Issues In Children Research Articles

Oregon audit finds its MH system is failing children, staff

The Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division revealed this month that the state's mental health system is failing children and families at a time when they need it most, Willamette Week reported Sept. 21. An audit report listed failings that ranged from a chronic workforce shortage to lack of performance measurements, which prevents the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) from catching shortcomings in its own work. Auditors discovered high turnover among mental health staff, which sometimes retraumatizes patients. The report says employees leave because of low pay and a high‐stress work environment — and the high turnover puts a strain on the staff members who stay. (Staff also reported not getting support from management who have made it clear they are replaceable.) In‐depth training is required to efficiently improve children's mental health issues, but various OHA mental health staff told auditors that new hires are not receiving the proper training to help high‐risk children. This puts staff at risk from traumatized children who can become aggressive and violent in an instant. OHA responded by agreeing to all 22 recommendations made by the auditors and set a target date for implementing each one.

Prologue to the Forum: Literacy and Language Issues In Children With Hearing Loss

Purpose The purpose of this forum is to provide an update on reading outcomes in preschool- and school-age children with hearing loss and to provide guidance on intervention strategies to improve reading skills. Conclusions Preschool- and school-age children with hearing loss may show deficits in various reading and reading-related skills depending on their age, duration of deafness, severity of hearing loss, age at which they were fitted with hearing technologies, speech recognition skills, communication mode, and quality of intervention. Several linguistic and cognitive factors also are associated with reading outcomes. Thus, intervention programs must be multicomponent in nature and designed to fit the unique needs of each child.

After COVID-19, a future for the world's children?

After COVID-19, a future for the world's children?

Clinical and Psychological Issues in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Clinical and Psychological Issues in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Twitter Data Clustering on issues of Children with Special Needs using Hybrid Topic Models with Multi-viewpoints Similarity Metric

Twitter Data Clustering on issues of Children with Special Needs using Hybrid Topic Models with Multi-viewpoints Similarity Metric

Impact of awareness and concerns of climate change on children's mental health: a scoping review protocol.

The purpose of this scoping review is to identify and describe the existing literature on the impact of the overarching awareness and concerns of climate change on children's mental health and well-being. Children are widely acknowledged as being disproportionately at risk to the effects of climate change, yet research overlooks the impact that climate change has on their mental health. Children's overarching awareness of climate change, and its global effects, may influence their mental health and well-being. This review will include all research that addresses school-aged children's (aged 3-19) mental-health issues stemming from an awareness of climate change. It will not include research that examines direct impacts of climate change on children's mental health, such as trauma from a specific climate-related event. Searches will be conducted across eight research databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Embase, GreenFILE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus) and three unpublished/gray literature databases (ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, GreyLit.org, and OpenGrey). Data will be extracted for author(s), year of publication, country of origin, purpose, population, methodology, concepts of interest, outcomes, and key findings relating to the scoping review objectives. Findings will be presented as a narrative summary.

2. Gender or genital autonomy? Why framing nontherapeutic genital cutting as a children's rights issue is both ethically and pragmatically necessary

There are now prohibited forms of female genital cutting (e.g., the so-called ritual 'nick') that are less severe than permitted forms of male and intersex genital cutting (e.g., circumcision, clitoral reduction). Attempts to "quarantine" male vs. female forms of cutting (MGC, FGC) based on appeals to health consequences, parental intentions (regarding, e.g., sexual control), and religious versus cultural have been undermined by recent scholarship. Recognizing that a "zero tolerance" policy toward FGC may lead to restrictions on ritual MGC, defenders of the latter practice have begun to argue that purportedly "minor" forms of FGC should be considered morally acceptable and should be legally tolerated. This trend in the literature has emboldened proponents of female "circumcision," who are now basing their defense of the practice on Western tolerance and even promotion of MGC and intersex cutting, citing problematic (e.g., racialized) double standards. To push back against this trajectory, I argue that efforts to eliminate FGC must be rooted in a sex and gender-neutral (that is, human) right to bodily integrity and genital autonomy if they are to be successful in the long-run.

Feeding Problems, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Challenging Behavior and Sensory Issues in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Frequency of feeding problems, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, challenging behavior, sensory problems and comorbid psychopathology were assessed using the following questionnaires: Screening Tool for Feeding Problems for Children, GI Symptoms Inventory, Behavior Problems Inventory Short Form, Short Sensory Profile, and Autism Spectrum Disorder-Comorbidity Child (ASD-CC) in 136 children and adolescents with ASD. Eighty-four percent had food selectivity, followed by food refusal (78.7%), rapid eating (76.5%), chewing problems (60.3%), food stealing (49.3%) and vomiting (19.1%). Higher rates of GI symptoms, challenging behavior, and sensory issues were found in those who presented with rapid eating, food refusal and food stealing than those without these problems. Comorbid psychopathology predicted rapid eating, food selectivity and food refusal.

Getting Tough on International Child Abduction

International child abduction, typically undertaken by one of the child's parents, has become an increasing problem in recent years, particularly in the United States. Parents have encountered serious difficulties in repatriating an abducted child. The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, signed by the U.S. and many other countries, establishes an international procedure for pursuing claims of child abduction. The Office of Children's Issues of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State is the Central Authority that administers the Convention and its implementing legislation for the United States. In the author's view (and his alone), the Office of Children's Issues has not been sufficiently vigorous in seeking sanctions against countries that do not comply with the Convention. Even after Congress passed legislation in 2014 specifically directing the State Department to apply increasingly severe sanctions against noncompliant countries (the Sean and David Goldman Act), the State Department has still essentially failed to do so. Brazil is one signatory to the Hague Convention that the State Department itself has determined to be consistently noncompliant with the Convention since 2013. Yet the State Department has failed to impose significant sanctions on Brazil, among other countries.

Supporting parents of children aged 2-13 with toileting difficulties: Group-based workshops versus individual appointments.

Toileting is a key activity of daily living and an important milestone in children's development. Difficulties with this process can cause stress to both child and parents and negatively affect their wellbeing. This study compared the perceived parental competence and child wellbeing of families attending a group-based workshop on toileting issues with families attending an individual appointment at a continence clinic. All parents attending the workshops and attending the clinic between July 2016 and December 2017 were invited to participate in the study. The children were aged between 2 and 13 years. Three measures were used: 1) Parenting Sense of Competence Scale; (2) the Revised Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (KINDLR) and (3) Parent self-assessment of information and support needs. Participants completed all measures at three points: prior to intervention, 1 week and 1 month post-intervention. Data were collected from 89 parents attending the workshops and 46 parents attending the clinic. Children were not assessed. Non-parametric tests were used to examine between group differences. Within group changes overtime were examined using Friedman's two-way analysis of variance. Parents who attended the workshop showed significant increases in parenting sense of competence and perceived child quality of life post-intervention. Although there were significant differences between and pre- and post-measures for workshop attendees, there were no significant differences found between the two groups indicating that both forms of intervention had beneficial results. These results suggest that group-based workshops can positively impact parents' perceived competence in managing their child's toileting issues and wellbeing. Further research is recommended to explore the relationship between parenting competence and child wellbeing and to determine which aspects of the workshops were most beneficial.

Children's Lyric Poetry: An Analysis of Child and the Sea by Salim Abdulqader

This study aimed to identify lyrical poetry directed to children, specifying its concept, types, and characteristics. To achieve this objective, a critical analysis of a children lyrical poem written by Salim Abdulqader was conducted. The study followed the descriptive method which is based on analysis and deduction of lyrical poems addressed to children. Major findings revealed that successful child lyrical poetry is characterized by a childlike spirit which is concerned with the child's issues, worlds, and needs without intercalating the worlds of adults and their topics; it also includes some educational aspects without resorting to direct guidance. Moreover, in his song Child and the Sea, Salim Abdulqader was able to provide a successful sample of poetic discourse directed to children according to its balanced characteristics which are required in the structure of a poetic text. Such poetry meets children's needs and achieves its aesthetic, knowledge and education objectives. It is written in a language that develops children's linguistic and cognitive lexicon and provides them with many educational values which are part of pure Islamic teachings. 
 Keywords: children's poetry, Child and the Sea, Salim Abdulqader.

Occupational Performance Issues of Children with Hemiplegia after Acquired Brain Injury

Aims: This retrospective, exploratory study aimed to examine the categories and frequency of occupational performance issues (OPIs) identified by children (or their caregivers), who participated in a two-week, group-based modified constraint induced movement therapy program, Helping Hand. The effect of participant age on the OPIs identified was also explored.Methods: OPIs were identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for 46 Helping Hand participants, prior to program participation. Descriptive statistics including the frequency of identified OPIs were used to categorize the 236 OPIs into occupational areas. Descriptive statistics were also used to determine how the categories of OPIs and relative frequencies differed based on participant age.Results: The identified OPIs were diverse, and differed in frequency of identification and level of specificity. The OPIs identified varied based on participant age, with age groups showing developmentally appropriate differences in OPIs.Conclusions: Identification of OPIs should balance client-centredness with probing for specificity, in order for OPIs to be understood by clinicians. This will guide future program development and interventions that target age-appropriate occupational priorities.

Health and Safety Issues in Children with Intellectual Disability

Background: People with intellectual disability, have been shown to become high and frequent users of primary health care services—both general population health professionals and intellectual disability specialists. Aim: The aim of this paper has been to assess differences of Health and Safety Activities children with intellectual disabilities on the Supports Intensity Scale-Children’s Version and to confirm assumptions that support needs are confounded with age, IQ andgender.Methods:The sample included 377 children with intellectual disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina aged 5-16. Most respondents also had the presence of other, concurrent conditions and disorders. Using IQ, the sample was equalized to the level of intellectual functioning, and this data was obtained from the findings and opinions of the Commission for the Categorization of Children with Special Needs.Results:It was found at the multivariate level there are statistically significant differences between respondents of different ages and IQ in values of type, frequency and time of duration of support. No significant differences between boys and girls were identified at the multivariate level. Healthcare professionals and intellectual disability specialists must work as a team to guarantee any person with intellectual disability possibility to come as close as possible to the standard levels of well-being and health-related quality of life of the general population.

How does societal reaction to children's health issues contribute to health policy in Europe? Results of a survey.

BackgroundIn the European context the awareness of societal responsibility for children's health has increased with greater attention to children's rights and child empowerment processes. Child health issues are considered particularly sensitive; thus, they often provoke strong societal reactions, which, as a consequence, influence national health policies across Europe. Effectiveness of societal influences increases with the involvement of various actors in the context.MethodsA qualitative approach was used to identify the level of societal involvement in health decision‐making. A questionnaire was sent to the Country Agents (CAs) of the Models of Child Health Appraised (MOCHA) project. CAs are contact points in each of the 30 participating in the project countries and were asked to identify strong public and professional discussions related to child health services in their countries. Data collection was undertaken between July and December 2016.ResultsBased on 71 case studies, we identified eight thematic patterns, which characterize societal reactions to the currently worrisome child health issues across Europe. We devoted our attention to the three most controversial: child vaccination, child poverty and child abuse. The cases described by the CAs show the broad perspective in the perception of child health problems. Child health issues involve the public and raise nationwide debates. Public concerns were directly or indirectly related to child health and depicted the national overtone.ConclusionsConcerns in Europe about child health care are twofold: they are devoted to systemic issues (indirect patient orientation) and to child health and well‐being (direct patient orientation). The phenomenon of societal responsibility for children's health is important for the support of public acceptance of child health policy.

Psychosocial Issues in Children With Thalassemia: From Identification to a Model for Management in a Developing Country.

Children with chronic disorders like β thalassemia major (TM) and their care givers are known to face various psychosocial problems. This study used screening tests to detect these psychosocial issues so that prompt referral for counseling is possible. A semistructured demographic questionnaire, Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered to 30 children with TM, on regular treatment at a tertiary care hospital. The same questionnaires were administered to age-matched and sex-matched controls. Parents were administered the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Children with TM scored higher on both PSC-17 (9.93 vs. 4.87; P<0.001) and SDQ (14.9 vs. 10.9; P=0.008). The parents of children with TM scored higher on the GHQ (10.3 vs. 8.0; P=0.027). Psychosocial morbidity was higher in children with TM and their care-givers. Screening tools help detect children and care givers in need of formal counseling. The study makes a case for management of these issues by the pediatrician in tandem with mental health professionals. Some strategies that can be used in managing these children and their families are presented. In addition, issues in management with particular focus on a developing country context are highlighted and discussed.

Evaluation of a family-oriented parenting intervention for methamphetamine-involved mothers and fathers – The SHIFT Parent Training

IntroductionA large number of people who use crystal methamphetamine in Germany are parents of young children. In the context of methamphetamine use, family situations and parenting are frequently impacted, and children are at risk of developing behavioral or emotional difficulties. SHIFT Parent Training was developed as a parenting intervention targeted specifically to the needs of methamphetamine-involved parents. The eight-session group training is delivered in substance use treatment settings and aims to foster abstinence and improve parenting skills and resilience within the families. MethodsThe primary goal of this pilot study was to assess the initial effectiveness and acceptance of the SHIFT intervention. The quasi-experimental study design included pre-, post- and 6-month follow-up measurements. Sixty-eight methamphetamine-involved parents participated in all stages of the study. Substance use, parenting practices, and family functioning and resilience were primary effectiveness outcome measures. Additionally, acceptance was assessed by participants' and professionals' feedback. ResultsSubstance use problems were significantly lower in the intervention condition at the 6-month follow-up. Positive parenting of mothers and fathers also increased in the intervention group directly after participation. Both the intervention and control groups showed significant improvements in family functioning, parenting stress and children's behavioral issues. Participants and facilitators reported that they were highly satisfied with the program. ConclusionOur findings suggest that SHIFT Parent Training is an effective intervention and is well-accepted among parents and health professionals. The program improves relevant aspects of substance use-related issues and parenting and therefore poses a valuable addition to support services for methamphetamine-involved families.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Child Sexual Abuse.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is the involvement of children and adolescents in sexual activities (usually for adult sexual stimulation or gratification) that they cannot fully comprehend and to which they cannot consent as a fully equal, self-determining participant, because of their early stage of development [Box 1]. Open in a separate window Box 1 Defining child sexual abuse

Gender Issues in Children’s Literature: An Analysis of Fairytales

This paper intends to explore the reasons of gender discrimination indifferent segments of Pakistani society at grass root level. This study isbased on qualitative content analysis of children’s literature from whichthe most popular corpse of ten English fairytales purposively. Activitiesof different characters along with their social were selected andeconomic status, behavioral traits, gendered messages and thematic roleswere analyzed by using coding frame for manifest and stimulus clues forlatent information. This content analysis research indicates that genderdifference is an integral part of the fairy tales which shows female genderinferior to male. A detailed qualitative analysis of these selectedfairytales cited that gender issues start from titles and prevail throughoutthe fairytales. Males had proper names but girls were known with theirattributive names in the titles. The study suggests a need for drasticchange behaviorally, psychologically and materially (in our children’sliterature and particularly in fairytales) to keep pace with the 21st century,which demands us to be more creative, active and innovative withscientific approach instead of becoming an escapist.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 747 Summary: Gynecologic Issues in Children and Adolescent Cancer Patients and Survivors.

The diagnosis of cancer in females younger than 20 years is rare, with the incidence of 17 cases per 100,000 individuals per year in the United States. Although advancements in cancer therapy have dramatically improved childhood cancer survival, gynecologists should be aware of the increased risk of adverse reproductive health effects from each type of therapy. Cancer and its treatment may have immediate or delayed adverse effects on reproductive health. Gynecologists may be consulted for the following issues: pubertal concerns; menstrual irregularities; heavy menstrual bleeding and anemia; sexuality; contraception; ovarian function, including fertility preservation; breast and cervical cancer screening; hormone therapy; and graft-versus-host disease. Approximately 75% of pediatric cancer survivors experience at least one late effect on their health or quality of life. Vigilance in screening and observation on behalf of the health care provider with respect to menstrual irregularities, weight changes, sexual health, growth abnormalities, and bone density are important. In addition to pretreatment fertility conservation counseling, sexually active young women should be thoroughly educated about the risks of becoming pregnant during cancer treatment and strongly encouraged to use effective contraception; contraceptive choices should be discussed with the oncology team. A multidisciplinary approach to cancer survival care is encouraged. This Committee Opinion has been updated to include current data on sexuality and contraception, sexual dysfunction, risk of graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplant, and updated references and recommendations for fertility preservation.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 747: Gynecologic Issues in Children and Adolescent Cancer Patients and Survivors.

The diagnosis of cancer in females younger than 20 years is rare, with the incidence of 17 cases per 100,000 individuals per year in the United States. Although advancements in cancer therapy have dramatically improved childhood cancer survival, gynecologists should be aware of the increased risk of adverse reproductive health effects from each type of therapy. Cancer and its treatment may have immediate or delayed adverse effects on reproductive health. Gynecologists may be consulted for the following issues: pubertal concerns; menstrual irregularities; heavy menstrual bleeding and anemia; sexuality; contraception; ovarian function, including fertility preservation; breast and cervical cancer screening; hormone therapy; and graft-versus-host disease. Approximately 75% of pediatric cancer survivors experience at least one late effect on their health or quality of life. Vigilance in screening and observation on behalf of the health care provider with respect to menstrual irregularities, weight changes, sexual health, growth abnormalities, and bone density are important. In addition to pretreatment fertility conservation counseling, sexually active young women should be thoroughly educated about the risks of becoming pregnant during cancer treatment and strongly encouraged to use effective contraception; contraceptive choices should be discussed with the oncology team. A multidisciplinary approach to cancer survival care is encouraged. This Committee Opinion has been updated to include current data on sexuality and contraception, sexual dysfunction, risk of graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplant, and updated references and recommendations for fertility preservation.