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Child neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment. Like child abuse, it may adversely influence children's development, cognitive function, and mental and physical health. Most literature on child neglect addresses professional discourse as opposed to children's and adolescents' views. Through a qualitative context-informed paradigm, the aim of this study was to gain a more nuanced understanding of Muslim Palestinian-Arab youths' life experiences and concerns, with attention to their perceptions of child neglect. Data collection and thematic analysis were based on eight focus group discussions with youths who may or may not have experienced neglect. Participants were sampled by age (13–14) and ethnic affiliation (Muslim Arabs residing in northern Israel). Although the youths were asked about their perceptions of neglect in general, their responses referred only to parental neglect while inferring that it might be indirectly affected by complex structural factors. The analysis generated four themes that reflected the youths' perceptions of neglect: (1) emotional needs; (2) responsibility and supervision; (3) guidance and companionship, and (4) material needs. The participants' voices provided a platform for examining the complexity inherent in negotiating neglect in the context of youth and the importance of recognizing their unique perceptions. In addition, the findings point to the importance of developing a contextually sensitive definition of child neglect to enhance the formation of policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children and adolescents in residential care have more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than those living in any other type of care. However, there is scant research on risk factors accounting for this accumulation. Objective: To establish the prevalence of ACEs in child residential care and to explore predictors of accumulation and clustering patterns. Method: A cluster-randomized sample of 1275 children ages 5–18 years was drawn from 78 residential care facilities across Romania. Clinical psychologists from Child Protective Services (CPS) aided in the collection of ACEs, family, health and history data. Network analysis was used to explore ACE clustering patterns, while a Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial regression provided insights into covariate risk factors. Results: Within the network, influential ACEs were found to be consistent with previous research. However, using expanded ACEs on a high exposure sample, two new clusters emerged: (1) ACEs reported by children at the highest mean ages (abused by a romantic partner, arrested or incarcerated, sexually abused), (2) ACEs pertaining to social exclusion (seriously medically ill, discriminated, bullied). Several risk factors significantly predicted ACE accumulation: craniocerebral trauma, prenatal exposure to drugs, cognitive delay, conduct disorder and frequent change of homes. Institutional placement and special education were found as protective factors. Conclusions: A child in residential care that was institutionalized for reasons other than neglect or abuse had 80% probability of not being ever exposed to any ACEs. Nevertheless, CPS can utilize important risk factors and influential past ACEs to detect children at higher risks of further adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) has increasingly been studied as a distinct form of child maltreatment with negative outcomes that can last well beyond childhood. The purpose of this study is to examine teen dating violence (TDV) involvement among adolescents who were exposed to IPV in early childhood while controlling for other known risk factors of TDV. We analyze longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to investigate the relation between early childhood IPV exposure (Years 1 and 3) and involvement in TDV (Year 15), controlling for parenting behaviors (Year 5), early onset delinquency (Year 9), and other sociodemographic characteristics (baseline). IPV exposure significantly increased TDV involvement, particularly for physical abuse and economic abuse (effect sizes of 0.34 and 0.15, respectively). Based on these findings, providers should implement frequent, comprehensive prenatal and perinatal IPV screenings, referring patients to community services as needed. Also, school-based interventions that promote healthy relationship skills may be targeted to adolescents with early IPV exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic is highly challenging, with parents having to meet various demands simultaneously. An increase in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been widely predicted, but empirical evidence is still scarce. This study aimed to (1) generate representative data on pandemic-related stress, parental stress, general stress, parental subjective and mental health, and the occurrence of ACEs; (2) identify risk factors for an increase in ACEs, and (3) provide qualitative data on parents' experiences. A representative survey was conducted in Germany in August 2020 with 1024 parents of underage children (Mage = 41.70, 50.9% female). More than 50% of parents reported being stressed by social distancing and the closure of schools and childcare facilities. Parental stress increased significantly during the pandemic (d = 0.21). Subgroups of parents also reported very high levels of depressive symptoms (12.3%) and anxiety (9.7%). Up to one-third of the sample reported ACEs in the child's lifetime. In this group, 29.1% reported an increase in children witnessing domestic violence during the pandemic, and 42.2% an increase verbal emotional abuse. These families were characterized by higher parental stress, job losses, and younger parent and child age. Positive aspects of the pandemic related primarily to personal or family life (e.g. slower pace of life, increase in family time). While some parents coped well, a particularly negative pattern was observed in a subgroup of families that experienced an increase in ACEs. Parental stress emerged as important target point for interventions addressing the negative sequelae of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]