Poor Parent-child Relationships Research Articles

Mental health problems among children and adolescents experiencing two major earthquakes in remote mountainous regions: A longitudinal study

ObjectiveMillions of children were exposed to major earthquake in China, with serious psychological and developmental consequences. To obtain accurate rate of post-disaster related disorder and identify predictors may help inform post-disaster rescue and rehabilitation efforts. The present longitudinal study explored correlations of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of juvenile survivors of the Ya'an and Wenchuan earthquakes in China with their trajectories of post-disaster related disorder. MethodsA total of 435 Chinese children and adolescents who survived the 2013 Ya'an earthquake were recruited from six primary, secondary and high schools in Baoxing County. All survivors were assessed at 12months after the disaster, when a trained psychiatrist assessed mental health problems in a face-to-face structured interview, and 153 survivors were followed up at 30months after the earthquake via telephone. ResultsThe 12-month assessment indicated a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence of 43.9% as well as depression (20.9%) or the criteria for both PTSD and depression (18.2%) and the other disorder (0.9%). The 30-month assessment indicated that 15.7% of subjects met the criteria for PTSD, 21.6% met the criteria for depression. No subjects met the criteria for other affective or anxiety disorders. Significant predictors of PTSD and depression were death in the family, previous earthquake experience, a poor parent–child relationship and economic pressure or poverty. LimitationsClinical interview face to face is quite different from via telephone and the attrition rate in the longitudinal cohort is high, which would directly affect our results of the assessment. ConclusionsPTSD and depression may be as prevalent and persistent in disaster victims in China as elsewhere, and high co-comorbidities remain poorly understood. Although many adolescents recover over time, some exhibit chronic, delayed-onset PTSD and depression, especially those with poor relationships with their parents or those living in precarious economic conditions. Family-based therapy may be needed to support child and adolescent trauma survivors in order to prevent mental illness.

Perceived parental alcohol problems, internalizing problems and impaired parent - child relationships among 71 988 young people in Denmark.

To test the hypothesis that young people with perceived parental alcohol problems have poorer parent-child relationships and more emotional symptoms, low self-esteem, loneliness and depression than young people without perceived parental alcohol problems. Cross-sectional analysis using data from the Danish National Youth Study 2014, a web-based national survey. Denmark. A total of 71.988 high school and vocational school students (aged 12-25, nested in 119 schools and 3.186 school classes) recruited throughout 2014. Outcome variables included internalizing problems such as emotional symptoms, depression, self-esteem, loneliness and aspects of the parent-child relationship. The main predictor variable was perceived parental alcohol problems, including the severity of the perceived problems and living with a parent with alcohol problems. Control variables included age, sex, education, ethnicity, parents' separation and economic problems in the family. Boys and girls with perceived parental alcohol problems had statistically significant higher odds of reporting internalizing problems (e.g. frequent emotional symptoms: odds ratio (OR)= 1.58 for boys; 1.49 for girls) and poor parent-child relationships (e.g.lack of parental interest: OR=1.92 for boys; 2.33 for girls) compared with young people without perceived parental alcohol problems. The associations were not significantly stronger for mother's alcohol problems or if the young person lived with the parent with perceived alcohol problems. Boys and girls in secondary education in Denmark who report perceived parental alcohol problems have significantly higher odds of internalizing problems and poorer parent-child relationships compared with young people without perceived parental alcohol problems.

Influence of Peer and Parent-Child Relationships on the Suicidal Ideation of Adolescents

This study examined the influences of both peer and parent-child relationships on suicidal ideation in adolescents with a focus on interpersonal relationships in adolescence that can act as risks as well as protective factors for youth suicide. This study analyzed 5,440 middle and high school students drawn from data, the seventh Happy Planet Index of children-adolescent in Korea, and conducted a series of logistic regressions. The results are as follows. First, both direct and indirect involvement in the school violence affects suicidal ideation as a risk factor in peer relationships. However, the quality and quantity of close friends of adolescents do not represent a protective role against suicidal ideation insofar as they are exposed to school violence. Second, adolescents who live apart from one of their parents are vulnerable to suicidal ideation than those who live with two parents. Third, very poor parent-child relationships in adolescence are not necessarily associated with suicidal ideation in adolescents. Fourth, shared time or activities between parents and adolescents in terms of family meal times are more likely to reduce suicidal ideation in adolescents than the emotional characteristics (trustworthiness or a close relationship) of parents and adolescents. The findings provide implications that frequent contact and shared activities in terms of family dining may contribute to the prevention of adolescent suicide.

Child maltreatment and interpersonal relationship among Chinese children with oppositional defiant disorder

Child maltreatment negatively affects children's development and wellbeing. This study investigated the associations between child maltreatment (i.e., emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and physical abuse) and interpersonal functioning, including parent–child relationship, teacher–student relationship, and peer relationships among children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). A total of 256 children with ODD and their parents and class master teachers from Mainland China completed questionnaires. Results showed a negative correlation between emotional abuse (parent-reported) and children's interpersonal relationships with parents, teachers, and peers. Emotional neglect and physical abuse were related to poor parent–child relationships. Latent profile analysis revealed three profiles of child maltreatment among children with ODD. ODD children with more severe levels of one type of maltreatment were also more likely to have experienced severe levels of other types of maltreatment. Children with ODD who were in the group of high maltreatment had the poorest quality of interpersonal relationships. Our findings highlight the urgent need to prevent child maltreatment and promote more positive parenting in families with ODD children.

Veteran–child communication about parental PTSD: A mixed methods pilot study.

The majority of adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are parents. Parents with PTSD report lower levels of parenting satisfaction, poorer parent-child relationships, and elevated incidence of child distress and behavioral problems in comparison with parents without PTSD. Although literature exists regarding parent-child communication about serious mental illness and physical health problems, research has yet to examine this communication regarding parental PTSD. This 3-site, mixed methods study involved 19 veteran parents who had a diagnosis of PTSD; participants were recruited from VA medical centers. Veterans participated in focus groups or individual interviews and completed questionnaires, responding to questions about motivations and barriers for disclosure of their PTSD to their children, the content of such disclosure, experiences at the VA as a parent, and desired VA family resources. Although many veterans described a desire to talk with their children about PTSD, they experience many barriers to doing so, including both personal reservations and feelings (e.g., avoidance of discussing PTSD, shame) and concerns about the consequences of disclosure on their children (e.g., child distress, loss of child's respect for veteran). Regarding veterans' experience at the VA, 21% reported that none of their providers had assessed if they have children, and 21% experienced the VA system as not welcoming to them as parents, citing both logistical issues (e.g., lack of childcare) and provider neglect of parenting concerns. Veterans indicated they would like the VA to offer parenting classes, workshops for families, child care, and family therapy.

Factores familiares asociados al inicio sexual temprano en adolescentes consultantes en un centro de salud sexual y reproductiva en Santiago de Chile

Nowadays, adolescent population begins sexual activity earlier, a behavior with negative psychological ana social consequences. To determine the association between family factors and early sexual activity in adolescents of low and middle socioeconomic level. A sample of 3,210 adolescents, who confidentially requested care in a sexual and reproductive health university center, between 2000 and 2007, was analyzed. Adolescents who started sexual activity before 15 years of age, and those who started sexual activity after 15 years of age, were compared. Data was collected from structured interviews conducted at the adolescente first visit. Logistic regression was used to identify family factors associated with early sexual initiating in both, men and women. Family factors associated with early sexual activity start were not being raised by both parents, a poor parent-child relationship, a poor family communication, mothers with a history of adolescent motherhood, mothers employed outside the home and family dysfunction. Among women, the variables associated with a higher risk of early sexual debut were not married parents and history of adolescent fatherhood record among parents. Among men, these variables were permissions without restriction during the week and punishment when family rules were broken. Family factors must be considered in the design of strategies to prevent early sexual activity.

Adolescents' Lifetime Experience of Selling Sex: Development Over Five Years

Lifetime experience of selling sex among adolescents was investigated together with sociodemographic correlates, parent–child relationship, and the existence of people to confide in. Changes over time regarding the selling of sex were investigated through a comparison of data from 2004 and 2009. This study was carried out using 3,498 adolescents from a representative sample of Swedish high school students with a mean age 18.3 years. Of these adolescents, 1.5% stated that they had given sexual services for reimbursement and both male and female buyers existed. The adolescents who had sold sex had a poorer parent–child relationship during childhood and had fewer people to confide in about problems and worries. Changes over time were found especially regarding the Internet as a contact source and also immigrant background.

Does Adolescents' Disclosure to Their Parents Matter for Their Academic Adjustment?

The role of adolescents' disclosure to their parents in their academic adjustment was examined in a study of 825 American and Chinese adolescents (mean age=12.73years). Four times over the seventh and eighth grades, adolescents reported on their spontaneous disclosure of everyday activities to their parents, the quality of their relationships with their parents, and their parents' autonomy support and control. Information about multiple dimensions of adolescents' academic adjustment (e.g., learning strategies, autonomous vs. controlled motivation, and grades) was also obtained. Both American and Chinese adolescents' disclosure predicted their enhanced academic adjustment over time. However, when American adolescents disclosed in a negative context (e.g., a poor parent-child relationship or controlling parenting), their autonomous (vs. controlled) motivation was undermined.

Risk Factors and Child Sexual Abuse among High School Pupils in Lusaka District, Zambia

Child sexual abuse is a universal problem that affects both boys and girls. In Zambia,
 like many other African countries, there are certain conditions and circumstances
 that put children at risk of sexual abuse. However, these risk factors remain explored
 (Chiroro et al., 2006). This study, therefore, was aimed at investigating risk factors and
 exploring child sexual abuse in Lusaka District. Specifically, it focused on identifying
 the forms of sexual abuse; examine the factors that put children at risk for sexual
 abuse; find out the grooming tactics used by sexual abusers; find out the disclosure
 rate for child sexual abuse cases; examine the abuser-victim relationships; and make
 recommendations for child sexual abuse prevention. Participants were 200 secondary
 school pupils (86 males and 114 females), who were randomly selected. Their ages
 ranged from sixteen to twenty-one years. Data was collected using a structured selfreport
 questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data analysis was done
 using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
 The results show an overall prevalence rate of child sexual abuse to be 43.5 per cent
 (n=87). Of the 87 victims, 41.1 per cent (n=36) were males and 58.6 per cent (n=51)
 were females. Among the forms of sexual abuse, sexual touch/arousal had the highest
 frequency (n=54, 62.1%). Most of the subjects (75.6%, n=19) did not disclose their
 sexual experiences, whereas only 24.4 per cent (n=19) did. Most abusers were found
 to be family members (n=39, 44%).
 Six risk factors for sexual abuse were examined, and the most powerful one was
 parental absence (n=63, 73.3%); having punitive parents (n=57, 68.7%); alcohol
 intake by a parent or other guardian (n=30, 34.5%); poor parent-child relationship
 (n=20, 23.7%); parental conflict (n=19, 22.4%); and presence of a stepparent (n=13,
 13.1%).
 Furthermore, the results obtained from the FGDs show that the most frequently used
 trick for sexual abuse is the offer of money and/other gifts (n=21, 67.8%). Fifty-six
 (69%) of the victims lacked knowledge to know that the grooming they experienced
 would result into sexual abuse. The study tested two hypotheses:
 (a) alcohol intake by the parent or guardian is not a significant risk factor for child
 sexual abuse;
 (b) in Lusaka District, children and adolescents that are sexually abused have
 adequate knowledge of the grooming tactics used by abusers.
 The results showed that:
 (a) there is a significant relationship (p=0.004) between child sexual abuse and
 parental or guardian intake of alcohol;
 (b) there is a significant relationship (p=0.000) between child sexual abuse and
 children’s lack of knowledge of the grooming tactics used by sexual abusers.
 Recommendations made include:
 (a) teacher training in the area of child sexual abuse;
 (b) encouragement of research culture among Zambian scholars in the area of
 child sexual abuse; and
 (c) active involvement of children, parents, teachers and the government in the
 prevention of child sexual abuse.

Perception of Suicidal Attempts among College Students in Malaysia

Teenage suicide has become a very serious problem and has been labeled as a growing epidemic by many health professionals worldwide. Through a questionnaire survey, the study aims to examine gender difference in public perceptions on various reasons for and methods used in suicidal attempts among teenagers. 90 college students participated in this study. The results showed a significant difference among males and females for the reasons why teenagers attempt suicide. The reasons were secularism, poor parent-child relationship and atheism. For the methods of suicidal attempts, a significant gender difference was also obtained for the slit wrist method.

Post-Divorce Parental Conflict and Adolescents’ Delinquency in Divorced Families

This study reviews several empirical researches which highlight the effect of post-divorce parental conflict as one of the most important factors on adolescents’ delinquency in divorced families. Research consistently shows that parental conflict affects parental relationship and this poor parental quality may transfer into poor parent-child relationship that may negatively influence adolescent functions and behaviors. Research showed that adolescents who are exposed to post-divorce parental conflict are at increased risk for high level of delinquency. Positive associations between parental conflict and adolescent delinquency have been accounted for by parental rejection or withdrawal, parental hostility toward adolescents, lack of parental warmth, and corporal punishment and parent-adolescent conflict.

Deviant socialization mediates transmissible and contextual risk on cannabis use disorder development: a prospective study

This study examined the contribution of transmissible risk, in conjunction with family and peer contextual factors during childhood and adolescence, on the development of cannabis use disorder in adulthood. The family high-risk design was used to recruit proband fathers with and without substance use disorder and track their sons longitudinally from late childhood to adulthood. The families were recruited under the aegis of the Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The oldest son in the family was studied at ages 10-12, 16, 19 and 22 years. The transmissible liability index (TLI), along with measures of quality of the parent-child relationship, cooperative behavior at home, social attitudes and peer milieu were administered to model the developmental pathway to cannabis use disorder. Affiliation with socially deviant peers and harboring non-normative attitudes (age 16) mediate the association between transmissible risk for substance use disorder (SUD) (age 10-12) and use of illegal drugs (age 19), leading to cannabis use disorder (age 22). Deviant socialization resulting from transmissible risk and poor parent-child relationship is integral to development of cannabis use disorder in young adulthood.

Exploration of factors to child and adolescent with school refusal behavior

Objective To explore the related factors of school refusal behavior in child and adolescent.Methods Investigated 141 students who had school refusal behavior in the department of psychiatry as the case group. 109 students were chosen randomly from 3 different grades in different schools as the control group. Two experienced psychiatrists made diagnosis according to DSM-Ⅳ criteria, the case group completed the direct factor investigation of School Refusal and the general condition questionnaires. The control group completed the general condition questionnaire only. Results 61 (43.7%) of the case group were diagnosed mental disorder according to DSM-Ⅳ ,17(28.91% ) of them were diagnosed mood disorder, which was the most in all kinds of mental disorder in case group. The results showed that age (P = 0.0003 ), location (P = 0. 035 ) and family income (P ＜ 0. 01 )were the most important factors for school refusal behavior in child and adolescent. The opinions of child and parent on the school refusal factors were quite different (P ＜ 0. 05 ). The former three direct reasons of school refusal were study pressure (6.47%) ,much more examinations and homework( 6.03% ) ,and willing to stay at home only (5.63%). Conclusion Mental disorder is the main causation of school refusal behavior. Age, location and family income are related closely to school refusal behavior. Study pressure, peer difficulty and poor parent-child relationship are direct factors of school refusal behavior. Key words: Child and adolescent; School refusal behavior; Mental disorder

Separate and cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences in predicting adult health and health care utilization

Objectives Objectives of this population-based study were: (1) to examine the relative contribution of childhood abuse and other adverse childhood experiences to poor adult health and increased health care utilization and (2) to examine the cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences on adult health and health care utilization. Methods Data from the Ontario Health Survey, a representative population sample ( n = 9,953) of respondents aged 15 years and older, were analyzed using logistic regression. Adverse childhood experiences examined were childhood physical and sexual abuse, parental marital conflict, poor parent-child relationship, low parental education and parental psychopathology. Results Most (72%) respondents reported at least one adverse childhood experience and a considerable proportion of respondents (37%) reported two or more of these experiences. In examining the bivariate models, childhood physical and sexual abuse had a stronger influence than other types of adverse childhood experiences. With the addition of other adverse childhood experiences in the model, the odds ratios for childhood abuse were attenuated but remained statistically significant for most health outcomes. This suggests that childhood abuse may have a unique adverse influence on the development of poor adult health. When an aggregate variable was created to explore the cumulative effects of adverse childhood experience, the odds were increased, with each additional experience, for reporting multiple health problems [odds ratio (OR): 1.22], poor self-rated health (OR: 1.18), pain (OR: 1.24), disability (OR: 1.24), general practitioner use (OR: 1.12), emergency room use (OR: 1.29) and health professional use (OR: 1.19). Conclusions This study suggests that childhood abuse and other adverse childhood experiences are overlapping risk factors for long-term adult health problems and that the accumulation of these adverse experiences increases the risk of poor adult health. Practice implications This study highlights the importance of the many adverse childhood experiences influencing long-term health. In practice, childhood abuse is often difficult to identify as families tend to keep it hidden and reported cases represent only a small percentage of the actual cases. Assessments and interventions which focus on improving socio-economic status, strengthening marital and parent-child relationships, and supporting parents with mental health issues are less threatening for families than assessing their experiences with abuse and neglect and are more likely to be effective in identifying and supporting at-risk families.

The Varied Impact of Couple Relationship Breakdown on Children: Implications for Practice and Policy

This review of international literature assesses the impacts that the relationship breakdown of parents has on children and factors that can provide support should this occur. The parental separation process causes significant albeit short‐term distress for most children, with a minority reporting longer‐term outcomes such as socio‐economic disadvantage, behavioural problems, poor educational achievement, and physical and emotional health problems. Factors increasing the likelihood of sustained disadvantage include: poverty; poor parent–child relationships; continuing parental conflict, multiple transitions in family formation; and poor maternal mental health. Supporting the factors that can improve child outcomes, exploring opportune ways to strengthen couple and family relationships, and integrating the views of children (for example, in court‐based dispute resolution) are the leading implications for practice and policy.

Gender-specific expression of the DRD4 gene on adolescent delinquency, anger and thrill seeking

The present study investigated gender differences in the associations between the DRD4 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and adolescent delinquency, short temper and thrill seeking. We also explored whether the gender-specific expression of the DRD4 can be explained by gender differences in the exposure to psychosocial risks, such as poor parent-child relationship. Participants were 263 14- to 17-year olds (50% males) living in Russia. DNA was extracted from saliva samples and the VNTR DRD4 polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction. Participants reported on the extent of their delinquent behaviour, short temper, thrill seeking and exposure to psychosocial risk (i.e. poor parental monitoring of adolescent behaviour, exposure to violence and peer delinquency). Compared to individuals with the 4/4 genotype, males, but not females, with the 7-repeat allele (7R) had significantly higher delinquency, short temper and thrill seeking. This interaction effect, however, was completely explained by males' higher exposure to psychosocial risk factors. When parental monitoring of youths' activities and youth exposure to violence were included in the model, the 7R × gender interaction was no longer significant. Thus, social context plays an important role in explaining gender-specific phenotypic expression of the DRD4 gene.

Family relationships in childhood and common psychiatric disorders in later life: systematic review of prospective studies

Most evidence for associations between childhood adversity and adult mental illness is retrospective. To evaluate prospective evidence of associations between poor parent-child relationships and common psychiatric disorders in later life. Systematic review of studies published between 1970 and 2008 including: (a) more than 100 participants; (b) measures of relationships in the home during childhood; (c) at least 10 years between assessment of exposures; and (d) measures of anxiety, depression, suicide, suicidal ideation or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Analysis was by narrative synthesis. Twenty-three papers were identified reporting data from 16 cohorts. Abusive relationships predicted depression, anxiety and PTSD. Maternal emotional unavailability in early life predicted suicide attempts in adolescence. Results of studies investigating less severe relationship problems were suggestive but not conclusive of causal association, due partly to methodological heterogeneity. Given the prevalence and disabling nature of common psychiatric problems, these studies highlight the need to minimise harm associated with dysfunctional parent-child relationships.

Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders

Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders

Family Risk Factors for Adolescent Drug Misuse in Spain

ABSTRACT The main objective of this research was to analyze the influence and the differential weight of certain family factors in Spanish adolescent substance abuse. A representative sample of 1,680 students of both sexes from all over Spain took part in the study. The results show that the variables associated with drug consumption are: male, one-parent-family background, family conflict, poor parent-child relationships, few shared activities, permissive parenting style, permissive attitudes to drugs in the family, and parents' drug consumption. Moreover, risk factors specific to drugs have greater influence than general risk factors. These results have very important implications for the design of family drug-prevention programs in Spain.

What are the characteristics of adolescent hospitalized suicide attempters?

To study the specificity of hospitalized adolescent suicide attempters. Among a national sample of students (n = 11,718, mean age = 16.6 years) studied in 1999, 9.2% (n = 1078) made at least one suicide attempt during their life (SA); 21.9% (n = 234) of them were hospitalized (HSA). We identified the risk factors (family, school, behavioral and psychological) of SA and HSA by comparing (by gender) a) suicide attempters to non-suicide attempters and b) hospitalized suicide attempters to non-hospitalized suicide attempters. Both for girls and boys, the risk factors for SA varied. However, certain risk factors, particularly depressive mood, low self-esteem and poor parent-child relationships, were not associated with hospitalization. Hospitalized suicide attempters had more personal and social problems. But there is an important difference according to gender: in boys, hospitalization is related to physical fighting (OR = 2.2) and offences (OR = 3.4), in girls to running away (OR = 1.7), consumption of illegal drugs other than cannabis (OR = 2.0), having a living standard outside average (OR = 2.0) and going to a private school (OR = 1.7). Suicide attempters with problem behavior are more at risk of being hospitalized than others. However, the difference between hospitalized and non-hospitalized subjects was smaller than expected.