Parenting in Bangladesh: A Review of the Literature from 2006 to 2018

This study was a point of departure for future research on the need for a coherent understanding and knowledge of parenting in Bangladesh. This article presents the findings from an integrative research review on parenting in Bangladesh. A comprehensive search conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, and PsychINFO using the keywords “parenting”, “childcare”, “motherhood”, “fatherhood”, “mothering”, “fathering”, each paired with “Bangladesh” yielded 246 articles. Twenty papers published between 2006 and 2018 were selected for thematic analysis based on pre-set criteria. In most studies, the term mother was used interchangeably with parent, with mothers regarded as the primary caregiver. Parenting in the Bangladeshi context was found to be conceptualized primarily in terms of attitudes, disciplinary practices, feeding, parent–child interaction, and psychosocial stimulation. Parenting components aimed at moral development and attachment building in children were underrepresented. The data revealed largely inconsistent and uncoordinated discussions of parental practices, demonstrating the lack of a holistic approach in the literature in Bangladesh. Research on parenting in Bangladesh favors gendered assumptions of females as the primary caregiver. Based on their findings, the authors recommend qualitative studies to better reflect and conceptualize the concept of parenting in Bangladesh.

Child sexual exploitation, poly-victimisation and resilience

Purpose This paper aims to examine the prevalence of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and factors connected in a young adult population, through a series of connected studies. Each study considered exposure to poly-victimisation. The series of studies focussed on a number of factors felt to impact vulnerability and protective factors towards CSE. Specifically caregiver bonds, resilience and attachment style, adolescent risk-taking, quality of caregiver bonds, level/type of supportive relationships and positive schemas, as well as the impact of CSE disclosure and links to attachment style and maladaptive schemas. Design/methodology/approach These studies looked at a young adult population, mainly women. Study one (n = 263), study two (n = 138) and study three (n = 211), predominantly collected via a series of online measures. Findings Findings demonstrated that around half of children under 16 years had been approached sexually by an adult, with approximately one in four children subsequently exploited. Various results were noted, such as experiencing a primary caregiver as lacking in warmth and affection was associated with those reporting CSE, with further exposure to poly-victimisation contributing to a less functional coping style and insecure attachments. CSE was not associated with higher levels of adolescent risk-taking, poor bonds with the primary caregiver, fewer important childhood relationships and positive schemas. Practical implications This paper notes the importance of addressing the functions of behaviours for victims, to reduce re-victimisation risk. It noted the importance of applying theory when working with this population. It introduced the protect and vulnerability model against CSE and has practical applications for professionals working with victims of CSE. This paper argues the importance of individualised assessments for children who are deemed to be “at-risk” of CSE. Originality/value Findings were combined to propose the protection against the CSE model and the application of this to intervention and future research is acknowledged.

The Role of Secondary Care Networks, Gender, and Race on Primary Caregiver Burden

In addition to primary caregivers, many older adults receive care from secondary care networks (SCN), which include family members and friends. Literature rarely considers support that SCN provided to primary caregivers. This study examines: (a) the association between SCN support and primary caregiver burden, and (b) the intersectional effects of gender (male/female)-race (White/Black) identities of primary caregivers on the association. A cross-sectional study using data from 2015 National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) was conducted. A total of 967 older adults, 967 primary caregivers, and 2253 secondary caregivers were selected. SCN support was measured by (a) care domain overlap, and (b) proportion of caregiving by SCN. Negative binomial regressions on overall and split samples estimated main effects of SCN support and the intersectional effects of gender and race. Both SCN-related variables were associated with primary caregiver burden, but significant three-way interaction was only found between gender, race, and proportion of caregiving by SCN. Black female caregivers reported heaviest burden and having SCN support was associated with lower risk of being burdened. Whereas Black male caregivers reported lightest burden and SCN support was not associated with their perceived burden. Our findings support the positive role of SCN in reducing stress of primary caregivers, and demonstrate that positive impacts of SCN support vary across gender-race groups. The results indicate a strong need for support programs aimed at promoting cooperation among family caregivers for burden reduction, especially families with female and Black primary caregivers.

Navigating pre-Tenure and COVID-19: A Testimonio of a BIPOC Junior Faculty Mother

The challenges BIPOC junior faculty face when preparing for tenure is not a new phenomenon, however doing so during a global pandemic magnifies these issues and requires us to consider the significant impact this has on earning tenure and promotion. Extent literature on pre-tenure BIPOC women faculty highlight their experiences of isolation and added pressures to perform. Women faculty with children encounter additional challenges as they may feel isolated, guilty about their productivity, and added pressure to prove themselves in the academy. Considering these factors influencing tenure, this testimonio provides a brief account of my experiences as a pre-tenure BIPOC junior faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. I discuss the time constraints and expectations to maintain productivity, while managing my new full-time role as primary caregiver to my daughter. It concludes with implications for supporting pre-tenure BIPOC junior women faculty during COVID-19 as they prepare for tenure.

OTs' Perspectives on Family-Centered Care and Meaningful Relationships Within Complex Family Contexts

Date Presented 04/13/21 The value of family-centered care is identified in the literature, highlighting the need for therapists to use a variety of approaches. However, there is limited evidence as to how to best provide care with families dealing with complex contexts such as language, cultural, and socioeconomic differences. This session will provide the perspectives of eight OTs who identified strategies to support the primary caregiver and ways in which to build therapeutic alliances. Primary Author and Speaker: Tamera Keiter Humbert Additional Authors and Speakers: Patricia A. Henton Contributing Authors: Shelley Dean