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Patterns of Risk and Protective Factors Among Alaska Children: Association With Maternal and Child Well-Being

This study used population-representative data to examine associations of risk and protective factor patterns among Alaska Native/American Indian (AN/AI; N = 592) and non-Native (N = 1,018) children with maternal and child outcomes at age 3 years. Among AN/AI children, a high risk/moderate protection class was associated with child developmental risk and mothers being less likely to feel comfortable asking for help or knowing where to go for parenting information compared to a low socioeconomic status/high protection class. Among non-Native children, a moderate risk/high protection class was associated with child developmental risk and mothers being less likely to feel comfortable asking for help compared to a low risk/high protection class. Results provide insight on the intersection of risk and protective factors among Alaska families.

Anna E. Austin, Nisha C. Gottfredson, Carolyn Tucker Halpern et al.

Protecting Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of Perinatal Care Recommendations in the Context of Maternal and Child Well-Being

The objective of this scoping review is to determine to what extent the recommendations on perinatal care protect breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review follows the PRISMA ScR Extension guidelines. The research was conducted in Scopus, Medline via Pubmed, and Web of Science databases from 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2021, using 392 combinations of keywords. We searched for reviews and original papers published in English providing recommendations on delivery mode, companion during labor, the possibility of skin-to-skin contact (SSC), breastfeeding, and visitors policy. After screening, 86 out of 8416 publications qualified for data extraction. The majority of them indicated that COVID-19 infection is not a sufficient reason for a cesarean section; however, on a national level, cesarean births in severely ill patients were overrepresented. A significant number of recommendations deprived mothers of the necessary support during their labor and stay in the maternity ward. A shared decision-making model was hardly visible. Only the earliest COVID-19 recommendations suspended direct breastfeeding; in later publications, decisions were related to the mother's health, but other options of natural feeding were rarely discussed.

Aleksandra Maria Wesolowska, Magdalena Orczyk‐Pawiłowicz, Agnieszka Bzikowska‐Jura et al.

“What we see and what we hear:” Combining children’s drawings with child and educator interviews to assess child well-being in Child Support Grant (CSG) beneficiaries in South Africa

Child well-being is particularly relevant to South African social workers given the country’s high rates of violence, poverty, inequality, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, and poor schooling outcomes. Guided by a social constructivist theoretical lens, and located within an interpretive qualitative research design, the aim of the study was to determine whether children’s drawings and teacher interviews can differentiate qualitatively between children with positive well-being and those with compromised well-being. Children aged 6–8 years whose parents/caregivers were recipients of Child Support Grants (CSGs) were asked to draw a picture of themselves and their families and teachers were asked about the children’s functioning. Findings from triangulation of drawings and interviews suggested that while a firm diagnosis of emotional, behavioral, or cognitive disorder could not be reached, it was possible to differentiate between children with positive well-being and those whose well-being appeared to be compromised by developmental delay, learning difficulties, emotional problems, behavioral problems, and/or social issues. It is therefore recommended that social workers make greater use of children’s drawings and educator interviews as assessment tools. However, one should not rely solely on children’s drawings, but should rather combine drawings with child and educator interviews. Findings also highlight the need for South African social workers to develop indicators that are culturally and ecologically applicable to African children.

Eleanor Ross

Patterns of coping among caregivers of children with spinal cord injury: Associations with parent and child well-being.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have investigated how caregivers manage stressors associated with their child's spinal cord injury (SCI) and how these patterns relate to their child's coping and adjustment. The current study explored empirically derived coping profiles among caregivers of youth with SCI and the relation of these patterns to parent and youth psychosocial outcomes. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional survey of 318 children (ages 1 to 18) and a primary caregiver. Participants completed measures assessing demographics, coping, quality of life (QOL), anxiety, and depression. We utilized hierarchical and nonhierarchical cluster analyses to identify unique coping patterns and one-way analysis of variance with control variables to assess relations between parental coping and psychosocial well-being. RESULTS: The analyses produced 3 parent coping clusters, which included avoidant (n = 47), constructive (n = 119), and adjusted/low (n = 152). ANCOVAs revealed that parents in the avoidant cluster, who utilized disengagement and blaming strategies, had significantly worse mental health symptoms compared to the constructive and adjusted low coping clusters. Specifically, avoidant coping was significantly related to increased symptoms of caregiver depression (p < .001) and anxiety (p < .001) as well as children's self-report of anxiety (p = .002), depression (p < .005) and emotional QOL (p < .001). DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the importance of fostering constructive and positive coping for both the children who face chronic illness and their caregivers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Alicia M. January, Erin Hayes Kelly, Heather F. Russell et al.

Global Strategies for Maternal and Child Health The Impact of Health Visitors, Nurses, and Community Support on Improving Child Well Being Using the VIKOR Method

Child health services aim to support preschool children and their families by promoting prevention and healthy development. Nurses with special training in child health play a key role in supporting parents and promoting child development. In Sweden, frequent visits by child health nurses help to ensure the well-being of children and provide ongoing emotional support to parents. These services, which prioritize establishing strong relationships with families, are essential for fostering child development and serve as a foundation for early intervention to address health problems. Research significance: Research in community child health services plays a key role in improving the capacity of health systems to support families, particularly in maternal and child health (MCH). Extensive studies of the role of English health visitors, Scandinavian child health nurses and North American MCH services have provided valuable insights into the different strategies used to engage families and improve child development. These services priorities prevention, early intervention and building strong nurse-parent relationships. EHV (England), SCHS (Scandinavia), NAMCH (North America), SWCH (Sweden), MP (Domestic Violence), And VMCH (Victoria). Evaluation Parameters: Nurse-to-Child Ratio (NonBenefit), Parental Support (Benefit), Service Accessibility (Benefit), Operational Cost (Non-Benefit). Result: The results show that NAMCH (North America) received the highest ranking, whereas VMCH (Victoria) received the lowest ranking. Conclusion: According to the VIKOR method, NAMCH (North America) ranks highest in terms of its value for Child Health Nursing.

Tadābīr-i-Navmawlūd (Child Health Care): A Holistic Framework in Unani System of Medicine for Child Well-Being

Infancy, the critical phase from birth to early childhood, holds immense importance, with each day contributing significantly to a child's development. Globally, approximately four million neonatal deaths occur annually, with 98% of these taking place in developing countries. In these regions, many newborns succumb to mortality at home, often under the care of mothers, family members, and traditional birth attendants. In Unani Medicine, this stage is associated with the temperament known as Mizāj Ḥārr Raṭb (hot and moist), highlighting a period of rapid growth and developmental milestones. Comprehensive neonatal and child care guidelines, referred to as Tadābīr-i-Navmawlūd, encompass various aspects, including newborn care, infant feeding, management of dentition, and therapeutic principles and treatments for children.Renowned Unani scholars such as Ibn Sīnā, Zakariyya Rāzī, Ali Ibn Abbas Majūsī, Ibn Rushd, and Ibn Hubal Baghdādī have extensively discussed these topics in classical Unani texts like Al-Qānūn fi’l Ṭibb, Kitāb al-Manṣūrī, Kāmil al-Ṣanāʻa, Kitāb al-Kulliyat, and Kitāb al-Mukhtārāt fi’l Ṭibb. Their writings outline regimens and medicinal practices aimed at promoting the health and well-being of newborns, infants, and children. Keywords: Unani medicine, Tadābīr-i-Navmawlūd, child health care, infancy, Amrāḍ-i-Aṭfāl.

Mohammad Tauheed Khan, Dr Amreen, Mehvash Alvi

Impact of Caregivers' Professional Development on Learning Outcomes and Child Well-Being in Pre-Primary Schools in Badagry and Amuwo-Odofin Lgeas in Lagos State.

This study examined the impact of caregivers’ professional development on learning outcomes and child well-being in pre-primary schools in selected LGEAs in Lagos State. Survey research design was employed in this study as the targeted population comprised of Caregivers and Pre-primary pupils from Badagry and Amuwo-Odofin LGEAs in the state. Multi-staged sampling technique was used in the selection of participants as a sample size of 180 participants comprising 150 Pupils and 30 Caregivers. Data was collected through a validated structured questionnaire for caregivers and pupils first term’s raw scores. The raw scores of the pupils were transforned into standard scores of T-score and Z-score respectively. His action was taken so as to equate both scores for normality with the dat from Questionnaire. Test retest and Split-half reliability forms for learning outcomes and child well-being yielded an index of .809 and .793 showing its suitable for use. Z-statistics was used to analyse the data and tested at .05 significance level. The findings revealed that Caregivers Professional Development Programme significantly improved caregivers’ pedagogical practices, classroom interactions and caregiving behaviours, learning outcomes and in turn produced statistically literacy and numeracy improvements in child well-being (social skills, emotional regulation, and school engagement). It then concluded that investment in Caregivers Professional Development is one pivotal driver of quality in pre-primary education and recommends the allocation of funds and policy support for continuous professional development and inclusion of caregiver mental-health and child-well-being modules in training curricula.

Mafikuyomi, J. A., Fowowe, S. S., Aina, Omobolanle Oyenike et al.

Maternal caregiving burdens and child well-being in an urban informal settlement: an intersectional study of marginalized caste mothers in Chennai, India

Background: Parenting in marginalized urban communities is shaped by intersecting structural inequalities. Limited research examines how caste-based marginalization, gender norms, and poverty collectively influence maternal caregiving practices and child developmental outcomes in urban informal settlement in India. This study investigates the parenting challenges faced by Adi- Dravidar (Scheduled Caste) mothers in Puliyanthope, Chennai, and their implications for child well-being. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 Adi- Dravidar (Scheduled Caste) mothers with children aged 6-11 (Middle Childhood) years residing in Puliyanthope urban informal settlement in Chennai, India. Field observations complemented interview data. Thematic analysis was employed using an intersectional framework to analyzed maternal experiences, coping strategies, and structural constraints affecting parenting practices. Findings: Findings revealed that all 20 mothers solely bore childcare responsibilities while simultaneously engaging in informal labour, earning ₹8,000-12,000 monthly. Nineteen mothers had minimal formal education below 10th grade. Fathers' involvement in parenting was largely absent, and 90% of households lacked extended family support, leaving mothers isolated in their caregiving roles. Mothers consistently reported chronic time poverty, physical exhaustion, and financial insecurity arising from managing dual responsibilities of paid work and childcare. Limited financial autonomy, unsafe housing conditions, and inability to support children's educational needs further compounded their caregiving burden. Physical punishment was normalized across all families as a perceived protective response to unsafe neighbourhood conditions. Notably, one mother with higher educational attainment demonstrated significantly better capacity to support her children's holistic development, highlighting the protective role of maternal education. Conclusion: Maternal caregiving in marginalized urban informal settlement contexts is profoundly constrained by intersecting structural inequalities rooted in caste, gender, and poverty. These constraints not only impose severe physical, emotional, and economic burden on mothers themselves but also directly impact child developmental outcomes, educational attainment, and overall well-being. Findings underscore the urgent need for multi-level interventions, including community-based childcare services, economic empowerment and mental health support programs for mothers, promotion of shared parenting responsibilities, and gender-sensitive policies that address both maternal caregiving burden and the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage in urban informal settlements in India contexts.

M. Ananthi, S. Prabakar

How “shock-proof” are child well-being indices in high-income countries? Implications for research and policy post-crisis

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have raised concerns about the relevance and reliability of current measures and indices of child well-being. This article aims to bridge a significant knowledge gap by examining how these indices respond to shocks and exploring attributes of shock-responsive indicators related to child well-being. Drawing on the UNICEF Innocenti Report Card 16 on child well-being and the Korean Child Well-being Index, the study conducts a comparative analysis of differences in the design and purpose of indices that influence their resilience to shocks. Subsequently, it proposes an approach for evaluating the ‘shock-responsiveness’ of key outcome indicators of child well-being before going on to review how child income poverty measures performed during COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis. After finding that child well-being indices, at present, are not able to fully capture the effects of covariate crises on children, the article concludes with insights for policymakers and researchers.

Dominic Richardson, Jeong-Hee Ryu