavioral disorders, child abuse laws and interaction with clinical specialists. Finally, the result of the web-based application usability evaluation was evaluated at a good level equal to an average of 7.6 out of a total of 9 points. CONCLUSIONS The possibility of expressing experiences, exchanging message, attractiveness, ease of use, and accessibility of parents, they were designed as application features. The usability of the web-based application was satisfactory to users in various of overall functionality, display, terminology, learning ability and overall application capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif Para
- Department of Health Information Technology, Student Research Committee, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hassan Shahrokhi
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Maserat
- Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Mohammadzadeh
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah St, 5165665811, Tabriz, Iran.
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Barnett WC, Panlilio CC, Mullins C, Levi BH, Humphreys KL. Identifying what works for whom: Implementation outcomes following iLookOut, a child abuse identification and referral training program. J Clin Transl Sci 2023; 7:e205. [PMID: 37830009 PMCID: PMC10565203 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2023.628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction iLookOut, a web-based child abuse training for early childcare professionals (ECPs), has been shown to improve knowledge and attitudes related to correctly identifying and reporting suspected cases of child abuse. The overarching goal of the present study is to examine "what works for whom" for iLookOut in order to identify strategies for optimizing learner outcomes. Methods This prospective study enrolled 12,705 ECPs who completed iLookOut (November 2014-December 2018). We used structural equation models to test whether learner demographic and professional characteristics were differentially associated with implementation outcomes (i.e., acceptability and appropriateness) and whether these mediated subsequent indicators of training effectiveness (i.e., gains in knowledge). Results Consistent with previous research, individuals with lower baseline knowledge scores showed greater knowledge gains (β = -.57; p < .001). Greater knowledge gains were seen for learners who reported higher acceptability (β = .08; p < .001) or appropriateness (β = .14; p < .001). Implementation outcomes strongly associated with knowledge gains included acceptability for female learners and appropriateness for learners who had not completed high school or had >15 years of experience in childcare settings. Where mediation was found, for the majority of groups, appropriateness emerged as the driving mediator. Conclusion Implementation outcomes emerged as important drivers of knowledge change for most groups. The iLookOut Core Training's use of a multimedia learning environment, video-based storylines, and game-based techniques were endorsed by learners and correlated with increases in knowledge. Future work should explore why aspects of the iLookOut training are rated as less acceptable or appropriate by some groups and what changes would improve efficacy for low performing learners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney C. Barnett
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Carlomagno C. Panlilio
- Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Casey Mullins
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Benjamin H. Levi
- Department of Humanities and Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn L. Humphreys
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Bisagno E, Cadamuro A, Serafine D, Dima BM, Anne G, Zane LO, Annija K, Dóra VS, Dorottya M, Noémi L, Monika R, Andrea G, Giovanna Laura DF, Johanna Maria Catharina B. The Development of a Screening Tool for Childcare Professionals to Detect and Refer Infant and Toddler Maltreatment and Trauma: A Tale of Four Countries. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10050858. [PMID: 37238406 DOI: 10.3390/children10050858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment is considered a pressing social question, compromising the present and future mental and physical health of one in four children in Europe. While children younger than three years of age are especially vulnerable, few screening instruments are available for the detection of risk in this age group. The purpose of this research was to develop a screening tool for childcare professionals working in public and private daycare settings to support them in the early identification and referral of infants and toddlers exposed to emotional and physical abuse and neglect by primary caregivers, to be used in different settings across four European countries: Belgium, Italy, Latvia, and Hungary. METHOD A stratified process was used to create the screening tool: We started by using Living lab methodology to co-create the screening tool with its final users, which was followed by testing the tool with a total of 120 childcare professionals from the four participating countries. RESULTS During the Living Lab phase, a screening tool with three layers was developed. The initial layer includes five "red flags" that signal particular concern and require immediate action. The second layer is a quick screener with twelve items focused on four areas: neglect of basic needs, delays in development, unusual behaviors, and interaction with caregivers. The third layer is an in-depth questionnaire that aids in formalizing a thorough observation of twenty-five items within the same four areas as the quick screener. After a one-day training session, 120 childcare professionals caring for children aged 0-3 from four countries assessed the screening tool and their overall training experience. Childcare professionals reported great satisfaction with the three-layered structure, which made the tool versatile, and agreed on its content, which was considered helpful in the daycare setting for the regular evaluation of the behavior of children and their primary caregivers, thus improving the early observation of change from the normal behavior of the infant or toddler. CONCLUSION The three-layered screening tool was reported as feasible, practical, and with great content validity by childcare professionals working in four European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bisagno
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessia Cadamuro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Dierickx Serafine
- Expertise Centre Resilient People, University Colleges Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bou Mosleh Dima
- Expertise Centre Resilient People, University Colleges Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Groenen Anne
- Expertise Centre Resilient People, University Colleges Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Linde-Ozola Zane
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia, LV-1586 Riga, Latvia
| | | | | | - Morva Dorottya
- Pressley Ridge Hungary Foundation, 1142 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Noémi
- Pressley Ridge Hungary Foundation, 1142 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rozsa Monika
- Pressley Ridge Hungary Foundation, 1142 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gruber Andrea
- Pressley Ridge Hungary Foundation, 1142 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Blom Johanna Maria Catharina
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
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Mehta D, Kelly AB, Laurens KR, Haslam D, Williams KE, Walsh K, Baker PRA, Carter HE, Khawaja NG, Zelenko O, Mathews B. Child Maltreatment and Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Outcomes: An Exploration of Biopsychosocial Determinants and Implications for Prevention. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023; 54:421-435. [PMID: 34586552 PMCID: PMC8480117 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01258-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment rates remain unacceptably high and rates are likely to escalate as COVID-related economic problems continue. A comprehensive and evidence-building approach is needed to prevent, detect and intervene where child maltreatment occurs. This review identifies key challenges in definitions, overviews the latest data on prevalence rates, reviews risk and protective factors, and examines common long-term mental health outcomes for children who experience maltreatment. The review takes a systems approach to child maltreatment outcomes through its focus on the overall burden of disease, gene-environment interactions, neurobiological mechanisms and social ecologies linking maltreatment to mental ill-health. Five recommendations relating to the accurate measurement of trends, research on brain structures and processes, improving the reach and impact of teleservices for detecting, preventing and treating child maladjustment, community-based approaches, and building population-focused multidisciplinary alliances and think tanks are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Mehta
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Adrian B. Kelly
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kristin R. Laurens
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Divna Haslam
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kate E. Williams
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953Centre for Child & Family Studies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kerryann Walsh
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953Centre for Child & Family Studies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Philip R. A. Baker
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Hannah E. Carter
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nigar G. Khawaja
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Oksana Zelenko
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ben Mathews
- grid.1024.70000000089150953Present Address: Child Adversity, Mental Health and Resilience Theme, Centre for Child Health and Well-being, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953School of Law, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
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Walsh K, Eggins E, Hine L, Mathews B, Kenny MC, Howard S, Ayling N, Dallaston E, Pink E, Vagenas D. Child protection training for professionals to improve reporting of child abuse and neglect. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022; 7:CD011775. [PMID: 35788913 PMCID: PMC9301923 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011775.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many nations require child-serving professionals to report known or suspected cases of significant child abuse and neglect to statutory child protection or safeguarding authorities. Considered globally, there are millions of professionals who fulfil these roles, and many more who will do so in future. Ensuring they are trained in reporting child abuse and neglect is a key priority for nations and organisations if efforts to address violence against children are to succeed. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of training aimed at improving reporting of child abuse and neglect by professionals and to investigate possible components of effective training interventions. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, 18 other databases, and one trials register up to 4 June 2021. We also handsearched reference lists, selected journals, and websites, and circulated a request for studies to researchers via an email discussion list. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, and controlled before-and-after studies examining the effects of training interventions for qualified professionals (e.g. teachers, childcare professionals, doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals) to improve reporting of child abuse and neglect, compared with no training, waitlist control, or alternative training (not related to child abuse and neglect). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used methodological procedures described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We synthesised training effects in meta-analysis where possible and summarised findings for primary outcomes (number of reported cases of child abuse and neglect, quality of reported cases, adverse events) and secondary outcomes (knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards the reporting duty). We used the GRADE approach to rate the certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS We included 11 trials (1484 participants), using data from 9 of the 11 trials in quantitative synthesis. Trials took place in high-income countries, including the USA, Canada, and the Netherlands, with qualified professionals. In 8 of the 11 trials, interventions were delivered in face-to-face workshops or seminars, and in 3 trials interventions were delivered as self-paced e-learning modules. Interventions were developed by experts and delivered by specialist facilitators, content area experts, or interdisciplinary teams. Only 3 of the 11 included studies were conducted in the past 10 years. Primary outcomes Three studies measured the number of cases of child abuse and neglect via participants' self-report of actual cases reported, three months after training. The results of one study (42 participants) favoured the intervention over waitlist, but the evidence is very uncertain (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 1.43; very low-certainty evidence). Three studies measured the number of cases of child abuse and neglect via participants' responses to hypothetical case vignettes immediately after training. A meta-analysis of two studies (87 participants) favoured training over no training or waitlist for training, but the evidence is very uncertain (SMD 1.81, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.32; very low-certainty evidence). We identified no studies that measured the number of cases of child abuse and neglect via official records of reports made to child protection authorities, or adverse effects of training. Secondary outcomes Four studies measured professionals' knowledge of reporting duty, processes, and procedures postintervention. The results of one study (744 participants) may favour the intervention over waitlist for training (SMD 1.06, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.21; low-certainty evidence). Four studies measured professionals' knowledge of core concepts in all forms of child abuse and neglect postintervention. A meta-analysis of two studies (154 participants) favoured training over no training, but the evidence is very uncertain (SMD 0.68, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.01; very low-certainty evidence). Three studies measured professionals' knowledge of core concepts in child sexual abuse postintervention. A meta-analysis of these three studies (238 participants) favoured training over no training or waitlist for training, but the evidence is very uncertain (SMD 1.44, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.45; very low-certainty evidence). One study (25 participants) measured professionals' skill in distinguishing reportable and non-reportable cases postintervention. The results favoured the intervention over no training, but the evidence is very uncertain (SMD 0.94, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.77; very low-certainty evidence). Two studies measured professionals' attitudes towards the duty to report child abuse and neglect postintervention. The results of one study (741 participants) favoured the intervention over waitlist, but the evidence is very uncertain (SMD 0.61, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.76; very low-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The studies included in this review suggest there may be evidence of improvements in training outcomes for professionals exposed to training compared with those who are not exposed. However, the evidence is very uncertain. We rated the certainty of evidence as low to very low, downgrading due to study design and reporting limitations. Our findings rest on a small number of largely older studies, confined to single professional groups. Whether similar effects would be seen for a wider range of professionals remains unknown. Considering the many professional groups with reporting duties, we strongly recommend further research to assess the effectiveness of training interventions, with a wider range of child-serving professionals. There is a need for larger trials that use appropriate methods for group allocation, and statistical methods to account for the delivery of training to professionals in workplace groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryann Walsh
- School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Eggins
- School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lorelei Hine
- School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ben Mathews
- School of Law, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Maureen C Kenny
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sarah Howard
- Library Services Directorate, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Natasha Ayling
- School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Elizabeth Pink
- School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dimitrios Vagenas
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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The “A2UFood Training Kit”: Participatory Workshops to Minimize Food Loss and Waste. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14042446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The A2UFood project aspires to design and implement a holistic scheme for the management of food loss and waste, covering all aspects of the ‘reduce–reuse–recycle’ philosophy. An integral part of an efficient strategy to combat food wastage is raising awareness and informing the public. For this reason, among the designed direct, in person, communication activities of the A2UFood project, the ‘A2Food training kit’ has a key role. The kit includes a short theoretical background and nine sets of participatory activities, and it is the first of its kind implemented in Greece. After their evaluation through workshops, all proposed activities were included in an e-book for further use. Activities are based on the Education for Sustainable Development framework and the Sustainable Development Goals. The dissemination model employed draws on adult education theory, in the form of participatory workshops and also follows the ‘train the trainers’ principle. All the workshops are based on the principles of active learning, related to real life experience and cooperative learning. Following these principles, the activities designed for the workshops aimed to bring participants’ pre-existing experience, values, and beliefs into confrontation with a new context. Responding to COVID-19 pandemic limitations, necessary adjustments to distant training requirements were also implemented. Through the training kit, we have trained 270 trainers and, by the end of June 2021, 19 of them had implemented selected workshops for about 600 students, all over Greece. In conclusion, the multiplicative power of the kit is considered satisfactory under the given pandemic-induced social-distancing conditions, and it will have a lasting footprint alongside the informative campaign, since it will be available for use in the future, either as a tool for the training of trainers, or as material to be used by the trainers.
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Cohen N, Katz C. Preventing child maltreatment: Key conclusions from a systematic literature review of prevention programs for practitioners. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 118:105138. [PMID: 34087537 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment (CM) is a worldwide social problem and there is a large consensus that its prevention is of crucial importance. The current literature review highlights CM prevention studies that target practitioners, with the aim of assessing the knowledge in this area, informing future efforts and benefiting the international task of mitigating CM. Specifically, the study presents key conclusions from prevention programs evaluated in peer-reviewed journals from the last decade selected using the PRISMA systematic literature review guidelines. Out of the 26 manuscripts that discussed prevention programs targeted at practitioners, 20 programs were identified. While sexual abuse prevention programs were the most common, followed by programs addressing general child maltreatment, only two studies addressed child physical abuse. More than a third of the prevention programs were interdisciplinary, while healthcare providers had the highest number of specifically tailored programs. The discussion addresses the considerable lack of detail in the relevant manuscripts and urges future efforts to further elaborate on necessary details to enable other researchers and practitioners to better assess and determine the congruence between child maltreatment research and prevention programs. Additionally, some methodological issues in the included manuscripts, such as the lack of control groups and the related challenges, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Cohen
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel.
| | - Carmit Katz
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel
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8
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Humphreys KL, Piersiak HA, Panlilio CC, Lehman EB, Verdiglione N, Dore S, Levi BH. A randomized control trial of a child abuse mandated reporter training: Knowledge and attitudes. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 117:105033. [PMID: 33901759 PMCID: PMC8360385 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite being well-positioned to identify maltreatment in the children that they provide care for and being legally required to report suspected child maltreatment, early childhood professionals (ECPs) make a limited proportion of reports to child protective services. It is critical to identify evidence-based interventions to improve the reporting practices of this group of mandated reporters allowing for the better protection of children from maltreatment. OBJECTIVE The goal of the present study was to determine if iLookOut, an online child abuse identification and reporting training for ECPs, results in differential gains in knowledge and attitudes towards child abuse and its reporting among ECPs, as compared to an online standard training. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Both interventions were completed online by participants recruited from licensed child care programs in Southern Maine from October 2017 to January 2020. Eligibility criteria included being at least 18 years of age, English-speaking, and working as paid or volunteer staff at a licensed child care program taking care of children 5 years of age or younger. Of the 1152 enrolled individuals, 1094 provided complete pre- and post-intervention data. METHODS A randomized controlled trial comparing iLookOut with an online standard training. RESULTS ECPs who completed iLookOut significantly outperformed those who completed Standard mandated reporter training in terms of both knowledge (d=1.09 vs. 0.67) and attitudes (d=0.67 vs. 0.54) relative to pre-test scores. CONCLUSIONS iLookOut is a promising candidate for widespread use in meeting the need for evidence-based training on child abuse and its reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Erik B Lehman
- Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | | | - Sarah Dore
- Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Benjamin H Levi
- Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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9
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Kimber M, McTavish JR, Vanstone M, Stewart DE, MacMillan HL. Child maltreatment online education for healthcare and social service providers: Implications for the COVID-19 context and beyond. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 116:104743. [PMID: 32980151 PMCID: PMC7513691 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that healthcare and social service providers (HSSPs) receive inadequate education related to recognizing and responding to child maltreatment. This is despite the fact HSSPs are identified as an important factor in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of this childhood exposure. The need for online education for HSSPs' is highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and will continue to be relevant afterward. The objective of this commentary is to provide an overview of: (a) educational interventions for HSSPs' related to recognizing and responding to child maltreatment; (b) the development of VEGA (Violence, Evidence, Guidance, Action), which is an online platform of educational resources to support HSSPs to recognize and respond to child maltreatment; and (c) the RISE (Researching the Impact of Service provider Education) project, which is an ongoing multi-province evaluation of VEGA in Canada. It is important to consider ongoing ways that HSSPs can receive education related to recognizing and responding to child maltreatment. The virtual implementation of VEGA and the RISE Project provide a necessary opportunity to continue to increase the capacity of Canada's HSSPs to adequately and safely recognize and respond to child maltreatment, while simultaneously advancing education scholarship for the field of child maltreatment and which will have relevance for the COVID-19 context and beyond.
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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 Suite 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Jill R McTavish
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MIP Suite 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Meredith Vanstone
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, DBHSC 5003E, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Donna E Stewart
- Centre for Mental Health, University of Toronto and University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, EN-7-229, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Harriet L MacMillan
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
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Levi BH, Mundy M, Palm C, Verdiglione N, Fiene R, Mincemoyer C. AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAM ON CHILD ABUSE AND ITS REPORTING. THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATORS ONLINE 2021; 18:https://www.thejeo.com/archive/archive/2021_182/levi_mundy_palm_verdiglione_fiene_mincemoyerpdf. [PMID: 34690610 PMCID: PMC8533645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This article describes the content and pedagogical foundations of iLookOut for Child Abuse, an interactive, online learning program that was designed for early childhood professionals and others who provide childcare to young children. It also describes how an online intervention can address a complex social and behavioral issue--viz., how to identify and appropriately respond to concerns of possible child abuse.
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Levi BH, Belser A, Kapp K, Verdiglione N, Mincemoyer C, Dore S, Keat J, Fiene R. iLookOut for Child Abuse: Conceptual and Practical Considerations in Creating an Online Learning Program to Engage Learners and Promote Behavior Change. EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND CARE 2021; 191:535-544. [PMID: 34239220 PMCID: PMC8258631 DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2019.1626374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H. Levi
- Departments of Humanities & Pediatrics; Penn State College of Medicine & Penn State Children’s Hospital; Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew Belser
- Theatre Department; Penn State University; State College, Pennsylvania
| | - Karl Kapp
- Department of Humanities; Penn State College of Medicine; Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole Verdiglione
- Department of Humanities; Penn State College of Medicine; Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Claudia Mincemoyer
- Emerita Professor; Extension Education Department, Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah Dore
- Department of Humanities; Penn State College of Medicine; Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Jane Keat
- . Emerita Professor, Education Department, Penn State University, Middletown, Pennsylvania
| | - Richard Fiene
- Emeritus Professor, Departments of Psychology & Human Development, Penn State University; Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; President, Research Institute for Key Indicators
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