scholarly journals Role of Emotion in Child Maltreatment Risk during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Rodriguez ◽  
Shawna J. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Racially Diverse ◽  
Children's Behavior ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Child Maltreatment Risk ◽  
Path Models ◽  
Preliminary Research

Purpose: Preliminary research early in the COVID-19 pandemic suggested children appeared to be at increased risk for child maltreatment, particularly as parents struggled with mental health and economic strains. To identify the potential affective elements that may contribute to such increased maltreatment risk, the current study focused on whether maternal worry about children’s behavior specifically and maternal anger were related to increased risk for neglect or physical or psychological aggression six months into the pandemic. Method: The racially diverse sample included 193 mothers who completed an online survey during late September-early October 2020. Results: Mothers’ reported increases in neglect and physical and psychological aggression during the pandemic were significantly related with established measures of maltreatment risk. Furthermore, path models indicated that maternal anger and worry about children’s behavior, as well as their interaction, were significantly related to indicators of physical aggression risk and neglect during the pandemic, but only maternal anger related to increased psychological aggression during the pandemic. Conclusions: Maternal worry and anger about children’s behavior may be exacerbating risk for maltreatment under the stressful conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest affective reactions of both parental worry and anger focused on child behavior warrants greater empirical attention and consideration in intervention efforts.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Stress and Addictive Social Media Use (SMU): Mediating Role of Active Use and Social Media Flow

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Zhao ◽  
Guangyu Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Report Data

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to enhance the risk of addictive social media use (SMU) as people spend more time online maintaining connectivity when face-to-face communication is limited. Stress is assumed to be a critical predictor of addictive SMU. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between stress and addictive SMU in crises like the current COVID-19 situation remain unclear. The present study aimed to understand the relationship between COVID-19 stress and addictive SMU by examining the mediating role of active use and social media flow (i.e., an intensive, enjoyable experience generated by SMU that perpetuates media use behaviors). A sample of 512 Chinese college students (Mage = 22.12 years, SD = 2.47; 62.5% women) provided self-report data on COVID-19 stress and SMU variables (i.e., time, active use, flow, addictive behavior) via an online survey from March 24 to April 1, 2020. The results showed that COVID-19 stress was positively associated with tendencies toward addictive SMU. Path analyses revealed that this relationship was significantly serially mediated by active use and social media flow, with SMU time being controlled. Our findings suggest that individuals who experience more COVID-19 stress are at increased risk of addictive SMU that may be fostered by active use and flow experience. Specific attention should be paid to these high-risk populations and future interventions to reduce addictive SMU could consider targeting factors of both active use and social media flow.

The Geography of Child Maltreatment: A Spatiotemporal Analysis Using Bayesian Hierarchical Analysis With Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gia Elise Barboza
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Child Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Social Vulnerability Index ◽  
Bayesian Hierarchical ◽  
Census Tracts ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

This study quantifies the spatiotemporal risk of child abuse and neglect in Los Angeles at the census tract level over a recent 4-year period, identifies areas of increased risk, and evaluates the role of structural disadvantage in substantiated child maltreatment referrals. Child maltreatment data on 83,379 child maltreatment cases in 1,678 census tracts spanning 2006-2009 were obtained from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Substantiated referral counts were analyzed across census tracts with Bayesian hierarchical spatial models using integrated nested Laplace approximations. Results showed that the unadjusted yearly rate of child abuse and neglect held fairly steady over the study period decreasing by only 2.57%. However, the temporal term in the spatiotemporal model reflected a downward trend beginning in 2007. High rates of abuse and neglect were predicted by several neighborhood-level measures of structural burden. Every 1-unit decrease in the social vulnerability index reduced the risk of child abuse and neglect by 98.3% (95% CrI = 1.869-2.1042) while every 1-unit increase in the Black–White dissimilarity index decreased child abuse and neglect risk by 70.6%. The interaction of these variables demonstrated the protective effect of racial heterogeneity in socially vulnerable neighborhoods. No such effect was found in neighborhoods characterized by low levels of vulnerability. Population-based child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention efforts should be aided by the characteristics of neighborhoods that demonstrate strong spatial patterns even after accounting for the role of race and place.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Child Maltreatment: Income Instability and Parenting Issues

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1501
Author(s):  
Janet Yuen-Ha Wong ◽  
Abraham Ka-Chung Wai ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Jung Jae Lee ◽  
Matthew Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Job Loss ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Random List ◽  
Income Instability

Introduction: Children are widely recognized as a vulnerable population during disasters and emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic, like a natural disaster, brought uncertainties and instability to the economic development of the society and social distancing, which might lead to child maltreatment. This study aims to investigate whether job loss, income reduction and parenting affect child maltreatment. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 600 randomly sampled parents aged 18 years or older who had and lived with a child under 10 years old in Hong Kong between 29 May to 16 June 2020. Participants were recruited from a random list of mobile phone numbers of a panel of parents. Of 779 recruited target parents, 600 parents completed the survey successfully via a web-based system after obtaining their online consent for participating in the survey. Results: Income reduction was found significantly associated with severe (OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.06, 10.25) and very severe physical assaults (OR = 7.69, 95% CI = 2.24, 26.41) towards children. Job loss or large income reduction were also significantly associated with severe (OR= 3.68, 95% CI = 1.33, 10.19) and very severe physical assaults (OR = 4.05, 95% CI = 1.17, 14.08) towards children. However, income reduction (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.53) and job loss (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.76) were significantly associated with less psychological aggression. Exposure to intimate partner violence between parents is a very strong and significant factor associated with all types of child maltreatment. Having higher levels of difficulty in discussing COVID-19 with children was significantly associated with more corporal punishment (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.34), whereas having higher level of confidence in managing preventive COVID-19 behaviors with children was negatively associated with corporal punishment (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.76, 0.99) and very severe physical assaults (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58, 0.93). Conclusions: Income instability such as income reduction and job loss amplified the risk of severe and very severe child physical assaults but protected children from psychological aggression. Also, confidence in teaching COVID-19 and managing preventive COVID-19 behaviors with children was significantly negatively associated with corporal punishment during pandemic.

scholarly journals P026 Sleep during the transition to shift work: Preliminary findings of a longitudinal field study of commencing paramedics

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A30-A30
Author(s):  
M Crowther ◽  
S Ferguson ◽  
R Adams ◽  
A Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Time Point

Abstract Paramedics are at increased risk of occupational injuries, mental illness and poor health outcomes. Little is known however about the role of poor sleep in such outcomes and the way in which sleep may change as an individual commences work as a paramedic. The aim of the present study is to investigate changes in sleep as paramedics commence work. As part of an ongoing, longitudinal study of Australian paramedics, participants undertake a baseline assessment prior to commencing work and a follow up every three months for a year. At each time point paramedics wear an actigraph (GENEActiv) for seven days, and complete an online survey including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The present preliminary analysis utilised linear mixed models to test the effect of commencing work as a paramedic on participants’ sleep quality. Preliminary results from the first cohort of recruits are reported (n=9 commencing paramedics, mean age (+SD) = 25.2±4.4, 56% female). There was a significant increase in PSQI scores from baseline (T0: 2.4±1.4) to three months (T1: 5.2±3.9) (F(1, 8) = 5.47, p = 0.05). The percentage of individuals with clinically poor sleep (PSQI ≥5) increased from 0% (n=0) at T0 to 56% (n=5) at T1. Commencing paramedics report significantly poorer sleep quality compared to their pre-commencement levels. Interestingly, baseline PSQI scores indicate no participants were experiencing clinically defined poor sleep. However, at follow-up over half the sample reported clinically defined poor sleep. Findings of objective sleep and wake outcomes are anticipated for the meeting in October.

scholarly journals Child Maltreatment and Victimization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Scheuplein ◽  
Samantha Vermeulen ◽  
Anne-Laura Van Harmelen ◽  
Lenneke Alink
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Preventive Interventions ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Family

It is estimated that up to 25% of all children growing up worldwide experience child maltreatment, making it a global emergency with substantial individual and public health consequences. This chapter addresses one of the most societally pervasive consequences of child maltreatment which is known as the “cycle of victimization”. This concept depicts the increased risk of maltreated individuals to victimize others later in life, both within and outside the family environment. To understand the architecture of this victimization cycle, the chapter further sheds light on neurocognitive mechanisms aiding different forms of victimization and the buffering role of social support that could help break the cycle of victimization. Advancing our understanding of these complex and interrelated mechanisms will ultimately facilitate the design and implementation of more targeted early treatments and (preventive) interventions and support a move towards a safer society.

Child Maltreatment and Polyvictimization as Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in Women From the General Population of Quebec

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1305-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Brassard ◽  
Marc Tourigny ◽  
Caroline Dugal ◽  
Yvan Lussier ◽  
Stéphane Sabourin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
General Population ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Increased Risk

This study aimed to (a) evaluate the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and revictimization among a representative sample of 1,001 women living in Quebec, Canada; (b) examine whether IPV was predicted by experiences of child maltreatment; and (c) explore the role of polyvictimization on IPV beyond the effect of any type of exposure. Results indicate the prevalence rates of lifetime IPV (10.5%), IPV over the last year (2.5%), and revictimization (7.2%). All forms of child maltreatment predicted an increased risk of IPV victimization, yet polyvictimization was related to IPV beyond the effects of specific forms of child maltreatment.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and related isolation measures on violence against children in Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seham Ahmed AboKresha ◽  
Elsayed Abdelkreem ◽  
Rasha Abd Elhameed Ali
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Physical Punishment ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Violence Against Children ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related isolation measures have substantial adverse economic, social, and psychological consequences and expose children to increased risk of violence. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence against children in Egypt. Methods An online survey, in Arabic, was disseminated during the period from 9 to 13 April 2020, to parents of children who were up to 18 years old residing in Egypt, selected using a snowball sampling technique, during the period from 25 March to 8 April during the implementation of the nationwide compulsory isolation measures against COVID-19 (25 March to 8 April 2020). The survey covered three areas: socio-demographic data, psychological impact measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and violence against children during the past 2 weeks measured using a modified parent-report of a child abuse screening tool (ICAST-P) developed by the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. Results Out of 1118 completed survey responses, 90.5% of children were subjected to violent discipline, 88.7% experienced psychological aggression, and 43.2% encountered severe physical punishment. Approximately 60% of respondents reported a moderate-to-severe psychological impact (IES-R scores ≥ 33), which was associated with a higher rate of violent discipline (OR: 9.3; 95% CI: 5.37–16.027; p < 0.001). Conclusions This is the first study in Egypt to provide evidence on the association of COVID-19 pandemic, its psychological impact, and increased rates of violence against children. Effective multilevel strategies are urgently required to protect children from violence and its catastrophic consequences during the continually evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

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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