As in most low‐income countries, there is a lack of scientific information on the incidence and pattern of child maltreatment (CM) in Bangladesh. However, the role of the media to disclose CM and to develop public awareness in society is noteworthy. The present study assessed newspaper reports about CM by type and socio‐demographics of victims and perpetrators in Bangladesh. In total, 790 news articles were collected retrospectively from four Bengali‐ and two English‐language newspapers from October to December 2014. Among all reported incidents, almost half of the CM cases concerned alleged physical abuse (26%) and sexual abuse (22%). Neglect and emotional or psychological abuse received less coverage. Female children were to a high degree (90%) victims of sexual abuse. The main perpetrators were males, and they were often known to the victims. Approximately 32 per cent of the reported abuse cases resulted in death and were related to rape, family violence, administrative negligence, abduction and ransom demand. Some of these deaths were suicides. News stories concerning CM were often reported in an unethical way by identifying the victim and not respecting child rights. Further, the stories seldom discussed the individual or social consequences of CM, or how maltreatment could be prevented. ‘The present study assessed newspaper reports about CM by type and socio‐demographics of victims and perpetrators in Bangladesh’ Key Practitioner Messages The main types of reported cases of CM in Bangladeshi print media are physical abuse and sexual abuse, and there is a high proportion of fatal consequences. The perpetrators are often known to the victims. The identity of the victim is frequently reported, potentially putting the child at risk and violating child rights. Bangladeshi print media seldom discusses individual or societal consequences of CM, or how it could be prevented.
M Atiqul Haque, Staffan Janson, Syed Moniruzzaman et al.
The increasing use of social networking sites has increased the efficiency of social interactions but inevitably contributed to the risk of cyberbullying. Despite evidence of the effectiveness of offline intervention programs for cyberbullying, few have examined online interventions, especially in the Chinese context. This study aims to develop and validate an innovative Game-based Intervention for School- and Cyberbullying for Children (GISCC), which combines training on psychosocial and behavioral components with interactive role-play games. A randomized trial method was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the GISCC intervention, comprising 105 Chinese adolescents who were randomly assigned to the experimental ( n = 55) and control ( n = 50) groups. Independent sample t -test, paired-samples t-test, ANCOVA, and MANCOVA were used to test the differences in the trained components before and after the intervention. The results showed that the GISCC intervention significantly reduced cyberbullying behaviors (F = 37.50, p < 0.001), violence intentions (F = 4.95, p < 0.05), and mental health problems (F = 60.28, p < 0.001); and increased self-efficacy (F = 18.26, p < 0.001), and conflict resolution skills (F = 36.46, p < 0.001). Our study provided empirical evidence in the Chinese context for digital health intervention approaches for cyberbullying prevention. We also identified the essential components (empathy, self-efficacy, violence prevention, conflict resolution with families) for future research on developing effective digital intervention tools to reduce cyberbullying. • The study validated a Game-based Intervention for School- and Cyberbullying for Children (GISCC). • GISCC program significantly reduced cyberbullying behaviors and violence intentions. • Intervention components include increased self-efficacy, empathy, and conflict resolution skills. • This is among first to develop a digital program to reduce cyberbullying among Chinese adolescents. • GISCC provides insights into a digital health intervention for cyberbullying.
BACKGROUND: Unaccompanied refugee children are one of the most vulnerable categories within the refugee population. They face inexhaustible risks from the start of their journey until its conclusion; being exposed to various forms of violence, assault, and exploitation during the transit phase. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to discern the challenges faced by unaccompanied refugee children in Jordan, as perceived by social workers. Additionally, to uncover the role of the social work profession in helping these children in confronting and alleviating these challenges. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Ten social workers working with unaccompanied refugee children in the International Medical Corps in Jordan were selected to take part in the study. METHODS: The study adopted a qualitative research approach to achieve its aims. Semi-structured interviews served as the primary method for data collection. Data analysis used inductive thematic analysis, and ethical considerations were consistently observed throughout the study process. RESULTS: The study revealed significant social challenges, including strained alternative familial relationships and difficulties in social integration. Psychological struggles were clear in enduring loss, separation, and suicidal thoughts. Economic hardships manifested in meeting basic needs and child labor. School dropouts appeared as a prominent educational issue. Social workers are primarily engaged in case management, providing psychosocial support, and easing referrals. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse living conditions profoundly affect children, affecting their psychological, physical, and social development. This leads to the emergence of deep psychological traits such as sadness, hostility, anxiety, and behavioral disintegration. Consequently, many children experience social disconnection and struggle to adapt to their environment effectively.
Sara Taha, Manal Fathi Anabtawi, Tamara Al Wreidat
OBJECTIVE: Harsh parenting has been shown to be associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents. Based on the integrated theoretical model of the development of NSSI and the cognitive-emotional model of NSSI, we proposed a moderated mediation model to investigate "how" and "when" harsh parenting is associated with adolescent NSSI. Specifically, we tested whether feelings of alienation mediated the association between harsh parenting and NSSI, and whether this indirect effect was weakened by cognitive reappraisal as an adaptive emotion regulation strategy. METHODS: A total of 1638 Chinese adolescents (54.7 % girls; ages 12-19 years) completed self-report questionnaires in their classrooms. The questionnaires assessed harsh parenting, feelings of alienation, cognitive reappraisal skills, and incidents of NSSI. RESULTS: Path analyses showed that harsh parenting positively predicted NSSI, and alienation mediated this association. Both the direct effect of harsh parenting on NSSI and the indirect effect through alienation were moderated by cognitive reappraisal. Specifically, cognitive reappraisal skills weakened the direct and indirect associations between harsh parenting and NSSI. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents may benefit from interventions that decrease feelings of alienation and increase cognitive reappraisal strategies to reduce the risk of NSSI in the context of harsh parenting.
It is essential to examine child sexual abuse (CSA) and depression from a developmental perspective. Two meta‐analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between CSA and depression pertaining to the age at onset. English and Chinese databases were searched for articles on the association between CSA and depression that were published before December 2016. Random effect models were used in the meta‐analyses (35 studies with 37 effect sizes altogether). The result of the first analysis showed that CSA experiences were related to an earlier onset of depression among adult patients with depression with a moderate effect size. This relationship was found to be robust as it was not influenced by any of the moderators except for gender composition of the sample, and no publication bias was detected. The second analysis showed that CSA at a younger age was significantly related to a higher risk for depression in studies with female, adult or clinical/community samples, or where CSA onset was measured as a continuous age variable. The mixed findings between the age at CSA onset and depression caution against the use of a simple linear model. ‘Two meta‐analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between CSA and depression pertaining to the age at onset’ Key Practitioner Messages Screening for child maltreatment experiences should be done routinely for the treatment of depression. Preventive treatment is recommended for young CSA victims even if they do not present with depressive symptoms. Clinicians who work with sexually abused children should consider abuse‐specific treatment to reduce the negative effect of earlier depression onset.
BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the lives of children and parents, raising concerns about child maltreatment. OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence of abusive parenting behavior during the pandemic of the COVID-19 and its relations with physical, psychological, and social factors and positive parenting behavior. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: An online survey was performed during the COVID-19 state of emergency in Japan. Participants were 5344 parents of children aged 0-17 years. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online survey using multiple platforms, including websites of child-related organizations and social networking services (SNS). Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with abusive behavior. RESULTS: One-fifth of parents reported abusive behaviors, whereas over 80% of parents reported positive parenting behaviors (e.g., empathizing with a child). Abusive parenting behaviors were associated with longer screen time (6+ hours per day: OR, 1.44; 95%CI, 1.05-1.98), poor maternal mental health (K6 = 13+: OR, 2.23; 95%CI, 1.71-2.89), and the occurrence of domestic violence (OR, 4.54; 95%CI, 3.47-5.95). Positive parenting behaviors, especially showing empathy, were associated with lower risks of abusive behaviors (OR, 0.51: 95%CI, 0.39-0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Positive parenting behavior is essential to the prevention of child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yui Yamaoka, Mariko Hosozawa, Makiko Sampei et al.
BACKGROUND: The impact of armed conflict and displacement on children's mental health is strongly mediated by compromised parenting stemming from persistently high caregiver stress. Parenting interventions for refugees emphasize the acquisition of parenting knowledge and skills, while overlooking the deleterious effects of chronic stress on parenting. War Child Holland's Caregiver Support Intervention (CSI) aims to strengthen parenting by lowering stress and improving psychosocial wellbeing among refugee parents, while also increasing knowledge and skill related to positive parenting. The CSI is a nine-session group intervention delivered by non-specialist providers. OBJECTIVE: We describe the findings of a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial of the CSI with Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The primary aim was to test the feasibility of our study methodology prior to conducting a definitive RCT. METHODS: We recruited 78 families (151 parents), who were randomized to the CSI or a waitlist control group. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: Randomization was successful, retention was high (99 %), as was intervention completion (95 % among women, 86 % among men). Implementation fidelity was excellent. Blinding was largely, though not completely effective. The CSI group showed significantly increased parental warmth and responsiveness, decreased harsh parenting, lowered stress and distress, improved psychosocial wellbeing, and improved stress management. CSI parents reported increased child psychosocial wellbeing. Control families showed no significant change on any variable. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the feasibility of our methodology for a definitive RCT, and suggest that the CSI shows promise as a scalable approach to strengthening parenting in refugee communities. Trial registration # ISRCTN33665023.
Kenneth E. Miller, Gabriela V. Koppenol‐Gonzalez, Maguy Arnous et al.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Disclosure of CSA is key to victims having access to support and protection, but the current understanding of what factors play a key role is still limited. The present review aims to understand a range of socio-ecological factors that can either facilitate or obstruct the disclosure of CSA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Through a systematic review of 27 quantitative studies published from 2000 to 2022, the current review identified 17 significant predictors of CSA disclosure. Facilitators of disclosure included older age, being female, higher IQ, recent abuse, resistance during abuse, clergy perpetrator, non-offending caregiver support, and acculturation. Barriers to disclosure included intellectual disability, avoidant coping, romantic relationships with the perpetrator, family criminality, domestic violence, adherence to traditional Asian values, and ethnic minority identity. The findings also suggested that the relationship between predictors and disclosure tends to be mixed, contradictory, or indirect/interactional, emphasizing the importance of situating the findings in specific social-ecological contexts. CONCLUSIONS: The findings can inform future research and practice by providing a comprehensive understanding of the predictors of CSA disclosure and highlighting the importance of considering the socio-ecological context when interpreting findings. Moreover, the review provides a valuable resource for professionals who work with victims of CSA, helping them better identify factors that may facilitate or hinder disclosure and allowing for tailored interventions.
Mahirah Abdul Latiff, Lue Fang, Deborah Amanda Goh et al.
BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with deleterious consequences throughout the lifespan of the individual, including an increased risk of mental disorders. However, an in-depth understanding of ACEs in diverse populations is still lacking especially in Asian populations, with few studies done at a population level. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to establish the (i) prevalence of ACEs and its socio-demographic correlates, and, (ii) association of ACEs with mental disorders and suicidality in a multiethnic Asian country. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Singapore residents aged 18 years and older were recruited from the community as part of a nation-wide cross-sectional epidemiological study. METHODS: Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with participants, and administered the Adverse Childhood Experiences - International Questionnaire and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: A total of 6126 participants completed the survey. The lifetime prevalence of ACEs in the sample was 63.9 %. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that odds of any ACE were higher among those above 65 years (OR = 1.7) and those without university education (OR = 2.2, 1.9, and 1.5 among those with primary and below, secondary and vocational education respectively). The presence of any ACE was significantly associated with increased odds of mood (OR = 3.7, 95 % CI: 2.3-6.0), anxiety (OR = 3.9, 95 % CI: 2.3-6.8) and alcohol use (OR = 1.7, 95 % CI: 1.1-3.0) disorders. CONCLUSIONS: ACEs are not uncommon in Asian populations. There is a need to build trauma-informed communities that can incorporate the knowledge of the impact of early trauma into policies and programs.
Mythily Subramaniam, Edimansyah Abdin, Esmond Seow et al.
