The experimentation of the affects from the storytelling meetings for institutionalized children: report

This study aims to understand the experimentation of affects provided by storytelling meetings for institutionalized children at the Center for Attention to Children and Adolescents-CCA of Cajazeiras - PB. It is in this perspective that we seek, as a researcher, to understand how they experience their childhoods. “Storytelling is an art because it brings meanings when proposing a dialogue between the different dimensions of being” (Busatto, 2003, p. 10). To guide this study, the following question was asked: What affections were experienced by institutionalized children with storytelling? Eminently spinosan concept, affections are the expression of the relationship of each man with others and with the environment. Affection is, therefore, an important mediation capable of revealing much about the constitution of the human. Thus, the study adopts qualitative research - descriptive analytics, with active participant observation by the researcher with the researched subjects.

Growth in Self-Regulation Over the Course of Adolescence Mediates the Effects of Foster Care on Psychopathology in Previously Institutionalized Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Children reared in institutions experience severe psychosocial deprivation, resulting in lasting consequences for social and emotional development. This study evaluated growth trajectories of self-regulation from ages 8 to 16 among previously institutionalized children randomized to foster care (foster-care group; FCG) or to remain in institutional care (care-as-usual group; CAUG) compared with a never-institutionalized group (NIG). We then tested a developmental pathway by which growth in self-regulation reduces general psychopathology at age 16 for the FCG relative to the CAUG. The FCG experienced modest growth in self-regulation over adolescence and “caught up” to the NIG by age 16. The beneficial effect of foster care on psychopathology operated through growth in self-regulation; part of this effect was further mediated by reduced peer difficulties for the FCG. Findings reveal that the effects of foster care on self-regulation emerge over adolescence and that growth in self-regulation is a mechanism by which foster care mitigates the impact of institutionalization on psychopathology.

Institutionalized Children and the Risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); A Primer for Clinicians, Adoption Staff and Parents

Objectives: Our objective was to estimate the likelihood of abnormal development among institutionalized children, addressing either the risk in general, or the risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Methods: Narrative review of studies measuring developmental effects of these populations. We identified all systematic reviews and meta analyses dealing with the associations between institutionalization of children and their neurodevelopment in general, or between institunalization of children and their likelihood of suffering from FASD. Results: a) In a published meta-analysis the mean IQ/DQ was 84 among institutionalized children, as compared to 104 among children raised in families. Favorable caregiver-child ratios appeared to have a protective effect, whereas longer stays in institutions had a detrimental effect on IQ/DQ. b) A further meta- analysis has shown a positive impact of adoption on children’s cognitive development with adopted children’s displaying remarkably normal cognitive competence as compared to their non-adopted peers. c) The overall pooled prevalence was 6% (60 per 1,000, 95% CI 38-85) for full blown fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and 16.9% (95% CI 109-238 per 1,000) for the whole range of FASD. d) The estimated prevalence of FASD was 10-40 fold higher than the 7.7 per 1000 in the general population. Conclusions: A large proportion of adopted institutionalized children may not follow a normal developmental trajectory. If not afflicted by FASD, there is a positive impact of adoption on children’s cognitive development and in general they are comparable to their non- adopted peers.

The Correlation between Oral Self-Harm and Ethnicity in Institutionalized Children

Oral self-harm was described in institutionalized children who share a lack of emotional attention; frequently these children experience feelings such as neglect, loneliness, isolation or lack of connection with the world. The aim of our paper was to conduct a cross-sectional study in order to assess the prevalence of this behavior and its correlation with ethnicity among children from three institutions located in the central part of Romania. We examined 116 children from three ethnic groups, Romanians, Hungarians and local Roma population aged between 10–14 years old. The oral soft tissues were evaluated by one dentist who recorded the lesions of lips, buccal mucosa, commissures and tongue; data were statistically analyzed at a level of significance of p < 0.05. We found oral self-harm lesions in 18.1% participants, with statistically significant higher odds in girls (p = 0.03). The results showed an association between ethnicity and the development of these lesions (Chi-square p = 0.04). The most frequent lesions were located at oral commissures (35.48%), buccal mucosa (29.03%) and upper lip (19.36%). Oral self-harm lesions have a high incidence among institutionalized children in Romania. Identification of these cases in early stages is important, as these conditions are known to be aggravated during adolescence and adulthood.

A influência do contexto institucional no percurso escolar de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados

ResumoEste trabalho reflete a pesquisa com educadores de uma instituição pública situada no município de Várzea Grande-MT, que recebem crianças e adolescentes que estão sob medida protetiva. A pesquisa tem como objetivo compreender as influências dos contextos social, educativo e familiar, no percurso escolar de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados, e refletir sobre como os educadores contribuem na reinserção familiar, escolar e cultural dos sujeitos que ali se encontram. Considera-se fundamental o histórico de vida, o percurso escolar e as relações familiares das crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados, no sentido de se compreender o perfil da clientela atendida na instituição e correlacioná-la ao perfil dos profissionais que atuam neste ambiente. Na abordagem metodológica, a pesquisa se utiliza da pesquisa documental e o grupo focal. Como resultado do estudo se espera compreender quais práticas educacionais promovem e estimulam a continuidade dos estudos dos sujeitos institucionalizados, considerando a influência dos profissionais, que atuam na referida instituição como responsáveis pela inserção escolar, familiar e social dos sujeitos. Palavras-chave: Família. Escolarização. Institucionalização. AbstractThis work reflects about research with educators from a public institution located in the municipality of Várzea Grande-MT who receive children and adolescents who are under protective measures. The research aims to understand the influences of social, educational and family contexts on the school path of institutionalized children and adolescents and reflect on how educators contribute to the family, school and cultural reintegration of the subjects which are inserted there. It is considered fundamental, the life history, school path and family relationships of institutionalized children and adolescents in order to understand the clientele’s profile served in the institution and correlate it with the professionals profile who work in this environment. The methodological research approach uses documentary research and the focus group. As a esult of the study, it is expected to understand which educational practices promote and stimulate the continuity of the institutionalized subjects studies, considering the professionals influence who work in that institution as responsible for the subjects' school, family and social insertion. Keywords: Family. Schooling. Institutionalization.