Are Australian speech-language therapists working in the literacy domain with children and adolescents? If not, why not?

2020 ◽  
pp. 026565902096771
Author(s):  
Tanya Serry ◽  
Penny Levickis
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Teacher Knowledge ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Speech Pathology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Preservice Training ◽  
Readiness To Learn ◽  
Collaborative Activities

A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 219 speech-language therapists (SLTs) to explore their views and practices when working with children and adolescents who have literacy difficulties. They were recruited via 11 workshops hosted by Speech Pathology Australia, held across Australia and completed the survey prior to attending their respective workshop. Participants reported overwhelming support for SLTs to work with students struggling to learn literacy and supported not only a role for SLTs to work with children in the preschool years to promote readiness to learn to read at school, but also a role for services to students beyond the early years of school. While SLTs valued specific clinical and collaborative activities, a significant gap was found between their perceived feasibility of those activities and their perceived value. Results show SLTs are less confident providing written support to students than they are in providing phonological awareness and vocabulary interventions. While SLTs clearly value their role in the literacy domain, this study highlights evident gaps in preservice training in this area, as well as a need for improved SLT and teacher knowledge exchange, and collaboration in supporting children and adolescents with literacy difficulties.

scholarly journals Depressive Risk among Italian Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Children and Adolescents during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Serra ◽  
Anna Presicci ◽  
Luigi Quaranta ◽  
Maria Rosaria Erminia Urbano ◽  
Lucia Marzulli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disadvantaged Children ◽  
Parent Version

Abstract Background Children and adolescents and low-income individuals are considered particularly vulnerable for mental health implications during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Depression is one of the most frequent negative emotional responses during an epidemic outbreak, mainly due to the imposed restriction of social contacts. We aimed to assess depressive symptomatology in a sample of Italian low-income minors and to determine if pandemic-related stressors and pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnoses would behave as risk factors for depressive symptoms. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study during July 2020, at the end of the Italian first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited 109 Italian socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, from 7 to 17 years. We used an online survey to collect socio-demographic and clinical data and information about pandemic-related stressors, and to assess depressive symptoms with the Children’s Depression Inventory 2 (CDI 2), Parent Version (Emotional Problems subscale) and Self-Report Short Form. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the association between depressive symptoms and potential risk factors for mental health. Results 22% and 14% of participants showed depressive symptoms at the CDI 2 Parent Version and Self-Report, respectively. Participants coming from families experiencing a lack of basic supplies during the pandemic (34.9%) were more expected to show depressive symptoms at CDI 2 Parent Version. Participants with a pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnosis (26.6%) were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms measured by CDI 2 Parent Version. Conclusions The results of our study may be representative of a particular group of frail subjects, the socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, who were more vulnerable to depressive symptoms if they suffered from a paucity of essential supplies during the pandemic or had pre-existing neurodevelopmental disorders. The promotion of educational and child-care programs and activities could be crucial in sustaining the prevention of mental distress in those frail subjects who particularly need support outside the family.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Behavior of Families in Italy: A Focus on Children and Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Uccella ◽  
Elisa De Grandis ◽  
Fabrizio De Carli ◽  
Maria D'Apruzzo ◽  
Laura Siri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Sleep Difficulties ◽  
Risk Categories

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed individuals' lifestyles to a great extent, particularly in Italy. Although many concerns about it have been highlighted, its impact on children and adolescents has scarcely been examined. The purpose of this study was to explore behavioral consequences and coping strategies related to the pandemic among families in Italy, by focusing on developmental ages from the caregivers' perspective, 3 weeks into quarantine. An exploratory cross-sectional online survey was conducted over 14 days. Google Forms was employed to conduct the survey. Demographic variables and pre-existing Psychological Weaknesses (PsW) were asked. Adults' sleep difficulties (SleepScore) and coping strategies during quarantine were assessed. Behavioral changes related to quarantine of both subjects completing the form (COVIDStress) and their children (when present) were questioned. Of the 6,871 respondents, we selected 6,800 valid questionnaires; 3,245 declared children aged under 18 years of age (caregivers). PsWs were recognizable in 64.9% among non-caregivers and in 61.5% of caregivers, with a mean PsW score of 1.42 ± 1.26 and 1.30 ± 1.25 over 3 points, respectively. The 95.5% of the non-caregivers and the 96.5% of caregivers presented behavioral changes with a mean COVIDStress of 3.85 ± 1.82 and 4.09 ± 1.79 over 8, respectively (p<0.001). Sleep difficulties were present in the 61.6% of the non-caregivers and in the 64.4% of the caregivers (p < 0.001), who showed higher SleepScores (2.41 ± 1.26 against 2.57 ± 1.38 points over 6, p < 0.001). COVIDStress (and SleepScore) strongly correlated with PsW (p < 0.001). Caregivers observed behavioral changes in their children in the 64.3% of the <6 years old and in 72.5% of 6–18 years old. Caregivers' discomfort related to quarantine (COVIDStress, SleepScore) was strongly associated to behavioral changes in both age groups of <6 and 6–18 (p < 0.001). Presence of caregivers' coping strategies was less associated to behavioral changes in the <6 sample (p = 0.001) but not in the 6–18 (p = 0.06). The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted families in Italy with regard to behavioral changes, especially in high-risk categories with PsWs and caregivers, especially the ones with children aged <6 years. While coping strategies functioned as protective factors, a wide array of stress symptoms had implications for children's and adolescents' behaviors. It is recommended that public children welfare strategies be implemented, especially for higher-psychosocial-risk categories.

scholarly journals Feeding Behaviour and Lifestyle of Children and Adolescents One Year after Lockdown by the COVID-19 Pandemic in Chile

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4138
Author(s):  
Edson Bustos-Arriagada ◽  
Sergio Fuentealba-Urra ◽  
Karina Etchegaray-Armijo ◽  
Nicolás Quintana-Aguirre ◽  
Oscar Castillo-Valenzuela
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
School Children ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
One Year ◽  
Feeding Behaviours

Lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced feeding behaviour and lifestyle in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to analyse feeding behaviour and lifestyle in children and adolescents one year after lockdown by the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. In this cross-sectional study an online survey was implemented in 1083 parents and caregivers regarding their children’s feeding behaviour and lifestyle and sociodemographic background. The results showed that “eat breakfast daily” (89.2%), “not overnight food intake” (69.9%) and “not fast-food intake” (66.0%) were the most frequent reported feeding behaviours, particularly in pre-school children. Respondents declaring healthy feeding behaviours and lifestyle were 23.4 and 23.7%, respectively, with no significant differences by sex. In pre-school children, families with three or fewer members and parents or caregivers with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree reported a significantly better feeding behaviour and lifestyle compared to families with more than three members and parents or caregivers without an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. In conclusion, the pandemic lockdown had a negative impact in lifestyle in children and particularly in adolescents. Healthier feeding behaviour was associated with fewer family members and parents or caregivers with at least an undergraduate degree.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Anxiety-Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muna Al Shekaili ◽  
Salim Al Huseini ◽  
Yahya Al-Kalbani ◽  
Hassan Mirza ◽  
Moon Fai Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Child Anxiety ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Grade Levels

Abstract BACKGROUND: Reports from different parts of the world suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown and social distancing measures have heralded unprecedented mental health challenges among children and adolescents. To date, there is a dearth of studies emerging from the Arabian Gulf, where the majority of its population are children and adolescents. The study aims to examine the prevalence of anxiety-related disorders and their covariates among children and adolescents in an Arabian Gulf country, Oman. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analytic study carried out over two weeks (1st to 15th of August 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic across Oman. Parents were asked to complete the online survey, which consisted of the parent version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED-41) scale and questions regarding basic socio-demographic information. Logistic regression was used to identify the contributing variables associated with anxiety-related disorders. RESULTS: A total of 790 children, 33.3% (n=263) fulfilled the criteria for anxiety-related disorders. Logistic regression analysis suggested that anxiety-related disorders in children were significantly associated with three demographic variables. The model shows that children with divorced or separated parents were 1.9 times more likely to have anxiety-related disorders than children of married couples (OR=1.93, p=0.035). Children living in families with an income below USD 1,000/month, were 1.8 times more likely to have anxiety-related disorders than a family with an income of USD 4,000/month (OR=1.833, p=0.018). Children in grades 3-6 were 1.8 times more likely to have anxiety-related disorders than those in grades 1-2 (OR=1.79, p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety-related disorders are common among Arabic-speaking Omani children and adolescents. They are more likely to be reported in middle scholastic grade levels and children from families with marital discord and low socioeconomic status. It is not clear whether the presently observed rates of anxiety exceed the prevalence that would have been observed pre-COVID-19 era. More studies are therefore warranted using children and adolescents' self-reported scales.

scholarly journals How Did the COVID-19 Lockdown Affect Children and Adolescent's Well-Being: Spanish Parents, Children, and Adolescents Respond

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Ajanovic ◽  
Jon Garrido-Aguirre ◽  
Bàrbara Baro ◽  
Núria Balanza ◽  
Rosauro Varo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Application Programming Interface ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emerging Infections ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sleeping Problems

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown strategies have been widely used to contain SARS-CoV-2 virus spread. Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to suffering psychological effects as result of such measures. In Spain, children were enforced to a strict home lockdown for 42 days during the first wave. Here, we studied the effects of lockdown in children and adolescents through an online questionnaire.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Spain using an open online survey from July (after the lockdown resulting from the first pandemic wave) to November 2020 (second wave). We included families with children under 16 years-old living in Spain. Parents answered a survey regarding the lockdown effects on their children and were instructed to invite their children from 7 to 16 years-old (mandatory scholar age in Spain) to respond a specific set of questions. Answers were collected through an application programming interface system, and data analysis was performed using R.Results: We included 1,957 families who completed the questionnaires, covering a total of 3,347 children. The specific children's questionnaire was completed by 167 kids (7–11 years-old), and 100 adolescents (12–16 years-old). Children, in general, showed high resilience and capability to adapt to new situations. Sleeping problems were reported in more than half of the children (54%) and adolescents (59%), and these were strongly associated with less time doing sports and spending more than 5 h per day using electronic devices. Parents perceived their children to gain weight (41%), be more irritable and anxious (63%) and sadder (46%). Parents and children differed significantly when evaluating children's sleeping disturbances.Conclusions: Enforced lockdown measures and isolation can have a negative impact on children and adolescent's mental health and well-being. In future waves of the current pandemic, or in the light of potential epidemics of new emerging infections, lockdown measures targeting children, and adolescents should be reconsidered taking into account their infectiousness potential and their age-specific needs, especially to facilitate physical activity and to limit time spent on electronic devices.

scholarly journals Knowledge exchange in the UK CLAHRCs

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girts Racko
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Social Position ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
High Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement ◽  
Knowledge Brokers ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how knowledge exchange between academics and clinicians in Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs) is influenced by their social position based on their symbolic and social capitals, that is, their personal professional status and connections to high-status professional peers, knowledge brokers, and unfamiliar professional peers. Design/methodology/approach Using an online survey, the author triangulates the cross-sectional measurement of the effects of academic and clinicians’ social position in the initial and later phases of CLAHRCs with the longitudinal measurement of these effects over a two-year period. Findings First, academics and clinicians with a higher personal professional status are more likely to develop joint networks and decision making both in the early and later phases of a CLAHRC. Second, academics and clinicians who are more connected to higher status occupational peers are more likely to develop joint networks in the early phase of a knowledge exchange partnership but are less likely to become engaged in joint networks over time. Third, involvement of knowledge brokers in the networks of academics and clinicians is likely to facilitate their inter-professional networking only in the later partnership phase. Practical implications Academics and clinicians’ capitals have a distinctive influence on knowledge exchange in the early and later phases of CLAHRCs and on a change in knowledge exchange over a two-year period. Originality/value Prior research on CLAHRCs has examined how knowledge exchange between academics and clinicians can be encouraged by the creation of shared governance mechanisms. The author advances this research by highlighting the role of their social position in facilitating knowledge exchange.

scholarly journals Family engagement amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 3805
Author(s):  
Mohsina Hussain ◽  
Komal A. Rahim ◽  
Fatima Shafiq ◽  
Anita Allana ◽  
Shelina Bhamani
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Family Engagement ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Basic Unit ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Media Advocacy ◽  
The Social ◽  
Continued Learning

Background: Family engagement in the early years of a child’s life is one of the most powerful predictors of a child’s development. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, family engagement has been affected in numerous ways. Thus, this study aims to identify the perception of parents on the change in dynamics of family engagement between parents and their children during the pandemic in Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was followed using an online survey. The survey was administered to parents to assess their perception related to the effect of COVID-19 on family engagement as a whole.Results: The 90 parents participated in this online survey majority of whom had children aged 9 years and above (n=30). Most of the parents talked to their children daily, had one mealtime together, watched Television, and spent time with each other daily. There were some statements over which the parents marked ‘frequently’ and ‘hardly ever’ such as doing exercise, reading to the child, and supervising screen time. Results of the study show that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected interactions between parents and their children.Conclusions: Family is the basic unit of society. It plays a significant role in establishing life-long positive relationships. Family is a child’s first exposure to a nurturing environment and impactful engagements which helps in growth and mental development. COVID-19 has posed an overwhelming burden and affected the social interactions of parents with children. Social media advocacy and schools have supported in providing resources for continued learning with the participation of other members of the family. 

scholarly journals Influence of the COVID-19 epidemic on prevention and vaccination behaviors among Chinese children and adolescents: results from an online survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyuan Hou ◽  
Suhang Song ◽  
Fanxing Du ◽  
Lu Shi ◽  
Donglan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Lower Education ◽  
Quota Sampling ◽  
Chinese Children And Adolescents

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 epidemic and containment strategies may affect personal behaviors. OBJECTIVE To assess the change in children and adolescents’ prevention and vaccination behaviors amid China’s COVID-19 epidemic. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in mid-March 2020 using proportional quota sampling in Wuhan (the epicenter) and Shanghai (a non-epicenter). Data were collected from 1,655 parents with children aged 3-17 years. Children and adolescents’ prevention and vaccination behaviors before and during the epidemic were assessed. RESULTS Parent-reported prevention behaviors increased among the children and adolescents, with 82.2% always wearing masks when going out and having increased the frequency and duration of handwashing and only 46.9% of children and adolescents going out during the COVID-19 epidemic. Meanwhile, 56.1% of the families took unproven measures against COVID-19. Parent-reported vaccination behaviors showed mixed results, with 74.8% delaying scheduled vaccines and 80.9% planning to have their children get the influenza vaccine after the epidemic. By socioeconomic status, those children and adolescents from larger families and whose parents having lower education levels were less likely to improve prevention behaviors but more likely to take unproven measures. Girls were less likely to always wear a mask when going out and wash hands than boys. CONCLUSIONS Prevention behaviors and attitudes toward influenza vaccine have been improved during the COVID-19 epidemic. Public health prevention measures should be continuously promoted, particularly among girls and the lower educated and larger families. Meanwhile, misinformation about COVID-19 remains a serious challenge and needs to be addressed by public health stakeholders.

scholarly journals Food intake in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study from 2009/2010 to 2015/2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria N. Tell ◽  
Katarina Hedin ◽  
Mats Nilsson ◽  
Marie Golsäter ◽  
Hans Lingfors
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
School Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The aim was to describe food intake over time in children and adolescents, with respect to age and gender. The present study was a repeated cross-sectional study using self-reported data from a health questionnaire. Data were collected from the School Health Services in south-east Sweden from 44 297 students, 10, 13–14 and 16 years of age, 48 % girls and 52 % boys from 2009/2010 to 2015/2016. Reported intakes for eight foods were analysed in relation to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations. Seventeen per cent of the students reported an intake in line with the recommendations for at least six of the eight foods fish, vegetables, fruit, mealtime beverages, juice/chocolate drinks, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets/snacks and pastries. Intake of at least two fruits a day was the recommendation that was followed by the lowest proportion of students (30 %), and this result was stable over the study period. There was a gradual increase over time in the proportion of students who reported an intake in line with the recommendations. Younger students compared to older students, as well as girls compared to boys, reported intakes in line with the recommendations to a statistically significant larger extent. Few students reported intakes in line with the recommendations, although the quality of food intake seems to improve over time. The present results indicate a deterioration in reported food intake in the early years of adolescence. Finding methods to support all children and especially older adolescents to eat healthier, including eating more fruit, is of great importance to public health.

Testing the Strain Theory of Suicide – The Moderating Role of Social Support

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Lew ◽  
Ksenia Chistopolskaya ◽  
Yanzheng Liu ◽  
Mansor Abu Talib ◽  
Olga Mitina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Strains ◽  
Moderating Role

Abstract. Background: According to the strain theory of suicide, strains, resulting from conflicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, are hypothesized to precede suicide. But social support is an important factor that can mitigate strains and lessen their input in suicidal behavior. Aims: This study was designed to assess the moderating role of social support in the relation between strain and suicidality. Methods: A sample of 1,051 employees were recruited in Beijing, the capital of China, through an online survey. Moderation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and strains were assessed with the Psychological Strains Scale. Results: Psychological strains are a good predictor of suicidality, and social support, a basic need for each human being, moderates and decreases the effects of psychological strains on suicidality. Limitations: The cross-sectional survey limited the extent to which conclusions about causal relationships can be drawn. Furthermore, the results may not be generalized to the whole of China because of its diversity. Conclusion: Social support has a tendency to mitigate the effects of psychological strains on suicidality.

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