Childhood Violence Research Articles

Rezultate științifice privind asigurarea activității psihologice în învățământul general prin prisma abordărilor societale contemporane

The article reflects the scientific results obtained by the members of the project The theoretical and methodological bases of ensuring psychological activity in the general education system, from the perspective of contemporary societal approaches, number 20.80009.1606.10, within the Institute of Research, Innovation and Technological Transfer of the Pedagogical University of State „Ion Creangă”. The importance and necessity of the research activities within this project is determined by the need to develop an integrated vision of the development of the psychological service in the general education system for: promoting quality in education; facilitating the training of children’s social skills in the learning and relationship process; preventing difficulties in child development by identifying risk factors; reducing violence and aggressive behavior of children and other educational actors; - school inclusion of children in difficulty; ensuring the activity of psychologists, teaching and management staff from the general education system with complex prevention, evaluation and psychological intervention methodologies; the development of a managerial system for ensuring psychological activity in general education.

Engaging the Mechanisms of Faith?

Violence against children is shaped by social norms which are frequently underpinned by faith-related beliefs and values. There isrenewed global recognition of the role of religions in legitimating or challenging harmful attitudes and practices, and this highlights the relevance and influence of faith communities in child protection. Faith communities may also have a unique role to play by engaging spiritual capital and faith mechanisms for positive change. These approaches go beyond an instrumentalised yet importantrole in service provision alone, to also transform harmful beliefs and offer positive alternatives grounded in faith mandates. This article draws on insights from a 2019 scoping study that explored positive and negative beliefs across multiple faith traditions that shape the perpetration, justification, or engagement to end violence against children. The study included three research components: a literature review, a case study submission process, and key informant interviews with experts on child violence working with diverse faith communities. Its findings show many ways in which religion’s spiritual capital can either help place children at society’s centre or can support harmful hierarchies of power that enable violence against children and seek to resist positive change.

Parental Witnessing of Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Their Children: Associations with Parental Experiences of Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence and ACEs in Childhood

ABSTRACT Parents often face a considerable amount of stress around managing their children’s relationships. One source of stress can include instances of physical and emotional sibling violence (PESV). While this form of family violence has received minimal attention compared to other types of family violence, there is a need to better understand parental witnessing of PESV and how it is associated with parents’ childhood experiences of PESV as well as adverse childhood experiences. This research study examines the association of parents’ childhood experiences of PESV and adverse childhood experiences with witnessing PESV in their children while controlling for current family context variables and childhood family context variables. In a sample of 146 parents recruited from Qualtrics’ research panels, parental witnessing of PESV between their children was correlated with both parental experiences of PESV in childhood and adverse childhood experiences. In the regression models, only parental experiences of PESV in childhood, abusive adverse childhood events, and having less education than a bachelor’s degree were associated with parental witnessing of PESV between their children when controlling for other variables. The results of the research indicate a potential intergenerational transmission of PESV. Implications of the research support the need for practitioners and those working with parents and families to assess for PESV and educate on this form of family violence to help parents intervene when physical and emotional sibling violence occurs.

Mental Health Conditions and Utilisation of Mental Health Services by Survivors of Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Portugal: Results from the WHO World Mental Health Survey

The aim of this article is to study mental health conditions among survivors of severe physical intimate partner violence (IPV) and their utilisation of mental health services. This study is an integrated part of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative-Portugal, for which data was collected from a nationally representative adult sample using well-validated scales. Logistic regression models were used in the analysis. The most common statistically significant mental health conditions among IPV survivors were suicide ideation, PTSD, major depressive episode, and generalised anxiety disorder. More than one in three survivors developed PTSD. Suicide ideation was likely to occur after first experiencing IPV. Almost a half of survivors received specialised mental health treatment; in most cases, delivered by a psychiatrist. Over 60% addressed their mental health issues consulting general physicians or other healthcare professionals. Those who experienced family violence in childhood had greater odds of also experiencing IPV; survivors of IPV with this experience were more likely to receive mental health treatment. The need to promote greater awareness and competencies of not only mental health professionals but also of general physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide support more effectively to survivors of any type of IPV deserves to be emphasised.

Child Violence in the Household Sphere in Kasu Village, Belakang Padang District, Batam City

This research aims to determine child violence in the household sphere in Kasu Village, Rear Padang District, Batam City. Where currently there is an increase in the rate of violence against children in Indonesia, this research also aims to determine the impact that occurs due to violence and is analyzed using sociological theory, namely social control theory. This research uses qualitative research methods by means of interviews and collecting data from the internet. Acts of violence committed against children can cause pain, both internal and external injuries to the child. Violence against children can also hinder children's growth and development. Emotional, physical violence or chronic neglect can inhibit the growth of a child's brain and organs, increase the risk of diseases triggered by stress and hinder cognitive and social development which will ultimately lead to anxiety disorders, depression, behavioral disorders and poor academic achievement.

The Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Subsequent Association with Exposure to Childhood Violence and Mental Health Outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults in Zimbabwe

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major public health concern for young people in developing nations, impacting approximately two-thirds of individuals below the age of 25. This study examined the prevalence and the association between self-reported STIs, childhood violence exposure, and mental health outcomes among adolescents and young adults (13-24 years old) in Zimbabwe. Secondary data from the 2017 Zimbabwe Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (n=8,715) was utilized. Data analysis was performed using chisquare to determine the prevalence estimates for bivariate. Seven logistic regression models were used to examine the significant association between independent variables and outcomes for multivariate. About 45.5% of adolescents and young adults with self-reported STIs were exposed to multiple forms of childhood violence, 49.8% reported lifetime suicide risk, and 44.9% reported moderate-to-severe mental distress in the past 30 days. Furthermore, logistic regression results indicated that adolescents and young adults with self-reported STI diagnoses were more likely to be exposed to multiple forms of childhood violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual violence, as well as mental distress in the past 30 days and lifetime suicide risk compared to those without STIs. Therefore, this study underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive public health strategies to protect the wellbeing of adolescents and young adults with STIs. Interventions should also prioritize raising awareness, destigmatizing STIs, implementing and strengthening violence prevention policies, and addressing mental health problems through community mental health treatment programs in Zimbabwe. Keywords: Childhood violence, Emotional violence, Exposure, Mental distress, Physical violence, Sexual violence, Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Suicide risk, Zimbabwe.

Unveiling the Nexus: Vulnerability to Psychological Distress and Childhood Violence among Adolescents in Zimbabwe

Exposure to multiple forms of violence increases the risk of developing psychiatric illnesses such as depression, PTSD, and other mental health problems. Despite this, studies investigating the relationship between psychological distress and childhood violence exposure are limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of childhood violence across psychological distress and examined the association between vulnerability to psychological distress and experiencing childhood violence among Zimbabwean adolescents. Utilizing data from the 2017 Zimbabwe Violence Against Children Survey (ZVACS), a representative household survey of adolescents aged 13 to 19 (n=5344), we employed chisquare tests to determine the prevalence estimates across independent and dependent variables. Additionally, four sets of logistic regression models (both unadjusted and adjusted) were performed to predict significant associations between independent and dependent variables. Prevalence results indicated that among adolescents experiencing moderate-to-severe psychological distress, 35.3% had experienced childhood physical violence, 27.2% emotional violence, 15% sexual violence, and 51.2% had been exposed to multiple forms of violence. Similarly, regression results indicated that adolescents with moderate-to-severe psychological distress had higher odds of experiencing childhood physical violence (aOR=2.13), emotional violence (aOR=3.69), sexual violence (aOR=1.93), and multiple forms of violence (aOR=2.59) compared to their counterparts without psychological distress in the past 30 days. These findings underscore the need for interventions that prioritize education and increased access to mental health treatment programs. Moreover, addressing evolving cultural norms and enforcing existing legislation to curb violence are crucial steps to mitigate the risk of further victimization in Zimbabwe. Keywords: Psychological distress, emotional violence, sexual violence, physical violence, childhood, adolescence, Zimbabwe.

The Impact of Stress and Family Strength on School-Age Child Abuse

Many stressors on parents during the COVID-19 pandemic have triggered violence in children. Continuous violence will have various negative impacts on children. This research aims to determine the relationship between stress and family strength on incidents of violence in school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research design used is quantitative research with descriptive correlational methods and cross sectional approach. The sampling method uses probability sampling with cluster sampling. Bivariate analysis will use the Pearson Correlation test. Meanwhile, linear regression analysis was used to determine the variables most related to violence in school-age children. After data analysis, the results obtained were that stress variables (general and specific) had a significant relationship to child violence (p-value 0.000 and 0.000), strength The family has a significant relationship with school age child violence (p-value 0.000), as well as being the most influential factor in the incidence of child violence with coefficient B= -1.960. It is hoped that the results of this research can become a basis for stakeholders to design policies related to minimizing child violence that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community health centers and community nurses are expected to be more active in detecting and handling cases of child violence that occur in the community.

EQUALITY OF LEGAL PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN VIS-À-VIS THE LAW IN CASES OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND ABUSE IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF CHILD PROTECTION LAW

Child rape is a devastating form of sexual violence. This study aims to investigate and analyze the equality of legal protection for children in cases of sexual relations and abuse, focusing on the perspective of child protection law. This study uses methods that research normative juridical law. The results showed that the established legal law has partially worked for victims of child violence. The study's conclusions address whether the diversion process undertaken by law enforcement authorities in the Juvenile Justice System for adolescents facing legal problems due to allegations of sexual intercourse and/or maltreatment reflects gender non-discrimination.

Peran Konselor Sebaya dalam Menangani Anak Korban Kekerasan Seksual di Sekolah

This article aims to explain and describe the role of peer counselors in dealing with child victims of sexual violence, especially in schools. The discussion of this article was obtained through a literature study from various reading sources such as journals and books used to describe theories related to child development, explore the impact of sexual violence on victims, and describe the role of social workers in dealing with the problem of sexual violence in children. The high rate of sexual violence against children shows the importance of handling child victims of sexual violence. In this case, peer counselors can provide support and motivation to children who are victims of sexual violence. In addition, counselors can be friends to tell stories from children who are victims of this violence. In this case, Peer Counselors can also conduct Counseling. Counseling is carried out by intervening negative thoughts of children that arise due to sexual violence in various ways, such as stopping negative thoughts. In addition, cognitive therapy can also be done by changing or exchanging thoughts, for example counselors help children to memorize short verses in the form of statements that are contrary to the concerns experienced by children. The child then repeats the verse to get rid of his worries.

Blue Gold, Game-Based Learning to Encourage Sustainable Consumption: The Case of Mobile Phones

The concept of sustainability is different in industry and in nature. In the case of mobile phones, the constant replacement by new models increases waste to ecologically unbearable limits. To encourage responsible and sustainable consumption, we designed an educational game in a role-play format, called Blue Gold. The objective was to make known the use of cobalt in the production of mobile phones and the methods and people involved in its extraction. We present three characters that each participant could become during the game: a Congolese girl, a Congolese boy, or an American boy. Through socio-educational dynamics of experiential learning, 308 undergraduate students and 31 of their teachers participated in the game. We set out to investigate whether knowing the reality of child labor and violence against women happening in cobalt mines could have any impact on consumer behavior, if the effect of the game could delay the desire to purchase a mobile phone or refuse to buy a new one. The results obtained revealed the influence of the role assumed in the game and the gender of the participants. They also revealed that this online role-playing game is effective in encouraging a more sustainable consumption behavior.

The devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of women and children in 2023

Purpose Current issues (such as health and economy-related) emerged due to the impact of COVID-19 on women’s and children’s health. The purpose of this opinion paper is to understand the world’s health issues after COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach The authors study the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of women and children in 2023. The authors have applied the content analysis method and reviewed the post-COVID-19 impacts on women’s and children’s health. As a result of unemployment or financial instability, the fear of economic insecurity increases cases of women and child violence, child labour and other health issues. According to the study, the authors find that post-COVID-19-related health issues increase at a high level. Findings After COVID-19, across the world, children and women have gone through domestic violence and health issues (i.e. stress, anxiety and so on) and the vulnerable situation of children and women has badly impacted their mental and physical health. Originality/value Many children were orphaned, and the poor died due to poverty. COVID-19 has had a direct or indirect effect on children and women all over the world till today. This opinion paper focuses on post-COVID-19 issues that we all have forgotten to include in our current discourse.

Peran Uptd Perlindungan Perempuan Dan Anak Dalam Penanganan Tindak Kekerasan Anak Di Kota Surakarta

Surakarta is a metropolitan city, of course the ease of access to report cases of child violence is also higher. With its big city status, it does not rule out the possibility that the problem of violence against children continues to exist in Surakarta. The problem of violence against children experiences a cycle of ups and downs in each region. In Surakarta itself, cases of violence against children have increased in the last three years. This is of course a concern for the Surakarta City government. The role of the Government, especially the Surakarta City PPA UPTD, has been good in protecting, preventing and handling cases of child violence. This research aims to describe and analyze the role of the regional technical implementation unit for the protection of women and children (UPTD PPA) in assisting victims of violence against children in the city of Surakarta. In addition, this research aims to describe the obstacles faced by UPTD PPA in assisting victims of violence against women in the city of Surakarta. This study used descriptive qualitative method. Researchers collect data, observations, interviews and documentation to obtain complete and detailed data. The subjects of this research were: (1) Head of Department, (2) Head of UPTD PPA, (3) Head of Child Protection, (4) Legal counselor, (5) Psychological counselor, and (6) 2 clients. Data analysis was carried out using inductive data analysis techniques. Checking the validity of the data uses triangulation techniques. The results of this research are (1) the role of UPTD PPA in assisting victims of violence against children, namely: a) role in dealing with children who are victims of violence, b) assisting in the health recovery of children who are victims of violence, c) psychological assistance to children who are victims of violence, d) legal assistance to children who are victims violence, e) role in psychoeducation in the environment of children who are victims of violence (2) obstacles faced by UPTD PPA, namely the lack of human resources in UPTD PPA Surakarta City, namely psychological counselors and victims of violence who do not want to report cases of violence they experience.

A POPULATION-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON PHYSICAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AFFECTING OLDER WOMEN IN A PROVINCE OF NORTHERN TURKEY: PREVALENCE, ASSOCIATED FACTORS, AND INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF VIOLENCE

Introduction: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of physical intimate partner violence among older women, identify factors associated with victimization, and gather information on the intergenerational transmission of violence. Materials and Method: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Karabuk Province and included 399 ever-married women aged 65 years and older. The dependent variable was exposure to physical violence by a current or former spouse. Independent variables included women’s sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics, their experience of violence in childhood, and some characteristics of their husbands and parents. The crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated to explore the relationship between the dependent and independent variables using robust Poisson regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of physical intimate partner violence was 62.9% for the lifetime and 7.6% for the past year. Lifetime prevalence increased 1.2-fold with low household income, 1.4-fold with seven or more pregnancies, 1.3-fold with daily or weekly alcohol consumption by the husband, 1.3-fold with witnessing father-to-mother violence in childhood, and 1.5-fold with experiencing physical violence by parents in childhood. Women were more likely to use violence against their children if they had experienced violence in childhood and adulthood. Conclusion: This study’s finding of high lifetime and past-year prevalence of exposure to intimate partner violence highlights the need for more efforts to address intimate partner violence among older women. More research is needed to better understand older women’s experiences of intimate partner violence and identify health and social policy approaches to meet their support and assistance needs. Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence; Domestic Violence, Physical Abuse; Prevalence; Aged; Women.

What do we know about how children and adolescents conceptualise violence? A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies from sub-Saharan Africa.

Half of the world's children experience violence every year, but the meaning of violence is not universally agreed. We may therefore risk failing to measure, and address, the acts that matter most to children and adolescents. In this paper, we describe and synthesise evidence on how children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa conceptualise different behavioural acts which are deemed violence in childhood under WHO and UN CRC definitions. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies. We searched PsychINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, Medline and ERIC for all publications released prior to March 2023. 30 papers met inclusion criteria. We synthesised primary data from children and adolescents and drew upon theoretical and contextual interpretations of authors of included studies. Only 12 of more than 45 sub-Saharan African countries were represented with relevant research. Of the 30 included papers, 25 came from three countries: South Africa, Uganda and Ghana. Only 10 of 30 papers reported data from young children (pre-adolescence), and 18 of 30 papers primarily focused on sexual violence. 14 studies used child friendly and/or participatory methods. From this limited evidence, we identified six overarching themes in how children and adolescents conceptualised their experiences of acts internationally recognised as violence: 1) adults abusing or neglecting responsibility; 2) sexual violence from peers, family and community members; 3) violence in established intimate relationships; 4) emotional violence surrounding sex from peers and community members; 5) fighting and beating between peers; 6) street and community dangers. No studies meeting our inclusion criteria specifically examined children or adolescents' conceptualisations of homophobic or transphobic violence; violence against children with disabilities; boys' experiences of sexual violence from male perpetrators; trafficking, modern slavery or conflict; child labour; or female genital mutilation. We found that three dimensions were important in how children and adolescents constructed conceptualisations of violence: their age, relationship to the perpetrator, and the physical location of acts they had experienced. These dimensions were interrelated and gendered. The current limited evidence base suggests children and adolescents' conceptualisations of violence overlapped with, but were also distinct from, the WHO and UNCRC definitions of violence. Currently international survey tools focus on measuring types and frequencies of particular acts and neglect to focus on children's understandings of those acts. Relationship to perpetrator, age of child, physical location are all important in how children conceptualise their experiences of acts internationally recognised as violence, and therefore might be important for their health and social outcomes. Those developing measures should account for these dimensions when developing items for testing.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, CHILDHOOD TRAUMAS, ALEXITHYMIA AND COPING STYLES WITH STRESS

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, childhood traumas, alexithymia and coping methods with stress in women exposed to intimate partner violence and to examine the relationship between these characteristics and intimate partner violence in comparison with women who were not exposed to violence. Method: The study included 42 women who had been exposed to intimate partner violence in the last year and 42 women as the control group who applied to the Behavioral Sciences Center in our center. Sociodemographic data form, DSM-5 oriented diagnostic interview guide, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Childhood Trauma Scale (CTS) and Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCS) were applied to all participants and the data obtained were compared. Results: The rates of income level, education level of the partner and employment status of the partner were lower in the case group compared to the control group, while the rates of divorce, separation, elopement, forced marriage, witnessing domestic violence in childhood and inflicting violence on their children were higher in the case group. It was found that 97.6% of the women in the case group had experienced recurrent violence and 33.3% had been subjected to violence in their past relationships. Significant differences were found between the groups in the total scores of the TTS, the total scores of the CFTQ, and the scores of the SBTQ. There was a relationship between alexithymic characteristics and preferred stress coping methods. Alexithymia and childhood traumas were found to have a predictive effect on partner violence. Conclusion: The fact that the level of alexithymia and the use of ineffective methods to cope with stress are higher in women who are victims of violence is important in therapeutic studies to be conducted with these women. Variables affecting intimate partner violence should be evaluated in a larger population with longitudinal follow-up.

Cognitive synthesis of violence in children and youth

Cognitive synthesis of violence in children and youth

Revisão narrativa sobre a relação entre estresse tóxico e desempenho ocupacional na primeira infância

Abstract Introduction Early childhood is a crucial stage for human development during which the environment significantly influences brain formation and functioning. Adverse experiences during this period can trigger toxic stress, which in turn may hinder the achievement of developmental milestones. Objective This study aims to describe the main adverse childhood experiences that lead to toxic stress in children aged 0 to 6 years, also considering their implications for mental health and occupational performance. Method A narrative review was conducted using the databases Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, and Psychology Database. Ten relevant articles were selected for analysis. Results The search revealed that poverty, child violence, and discrimination are the three most common adverse experiences generating toxic stress. Additionally, protective factors that can mitigate the impact of these adverse experiences, thereby strengthening childhood resilience, were identified. Among these factors, positive parenting characteristics stand out as the primary protective element. Conclusion Although a direct relationship between toxic stress and occupational performance was not found in the reviewed literature, it is concluded that the latter is indirectly affected because of its connection with mental health and child development – key aspects of participation in daily activities. This underscores the importance of expanding research in the field of occupational therapy, as it can significantly contribute to the promotion and prevention of mental health in childhood.

Psychophysical and cognitive adverse effects of smart phones overuse on children and adolescent

Abstract Background: The excessive use of smartphones is seen as a source of child and adolescent violence and probably impacts cognitive function. As the world of mobile phones are continuously evolving, the violence factor is an endless argument. Smart mobile can cause problems other than violence which might be physical, cognitive, or psychological. Objectives: The study aims to clarify the dangers of smartphones overuse on psychophysical and cognitive function. Materials and Methods: A prospective follow-up study was conducted that included 100 children. A convenient sample of participants and their parents were interviewed directly and were asked about their children’s smart phones habit, causes of cellular phone overuse, school performance. Participants behavior was assessed by Modified overt aggression scale, whereas cognitive function by Montreal Cognitive Assessment test was done in 1, 6, and 12 months interval. Results: 50% of participants used smartphones for more than 3 hours per day, as well as most of the cases who used smartphones for a longer duration were children (25%) as compared to other age groups, children used smartphones mainly for violent and nonviolent games than in social applications, excessive mobile phone usage for more than 3 hours daily associated with significant health problems like neck pain (68%), headache (52.1%), eye tearing (51%), sleep problems (47.6%), and backache (47.1%). Children and adolescents who used smartphones for less than 1 hour daily show an increment in their scores, whereas those who used smartphones for more than 1 hour daily gradually decreased their scores with the time used. Conclusion: Smartphone overuse had a significant impact on behavior, school performance, and cognitive function.

Анализ изменений структуры насильственной смерти детей и подростков в Саратовской области за период 2018–2022 гг.

Abstract. The analysis of violent child mortality is important in developing preventive measures to reduce this indicator. Aims and Tasks. The research purpose is to analyze the structure of violent death among children in the Saratov Region in 2018–2022. Materials and Methods. The research materials include the results of forensic medical examinations of the corpses of 314 children under the age of 18 who died from external causes. Results/Discussion. We establish decrease in the rate of violent death among children from 17.7 to 12.2 per 100 thousand of the population. There is a prevalence of blunt trauma (35.7 %), asphyxia (34.7 %) and poisoning (22 %) in violent death causes among children. The dynamics showed a tendency towards an increase in the proportion of blunt trauma. We note the peak of deaths from asphyxia in 2020 (45.8 %), reveal an increase in the proportion of hangings. Asphyxia is the leading cause of death in children under 1 year old, asphyxia and blunt trauma with a high percentage of falls from high altitude (40 %) – in the 1–3 year old group. In the 4–6 years old group the main types of death are blunt trauma (38.6 %) and poisoning (36.4 %). In the 7–11 years old group asphyxia is in the lead (40.4 %), followed by blunt trauma (36.5 %) with a high percentage of traffic accidents. In 12–17 years old group blunt trauma is in the first place (38.5 %), asphyxia with a predominance of hangings is in the second place. Conclusions. As we note a decrease in the violent death of children in general, we establish a tendency of increasing the proportion of blunt trauma and a change in the structure of asphyxia with a significant increase in the proportion of hangings. Differences in the structure of causes of death in different age groups were revealed.