Children In Conflict Research Articles

Relations between Characteristics of Collaborative and Oppositional Mother–Child Conflict

SYNOPSISObjective. Oppositional parent–child conflict interactions and inconsistent parenting practices have each been associated with more negative socioemotional outcomes for children. The current study aimed to identify groups of mother–child dyads based on average levels and variability in collaborative and oppositional conflict characteristics during a typical week. We also examined relations between conflict groups and child behaviors, maternal behaviors, and family demographic characteristics. Design. In a sample of 142 mothers of 5- to 8-year-old children, we assessed qualities of daily conflict interactions over one week via online parent reports. Results. Based on average levels of conflict collaboration and opposition, and variability in these qualities from one interaction to the next, we identified three mother–child conflict groups using latent profile analysis: temperate stable, negative volatile, and moderate. Temperate stable dyads included children who were older and displayed the least internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and included mothers who reported the least parenting distress. Conclusions. Distinct information was provided by variable-centered and person-centered analyses and inconsistencies in conflict characteristics – whether negative or positive – tended to co-occur in families.

Childhood adversity and adolescent psychopathology: evidence for mediation in a national longitudinal cohort study.

Childhood adversity is a well-established risk factor for psychopathology; however, many who experience adversity do not go on to develop psychopathology. Poor self-concept and poor parental support are known risk factors for adolescent psychopathology, which may account for some of this mechanism. To investigate candidate mediators in the relationship between childhood adversity and psychopathology. We used data from the age 9 and 13 waves of the child-cohort of the Growing Up in Ireland study. We undertook mediation analysis by path decomposition of the relationship between childhood adversity and psychopathology (internalising and externalising problems) at age 13 and persistent psychopathology. Candidate mediators were self-concept, parent-child relationship and hobby participation at age 9. Childhood adversity was reported by 28.2% of participants, and was significantly associated with internalising and externalising problems. Parent-child conflict mediated the relationship between childhood adversity and both age 13 and persistent psychopathology, accounting for 52.4% of the relationship between childhood adversity and persistent externalising problems (indirect odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI 1.19-1.43) and 19.2% for persistent internalising problems (indirect odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI 1.15-1.34). There was a small mediating effect of self-concept. Hobby participation and positive parent-child relationship did not mediate these relationships. Parent-child conflict explains almost half the relationship between childhood adversity and persisting externalising problems in adolescence, and a fifth of the relationship with persisting internalising problems. This suggests parent-child conflict is a good target for interventions in childhood to prevent adolescent psychopathology. None.

Interparental and Parent–Child Conflict Predicting Adolescent Depressive Symptoms

The current study explored longitudinal family conflict predictors of adolescent depressive symptoms occurring during middle childhood. We tested the mediating effects of mother–child and father–child conflict when children were in 6th grade on the relation between interparental conflict when children were in 5th grade and adolescent depressive symptoms when children were in 9th grade in a sample of 601 families enrolled in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Fathers’ reports of interparental conflict at 5th grade were related to greater mother–child and father–child conflict at 6th grade, and mothers’ reports of interparental conflict at 5th grade were related to greater mother–child conflict at 6th grade. Further, greater mother–child conflict at 6th grade was related to greater adolescent depressive symptoms at 9th grade. Results highlight the importance of understanding family system processes that unfold over time in predicting adolescent depressive symptoms.

Parental playfulness and children’s emotional regulation: the mediating role of parents’ emotional regulation and the parent–child relationship

ABSTRACT Parental playfulness describes a parent’s ability to act in a spontaneous, amusing, flexible and creative manner in different parent–child situations. This study examined the hypothesis that parental playfulness promotes children’s emotional skills and thus should be related to improved emotion regulation and lower anxiety. A sample of 137 parents of children aged 2–8 self-reported on their parental playfulness levels, their own emotion regulation ability, levels of parent–child closeness and conflicts, and their children’s emotion regulation and anxiety levels. Parental playfulness was associated with improved emotion regulation in their children. This association was mediated by the parent’s emotional awareness and the level of parent–child closeness. These findings underscore the importance of parental playfulness for the children's emotional skills and the parent–child relationship.

The Implementation of Diversion and Restorative Justice in the Juvenile Criminal Justice System in Indonesia

Children are a younger generation successor to the nation that must be protected. In some cases children can do a mischief that fall into the categories of offenses and called as children in conflict with the law. Children in conflict with the law is different in terms of handling the criminal offenses committed by adults. Currently with Law Number 11 of 2012 on the Criminal Justice System of Children (SPPA) which has sought diversion and restorative justice in terms of handling child conflict with the law. From the results of this study concluded that the policy formulation the concept of diversion and restorative justice pursuant tonLaw Number 11 of 2012 on the Criminal Justice System of Children (SPPA) and its implementation rules have been set regarding policy concept of diversion and restorative justice with the aim that children who commit acts the criminal is no longer confronted in the judicial process but through an alternative solution,namely the completion of which is the restoration to its original state (restorative justice) will but of formulating the policy is still not perfect because it found some weakness. While in the implementation of diversion and restorative justice in the the settlement of children in conflict with the law in Pati District Court already sought remedies which reflect restorative justice approach by implementing law enforcement diversion and restorative justice but there are still many obstacles occurred in the settlement of children in conflict with the law in Pati District Court.

Towards Interpersonal Assistants: Next-Generation Conversational Agents

We propose novel interpersonal assistants, a next-generation conversational agent which is always-on, unobtrusively serving natural human-to-human conversations. We deepen the motivation and design insights with real practices in language delays and parent–child conflicts. We then present a common platform initiative to effectively support rapid development of interpersonal assistant applications, with a highlight on the key functional element of turn isolations and technical insights on microstructural dynamics.

Change and Predictability of Children’s Behavioral Adjustment in Tanzanian Pre-primary Schools

Research in Western countries has shown the contribution of early teacher–child relationships and classroom emotional support on children’s behavioral adjustment in pre-schools. Results with regard to the direction and strengths of the relationships seem inconclusive, moreover, such research is lacking in African countries. To examine the change and predictability of children’s behavioral adjustment in Tanzanian pre-primary schools. Longitudinal data were collected twice over a 1-year interval. Twenty teachers and their 310 children from 20 schools in the Ilala district, Dar es Salaam region, participated in the study. Methods used for data collection were teacher questionnaires and classroom observation. Results showed that over time, children’s aggressive behavior and teacher–child conflict decreased, whereas teacher–child closeness increased. Prosocial and anxious behavior remained stable. Multilevel and longitudinal analyses indicated that teacher–child closeness and conflict predicted children’s aggressive behavior. Children’s prosocial and anxious behavior predicted teacher–child closeness, while their prosocial, aggressive and anxious behavior at the individual level and anxious behavior at the aggregated class level predicted teacher–child conflict. Teacher–child relationships and children’s behavior relate in a bidirectional way. If the relationship between a teacher and a child is characterized by conflict, children are more likely to develop difficult behavior and teachers find it more difficult to manage the children. These results imply that pre-primary teachers need to be trained on how to identify signs of behavioral problems in children and to establish an emotional supportive classroom environment and teacher–child closeness for a positive school trajectory in children.

A Quasi-Experimental Study of a Peer Support Group to Enhance Protective Factors for Fathers of Children in Head Start

The father–child relationship is an important factor in child development. Improving protective factors for fathers, such as access to social support, is one strategy to enhance these critical relationships. Few studies have examined parenting strategies for fathers specifically, and fewer have examined programs delivered in early childhood settings. A quasi-experimental study of the Circle of Parents® program implemented in a Head Start/Early Head Start setting examined social support and other protective factors for 112 fathers. Based on intent-to-treat analysis, there was no improvement in social support but fathers who participated in the program reported a significant reduction in parent–child conflict (β = −3.38; p < .01). Due to lack of compliance in treatment assignment, propensity-score adjusted models were also estimated. One model indicated positive effects for increased parenting self-efficacy (β = 5.30; p < .05). Father engagement in this mutual aid support group was challenging. Parenting support groups offer potential benefits to fathers, but barriers to program participation limit the feasibility of broader impact.

The Associations of Constructive and Destructive Interparental Conflict to Child Well-Being Among Low-Income Families.

Interparental conflict is a well-established precursor to child maladjustment. However, little is understood of the role of different interparental conflict in shaping the developmental outcomes of young children, especially those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. This study uses data from a large and racially diverse sample of low-income, unmarried mothers with young children (n = 1,297) to examine the processes linking parental constructive conflict, destructive conflict, intimate partner violence (IPV) to child behavior problems, and child emotional insecurity as a mediator of these processes. Path analyses were conducted to estimate structural paths between (a) conflict constructs and child behavior problems, (b) conflict constructs and child emotional insecurity, and (c) child emotional insecurity and child behavior problems. Results demonstrated that constructive conflict was associated with decreased levels of both child emotional insecurity and child behavior problems, whereas destructive conflict was associated with increased levels of both child outcomes. IPV was associated with increased levels of child emotional insecurity only. Child emotional insecurity mediated the links between all three conflict constructs and child behavior problems. Such findings suggest the need for clinicians to help raise awareness regarding the consequences of children's exposure to different interparental conflict and educate parents about children's sense of emotional security in the family.

Quality Parent–Child Relationships: The Role of Parenting Style and Online Relational Maintenance Behaviors

This study examined the quality of parent–child relationships as a function of both parenting style and online relational maintenance behaviors. Five hundred and four parents completed measures of relationship quality (parental support, relational depth, parent–child conflict), parenting style (authoritarian, permissive, authoritative), and online relational maintenance behaviors (planning behaviors, comforting messages, material sharing); paired adolescents also assessed the quality of their parent–child relationships. A structural equation analysis evaluated a model in which parenting style predicted online relational maintenance behaviors that, in turn, predicted the quality of parent–child relationships. Results indicated partial support for our hypotheses.

Parent–Child Relationships and Preschoolers' Social-Emotional Functioning Among Low-Income Families

The demographic composition in the United States has undergone shifts due to increasing immigration. This may change the way we think about families and children in the United States, and it is important to include immigrant families in parenting research. This study examined the relations between parent–child relationships and preschool-aged children's social-emotional functioning in the context of low-income families in the United States. We also explored how the relations between the two were moderated by parental nativity, specifically focusing on parents born in the United States and those who were born in Mexico and emigrated to the United States. The sample included 199 preschool children enrolled in Educare/Head Start programs and their parents, with 134 of the parents born in the United States and 65 born in Mexico. Parents reported parent–child closeness and conflict. Teachers reported children's social-emotional strengths and behavioral concerns. Assessors evaluated children's executive function and behavior regulation using structured tasks. The results showed that more parent–child conflict was related to more behavioral concerns and lower levels of executive function among children with U.S.-born parents but not among those with Mexico-born parents. The study suggests that the role of parenting in child social-emotional functioning may vary depending on cultural backgrounds among low-income families.

HIV and Mother-Child Conflict: Associations with Mother's Mental and Physical Health.

Maternal illness is a stressor that can disrupt family processes and contribute to negative child outcomes, and researchers have considered family variables that mediate or moderate the maternal illness-child outcome relationship. Through reliance on a diverse sample (ethnically and racially, as well as geographically), the current study expands prior literature with a focus on parent-child conflict. Specifically, associations between aspects of HIV positive mothers' illness and mother-child conflict were explored. One goal of the study was to determine if there were direct or indirect associations with aspects of mothers' HIV and mother-child conflict. HIV-positive mothers (N = 136) provided CD4 count and completed measures assessing their perceived level of physical functioning, depressive symptoms, HIV health-related anxiety, and mother-child conflict with their healthy school-age children. Path analysis considered the pattern of relationships across variables. Results showed maternal vitality and depressive symptoms were directly associated with mother-child conflict. CD4 cell count and health-related anxiety operated indirectly through maternal depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses further assessed the influence of maternal CD4 cell count on mother-child conflict behavior; results indicated an indirect effect was mediated by vitality. HIV health-related anxiety and vitality separately showed indirect effects on mother-child conflict, mediated by maternal depressive symptoms. These findings are the first to focus on mother-child conflict among children affected by maternal HIV and highlight the need for screening and intervention to address depressive symptoms among HIV-positive mothers.

Analysis of SocialCultural Factors Influence to the Children in Conflict with Law: A Case Study in 3 Regencies and Municipality of Bengkulu Province, Indonesia

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This research aimed to analyze sociocultural factors among children in conflict with law in the villages of 3 regencies and 1 municipality in Bengkulu Province. Data were collected through observation, in depth interview as well as documentation study. 15 peoples was selected as informants which consist of 6 formal and informal leaders, 6 children in conflict with law, 2 parents, and a social worker. This research finding showed that in the villages most villagers were farmers who spent almost all day for work. This impacted in decreasing time to interact with their children and surrounding neighbors. On the other side, social control were growing weaken. It was indicated by degradation of sociocultural as well as religious values in community. Social status was valued from one’s belonging. Normative customary sanctions were not implemented strictly anymore. Both formal and informal leaders practiced bad behavior. Impact of technology such as uncontrolled use of smart phone had negative impact to the juvenile. This research concluded that there were some changes in sociocultural values which interacted in case of children in conflict with law. From this finding, the efforts to strengthen family functions were needed besides optimizing the roles of law, customary and religious institution as well.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Displacement due to armed conflict and violence in childhood and adulthood and its effects on older adult health: The case of the middle-income country of Colombia

Large population displacement in developing economies due to internal armed conflict and violence is of international concern. There has been relatively little research on the long-term consequences of displacement on older adult health among populations characterized by rapid demographic, epidemiological, and nutritional transitions during the 20th century. We examine displacement in the middle-income country of Colombia, which experienced these rapid transitions and a large population displacement over the last 50-60 years due to internal armed conflict and violence. Using a nationally representative survey of adults 60 years and older, SABE-Colombia (2014-2015, n = 23,694), we estimate the degree to which displacement relative to those never displaced is associated with older adult health (self-reported health, major illness/stress, at least one chronic condition, heart disease), controlling for age, gender, SES (socioeconomic status), residence, early life conditions (infectious diseases, poor nutrition, health, SES, family violence), and adult behavior (smoking, exercise, nutrition). We found (1) strong associations between poor early life conditions and older adult health with little attenuation of effects after controlling for displacement, adult SES, and lifestyle; (2) strong associations between displacement and self-reported health; along with poor early life conditions, displacement increases the chances of poor health at older ages; (3) significant positive interaction effects between childhood infections and displacement during young adulthood for older adult stress/major illness, suggesting the importance of the timing of displacement; (4) significant interaction effects between childhood infections and being displaced during childhood, indicating lower levels of older adult stress/major illness and suggesting the possibility of resilience due to childhood adversity. We conclude that displacement compounds the effects of poor early life conditions and that timing of displacement can matter. The results raise the possibility of similar patterns in the health of aging populations in low-income countries that also experience displacement and rapid demographic and epidemiological transitions.

Romantic Partner Satisfaction Among Low-Income Mothers: Links to Child-Peer and Teacher Relationships via Mother-Child Conflict.

The current project explores maternal inter-parental (IP) romantic partner satisfaction in relation to mother-child conflict and later peer and teacher relations from early to middle childhood among a sample of low-income, ethnically diverse mothers (N = 271) who were part of a longitudinal study testing the effectiveness of the Family Check-Up intervention. We hypothesized spillover effects from IP dissatisfaction during early childhood to mother-child conflict two years later. Greater mother-child conflict in turn was expected to lead to poorer peer relations and greater conflict with teachers in middle childhood. Results support a spillover effect from lower IP satisfaction at age 3 to higher mother-child conflict at age 5 to poorer peer relations and greater conflict with teachers at school at ages 8.5, 9.5, and 10.5. Mother-child conflict significantly mediates these pathways. Results support the importance of IP satisfaction and mother-child conflict in early childhood as critical factors in pathways leading to low-income children's social relationships at school during middle childhood.

Effects of armed conflict on child health and development: A systematic review.

BackgroundArmed conflicts affect more than one in 10 children globally. While there is a large literature on mental health, the effects of armed conflict on children’s physical health and development are not well understood. This systematic review summarizes the current and past knowledge on the effects of armed conflict on child health and development.MethodsA systematic review was performed with searches in major and regional databases for papers published 1 January 1945 to 25 April 2017. Included studies provided data on physical and/or developmental outcomes associated with armed conflict in children under 18 years. Data were extracted on health outcomes, displacement, social isolation, experience of violence, orphan status, and access to basic needs. The review is registered with PROSPERO: CRD42017036425.FindingsAmong 17,679 publications screened, 155 were eligible for inclusion. Nearly half of the 131 quantitative studies were case reports, chart or registry reviews, and one-third were cross-sectional studies. Additionally, 18 qualitative and 6 mixed-methods studies were included. The papers describe mortality, injuries, illnesses, environmental exposures, limitations in access to health care and education, and the experience of violence, including torture and sexual violence. Studies also described conflict-related social changes affecting child health. The geographical coverage of the literature is limited. Data on the effects of conflict on child development are scarce.InterpretationThe available data document the pervasive effect of conflict as a form of violence against children and a negative social determinant of child health. There is an urgent need for research on the mechanisms by which conflict affects child health and development and the relationship between physical health, mental health, and social conditions. Particular priority should be given to studies on child development, the long term effects of exposure to conflict, and protective and mitigating factors against the harmful effects of armed conflict on children.

A Growth Curve Analysis of Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptomatology Throughout Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Family

Research suggests family-level factors remain an important contributor to emerging adult mental health. Guided by the stress process framework, this study used latent growth curve modeling to examine the role of parent–child relationships, specifically emotional closeness and conflict, in child self-esteem and depression throughout emerging adulthood. Longitudinal associations between self-esteem and depression were also explored using four waves of data from the Longitudinal Study of Generations ( N = 196 emerging adults; M = 20.88 years old at Wave 1). This period was characterized by steep increases in self-esteem and decreases in depression. Findings suggested parent–child emotional closeness and conflict in early emerging adulthood were associated with the intercept of self-esteem and were indirectly related to the intercept of depression through self-esteem; the rate of change in self-esteem predicted the rate of change in depression. Findings underscore the importance of parent–child relationships during early emerging adulthood and the long-term impact of personal resources on well-being.

Problem of Child Runaway from Observation Homes: A Challenge to the Existing Laws-A Critical Study of Raipur and Durg Child Observation Homes of Chhattisgarh

Children are the most valuable assets of any country because they are the future youth who bear the responsibility of overall development of the society. They are primarily innocent and ignorant by nature but when they get indulged into various crimes, and are under trial or are punished, they are termed as Children in Conflict with Law and are kept in Children Observation Homes totally separate from the adult criminals. The history of such Child Observation Homes goes back to the 1920’s Boston School, where the child criminals were separated from the adult offenders for reformation. With the advent of time, Legal Acts like The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, Precedents of Supreme Court cases, and Manual of Ministry of Child and Women Development are the source as well as the regulating authorities of such Children Observation Homes, which aim together to make efforts to adjudicate and dispose of the matter in the best interest of the children. They seek to reform and socially re-integrate such children in a child-friendly atmosphere of the Observation Homes established under the said law, by fulfilling their key needs with proper care and treatment. But frequent reporting of runaway of Children from these homes has set a question mark on the functionality of these homes and raises the issue to its fullest whether the aims of Child reforming laws are being met in reality. Thus, this research paper puts forth the overall problem of Child runaway from Observation Homes taking the cases of Raipur and Durg Observation Homes of Chhattisgarh as special references and puts light on the status, reasons and possible solutions in the form of suggestions to resolve this greater menace of the realm of Child Justice.

The Long-Term Effects of Rehabilitation Program for Children in Conflict with the Law

This study determined the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs provided for in Republic Act 9344 for children in conflict with the law. Twenty one rehabilitated youth admitted from June to October 2018 participated in the study.All of them are permanent residents of Cabanatuan City, Central Luzon, Philippines. Results showed that diversion program, vocational training, livelihood skills training, fun games and sports development were perceived to be more effective than other methods while cleanliness drives are effective as it is understood as a punishment rather than restorative. The effective program provided formal and non-formal education, better ways in dealing with one's emotions; explore one’s strengths and weaknesses and economic empowerment. According to program implementers, challenges faced in the program were casework and limited financial assistance. Rehabilitated youth reported to have adapted a better perspective in life and are coping with problems well. Follow-up programs must be conducted to ensure the success of children in their community as well in school.

A study of projective test responses and intervention strategies in children with unexplained pain symptoms

Psychiatric morbidity is high in children with unexplained chronic pain and thus needs to be assessed and treated. Unexplained pain symbolizes emotional distress and conflicts in children. The most common somatic symptoms are headache, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Aim: The aim of this case series is to qualitatively analyze the responses obtained on projective tests and intervention strategies employed in children with unexplained pain symptoms. Materials and Methods: Our cases included a total of 12 children and adolescents who were referred to us from the pediatric department for complaints of unexplained pain symptoms for a period of at least 6 months. The investigations done for these children were reportedly normal. After the initial rapport and initial intake, the children underwent projective testing. The projective tests used were Children apperception test, Thematic Apperception Test and Sentence Completion test. Results: The findings observed were conflict with primary caregivers, over-involvement and overly critical parents, sibling rivalry and intrapersonal conflicts. Intervention strategies primarily focused on psychoeducation, addressing secondary gain, parents session to address their relationship with the child and cognitive behavioral strategies as applicable to the case. Conclusion: Children with unexplained pain symptoms require detailed history taking and psychological evaluation. Projective tests facilitate conflict identification and early intervention to address psychological factors. Keywords: Projective test, Uexplained pain symptoms, Management.