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Booth AT, Guest ZC, Vuong A, Von Doussa H, Ralfs C, McIntosh JE. Child-Reported Family Violence: A Systematic Review of Available Instruments. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:1661-1679. [PMID: 37646364 PMCID: PMC10913336 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231194062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - An Vuong
- La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Claire Ralfs
- Relationships Australia South Australia, Hindmarsh, SA, Australia
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Knipschild R, Hein I, Pieters S, Lindauer R, Bicanic IAE, Staal W, de Jongh A, Klip H. Childhood adversity in a youth psychiatric population: prevalence and associated mental health problems. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2330880. [PMID: 38530708 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2330880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Childhood adversity can have lasting negative effects on physical and mental health. This study contributes to the existing literature by describing the prevalence rates and mental health outcomes related to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among adolescents registered for mental health care.Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study were youths (aged 12-18 years) who were referred to outpatient psychiatric departments in the Netherlands. Demographic information was collected from the medical records. The Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ) was used to examine the presence of ACEs and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). To assess mental health problems, we used the Dutch translation of the Youth Self Report. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were used to calculate prevalence rates across the various ACEs domains. ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to explore the relationship between ACEs and mental health.Results: Of the 1373 participants, 69.1% reported having experienced at least one ACE and 17.1% indicated exposure to four or more ACEs in their lives. Although there was substantial overlap among all ACE categories, the most frequently reported were bullying (49.2%), emotional abuse (17.8%), physical abuse (12.2%), and sexual abuse (10.1%). Female adolescents (72.7%) reported significantly more ACEs than their male counterparts (27.0%). Furthermore, a higher number of ACEs was associated with significantly more self-reported general mental health problems, an elevated prevalence of both mood and post-traumatic stress disorders, and a greater presence of two or more co-existing psychiatric diagnoses (comorbid psychiatric classification).Conclusions: This cross-sectional study on childhood adversity and its association with mental health showed that ACEs are highly prevalent in youth registered for mental health care. This study provides support for a graded and cumulative relationship between childhood adversity and mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Knipschild
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Almelo, the Netherlands
| | - Irma Hein
- Levvel Academic Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Pieters
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Almelo, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ramon Lindauer
- Levvel Academic Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Iva A E Bicanic
- National Psychotrauma Centre for Children and Youth, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter Staal
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Almelo, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institution for Brain and Cognition, the Netherlands
| | - Ad de Jongh
- Psychotrauma Expertise Centre (PSYTREC), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
- Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam, and VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- School of Health Sciences, Salford University, Manchester, UK
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
- School of Psychology, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Helen Klip
- Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Almelo, the Netherlands
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3
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Abdelhamid S, Kraaijenvanger E, Fischer J, Steinisch M. Assessing adverse childhood experiences in young refugees: a systematic review of available questionnaires. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024:10.1007/s00787-023-02367-6. [PMID: 38451312 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02367-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Today, various questionnaires are available to assess Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in children; however, it is uncertain if these questionnaires are comprehensive in addressing adversities of vulnerable subgroups, specifically refugee children. This review's objectives are to (1) identify current ACE questionnaires and determine if they are suitable in assessing refugee children's adversities, and (2) identify those previously used within a refugee population. A systematic literature search was conducted across five databases for articles published since 2010, including studies using an ACE-questionnaire that recognized multiple adversities in healthy children and were published in English. A total of 103 ACE questionnaires were identified in 506 studies. Only 14 of the 103 questionnaires addressed a refugee-specific adversity. Their ability to capture refugee children's experiences was limited: available questionnaires used a maximum of three items to assess refugee-specific adversities, covering only a fraction of forms of adversities relevant to refugee children. Psychometric characteristics were rarely reported. In addition, only two ACE questionnaires were used within a refugee population. With the tools currently available, it is not possible to comprehensively assess the exposure to and severity of the adversities faced by refugee children. The perpetuation of ongoing crises necessitates assessing refugee children's adversities to understand how their wellbeing is affected and to identify children at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Abdelhamid
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health (CPD), Division of General Medicine, Heidelberg University, Alte Brauerei, Röngtenstraße 7, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Eline Kraaijenvanger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Joachim Fischer
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health (CPD), Division of General Medicine, Heidelberg University, Alte Brauerei, Röngtenstraße 7, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maria Steinisch
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health (CPD), Division of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Heidelberg University, Alte Brauerei, Röngtenstraße 7, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
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4
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Pearson I, Page S, Zimmerman C, Meinck F, Gennari F, Guedes A, Stöckl H. The Co-Occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence and Violence Against Children: A Systematic Review on Associated Factors in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2023; 24:2097-2114. [PMID: 35481390 PMCID: PMC10486154 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221082943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) are public health issues of global concern. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a commonly occurring form of VAW and there is evidence to suggest that IPV and VAC frequently co-occur within the same families. This systematic literature review searched for studies published in any language between 1st January 2000 to 16th February 2021 and identified 33 studies that provided findings for co-occurring IPV and VAC in 24 low- and middle-income countries (PROSPERO: CRD42020180179). These studies were split into subgroups based on the types of co-occurring violence they present and meta-analyses were conducted to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) within these subgroups. Our results indicate a significant association between IPV and VAC, with all pooled ORs showing a significant positive association between the two. Almost half of the studies focused exclusively on co-occurrence between male-to-female IPV and female caregiver-to-child VAC; few authors reported on male caregiver-to-child violence. Only three studies identified risk factors for co-occurring IPV and VAC, and those that did suggested conflicting findings on the risks associated with maternal age, alcohol and drug use, and parental education level. We also found incongruity in the violence definitions and measurements used across studies. Future research should aim to develop more consistent definitions and measurements for co-occurrence and move beyond solely examining dyadic and unidirectional violence occurrence in families; this will allow us to better understand the interrelationships between these different forms of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Pearson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sabrina Page
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cathy Zimmerman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Franziska Meinck
- School of Social and Political Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Heidi Stöckl
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Germany
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5
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Samdal O, Budin-Ljøsne I, Haug E, Helland T, Kjostarova-Unkovska L, Bouillon C, Bröer C, Corell M, Cosma A, Currie D, Eriksson C, Felder-Puig R, Gaspar T, Hagquist C, Harbron J, Jåstad A, Kelly C, Knai C, Kleszczewska D, Kysnes BB, Lien N, Luszczynska A, Moerman G, Moreno-Maldonado C, NicGabhainn S, Pudule I, Rakic JG, Rito A, Rønnestad AM, Ulstein M, Rutter H, Klepp KI. Encouraging greater empowerment for adolescents in consent procedures in social science research and policy projects. Obes Rev 2023; 24 Suppl 2:e13636. [PMID: 37753605 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes the importance of allowing children and adolescents to influence decisions that are important to them following their age and maturity. This paper explores the principles, practices, and implications around using parental versus child/adolescent consent when participating in social science research and policy development. Experiences from two studies are presented: The Confronting Obesity: Co-creating policy with youth (CO-CREATE) and the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Cross-National study. Although parental consent may be an important gatekeeper for protecting children and adolescents from potentially harmful research participation, it may also be considered an obstacle to the empowerment of children and adolescents in case they want to share their views and experiences directly. This paper argues that evaluation of possible harm should be left to ethics committees and that, if no harm related to the research participation processes is identified and the project has a clear perspective on collaborating with the target group, adolescents from the age of 12 years should be granted the legal capacity to give consent to participate in the research project. Collaboration with adolescents in the development of the research project is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oddrun Samdal
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Isabelle Budin-Ljøsne
- Department of Food Safety, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen Haug
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Trond Helland
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Christian Bröer
- Department of Sociology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Corell
- Unit for Mental Health, Children and Youth, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alina Cosma
- Department of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dorothy Currie
- School of Medicine, St. Andrews University, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Charli Eriksson
- Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rosemarie Felder-Puig
- Department of Evidence and Quality Standards, Austrian National Public Health Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tania Gaspar
- Psychology and health Sciences Department, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Curt Hagquist
- Department of Education and Special Education, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Janetta Harbron
- Research Centre for Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS), Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Atle Jåstad
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Colette Kelly
- Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Cecile Knai
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Dorota Kleszczewska
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Nanna Lien
- Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Gerben Moerman
- Department of Sociology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Iveta Pudule
- Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jelena Gudelj Rakic
- Centre of Health Promotion, Institute of Public Health of Serbia, Beograd, Serbia
| | - Ana Rito
- Centre for Studies and Research in Social Dynamics and Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Harry Rutter
- Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Knut-Inge Klepp
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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6
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Meinck F, Neelakantan L, Steele B, Jochim J, Davies LM, Boyes M, Barlow J, Dunne M. Measuring Violence Against Children: A COSMIN Systematic Review of the Psychometric Properties of Child and Adolescent Self-Report Measures. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2023; 24:1832-1847. [PMID: 35446727 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221082152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Research on violence against children (VAC) requires meaningful, valid, and reliable self-report by children. Many instruments have been used globally and decisions to select suitable measures are complex. This review identifies child and adolescent self-report measures that are most likely to yield valid, reliable, and comparable data in this field. A systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD4201706) was conducted using the 2018 Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instrument (COSMIN) criteria. Six electronic databases and gray literature were searched. Manuscripts published in English and describing the development and psychometric qualities of child/adolescent self-report instruments were included. Thirty-nine original instruments and 13 adaptations were identified in 124 studies. The quality of evidence ranged from "very low" to "high" depending on the measure and the psychometric properties assessed. Most measures were not widely used, and some have been applied in many settings despite limited evidence of their psychometric rigor. Few studies assessed content validity, particularly with children. The ACE, CTQ, CTS-PC, CECA, ICAST, and JVQ have the best psychometric properties. An overview of items measuring frequency, onset, duration, perpetrators, and locations is provided as well as an assessment of the practicalities for administration to help researchers select the instrument best suited for their research questions. This comprehensive review shows the strengths and weaknesses of VAC research instruments. Six measures that have sufficient psychometric properties are recommended for use in research, with the caveat that extensive piloting is carried out to ensure sufficient content validity for the local context and population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Meinck
- School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- OPTENTIA, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lakshmi Neelakantan
- Moray House School of Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bridget Steele
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Janina Jochim
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lynn M Davies
- School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark Boyes
- Curtin enAble Institute and School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Jane Barlow
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Dunne
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute for Community Health Research, Hue University, Vietnam
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7
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Massullo C, De Rossi E, Carbone GA, Imperatori C, Ardito RB, Adenzato M, Farina B. Child Maltreatment, Abuse, and Neglect: An Umbrella Review of Their Prevalence and Definitions. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2023; 20:72-99. [PMID: 37250758 PMCID: PMC10211430 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Objective Child maltreatment (CM) is a recognized public health problem, and epidemiologic data suggest that it is a widespread phenomenon, albeit with widely varying estimates. Indeed, CM as well as child abuse (CA) and neglect (CN) are complex phenomena that are difficult to study for several reasons, including terminological and definitional problems that pose a hurdle to estimating epidemiological rates. Therefore, the main aim of this umbrella review is to revise recent review data on the epidemiology of CM, CA, and CN. A second aim was to revise the definitions used. Method A systematic search of three databases was performed in March 2022. Recent reviews (published in the last 5 years: 2017-March 2022) addressing the epidemiological rates of CM, CA, and/or CN were included. Results Of the 314 documents retrieved by the selected search strategy, the eligibility assessment yielded a total of 29 eligible documents. Because of the great heterogeneity among them, a qualitative rather than a quantitative synthesis was performed. Conclusions The data from this umbrella review show that the different age groups, methods, and instruments used in the literature to collect the data on the epidemiology of CM make it difficult to compare the results. Although definitions appear to be quite homogeneous, CM categorization varies widely across studies. Furthermore, this umbrella review shows that the CM reviews considered do not examine some particular forms of CM such as parental overprotection. The results are discussed in detail throughout the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Massullo
- Experimental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Education, Roma Tre University
| | - Elena De Rossi
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome
| | - Giuseppe Alessio Carbone
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin
| | - Claudio Imperatori
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome
| | | | | | - Benedetto Farina
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome
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8
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Stewart-Tufescu A, Garces-Davila I, Salmon S, Pappas KV, McCarthy JA, Taillieu T, Gill S, Afifi TO. Child Maltreatment Reporting Practices by a Person Most Knowledgeable for Children and Youth: A Rapid Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16481. [PMID: 36554377 PMCID: PMC9779242 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment is a global public health and child rights crisis made worse by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While understanding the breadth of the child maltreatment crisis is foundational to informing prevention and response efforts, determining accurate estimates of child maltreatment remains challenging. Alternative informants (parents, caregivers, a Person Most Knowledgeable-PMK) are often tasked with reporting on children's maltreatment experiences in surveys to mitigate concerns associated with reporting child maltreatment. The overall purpose of this study was to examine child maltreatment reporting practices in surveys by PMKs for children and youth. The research question is: "What is the nature of the evidence of child maltreatment reporting practices in general population surveys by PMKs for children and youth?" A rapid scoping review was conducted to achieve the study's purpose. A search strategy was conducted in nine databases (e.g., MEDLINE, EBSCO, Scopus, Global Health, ProQuest). The findings from this review indicate that most studies involved PMK informants (i.e., maternal caregivers), included representative samples from primarily Western contexts, and utilized validated measures to assess child maltreatment. Half of the studies assessed involved multi-informant reports, including the PMKs and child/youth. Overall, the congruence between PMK-reported and child/youth-reported child maltreatment experiences was low-to-fair/moderate, and children/youth reported more maltreatment than the PMKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Stewart-Tufescu
- Faculty of Social Work and Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Isabel Garces-Davila
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Samantha Salmon
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Katerina V. Pappas
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Julie-Anne McCarthy
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Tamara Taillieu
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Sonya Gill
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Tracie O. Afifi
- Departments of Community Health Sciences and Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
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9
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Campeau A, Tanaka M, McTavish JR, MacMillan H, McKee C, Hovdestad WE, Gonzalez A, Afifi TO, Stewart-Tufescu A, Tonmyr L. Asking youth and adults about child maltreatment: a review of government surveys. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063905. [PMID: 36410827 PMCID: PMC9680163 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this review we: (1) identify and describe nationally representative surveys with child maltreatment (CM) questions conducted by governments in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries and (2) describe procedures implemented to address respondents' safety and minimise potential distress. DESIGN We conducted a systematic search across eight databases from 1 January 2000 to 5 July 2021 to identify original studies with information about relevant surveys. Additional information about surveys was obtained through survey methods studies, survey reports, survey websites or by identifying full questionnaires (when available). RESULTS Forty-six studies representing 139 surveys (98 youth and 41 adult) conducted by governments from 105 countries were identified. Surveys implemented a variety of procedures to maximise the safety and/or reduce distress for respondents including providing the option to withdraw from the survey and/or securing confidentiality and privacy for the respondent. In many surveys, further steps were taken such as providing information for support services, providing sensitivity training to survey administrators when interviews were conducted, among others. A minority of surveys took additional steps to empirically assess potential distress experienced by respondents. CONCLUSIONS Assessing risk and protective factors and developing effective interventions and policies are essential to reduce the burden of violence against children. While asking about experiences of CM requires careful consideration, procedures to maximise the safety and minimise potential distress to respondents have been successfully implemented globally, although practices differ across surveys. Further analysis is required to assist governments to implement the best possible safety protocols to protect respondents in future surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimée Campeau
- Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Masako Tanaka
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jill R McTavish
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harriet MacMillan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and Pediatrics, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris McKee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wendy E Hovdestad
- Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tracie O Afifi
- Departments of Community Health Sciences, and Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Lil Tonmyr
- Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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10
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Zhang S, Xu Y, Hong JS, Liu M, Liao M. Discrepancies between children's and caregivers' child maltreatment reporting and their associations with child wellbeing. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 133:105858. [PMID: 36058065 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child maltreatment reporting is critical for case investigation and service disposition. However, reporting discrepancies across informants is a challenge for child welfare services. METHODS Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 3150), the current study examined child-caregiver discrepancies in reporting the frequencies of psychological and physical maltreatment. Multivariate models were used to examine how caregivers' reports, children's reports, and discrepancies between the two were associated with child anxiety, depression, aggression, and delinquency. RESULTS A quarter of the children reported psychological maltreatment at a higher (25.7 %) or lower (23.8 %) frequency than their caregivers' report, respectively; 8.4 % and 8.7 % of the children did so in physical maltreatment reports, respectively. Multivariate models showed that children's maltreatment reports were more closely associated with children's anxiety, depression, and delinquency than caregivers' reports, while caregivers' reports were more closely associated with children's aggression. After accounting for caregivers' reporting and other covariates, children who reported more frequent psychological maltreatment than their caregivers' report had a higher level of anxiety, depression, and delinquency (b = 0.17 to 0.25, p < 0.001), and the opposite was true (b = -0.36 to -0.13, p < 0.001). Similarly, children who reported more frequent physical maltreatment than their caregivers' report had a higher level of all negative outcomes (b = 0.04 to 0.44; p = 0.04 to <0.00), and the opposite was true for aggression (b = -0.08, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that in addition to other reporting barriers, children and caregivers may perceive maltreatment differently, and such discrepancies are related to children's wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saijun Zhang
- University of Mississippi, Department of Social Work, Garland 315, University, MS 38677, United States of America.
| | - Yanfeng Xu
- University of South Carolina College of Social Work, 1512 Pendleton St Hamilton College, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Jun Sung Hong
- Wayne State University School of Social Work, 5447 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America; Ewha Womans University Department of Social Welfare, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Meirong Liu
- Howard University School of Social Work, 601 Howard Place, NW, Washington, DC 20059, United States of America
| | - Minli Liao
- Morgan State University School of Social Work, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Jenkins 351, Baltimore, MD 21251, United States of America
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11
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Cooley DT, Jackson Y, Stoolmiller M. Discrepancies in youth self-report and case file report of maltreatment and association with internalizing and externalizing symptoms. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 133:105845. [PMID: 35987048 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment is a potential risk factor for the later development of psychopathology (Jaffee, 2017). However, there is no gold standard for identifying victims of child maltreatment, and when multiple informants - such as case files and youth self-report - are used, these sources often disagree (Cooley & Jackson, 2022). OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to explore discrepancies between youth self-report and case file report of maltreatment and examine how these discrepancies related to internalizing and externalizing symptoms. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Participants were 470 youth living in foster care between the ages of 8 and 18 and their caregivers. METHODS Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to create novel groups based on informant discrepancies. RESULTS Agreement between informants was in the poor-to-fair agreement range for all types of maltreatment. Latent class analysis identified a 3-class solution with significant group differences on both externalizing (Χ2 (2, N = 470) = 6.16, p = 0.05) and internalizing symptoms (Χ2 (2, N = 470) = 6.10, p = 0.05). Specifically, those in the "self-report only" class had significantly higher symptoms than those in the "neither informant/case file only" class for both internalizing and externalizing behavior. CONCLUSIONS Case files and youth self-report of maltreatment are discrepant. Youth self-report of maltreatment history may be more closely linked to psychopathology than case file report of maltreatment. Researchers and practitioners should look to youth self-report rather than relying solely on case files when determining risk for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl T Cooley
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 140 Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Yo Jackson
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 140 Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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12
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KOVAČEVIĆ SI, ŠOBOT V, VEJNOVIĆ AM, KNEŽEVIĆ V, MILATOVIĆ J, ŠEGAN D. "Mental Health Problems in Abused Institutionalised Serbian Adolescents and Their Use of Social and Mental Health Services". JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPIES 2022. [DOI: 10.24193/jebp.2022.1.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
"The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of various forms of maltreatment in adolescents without parental care, their mental health problems and treatment needs. Sixty examinees of both genders, aged 12-18, were divided in two groups: abused group (adolescent without parental care in an institutional setting) and control group (general population). The presence/absence of registered abuse/neglect by official social services were the criterion for classifying respondents into groups. The general questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Youth Self Report were used. 46.67% of adolescents were neglected, 40% of them suffered several types of abuse, 10% were physically abused, 3.33% were emotionally abused, and no adolescent was sexually abused. 16.6% of cases of sexual abuse in the abused group as well as milder forms of maltreatment in the control group were registered by self-reported retrospective measures, which are not part of official registers. Delinquency, aggressive behavior and somatic complaints are significantly more prominent in the abused group compared to the control group. 86% of adolescents used some form of support and counseling from professionals, 56.6% were included in psychiatric treatment, and only 36.6% in psychotherapy. Mental health problems in abused adolescents without parental care indicates the specific needs for psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment."
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13
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Cooley DT, Jackson Y. Informant Discrepancies in Child Maltreatment Reporting: A Systematic Review. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2022; 27:126-145. [PMID: 33054358 DOI: 10.1177/1077559520966387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Potential informants on child maltreatment include the youth who has experienced the alleged maltreatment, and the youth's caregivers, social workers and case files. When multiple informants are compared, they often disagree about whether or not a youth has experienced maltreatment. Such determinations are critical as endorsement-or lack of endorsement-of maltreatment can have significant consequences on the child's safety, future living arrangements and referral for treatment and services. The current study provides a systematic review of the literature on informant discrepancies in child maltreatment. Three databases-PsychINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed-were used to identify studies for the review and 13 articles met inclusion criteria. Results showed that more youth tend to report physical, sexual and emotional abuse than seen in case files. By contrast, more case files include neglect than reported by youth. Implications and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl T Cooley
- Department of Psychology, The 8082Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Yo Jackson
- Department of Psychology, The 8082Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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14
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Abstract
Despite sufficient evidence to conclude that maltreatment exposure affects the risk of crime and delinquency, we conclude that the unique effects of child maltreatment on crime and delinquency, and the mechanisms through which those effects operate, remain poorly identified. Key challenges include insufficient attention to the overlap of child maltreatment with various forms of family dysfunction and adversity and a lack of comprehensive measurement of the multiple, often comorbid, forms of child maltreatment. We then consider potential impacts of the child welfare system on the maltreatment-crime link. Because the child welfare system typically provides voluntary, short-term services of unknown quality, it likely neither increases nor reduces risks of delinquency and crime for most children who encounter it. For the comparatively small subset of children experiencing foster care, impacts on delinquency and crime likely vary by the quality of environments within and after their time in care - issues that, to date, have received too little attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Font
- Pennsylvania State University, Department of Sociology and Criminology, 612 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Reeve Kennedy
- Pennsylvania State University, Department of Sociology and Criminology
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15
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Mathews B, MacMillan HL, Meinck F, Finkelhor D, Haslam D, Tonmyr L, Gonzalez A, Afifi TO, Scott JG, Pacella RE, Higgins DJ, Thomas H, Collin-Vézina D, Walsh K. The ethics of child maltreatment surveys in relation to participant distress: Implications of social science evidence, ethical guidelines, and law. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 123:105424. [PMID: 34883421 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological surveys measuring the prevalence of child maltreatment generate essential knowledge that is required to enhance human rights, promote gender equality, and reduce child abuse and neglect and its effects. Yet, evidence suggests Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) may assess the risk of these studies using higher than normal thresholds, based on a perception they may cause high distress to participants. It is essential for IRBs and researchers to have an accurate understanding of the nature and extent of participant distress associated with these studies, and of the duties of researchers towards survey participants, so that meritorious research is endorsed and duties to participants discharged. Assessment by IRBs of the ethics of such research must be appropriately informed by scientific evidence, ethical principles, and legal requirements. This article adds to knowledge by considering participant distress in child maltreatment surveys and its appropriate ethical and operational treatment. We provide an updated overview of scientific evidence of the frequency and severity of distress in studies of child maltreatment, a review of ethical requirements including a focus on beneficence and participant welfare, and a new analysis of researchers' legal duties towards participants. Our analyses demonstrate that participant distress is infrequent and transitory, that researchers can satisfy ethical requirements towards participants, and that legal liability does not extend to emotional distress. Informed by these bodies of knowledge, we distil key principles of good epidemiological practice to provide solutions to operational requirements in these surveys, which both fulfil ethical requirements to participants, and demonstrate trauma-informed practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Mathews
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, School of Law, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
| | - Harriet L MacMillan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Franziska Meinck
- School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, UK; School of Health Sciences, North-West University, South Africa
| | - David Finkelhor
- Crimes Against Children Research Center, Family Research Laboratory, Department of Sociology, University of New Hampshire, USA
| | - Divna Haslam
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, School of Law, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia; Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Lil Tonmyr
- Family Violence Surveillance, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Tracie O Afifi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Canada
| | - James G Scott
- Mental Health Programme, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Australia
| | - Rosana E Pacella
- Institute for Lifecourse Development, Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, UK
| | - Daryl J Higgins
- Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, Australia
| | - Hannah Thomas
- Mental Health Programme, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Australia
| | | | - Kerryann Walsh
- School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia
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16
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Fluke JD, Tonmyr L, Gray J, Bettencourt Rodrigues L, Bolter F, Cash S, Jud A, Meinck F, Casas Muñoz A, O'Donnell M, Pilkington R, Weaver L. Child maltreatment data: A summary of progress, prospects and challenges. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 119:104650. [PMID: 32861435 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 1996, the ISPCAN Working Group on Child Maltreatment Data (ISPCAN-WGCMD) was established to provide an international forum in which individuals, who deal with child maltreatment data in their respective professional roles, can share concerns and solutions. OBJECTIVE This commentary describes some of the key features and the status of child maltreatment related data collection addressed by the ISPCAN-WGCMD. METHODS Different types of data collection methods including self-report, sentinel, and administrative data designs are described as well as how they address different needs for information to help understand child maltreatment and systems of prevention and intervention. RESULTS While still lacking in many parts of the world, access to child maltreatment data has become much more widespread, and in many places a very sophisticated undertaking. CONCLUSION The ISPCAN-WGCMD has been an important forum for supporting the continued development and improvement in the global effort to understand and combat child maltreatment thus contributing to the long term goals of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Nevertheless, based on what has been learned, even greater efforts are required to improve data in order to effectively combat child maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Fluke
- Kempe Center, Department of Paediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Lil Tonmyr
- Family Violence Surveillance, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Flora Bolter
- Chargée d'études chez L'Observatoire national de la protection de l'enfance, France
| | - Scottye Cash
- School of Social Work, The Ohio State University, USA
| | - Andreas Jud
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Germany; School of Social Work, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Meinck
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK; Optentia, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbejlpark, South Africa
| | | | | | - Rhiannon Pilkington
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Leemoy Weaver
- The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica
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Hafstad GS, Sætren SS, Myhre MC, Bergerud-Wichstrøm M, Augusti EM. Cohort profile: Norwegian youth study on child maltreatment (the UEVO study). BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038655. [PMID: 32847921 PMCID: PMC7451483 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Exposure to childhood maltreatment is not uncommon, and is linked to both short-term and long-term health problems. Population-based surveys for adolescent samples provide excellent opportunities for addressing the substantial burden of early-life adversities, because collecting information close in time to exposure may increase accuracy of assessment. Still few large studies have been conducted, following individuals through adolescence. Therefore, the UEVO cohort was created with the aim of investigating prevalence of child maltreatment throughout childhood and adolescence, and its effects on health and functioning in a long-term perspective in a representative sample of Norwegian adolescents. PARTICIPANTS The baseline for the cohort includes a representative sample of 9240 Norwegian adolescents (response rate 86.6%) aged 12-16 years, surveyed in January and February 2019. The cohort to be followed over time comprises the 5502 adolescents who agreed to be recontacted for subsequent data collection waves. FINDINGS TO DATE The overall prevalence figures from the first wave of measurement have been published in a comprehensive national report on child maltreatment in Norway. FUTURE PLANS A second study wave will commence in 2021, including about half of the original cohort (longitudinal), as well as a new sample starting at age 12. For participants above age 16, original survey data will be connected to national registries (pending indvidual consent), enabling the study of real-life functioning within the areas of healthcare utilisation, school drop-out, work-force participation and prescription of medication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sjur Skjørshammer Sætren
- Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic, CAMHS Sola, Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Sola, Norway
| | - Mia Cathrine Myhre
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Paediatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Else-Marie Augusti
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway
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18
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Wan Y, Chen R, Wang S, Clifford A, Zhang S, Orton S. Associations of coping styles with nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents: Do they vary with gender and adverse childhood experiences? CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2020; 104:104470. [PMID: 32234639 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of positive coping style on non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents remains unclear, while negative coping style increases the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). There is less investigation on gender differences in the impacts of positive coping style and negative coping style on NSSI. It is unknown whether the impacts vary with different levels of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). AIMS To identify gender differences in the impacts of positive coping style and negative coping style on NSSI, and investigate the impacts at different levels of ACEs. METHOD An adolescent health survey was conducted in 15 schools in China between November 2013 and January 2014. 9704 students aged 11-19 years completed standard questionnaires to record the details of coping style, NSSI and ACEs. RESULTS 38.5 % of adolescents had ≥1 NSSI over the past 12 months. NSSI was significantly increased with the low positive coping style in girls with ≥3 ACEs, but not with 0 and 1-2 ACEs, and not in boys with any levels of ACEs. NSSI was increased with high negative coping style in both girls and boys across all ACEs. The negative coping style impact was stronger in girls than in boys (odds ratio 1.66, p < 0.05), especially in those with 1-2 ACEs. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents at high risk of NSSI in relation to coping styles should be targeted accordingly. Reducing negative coping style in girls and boys and improving positive coping style in girls who have high ACEs could help prevent NSSI in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Wan
- Department of Maternal, Child& Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health &Aristogenics, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Ruoling Chen
- Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK.
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child& Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health &Aristogenics, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Angela Clifford
- Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Shichen Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child& Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health &Aristogenics, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Sophie Orton
- Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK
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Davis KA, Mountain RV, Pickett OR, Den Besten PK, Bidlack FB, Dunn EC. Teeth as Potential New Tools to Measure Early-Life Adversity and Subsequent Mental Health Risk: An Interdisciplinary Review and Conceptual Model. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:502-513. [PMID: 31858984 PMCID: PMC7822497 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Early-life adversity affects nearly half of all youths in the United States and is a known risk factor for psychiatric disorders across the life course. One strategy to prevent mental illness may be to target interventions toward children who are exposed to adversity, particularly during sensitive periods when these adversities may have even more enduring effects. However, a major obstacle impeding progress in this area is the lack of tools to reliably and validly measure the existence and timing of early-life adversity. In this review, we summarize empirical work across dentistry, anthropology, and archaeology on human tooth development and discuss how teeth preserve a time-resolved record of our life experiences. Specifically, we articulate how teeth have been examined in these fields as biological fossils in which the history of an individual's early-life experiences is permanently imprinted; this area of research is related to, but distinct from, studies of oral health. We then integrate these insights with knowledge about the role of psychosocial adversity in shaping psychopathology risk to present a working conceptual model, which proposes that teeth may be an understudied yet suggestive new tool to identify individuals at risk for mental health problems following early-life psychosocial stress exposure. We end by presenting a research agenda and discussion of future directions for rigorously testing this possibility and with a call to action for interdisciplinary research to meet the urgent need for new biomarkers of adversity and psychiatric outcomes.
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Mathews B, Pacella R, Dunne MP, Simunovic M, Marston C. Improving measurement of child abuse and neglect: A systematic review and analysis of national prevalence studies. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227884. [PMID: 31990913 PMCID: PMC6986759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Child maltreatment through physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence, causes substantial adverse health, educational and behavioural consequences through the lifespan. The generation of reliable data on the prevalence and characteristics of child maltreatment in nationwide populations is essential to plan and evaluate public health interventions to reduce maltreatment. Measurement of child maltreatment must overcome numerous methodological challenges. Little is known to date about the extent, nature and methodological quality of these national studies. This study aimed to systematically review the most comprehensive national studies of the prevalence of child maltreatment, and critically appraise their methodologies to help inform the design of future studies. METHODS Guided by PRISMA and following a published protocol, we searched 22 databases from inception to 31 May 2019 to identify nationwide studies of the prevalence of either all five or at least four forms of child maltreatment. We conducted a formal quality assessment and critical analysis of study design. RESULTS This review identified 30 national prevalence studies of all five or at least four forms of child maltreatment, in 22 countries. While sound approaches are available for different settings, methodologies varied widely in nature and robustness. Some instruments are more reliable and obtain more detailed and useful information about the characteristics of the maltreatment, including its nature, frequency, and the relationship between the child and the person who inflicted the maltreatment. Almost all studies had limitations, especially in the level of detail captured about maltreatment, and the adequacy of constructs of maltreatment types. CONCLUSIONS Countries must invest in rigorous national studies of the prevalence of child maltreatment. Studies should use a sound instrument containing appropriate maltreatment constructs, and obtain nuanced information about its nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Mathews
- Director, Childhood Adversity Research Program, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD, United States of America
| | - Rosana Pacella
- Institute for Lifecourse Development, University of Greenwich, Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Dunne
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marko Simunovic
- Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cicely Marston
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Shields M, Tonmyr L, Hovdestad WE. The Decline of Child Sexual Abuse in Canada: Evidence From the 2014 General Social Survey. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2019; 64:638-646. [PMID: 31060370 PMCID: PMC6699034 DOI: 10.1177/0706743718818417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide evidence of trends in child sexual abuse (CSA) in Canada. METHODS Using data from 15,801 males and 18,669 females who responded to the 2014 General Social Survey (GSS), we compared the prevalence of CSA by age cohorts. Age cohort patterns were examined for several sub-populations including males, females, Indigenous peoples, and people living in low-income households. RESULTS After an increase in the post-World War II period, there has been a decline in CSA in Canada since the early 1990s. Findings indicate a decline for both sexes; although, the evidence is more compelling for females. There is also evidence of a decline for Indigenous peoples, for those living in low-income households, and regardless of the relationship to the perpetrator (i.e., family member, a teacher/professor/tutor, a babysitter, a nanny, other non-family member but known to the respondent, or a stranger). CONCLUSIONS In Canada, evidence from 3 retrospective population surveys suggests a decline in CSA since the early 1990s. However, given the associated harm, continued progress to the eradication of CSA is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lil Tonmyr
- 1 Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
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Kyegombe N, Banks LM, Kelly S, Kuper H, Devries KM. How to conduct good quality research on violence against children with disabilities: key ethical, measurement, and research principles. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1133. [PMID: 31420030 PMCID: PMC6698022 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7456-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one billion children experience violence every year. Violence against children is an urgent global public health concern and violation of children's rights. It is also a risk factor for serious negative health and social outcomes and is therefore addressed within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Children with disabilities, who make up one in 20 children worldwide, are particularly vulnerable to violence although good quality data are lacking on causes and means of prevention of violence against children with disabilities. Key challenges exist in the measurement of disability and violence, which in part explains the dearth in evidence. IMPROVING RESEARCH ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES: This paper provides guidance on how to conduct good quality, ethical, and inclusive research on violence against children with disabilities, particularly in low-income settings. The lack of an international agreed 'gold standard' frustrates efforts to measure violence across settings and time. Careful consideration must be given to the design of survey tools. Qualitative and participatory research methods also offer important opportunities to explore children's subjective understanding and experiences of violence. Challenges also exist around the measurement of disability. Disability may be measured by asking directly about disability, through self-reported functioning, or through the presence of impairments or health conditions. These approaches have strengths and limitations and should build on what children are able to do and include appropriate adaptations for specific impairments where necessary. Ethical research also requires adherence to ethical guidelines and approvals, obtaining informed consent, appropriate child protection responses, and careful consideration of interviewer-related issues including their selection, training, and welfare. Key methodological gaps remain - how to include children with severe communication challenges in research; how to respond in instances of weak child protection systems; designing sampling procedures that adequately represent children with disabilities in large-scale violence surveys; and determining how best to ask about violence safely in large-scale surveys and monitoring data. This paper further advocates for the dissemination of research results in inclusive and accessible formats. CONCLUSION With careful planning, challenges in collecting data on disability and violence can be overcome to generate evidence in this neglected area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nambusi Kyegombe
- Gender Violence and Health Centre, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, 15, London, WC1H 9SH UK
| | - Lena Morgon Banks
- International Centre for Evidence in Disability, Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Susan Kelly
- Gender Violence and Health Centre, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, 15, London, WC1H 9SH UK
| | - Hannah Kuper
- International Centre for Evidence in Disability, Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Karen M. Devries
- Gender Violence and Health Centre, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, 15, London, WC1H 9SH UK
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