Child Neglect Research Articles

The Reliability and Validity of the Greek Version of the Child Abuse Report Intention Scale (CARIS) Questionnaire for Midwives, Along With Factors Associated With Their Intention to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

The Reliability and Validity of the Greek Version of the Child Abuse Report Intention Scale (CARIS) Questionnaire for Midwives, Along With Factors Associated With Their Intention to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

Relationship between maltreatment and mental health in adolescents: A school-based study in Indonesia.

Maltreatment affects emotional development in adolescents and inhibits social adjustment. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between maltreatment and mental health among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on adolescents in the first and second grades of middle school (12-14 years old) and high school (15-17 years old) in eight cities and municipalities in the province, selected through several stages of simple random sampling (N = 1837). The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Child Abuse Screening Tool for Children (ICAST-C) questionnaire for detecting maltreatment was translated, simplified, and validated by an expert based on a theoretical framework that involved pediatricians, public health, and medicolegal perspectives. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess emotional states. ICAST-C and SDQ scores were transformed to logit values using Rasch model analysis. Distribution frequency and linear regression were used for data analysis. The results indicated that 85.6% of adolescents aged 12-14 and 83% of those aged 15-17 experienced physical maltreatment, while 89.4% of the 12-14 age group and 82.9% of the 15-17 age group experienced psychological maltreatment. The emotional states of the two groups were 52.8% and 59.2%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the experience of physical maltreatment and emotions among 12-14 (r1 = 0.148 (0.190-0.257)) and 15-17 years old (r1 = 0.047 (0.084-0.156)). There was a significant correlation between the experience of psychological maltreatment and emotions among 12-14 years old '(r2 = 0.191 (0.270-0.350)) and 15 to 17 years old (r2 = 0.097 (0.167-0.252)). In conclusion, physical and psychological maltreatment were correlated with mental health states among adolescent students in West Java, Indonesia.

Investigating the feasibility of implementing the SafeCare parenting program in birthing centers in Haiti.

Child maltreatment is a global issue in need of intervention. This study investigated whether SafeCare, an evidence-based behavioral parenting program to prevent child neglect and physical violence, is desired and feasible to implement in Haiti birthing centers. A total of four focus groups were conducted with 29 birthing center staff and mothers in two birthing centers in Haiti. Staff participants also completed the World Health Organization Readiness Assessment for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment written survey. Focus group findings suggest that SafeCare is a desired program by both caregivers attending the birth center and birth center staff. Findings also showed that the SafeCare curriculum needs cultural adaptations before delivery in Haitian birth centers. We also found that despite contextual challenges that pregnant mothers and birth center staff face in Haiti, birth centers continue to be a place for women to receive pre- and post-natal medical care and weekly education sessions. Findings support that although there are contextual challenges to a SafeCare implementation in Haiti, birthing centers are ideal and feasible locations in which to deliver SafeCare. Birth center networks may be potential settings in which to disseminate and scale evidence-based programs for improved health outcomes for mothers and children.

The chain mediating role of parenting stress and child maltreatment in the association between maternal adverse childhood experiences and executive functions in preschool children: a longitudinal study.

Previous researches found that maternal adverse childhood experiences not only affect the psychological behavior of preschool children, but also have direct or indirect negative effects on the executive functions and cognition of offspring. And, the possible social psychological mechanism between maternal adverse childhood experiences and preschool children's executive functions is still not clear. This study mainly tries to understand the association between parenting stress and child maltreatment in maternal adverse childhood experiences and children's executive functions through longitudinal cohort. Participants were 2160 preschool children and their mothers who finally completed baseline and 3 waves of follow-up. Using a cohort study, a baseline survey of junior kindergartens was carried out in June 2021 and followed up every six months, with a total of 3 follow-ups. We found that executive functions in preschoolers were significantly positively correlated with maternal adverse childhood experiences, parenting stress, physical assault, psychological aggression, neglect and nonviolent discipline (r = 0.180, 0.386, 0.274, 0.302, 0.189, 0.148, respectively, P < 0.01). Further, parenting stress and child maltreatment showed a chain mediating effect between maternal adverse childhood experiences and executive functions in preschoolers, and the total indirect effects accounted for 70.56%, 78.69%, 65.38%, and 68.07% of the total effect, respectively. This study found that maternal adverse childhood experiences have a significant impact on the executive functions of preschool children, and parenting stress and child maltreatment are the mediating factors of their association, revealing the potential mechanism between the two associations from the perspective of social psychology.

The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment Timing on Adolescents’ Depression and Anxiety

This study examined the relationship between the timing of childhood maltreatment and depression and anxiety in adolescents. Using prospective data from 867 children and their caregivers from the Longitudinal Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), the effects of early childhood maltreatment (ages 0–5.99) and middle childhood maltreatment (ages 6–11.99) on depression and anxiety at age 16 were compared. Early childhood and middle childhood maltreatment were measured in three ways, including latent class analysis. Findings from multiple regression analysis revealed that only early childhood maltreatment significantly increased adolescents’ depression and anxiety, even after controlling for multiple covariates such as negative life events, social support, and caregiver depression. Strategies to improve early childhood maltreatment prevention and reduce adolescents’ depression/anxiety are also discussed.

Family therapy and systemic interventions for child‐focussed problems: The evidence base

AbstractThis 25th anniversary review updates previous similar papers published in JFT in 2000, 2009, 2014 and 2019. It presents evidence from meta‐analyses and systematic reviews for the effectiveness of systemic interventions for families of young people with common mental and physical health problems and other difficulties where children are the primary focus of concern. In this context, systemic interventions include both family therapy and other family‐based approaches such as parent training, or parent‐implemented interventions. There is now a substantial evidence base supporting the effectiveness of systemic interventions either alone or as part of multimodal programmes for infant mental health and sleep and feeding problems in infancy; recovery from child abuse and neglect; externalising and internalising problems; eating disorders; somatic problems; and psychosis.

Knowledge, attitude, and experience of dentists toward child abuse and neglect. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Context: Child abuse and neglect can be described as all kinds of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, commercial and/or any other type of exploitation resulting in any potential of causing hurt or an actual form of harm to a child’s general health, growth, survival, and dignity. The dentist is in a position to identify physical signs of physical abuse in a child hence, it is important to gauge the knowledge level and perception regarding child abuse and neglect. Aim: The aim of the present study was to ascertain the knowledge, attitude, and experience regarding child abuse and neglect among dentists in India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, survey-based study was conducted on 100 dental practitioners all over India using a pre-validated questionnaire. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Responses received were recorded in an Excel Worksheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square statistical tool using SPSS software (version 21.0). Results: We found that 85% of respondents reported child abuse cases of a physical and sexual nature and 87% had knowledge that law enforcement agencies are responsible for reporting such cases. Also, 56% believed that such cases could be reported using electronic mail while other sources were telephone, letters, or personal intervention. Only 12% were fearful of litigation and 24% were concerned about such exposure to a child. Conclusion: A total of 11% of dentists experienced barriers in reporting such cases while 17% reported with no barriers. Child abuse and neglect are often underreported due to various reasons. This survey has attempted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and experience about child abuse and neglect and has found a few prominent reasons for not reporting such incidents.

Gender-specific factors of suicidal ideation among high school students in Yunnan province, China: A machine learning approach.

Suicidal ideation (SI) assumes a pivotal role in predicting suicidal behaviors. The incidence of SI among high (junior and senior) school students is significantly higher than that of other age groups. The aim of this study is to explore the gender differences in SI among high school students in Yunnan Province. A total of 6180 students in grades 7-12 in Yunnan province, China from May 2021 to May 2022 participated in this survey. Univariate analysis was employed to describe the influencing factors of male and female students' SI. Subsequently, data were stratified by gender. Adopting machine learning technique, including Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso) and Boruta algorithm, and logistic regression model to estimate the direction and effect magnitude of the influencing factors. The prevalence of SI was significantly higher for females (31.34%) than males (16.73%). The logistic regression model was established using the variables screened by Boruta algorithm, indicated that anxiety, depression, suffering emotion abuse or emotion neglect in childhood, non-suicidal self-injury, evening chronotype are common risk factors for SI in male and female students. Notably, female students who exhibited aggressive behavior, have experienced bullying, and were in the junior high school learning stage were more likely to report SI than their male counterparts. Females showed more vulnerability to SI than males especially among females in junior high school, reporting aggressive behavior and bullying experiences. Tailored prevention strategies, informed by these gender-related distinctions, should be developed and implemented.

Consequences of parental neglect of academic performance Brazilian child

AbstractThe negative effects of child neglect on the development of children are serious and have far‐reaching negative consequences for children, especially in Brazil, with great social inequality. The research investigated the consequences of neglect for children in their early years of schooling. The academic performance was evaluated in three groups: children with formal notification of neglect, children with suspected unreported neglect and children who did not suffer any form of abuse. Information was collected from different sources: parents/caregivers, teachers and the children themselves. The groups comprised children in their early school years, aged between six and eight. The results showed that neglected children had borderline or clinical levels of school skills and below‐average school performance. The reference group had, for the most part, normal scores and average or above‐average school performance. Considering that school is a protective factor, children with learning difficulties and neglected children need support that favours child development.

What factors attenuate the relationship between childhood neglect and adverse health outcomes? Examining the role of socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and the presence of a protective adult

BackgroundThe detrimental effects of childhood neglect on adult health outcomes are well-recognized; however, less is known about factors that may attenuate this relationship. Objective(1) To examine the associations between childhood neglect and various physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood among those who had not experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse; and (2) To determine whether adjusting for risk and protective factors, including socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and the presence of a trusted adult, attenuates these relationships. Participants and settingData came from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a representative sample of community-dwelling US adults (n = 41,322). MethodsThe relationships between childhood neglect and health outcomes were investigated using logistic regression analyses. Adjustments were made for demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and the presence of a protective adult. ResultsChildhood neglect was significantly associated with adverse health outcomes, including health behaviors (e.g., smoking, low physical activity), physical health indicators (e.g., self-reported fair/poor health, stroke, asthma, COPD), disabilities (e.g., hearing impairment, vision impairment, cognitive impairment, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, difficulty bathing), and mental health indicators (e.g., poor mental health/past month, depression) after controlling for demographics. All significant associations indicated small or very small effect sizes. Associations were substantially attenuated when controlling for adult socioeconomic status, and further attenuated when controlling for the presence of a protective adult, with several outcomes becoming non-significant. ConclusionsSocioeconomic status and the presence of a protective adult in childhood considerably diminishes the association between childhood neglect and health outcomes in adulthood.

CONDUCT OF THE DENTIST IN CASES OF CHILD ABUSE: LITERATURE REVIEW

Violence against children and adolescents is considered a social and public health problem, with high prevalence in recent years and that can manifest itself in several ways. Health professionals, especially dentists (DSs), play a significant role in recognizing and reporting child abuse. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to analyze and discuss the conduct of DSs in these cases. For this purpose, a bibliographic research was carried out, through an exploratory review of the literature. The following databases were used: PubMed, BVS and Google Scholar with the restriction of publication between the years 2019 and 2024 through combinations between the descriptors “Child Abuse” and “Dentistry”. The literature shows that child abuse, including physical, psychological, sexual abuse and neglect, has serious consequences for the child. The dentist has the duty to identify signs of violence, such as oral lesions, and notify the Guardianship Council. Brazilian law requires health professionals to report suspected abuse, even without confirmation. Finally, it was pointed out that the CD plays a crucial role in identifying child abuse. When identifying signs of violence, the professional must immediately notify the authorities, according to the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA). However, to act ethically and legally, it is necessary for the dentist to be properly trained and qualified, overcoming their barriers.

Family therapy and EMDR after child abuse and neglect: moderating effects of child attachment style and PTSD symptoms on treatment outcome

ABSTRACT Background: Effective and appropriate care and treatment for children in order to decrease the psychosocial problems that arose after experiencing child abuse and neglect (CAN) is of vital importance, given the severity of symptomatology that may develop. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether attachment style and core cluster Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms acted as moderators for treatment outcomes of a new integrative treatment model for trauma and attachment. In this treatment model, family therapy is combined with EMDR and obstacles for trauma processing are tackled first. Method: we included children, ages 6–12 years, with a history of CAN, who did not respond to evidence-based trauma treatment. Target treatment outcomes were problems in attachment, posttraumatic stress symptoms, behaviour, and emotion regulation. We conducted a multiple-baseline ABC Single-Case Experimental Design (SCED). We categorized 12 participants into four groups of attachment style and core cluster PTSD symptoms: (1) non-disorganized & re-experiencing; (2) non-disorganized & avoidance/hyperarousal; (3) disorganized & re-experiencing; & (4) disorganized & avoidance/hyperarousal. We compared the four groups with each other and across time, and the interaction between groups and effect over time. We conducted non-parametric permutation tests and estimated q-values for false discovery rate control. Results: Children with a disorganized attachment style had more severe symptomatology in general, except for posttraumatic stress symptoms. The treatment appeared more effective in targeting and successfully treating children with a non-disorganized attachment style, and specifically children with a non-disorganized attachment style and re-experiencing as core cluster PTSD symptoms. Conclusion: Our study underlines the complexity of treating children who developed a complicated combination of symptomatology after CAN and calls for the continuous development of innovative interventions.

Patterns of Adolescent Peer Affiliation among Youth At-Risk of Maltreatment

This study examined patterns of peer affiliations and their associations with child maltreatment, substance use, and future expectations. This study focused on 844 adolescents from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. We identified four distinct peer-affiliation patterns: (1) no affiliation with peers who engage in either prosocial or deviant behaviors; (2) affiliation with peers using substances; (3) affiliation with peers who engage in severe deviant behaviors; and (4) affiliation with peers who engage in prosocial behaviors. Youth with sexual abuse experiences were more likely to be affiliated with peers who engage in severe deviant or prosocial behaviors. We also found different substance use and future expectations depending on peer affiliations. This study highlights the importance of examining both prosocial and deviant peer affiliations.

Childhood neglect is associated with alterations in neural prediction error signaling and the response to novelty.

One in eight children experience early life stress (ELS), which increases risk for psychopathology. ELS, particularly neglect, has been associated with reduced responsivity to reward. However, little work has investigated the computational specifics of this disrupted reward response - particularly with respect to the neural response to Reward Prediction Errors (RPE) - a critical signal for successful instrumental learning - and the extent to which they are augmented to novel stimuli. The goal of the current study was to investigate the associations of abuse and neglect, and neural representation of RPE to novel and non-novel stimuli. One hundred and seventy-eight participants (aged 10-18, M = 14.9, s.d. = 2.38) engaged in the Novelty task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this task, participants learn to choose novel or non-novel stimuli to win monetary rewards varying from $0 to $0.30 per trial. Levels of abuse and neglect were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Adolescents exposed to high levels of neglect showed reduced RPE-modulated blood oxygenation level dependent response within medial and lateral frontal cortices particularly when exploring novel stimuli (p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons) relative to adolescents exposed to lower levels of neglect. These data expand on previous work by indicating that neglect, but not abuse, is associated with impairments in neural RPE representation within medial and lateral frontal cortices. However, there was no association between neglect and behavioral impairments on the Novelty task, suggesting that these neural differences do not necessarily translate into behavioral differences within the context of the Novelty task.

13 Child maltreatment in Canada in the time of COVID-19: Experiences of child protection teams

Abstract Background At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many fears regarding the effect on children’s wellbeing – specifically with regards to increased exposure to violence and potential for abuse and neglect within their homes. Early experiences of child protect teams (CPT) in the literature from one Canadian tertiary care center revealed a number of adaptations in their child abuse programs such as a move toward virtual assessments. Objectives Our descriptive study seeks to understand the perspectives, practices, and experiences of child protection teams in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to: clinical practice, interactions with child welfare organizations and the justice system, team modes of operating and medical education. These lessons can be applied to child maltreatment and neglect clinical practice in the event of future pandemics, natural disasters, and to provide care to rural areas of Canada. Design/Methods Using a web-based, bilingual, mixed methods survey, we asked both quantitative and open-ended qualitative questions to members of CPTs across Canada. Thematic analysis was completed on qualitative responses. We received a total of 11 responses. Results Respondents unanimously reported a decrease in referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 64% endorsed the use of new virtual tools. Virtual tools were used to collaborate amongst members of the CPT as well as with external partners (such as child welfare and justice system). Interestingly, there was minimal adaptation of these tools in patient-facing contexts. 57% of respondents foresee these tools to continue being used in a post-COVID-19 context, and 71% see relevance of these tools for use in rural contexts. Respondents reported that virtual clinical discussions changed the way medical education and case discussion in child maltreatment was delivered. Conclusion These findings describe not only the adaptation of child protection teams to the pandemic, but also robust changes to clinical practice, interactions with partner organizations and the justice system, team modes of operating and medical education in child maltreatment and neglect in Canada.

Penelantaran Anak: Analisis Berdasarkan Hukum Pidana dan Hukum Pidana Islam

The main problem of this study is to analyze the crime of Child Neglect based on Criminal Law and Islamic Criminal Law. This study discusses the legal analysis of the form of the crime of child neglect, starting from the definition, risk factors, signs, and legal sanctions that regulate the crime of child neglect seen in the analysis of criminal law and Islamic criminal law. Research method: This study uses a qualitative method that examines the relationship between the variables studied and the hypotheses that can be tested. The type of research used in this study is normative law research, which uses normative case studies in the form of legal behavior products, such as reviewing laws. The subject of this study is law, which is conceptualized as a norm or rule. The approach used in this study is library research and the literature, which contains theoretical theories relevant to research problems, and shows that, First, in Indonesia's criminal law, the crime of child neglect is regulated by Child Protection Law Number 35 of 2014, where the perpetrator can be subject to prison sanctions and/or fines. Second, from the perspective of Islamic criminal law, child neglect is also seen as an act that violates Sharia, with sanctions that can include ta'zir punishment adjusted to the seriousness of the violation and the condition of the perpetrator.

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Parental History and how they Relate to Subsequent Observed Parent–Child Interaction: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in parental history have been associated with higher self-reported rates of negative parenting behaviors and lower self-reported rates of positive parenting behaviors. Further research is needed to explore the association between parental ACEs and the observed parent–child interaction quality. Parent–child interactions are a potential pathway behind the continuity of ACEs across generations. Objective This review aimed to expand on existing literature by synthesizing evidence on the associations between parental ACEs and parent–child interactions, assessed through videotaped observations, the gold standard for interaction assessment. Methods A systematic literature search conducted in October 2022 in Medline, EMBASE, and PsycInfo identified twenty-four articles. The studies assessed parental childhood adversity and the quality of parent–child interaction across high- and low-risk samples. Results In 79% of studies, higher rates of childhood adversity were related to lower quality of observed parent–child interaction. Childhood abuse and neglect were linked to fewer positive and more negative parenting behaviors. Among household challenges, only witnessing family violence negatively impacted interaction quality. In 58% of studies, ACEs directly influenced interaction, while in 21% this effect was mediated by other factors. This pattern held across different sample types. Conclusions The evidence suggesting a relationship between parental ACEs and lower quality of parent–child interaction is robust, given the reliability and validity of observational measures. Considering the influence of the quality of parent–child interaction on a child’s development, interventions and prevention programs focusing on parent–child interaction should consider screening for parental ACEs.

Resisting the cycle of violence: Impact of childhood abuse and neglect on individual and relationship functioning in early career enlisted air force male service members.

Resisting the cycle of violence: Impact of childhood abuse and neglect on individual and relationship functioning in early career enlisted air force male service members.

Childhood trauma impacts internalizing problems in early adulthood: the affective implications of olfactory dysfunctions

Early detection and prevention of internalizing problems demand a thorough exploration of latent vulnerabilities before clinical symptoms emerge. Limited research attention has been paid to the influence of olfactory perception, a flexible factor intricately linked to emotional processing and external environmental factors. This study sought to examine the mediating role of olfactory function in the relationship between childhood trauma, encompassing both dimensions of child abuse and neglect, and internalizing problems. A total of 1661 individuals (801 males, Meanage = 21.67 years) participated in wave 1, with 327 participants (152 males, Meanage = 21.8 1 years) included in the follow-up wave 2 three months later. Online questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Self-reported Olfactory Disorder Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and General Anxiety Disorder-7, were administered. Mediation tests were conducted using Mplus 8. Our findings revealed a significant mediating effect of olfactory dysfunction between childhood trauma and adult internalizing problems in wave 1 (B = 0.224, 95% CI [0.167, 0.294]). Childhood trauma heightened vulnerability to olfactory dysfunction (B = 0.721, 95% CI [0.671, 0.724]), subsequently exacerbating internalizing problems (B = 0.311, 95% CI [0.226, 0.408]). This effect persisted in longitudinal data (abuse: B = 0.686, p < 0.001; neglect: B = 0.200, p < 0.001). Regarding internalizing problems influenced by olfactory function, childhood abuse had a greater impact compared to childhood neglect (wave 1: χ2 = 56.012, p < 0.001; wave 2: χ2 = 5.156, p = 0.023). This study found that olfactory dysfunction mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and internalizing problems, contributing valuable insights into psychopathology and the early identification of symptoms related to internalizing problems.

Differential Treatment Responses of Maltreated and Neglected Children and Adolescents Following an Evidence-based Multisystemic Intervention.

Limited studies have investigated differential treatment responses to family-based treatment programs and subgroup trajectories in youth in a high-risk context. This study pioneered an examination of Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) and built on prior research that identified subgroups with different psychopathologies. Participants included 208 parent-child dyads enrolled in the MST-CAN evaluation in Switzerland. Parents reported their children's (Mage = 10.27years, SDage = 3.5, 44.2% girls, 55.8% boys, 98.6% White) emotional and behavioral problems. Longitudinal data were examined to analyze the differential changes within the pre- and post-treatment (T1 and T2) subgroups. The T1 cluster and T2 cluster were cross-tabulated to examine changes in the symptom class over time. Overall, the treatment proved to be highly beneficial. Subgroup analyses revealed that four out of the five subgroups (80%) showed positive changes in at least two outcome measures. The treatment was most successful for children with externalizing symptoms. Children with multiple symptoms also showed improvements across different symptoms. Regarding specific symptoms, children with anxious-avoidant symptoms benefited from the treatment. Additionally, the treatment was beneficial for children with normative emotions and behavior. Meanwhile, the treatment did not have any significant effects for children with internalizing symptoms. Notably, child neglect was reduced in three (60%) subgroups. The symptom class remained stable across time for children with externalizing and multiple symptoms. Ultimately, MST-CAN reduced emotional and behavioral problems and child neglect in most families. Understanding children's differential treatment responses to complex treatment programs is essential to adequately address different needs.