Birth Order Research Articles

Embodied Cognition and the Structure of Personality: An Exploratory Study of Longitudinal Pathways From Early Psychomotor Function.

To explore the developmental pathways linking infant psychomotor function with personality in late adolescence through cognitive, social, and self-regulation skills. The broader research question, seen through the lens of embodied cognition, is whether cognition and personality in youth develop from basic sensorimotor and communicative systems in infancy. The sample included 9202 participants from a representative UK birth cohort. A structural equation model examined the prospective associations between motor and communicative functions at age 9 months, cognition, self-regulation, and prosociality at 5 years, and the five-factor model of personality at 17 years. The associations between psychomotor function and the meta-traits of stability and plasticity were also explored. Even after controlling for confounders and correcting for multiple paths, there was robust evidence that psychomotor development significantly predicts personality structure, with indirect pathways mediated by self-regulation skills and general or social cognitive skills in middle childhood. While infant communicative function was significantly associated with both meta-traits, gross motor function was significantly associated with plasticity but not stability. Early psychomotor function may have long-term effects on personality, mediated by cognitive, social, and self-regulation skills. This finding can inform the development of socio-educational interventions and tailored curricula in early childhood education.

Infant colic and sleeping problems from early childhood through adolescence.

Our aims are 1) to assess whether sleeping problems persist from early childhood until adolescence, and 2) to investigate whether infant colic is associated with more sleeping problems throughout childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, we explore a moderation by parent-infant room sharing of potential associations between infant colic and sleeping problems. Data originate from a prospective longitudinal study in a healthy community sample (N=185). Infant colic data were collected using cry diaries, filled in by the mothers for four days at age six weeks. The number of weeks of parent-infant room sharing from zero to six months of age were recorded using daily maternal diaries. Sleeping problems were assessed through maternal report at ages 2.5, 6 and 10 years, and child report at ages 12.5, 14 and 16.5 years. We used a score of Total Sleeping Problems, as well as subscales on Night Waking and Sleep Duration. Correlations were found between sleeping problems measured from 2.5 through 16.5 years for the Total Sleeping Problems, as well as for Night Waking and Sleep Duration. Compared to participants without infant colic, those with colic showed higher scores of Total Sleeping Problems between ages 12.5 and 16.5 years. We found no differences in sleeping problems between 2.5 and 10 years, nor evidence of a moderation by room sharing. Current findings suggest that sleeping problems developing in early and middle childhood persist throughout adolescence, and that children with infant colic may be prone to developing sleeping problems during adolescence.

Determinants of appropriate complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged 6–23 months in Bokoji town, Oromia region, Ethiopia

BackgroundOne of the contributing factors for malnutrition among children aged 6–23 months is inappropriate complementary feeding. Appropriate complementary feeding practices have the potential to prevent 6% of all deaths among children 6–23 months, particularly in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practices and associated factors among mothers aged 6–23 months in Bokoji Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.MethodA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 6–23 aged children in Bokoji town from May 1–30, 2023. A total of 434 mothers of children aged 6–23 months were recruited by simple random sampling technique using computer-generated random numbers. The Collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable Logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with appropriate complementary feeding practice. A p-value of < 0.05 and an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI were used to declare the factors associated with the outcome variable.ResultsThe study found that 80.0% (95% CI: 76.0%, 83.5%) of children had a timely introduction of complementary feeding, 19.8% (95% CI: 16.3%, 23.8%) had minimum dietary diversity, 93.8%(95% CI: 91.2%, 95.8%) had minimum meal frequency and 19.4%(95% CI: 15.8%, 23.3%) had minimum acceptable diet. The level of appropriate complementary feeding practice in this study was 13.1%,(95% CI: 10.1%, 16.6%). Husband education level [AOR = 4.32:95% CI:1.68,11.11], Mothers education level [AOR: 3.98, 95% CI:1.64–9.67], birth order [AOR = 13.65:95% CI:3.56, 52.34], Postnatal care visit[AOR: 4.35, 95% CI:1.52,12.49], and place of birth [AOR: 2.97, 95% CI:1.26,6.98] and mothers knowledge of Infant and Youth Child feeding services [AOR: 10.03, 95% CI:2.66, 37.81] were significantly associated with appropriate complementary feeding practice.ConclusionThe study found the prevalence of mothers who practiced appropriate complementary feeding is low in the study area. Factors such as the education level of husband and mother, birth order, postnatal care visit, place of birth, and mothers’ knowledge of Infant and Youth Child feeding services were significantly associated with appropriate complementary feeding practice. Thus, healthcare providers should provide continuous health education on complementary feeding during antenatal care visits, postnatal care visits, and child immunization services.

Broadening the Phenotype Spectrum of MECP2 Variants in Men.

MECP2 variants cause X-chromosome-linked rare developmental syndromes. Typically, the mutation is sporadic, occurs in females and is fatal in men. Accurate genetic and clinical diagnostics are considered essential for the management of symptoms and the development of new treatments. These aims may be difficult to reach before more is known about factors resulting in highly variable clinical pictures among patients carrying the same MECP2 variant. We describe the clinical picture of two brothers carrying the same MECP2 variant and compare them with cases published in the literature. Most of the MECP2 mutations are known to be de novo mutations, which is why the recurrence of the mutation in the couple's other children is unlikely. Unexpectedly, our routine genetic testing revealed a 23-year-old man (P1) and his younger brother (P2) to carry the same hemizygous pathogenic missense variant c.419C>T, p.(Ala140Val) (transcript NM_004992.3) of MECP2, which was found to be inherited from their presumably asymptomatic mother. Thus, further clinical evaluation and comparison with literature cases was considered necessary. The P1 has a severe syndromic intellectual disorder (ID), whereas his brother has a substantially milder ID predominantly limited to problems in verbal skills. Neither P1 nor his younger brother has been diagnosed with Rett syndrome. The P1 (unlike his younger brother) has several lingual, social and motor difficulties; disruptive behavior was the most difficult symptom to treat. P1's response to several medical and non-medical treatment trials has remained inadequate, thus requiring the patient to be hospitalised for a long time. The literature review revealed that apart from our family, there are five other families with more than one male carrying the same MECP2 p.Ala140Val mutation, such as P1 and P2. The phenotypes of all 24 men from us (n = 2) and others (n = 22) carrying the same, presumably non-lethal mutation show great variability. The p.Ala140Val mutation of MECP2 in males is associated with a rare X-chromosomal developmental disorder with highly variable phenotypes. Further studies are needed to better understand all those influencing factors that can explain phenotypic differences within the same genotype to find optimal medicinal therapies.

Prevalence of helicopter parenting among adolescents in a selected school, Thiruvananthapuram

Gaining independence from various restriction set by parents is overjoy for adolescent. However, it does not always happen as it planned. The current study was aimed to assess “Prevalence of Helicopter parenting among adolescents” in a selected school, Thiruvananthapuram. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of Helicopter Parenting among adolescents, to assess the prevalence of Helicopter Parenting of fathers of adolescents, to assess the prevalence of Helicopter Parenting of mothers of adolescents, to find out the association between prevalence of Helicopter Parenting of father’s and selected socio-personal variables and to find out the association between prevalence of Helicopter Parenting of mother’s and selected socio-personal variables. The sample size consists of 209 adolescents in a selected school Thiruvananthapuram. The tool used was structured questionnaire with 2 sections, section A consists of socio-personal variables such as age, gender, class of study, birth order, religion, place of residence, annual income, occupation of mother and father, parenting style of mother and father and section B consists of standardized Helicopter Parenting Instrument which consists of 15 statements that is rated by a 5-point Likert scale. The data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics by using SPSS. The result of the present study revealed that there is moderate prevalence of helicopter parenting practice in adolescents. Both parents exhibit helicopter parenting behavior and among that, majority of fathers (74.6%) showed helicopter parenting styles than the mothers (74.2%).

An analytical cross-sectional study on optimal (timely or cumulative age-appropriate) routine childhood immunization coverage in the communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria

Optimal (timely or cumulative age-appropriate) routine childhood immunization coverage (the receipt of every recommended vaccine dose at the recommended age and time-interval between doses) will enhance optimal protection against vaccine-preventable infectious diseases (VPDs) which have been causing significant morbidity and mortality and recurring outbreaks among children younger than five years. This study evaluated optimal routine childhood immunization coverage, and the predictors, in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. This study was a baseline cross-sectional household survey within a cluster-randomised controlled trial and was conducted from July 2 to 16, 2022 among consenting mother–child pairs, in which the children were aged 5–23 months (subdivided into 5–11 and 12–23 months), in 16 randomly selected geographical clusters where the primary health care (PHC) facilities were providing maternal and child health care services including weekly routine childhood immunization. Data was collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire in KoBoCollect in android devices. Vaccination data was collected from the vaccination cards of the children. Descriptive analysis and multivariate generalized estimating equations were carried out. Of 1262 children aged 5–11 months, 8.6% had optimal (timely or cumulative age-appropriate) receipt of every recommended birth to 14 weeks vaccine (this was 18.3% of the 596 who had received every recommended vaccine dose) and the median (IQR) receipt timeliness (age-appropriate vaccines receipt) score for the recommended birth to 14 weeks vaccines by these children was 79.3 (64.9–91.7). Of 1166 children aged 12–23 months, 2.9% had optimal receipt of every recommended birth to nine months vaccine (this was 10.6% of the 320 who had received every recommended vaccine dose) and the median receipt timeliness score for the recommended birth to nine months vaccines was 65.0 (45.8–84.4). The most significant predictor of optimal (timely or cumulative age-appropriate) routine childhood immunization coverage of every recommended vaccine was decrease in the travel time to immunization facility. Other predictors were having a mother who completed secondary or higher education, delivery at a health facility, decrease in the age of the husband of the mother, decrease in the birth order of the child, and urban/semi-urban residence. The evidence calls for policy actions and interventions to increase optimal routine childhood immunization coverage, and indicate specific factors to be considered, in the efforts to tackle the recurring outbreaks of VPDs.

Cognitive flexibility and mindfulness in middle childhood: The serial multiple mediation of theory of mind.

The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of theory of mind (ToM) skills in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and mindfulness in middle childhood. The study group comprised 282 children aged 9 to 11years who were attending two separate primary schools in Ankara, Türkiye. The children were administered a battery of instruments consisting of self-report measures of cognitive flexibility and mindfulness in addition to a story-based assessment of ToM. To test the hypotheses of the study, a serial multiple mediation model was employed. The findings of the study indicated that cognitive flexibility had a positive and significant impact on mindfulness. Although the specific single mediating impact of the first-order false belief task (ToM1) on the relationship between cognitive flexibility and mindfulness was not significant, the impacts of the second-order false belief task (ToM2) and the faux pas task (ToM3) were found to be significant. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the ToM1, ToM2, and ToM3 skills collectively exerted a serial multiple mediating impact on the relationship between cognitive flexibility and mindfulness. The results are significant in elucidating the cognitive and emotional developmental processes in the middle childhood context, and they underscore the importance of strategies to improve children's cognitive flexibility and ToM skills in educational and psychological interventions.

The Correlation of Self-Care Practices in the Online Learning Environment of Teacher Education Students

This research examined the self-care practices in online learning among teacher education students during the Academic Year 2021-2022. Specifically, it investigated the significant relationship between the respondents' profiles and their self-care practices in online learning. Data were collected using a questionnaire as the principal tool. The gathered data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools, including correlation analysis. The results indicated that the respondents were largely female, mostly enrolled in the Bachelor of Secondary Education program, belonging to the Superior Group, and from middle-income families. Additionally, the study found that self-care practices were generally maintained at a good level despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Chi-square analysis revealed significant relationships between self-care practices and variables such as sex, academic program, birth order, and socio-economic status. Based on these findings, the study recommends the use of infographic materials to promote good self-care practices in online learning among students.

Healthy Lifestyle in the First 1000 Days and Overweight and Obesity Throughout Childhood.

Investigate associations of different family healthy lifestyle scores (HLS) during the first 1000 days with childhood overweight and obesity (OWOB). Cohort-specific analyses were conducted on participants (n = 25 006) from 4 European birth cohorts (The study on the pre- and early postnatal determinants of child health and development [EDEN], Elfe, France; Generation R, the Netherlands; and Lifeways, Ireland). Three composite HLSs were calculated: a maternal pregnancy HLS based on prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and diet quality, physical activity, smoking status, and alcohol consumption during pregnancy; a parental pregnancy HLS additionally considering paternal BMI and smoking status; and an infancy HLS based on breastfeeding duration, age of solid food introduction, and exposure to passive smoking. Associations with child BMI (primary outcome) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, available in 2 cohorts) in early (5-5.5years), middle (7-8years), and late childhood (9-12years) were assessed using linear (BMI and WHtR z-scores) and robust Poisson (International Obesity Task Force [IOTF] categories) regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographic confounders. Only a small proportion of families had favorable lifestyle factors during pregnancy and early infancy, with 3.4% to 10.0%, 1.9% to 3.7%, and 12.2% to 23.6% scoring maximum for maternal, parental, and infancy HLS, respectively. Associations between higher HLSs and a lower risk of OWOB when measured by BMI z-scores or IOTF categories were found for maternal HLS and early (3/4 cohorts with available data), middle (1/2), and late childhood (2/4); parental HLS and early (3/4), middle (2/2), and late childhood (4/4). Associations between infancy HLS and childhood OWOB were less consistent and did not remain significant after additional adjustment for parental HLS. Associations with WHtR were solely significant in EDEN at 5.5years. Greater maternal and parental adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of offspring OWOB throughout childhood, illustrating the importance of promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors at the family level during pregnancy.

Longitudinal Dyadic Associations Between Maternal Monitoring, Household Environment and Mother–Adolescent Closeness

ABSTRACTThere is a wealth of existing research supporting the importance of mother–adolescent closeness for short‐ and long‐term positive outcomes. Employing the bioecological systems model and the family resilience model, the present study aimed to explore modifiable components of this critical dyad's relationship and shared environment to promote relationship closeness. Longitudinal data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study were used to explore the associations between maternal monitoring, household environment and relationship closeness for 2795 mother–adolescent dyads via actor–partner interdependence mediation modelling. From both mothers' and youths' perspectives, higher levels of monitoring in middle childhood were positively associated with relationship closeness in adolescence. Further, partner effects were discovered such that one's own perception of monitoring was positively and significantly correlated with the other's report of closeness. Direct pathway, partial mediation, actor and partner effects were found for household environment with relational closeness and maternal monitoring. These findings point to dyadic interactions among maternal monitoring, the household environment and mother–adolescent closeness. It is recommended to consider and attend to the shared context, including the household environment, when working with mothers and youths. Findings also underscore the importance of considering dyadic accounts of the relationship and environment, rather than relying on individual reports.

Neural Associations between Inhibitory Control and Counterintuitive Reasoning in Science and Maths in Primary School Children.

Emerging evidence suggests that inhibitory control (IC) plays a pivotal role in science and maths counterintuitive reasoning by suppressing incorrect intuitive concepts, allowing correct counterintuitive concepts to come to mind. Neuroimaging studies have shown greater activation in the ventrolateral and dorsolateral pFCs when adults and adolescents reason about counterintuitive concepts, which has been interpreted as reflecting IC recruitment. However, the extent to which neural systems underlying IC support science and maths reasoning remains unexplored in children. This developmental stage is of particular importance, as many crucial counterintuitive concepts are learned in formal education in middle childhood. To address this gap, fMRI data were collected while fifty-six 7- to 10-year-olds completed counterintuitive science and math problems, plus IC tasks of interference control (Animal Size Stroop) and response inhibition (go/no-go). Univariate analysis showed large regional overlap in activation between counterintuitive reasoning and interference control, with more limited activation observed in the response inhibition task. Multivariate similarity analysis, which explores fine-scale patterns of activation across voxels, revealed neural activation similarities between (i) science and maths counterintuitive reasoning and interference control tasks in frontal, parietal, and temporal regions, and (ii) maths reasoning and response inhibition tasks in the precuneus/superior parietal lobule. Extending previous research in adults and adolescents, this evidence is consistent with the proposal that IC, specifically interference control, supports children's science and maths counterintuitive reasoning, although further research will be needed to demonstrate the similarities observed do not reflect more general multidemand processes.

Analyzing the Link Between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems: The Crucial Role of Emotion Regulation Skills

ABSTRACT This study investigates the relationship between Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits, emotion regulation, and behavior problems in middle childhood. The sample includes 194 children aged six to eleven. The results indicate that CU traits, particularly callousness and unemotionality, are positively associated with both internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Emotion regulation mediates these associations, highlighting its crucial role. Children with higher callousness exhibit higher levels of both internalizing and externalizing problems, while those with unemotionality show internalizing problems. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of these relationships and has implications for promoting children’s emotional well-being in the school environment.

Academic Achievement of Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Learning difficulties are frequently reported in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), yet little is known about the extent and predictors of their academic functions across ages. We aimed to examine the developmental patterns of academic achievement in these children from childhood to adolescence and how these patterns differ across demographic and NF1-related disease factors. This cross-sectional study integrated data of 1512 children with NF1 (mean age, 11.2years, SD, 3.62, range, 3-18, 46.5% female patients) from 8 institutions. Academic functioning was assessed with Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement or the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test. Data were analyzed primarily using time-varying effect modeling. Participants' academic achievement was significantly lower than the normative means across ages, and the gap widened from middle childhood to midadolescence. Academic age trends varied across academic domains and demographic and disease factors. Male patients demonstrated larger deviations in math at midchildhood and in reading and writing between midchildhood and midadolescence. Children with lower parental education demonstrated larger deviations in math, reading, and writing between midchildhood and midadolescence. Children with familial NF1 demonstrated larger deviations in math at midchildhood and mid-to-late-adolescence, and in reading and writing between midchildhood and midadolescence. Academic difficulties in children with NF1 emerge early and worsen with age. The findings also highlight the variability within this population across demographic and disease factors. The age-specific estimates of academic functions can serve as the first NF1-specific academic norms, providing useful insights for future research and practice.

Influences of bilingual input on English vocabulary size and academic outcomes: a large-scale longitudinal study following children in Australia from five to ten years

ABSTRACT Research from large population-based studies investigating the language and academic outcomes for bilingual children is rare. The current study aimed to investigate the influence of dual language exposure on (i) English vocabulary outcomes at 5 years (126 bilinguals, 1675 monolinguals), and 10 years (vocabulary: 92 bilinguals, 1413 monolinguals:), and (ii) academic outcomes at 10 years (107 bilinguals, 1746 monolinguals). Participants were drawn from Generation 2 of the Raine Study, a longitudinal study from birth to 28 years (n = 2868, 88.3% white, 50.7% boys, 6.7% bilinguals) in Australia. At 5 years, bilinguals had lower receptive English vocabulary than monolingual peers (p < .05). No differences were found between groups in receptive vocabulary at 10 years, and groups were comparable on teacher-reported academic outcomes at 10 years. Findings suggest that dual language exposure (i.e. English as the societal language and another language at home) may impact vocabulary performance at the time of transition to formal education, however, these differences are not maintained in middle childhood, with no impact on academic performance at 10 years.

DOP127 A novel epithelial junction gene associated with very early onset IBD: a mechanistic study using patient organoids and transgenic mouse models

Abstract Background Very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) is often associated with a severe disease course and unique characteristics including underlying monogenic etiologies in some cases. In this study, we mechanistically defined the function of CGNL1, an epithelial junctional protein gene whose pathogenic variants may contribute to VEO-IBD. Methods Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the affected patient and all first-degree relatives. Intestinal epithelial organoids (IEOs) were generated from the patient’s mucosal biopsies and were characterized by microscopy, whole-mount immunostaining, transcriptomics and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, we generated a new Cgnl1-/- mice for dextran-sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and infection by Citrobacter rodentium which directly compromises intestinal epithelium. Integrated analysis was performed to determine CGNL1 expression in single-cell datasets. Results In this patient with VEO-IBD who required early total colectomy with pouch formation, coexistent primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and celiac disease, WES identified two rare, novel, pathogenic variants in the CGNL1 gene. Both pathogenic variants were also present in the patient’s younger sister, who has a similar history including fulminant UC and PSC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome. Furthermore, multiple relatives of the patient suffer from IBD and other inflammatory conditions including celiac disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and type-1 diabetes. The RNA and protein levels of CGNL1 were diminished in the patient’s intestinal epithelium compared to that of healthy individuals and other IBD patients. The patient’s IEOs from pouch body and pre-pouch ileum formed smaller 3D spheroids with altered cell composition and significantly impaired barrier function compared to those from normal controls (Figure 1). TEM demonstrated disrupted tight junctions and adherens junctions in the patient’s IEOs. Similarly, impaired junctional complexes in intestinal epithelial cells and elevated intestinal permeability were present in Cgnl1-/- mice, which also showed increased susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis (Figure 2) and C. rodentium infection. Single-cell analysis revealed diminished expression of CGNL1 in intestinal and hepatic epithelial cells from patients with IBD or PSC, respectively. Conclusion The pathogenic CGNL1 variants may contribute to VEO-IBD and other inflammatory GI disease by disrupting gut barrier integrity. This study expands our understanding of epithelial barrier impairment in the pathogenesis of VEO-IBD and suggests the intestinal epithelium as a therapeutic target for some IBD patients.

Impact of Birth Order on Paediatric Allergic Diseases: A National Birth Cohort in Japan.

Impact of Birth Order on Paediatric Allergic Diseases: A National Birth Cohort in Japan.

Neighborhood opportunity and residential instability: associations with mental health in middle childhood.

Neighborhood quality may contribute to child mental health, but families with young children often move, and residential instability has also been tied to adverse mental health. This study's primary goal was to disentangle the effects of neighborhood quality from those of residential instability on mental health in middle childhood. 1,946 children from 1,652 families in the Upstate KIDS cohort from New York state, US, were followed prospectively from birth to age 10. Residential addresses were linked at the census tract level to the Child Opportunity Index 2.0, a multidimensional indicator of neighborhood quality. The number of different addresses reported from birth to age 10 was counted to indicate residential instability, and the change in COI quintile indicated social mobility. Parents completed three assessments of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, problematic behavior, and internalizing psychopathology symptoms at ages 7, 8, and 10. Child and family covariates were selected a priori to adjust sample characteristics, increase estimate precision, and account for potential confounding. In unadjusted models, higher neighborhood quality at birth was associated with fewer psychopathology symptoms in middle childhood, but associations were largely mediated by residential instability. In adjusted models, residential instability was associated with more psychopathology symptoms, even accounting for social mobility. Neighborhood quality at birth had indirect effects on child mental health symptoms through residential instability. Children born into lower-quality neighborhoods moved more, and moving more was associated with higher psychopathology symptoms. Findings were similar across different timings of residential moves, for girls and boys, and for children who did not experience a major life event. Additional research is needed to better understand which aspects of moving are most disruptive to young children.

A life course approach to examine cumulative impacts of parental migration on children's psychological well-being and education in Southeast Asia.

Researchers have raised concerns about parental migration's effects on various aspects of the left-behind children's development. However, there is limited understanding of how parental migration influences children over the life course. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating how exposure to parental migration during childhood shapes later development in Indonesia and the Philippines, two major labor-sending countries in Southeast Asia. Adopting a life course perspective, we examine how the timing, sequence, and cumulative extent of parental migration affect children's outcomes. We used longitudinal data from 1,023 households in 2008 (with children aged 4.56 on average) and 849 households in 2016/17 (with children aged 12.78 on average). Retrospective information on children's exposure to parental migration during early childhood (under 3), middle childhood (4-5), and late childhood (6-10) was constructed for its impact on individuals' school performance and psychological well-being during early adolescence (11-14). The findings indicate that the timing of children's initial exposure to parental migration impacts certain aspects of their development. In Indonesia, paternal migration during middle or late childhood is associated with a trade-off between improved school performance and reduced prosocial behavior. For Filipino children, maternal migration during the first 3 years is linked to higher levels of internalizing problems, while migration during middle and late childhood reduces the risk of such problems. These findings underscore the importance of tailored policies and support programs that acknowledge the diverse impacts of parental migration across different developmental stages, considering distinct cultural contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Portrait of Verbal Violence against Children During the Pandemic: Descriptive Study Based on Child and Parent Characteristics

Verbal violence is still a major problem in the world which is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, verbal violence can cause psychological instability for the recipient, such as low self-esteem, heartbreak, frustration, stress, depression, and even mental disorders. This study aims to identify various forms of verbal violence against children during the pandemic, using a descriptive research design and Cross Tabulation between Parental Characteristics, and Child Characteristics with Types of Verbal Violence. This study was conducted on April 20-27, 2021, involving 65 respondents from grades 4, 5, and 6 selected through simple random sampling and the Issac formula. Data collection was carried out using a modified ICAST-C questionnaire. The results showed that male gender, children with the first birth order, children aged over 11 years, grades 5-6 of elementary school, having more than one sibling, and the number of family members in one house is more than 4, dominate the occurrence of verbal violence. Children with parents as farmers and low incomes experienced more verbal violence which was exacerbated by sudden financial changes. The study concluded that child and parent characteristics, high expectations supported by financial instability, and sudden environmental changes contribute greatly to verbal abuse.

The Simultaneous Decision-Making Process Regarding Schooling and Child Labour in Urban Households of the Zhob and Sherani Districts in Balochistan, Pakistan

This research examines the simultaneous decision-making processes regarding education and child labour within urban households in the districts of Zhob and Sherani in Baluchistan. A questionnaire was employed to collect primary data to achieve the study's objectives. The analysis was conducted using the Sequential Probit Model. The specific aims of this study include investigating the supply-side factors influencing child labour in urban settings, particularly the relationship between parental decisions (to enrol their children in "school only," "a combination of school and work," "work only," or "neither school nor work") and four categories of socio-economic variables: child characteristics (including birth order, gender, age, and education of the child), head of household characteristics (such as gender, age, education, employment status, and income of the head of the household), parental characteristics (including the education, income, and employment status of both the father and mother), and household characteristics (comprising asset ownership, per capita household expenditure, family size, and the composition of the household, specifically the number of children under five years and those aged five to fifteen). The urban child population stands at 11.7 million, representing 28 % of the total child population, with urban child labour accounting for one-eighth of rural child labour. The findings indicate that child labour in these two districts is primarily driven by low income levels and poverty. Various factors significantly influence households' decisions regarding the allocation of children's time. A key finding of the study indicates that parents tend to favour their sons' education, highlighting the presence of gender bias within the educational system. If the effect of diminishing resources per child prevails, younger siblings (those of higher birth order) are likely to receive less educational support compared to their older siblings. Consequently, older children are more inclined to engage in work-only or school-only activities, while younger children are more often involved in school-only or no school-related activities. Children from female-headed households tend to combine both schooling and work. The education and employment status of the household head and parents adversely affect child labour, whereas they positively influence child education. Additionally, the size of the household shows a positive correlation with labour involvement and a negative correlation with educational attainment for children. The presence of literate adults in the home correlates positively with school-only activities and negatively with work-only and no school-no-work activities. However, the current study indicates that a male head of household has a favourable impact on child education. Women's participation in economic activities is limited due to various socio-cultural factors, resulting in lower income levels for females, which in turn diminishes the likelihood of children from female-headed households receiving adequate educational opportunities.