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Child neglect is a problem that presents many challenges to learning and teaching in schools. Children are unable to learn if their basic needs are not met. Neglect is the second most common reason for a child to be on a child protection plan in Wales. Given the universal nature of their provision within the community, and the prevalence of neglect, schools are well-placed to notice and intervene early and provide support to children that promotes their health and wellbeing. In fact, staff in schools have the opportunity to observe children's behaviours, and their interactions with other pupils and family members up to five days a week over an extended period of time. However, little is known about the specific ways in which staff in schools respond to neglect and what factors help them to provide effective school-based support to families. This paper presents findings from thirty interviews with staff in six mainstream primary and secondary schools in Wales. Findings identify three factors that support neglect-practice within the school-setting (1) a whole-school proactive approach to child neglect; (2) a positive learning and development environment for staff members; and (3) relationships between staff and the child(ren)'s family.

Background/purpose: This paper investigated the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological resilience in preschool teachers. The study also determined whether psychological resilience depended on age. Materials/methods: The study adopted a correlational survey model. The sample consisted of 268 preschool teachers. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics questionnaire named the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33), and the Adult Resilience Measure (ARM-R). Results: The study's results showed that higher CTQ-33 emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and total CTQ-33 subscale scores have correspondingly lower ARM-R total and subscale scores. The results also showed that higher physical abuse, physical neglect, and overprotection-overcontrol subscale scores have correspondingly lower ARM-R relational resources, personal resources, and familial resources subscale and total ARM-R scores. There was no correlation found between the CTQ-33 physical abuse, physical neglect, and overprotection-overcontrol subscale scores and the ARM-R cultural and contextual resources subscale scores. The results showed that age did not affect the participants' ARM-R subscale or total scores. Conclusion: The study's results revealed a negative correlation between childhood trauma and psychological resilience. Age did not affect psychological resilience levels.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 44% of elementary-aged students reported experiencing adverse childhood experiences, while 13% reported experiencing three or more (Blodgett & Lanigan, 2018). During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents faced many hardships such as economic and health disparities. This resulted in an influx of reported and presumably unreported adverse childhood experiences. The most reported experience included child neglect and psychological maltreatment (Sonu et al., 2021). While not seen as popular in the media and literature, the impact of psychological maltreatment is more severe than any other form of abuse (Hines, 2020). This paper will discuss the current conceptual findings, legal definitions, theoretical underpinnings, policy and practice implications as it relates to child neglect and psychological maltreatment of elementary-aged children.

Childhood exposure to adversity and its consequences is a significant public health challenge. Schools are beginning to understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and some schools are considering screening for ACEs. However, dissemination of the ACEs screener and subsequent interventions may lead to challenges and iatrogenic outcomes for students if caution is not taken. This paper examines key considerations, including ethical and legal guidelines, surrounding screening for ACEs within the school system. Through conceptual analysis, the National Association of School Psychologists Principles for Professional Ethics are examined in conjunction with educational law regarding ACEs screening. Additionally, key considerations and limitations such as whether the screener captures trauma rather than adversity, the use of parents as informants, racial inequities, and potential stigma of conducting ACEs screening in schools are addressed through the integration of ACEs scholarship. Recommendations and alternative solutions for school districts seeking to address ACEs within their student population are provided in support of trauma-sensitive schools.

Signs of Safety is a strengths-based approach to work with children and families where there are concerns about abuse or neglect. Signs of Safety is widely used in the UK and internationally, and there is a growing range of empirical research exploring its use within statutory children's social work. However, there is little research exploring how, and to what effect, Signs of Safety is being used by other childcare professionals. This paper reports on an independent evaluation of the use of Signs of Safety by an early help agency in the South West of England. At time of evaluation, the agency was commissioned by the local authority to support children and families with multiple and complex needs who did not meet the threshold for statutory children's social care involvement. The study was multiple methods with two strands. To better understand the work that the agency did, data were collected from case files, to develop a profile of families engaging with the agency. Interviews were undertaken with five practitioners about their experiences of using Signs of Safety. Saliency analysis was used to explore the qualitative data. Overall practitioners felt that Signs of Safety was accessible, supported clear communication with children and families and aided critical reflection. However, existing tensions--relating to statutory threshold decisions and multi-agency relationships--were reflected and magnified via the Signs of Safety tools. The implications of these findings are discussed, providing original insights about an issue highly relevant to national and international audiences.

The article presents the discussion on addressing the need for empirical data regarding the legal system's responses to child abuse and neglect. Topics include implementation and effectiveness of law enforcement strategies for identifying, investigating, and clearing cases of child maltreatment and child trafficking; and treatment to poor legal outcomes such as involvement in juvenile delinquency or adult criminality.

Child neglect is a problem that presents many challenges to learning and teaching in schools. Children are unable to learn if their basic needs are not met. Neglect is the second most common reason for a child to be on a child protection plan in Wales. Given the universal nature of their provision within the community, and the prevalence of neglect, schools are well-placed to notice and intervene early and provide support to children that promotes their health and wellbeing. In fact, staff in schools have the opportunity to observe children's behaviours, and their interactions with other pupils and family members up to five days a week over an extended period of time. However, little is known about the specific ways in which staff in schools respond to neglect and what factors help them to provide effective school-based support to families. This paper presents findings from thirty interviews with staff in six mainstream primary and secondary schools in Wales. Findings identify three factors that support neglect-practice within the school-setting (i) a whole-school proactive approach to child neglect; (ii) a positive learning and development environment for staff members; and (iii) relationships between staff and the child(ren)'s family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper grants some considerations on a critical phenomenon for child health: child neglect. It is an omission-type form of childhood maltreatment, which is widespread but very hard to intercept. For the assessment of child neglect, the Italian Society of Pediatric Psychology (S.I.P.Ped.) has developed and validated a specific assessment technique (the C.N.A. technique). It is supposed to be for parents of children between 3 and 9 years old. It is based on a paradigm that identifies the dysregulation of parental competence as the cause of neglect. It can occur in hypo- or hyperactivation of three fundamental factors (recognition, stimulation, and care). The child neglect assessment technique (C.N.A.) differs from the retrospective tools available in the literature since it allows for interception of the "signs" of possible child neglect when negligence occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to address father absence as a key contributory factor to child neglect and abuse and a cause of disrupted and unstable families by means of an explorative literature review. The study follows a biblical and multidisciplinary approach and collaboration between scholars from the fields of social work and theology in an effort to transform broken families. The Children's Act, 38 of 2005, stipulates that children in need of care and protection refer to children who face social issues such as abuse, absent parents, and children who abuse alcohol and drugs, among other things. These children require adequate care, love, and security. A stable family or home environment can provide stability, security, and a caring environment where children can develop to become emotionally healthy and pro-social. God can transform families, especially the families of children who receive the ministry of his Word. The Scripture in Jeremiah 31 verse 29 proclaims: "The fathers have eaten a sour grape and the children's teeth are set on edge". This quote refers to the involvement of the father as the primary leading figure in the family. It illustrates that proper fathering has a much broader significance than just the biological production of children. South Africa has experienced rapid changes, including shifts in family composition. There are many broken relationships, and father absence is a salient issue. Countless numbers of children in the South African landscape are being raised without their biological fathers. Many experiences no fatherly presence at all as they lack an alternative figure. Children are often humiliated for being fatherless and many families are challenged by father absence, and this creates in children a sense of loss and confusion. Hence, the aim of this article to reciprocate to father absence as social ill from a biblical point of view and to suggest a transformative ecclesial praxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child neglect is the most contested type of child maltreatment as its definition and measurement are more subjective, however, the less researched area of concern is the basis of its construction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore what lowincome families deem as child neglect to inform more acceptable interventions for both Social Workers and families to ensure better outcomes for children. This paper presents the findings of a pilot study in Assin Assempanaye, a low-income community in the Central Region of Ghana. Adopting an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach with an in-depth interview guide, 18 parents from different households' views were explored using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that age and expected social behaviour were the basis for neglect. Where omission of care for a child below 10 years was deemed as parental failure, for those, 10-17 years, the incidence of neglect was linked to the child's failure to conform to the reciprocal social relationship between a parent and a child. It is suggested that Social Workers have to address adolescent neglect differently in programme interventions by also focusing on social role expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports findings from a study which sought to offer primacy to the voice of the child, using narrative approaches to encourage children and young people to share their lived experiences of neglect. Using a constructivist approach, this paper explores the relationship between the voice of the child and their narrative of neglect. Drawing on the notion of 'family narrative', the discussion examines how children's views are constructed and reconstructed through the process of telling. This research documents that whilst practitioners seek to present the authentic voice of the child, our understanding of 'voice' should be problematized to take account of the fact that it is mediated through a number of filters and lenses. By attending to the voice of the child in the context of their narrative, practitioners may move closer to understanding the lived experience of the individual by exploring feelings, motivations and the myriad of factors which may influence how and for what purpose voice is shared. Engagement with the voice of their child in the context of their narrative, facilitates the development of a social work meta‐narrative to inform effective intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is much evidence of the many risks posed by childhood neglect. A scoping review of the literature found 467 articles on 345 studies from 38 countries reporting a large number of problems for children and adults associated with childhood neglect. After describing the broader scoping review, this paper presents findings specific to physical health, neurobiology and development. Across different neglect sub-types, different populations and different research methods, the weight of research demonstrates substantial risk from neglect including, at the most extreme, fatal outcomes for children. Physical health problems associated with neglect cover many health areas including the cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous systems for children and adults. Studies from neuroscience have also shown wide-ranging atypical neurobiological structures and networks following different neglect sub-types especially for children exposed to institutional neglect. Similarly, studies have reported many developmental outcomes associated with neglect especially related to cognitive development. Physical health, neurobiology and general development are interrelated in healthy childhood and in the presence or aftermath of childhood neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Child maltreatment (CM) is global public health issue with devastating lifelong consequences. Global organizations have endeavored to eliminate CM; however, there is lack of consensus on what instruments are most suitable for the investigation and prevention of CM. This systematic review aimed to appraise the psychometric properties (other than content validity) of all current parent- or caregiver-reported CM instruments and recommend the most suitable for use. Method: A systematic search of the CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Sociological Abstracts databases was performed. The evaluation of psychometric properties was conducted according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines for systematic reviews of patient-report outcome measures. Responsiveness was beyond the scope of this systematic review, and content validity has been reported on in a companion paper (Part 1). Only instruments developed and published in English were included. Results: Twenty-five studies reported on selected psychometric properties of 15 identified instruments. The methodological quality of the studies was overall adequate. The psychometric properties of the instruments were generally indeterminate or not reported due to incomplete or missing psychometric data; high-quality evidence on the psychometric properties was limited. Conclusions: No instruments could be recommended as most suitable for use in clinic and research. Nine instruments were identified as promising based on current psychometric data but would need further psychometric evidence for them to be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the association between child abuse [child neglect (CN), emotional (CEA) and physical abuse (CPA)] and early puberty with special regard to sex-specific effects concerning child and parental perpetrator. Methods: Data assessment took place within the framework of the LIFE Child Depression study, a longitudinal study on the development of depressive symptoms and disorders between child- and adulthood in Leipzig, Germany. A sample of 709 children (8–14 years) was recruited from the general population and via psychiatric hospitals. Data on pubertal status were assessed using an instrument for self-assessment of tanner stages (scales of physical pubertal development). Information on menarche was provided by parents. The Parent–Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-PC) served for data on child abuse. Results: Regarding physical puberty markers, significant correlations were found, especially with child neglect (CN) and child emotional abuse (CEA). Regression analyses, controlling for Body-Mass-Index (BMI) and Socioeconomic Status (SES), revealed that children affected by child neglect perpetrated by mother (CNm) and child emotional abuse (CEA) parent-non-specifically enter puberty significantly earlier. Sex-specific analyses identified child neglect perpetrated by mother (CNm) to be associated with early puberty in girls and child emotional abuse perpetrated by father (CEAf) with early puberty in boys. Concerning the onset of menstruation, there was a significant positive correlation between early menarche and parent-specific and non-specific child neglect (CN), as well as between early menarche and child emotional abuse perpetrated by the mother (CEAm). In regression models that controlled for Body-Mass-Index (BMI) and Socioeconomic Status (SES) no significant associations were maintained. Child physical abuse (CPA) was not associated with early puberty. Conclusion: Results outlined child neglect (CN) and child emotional abuse (CEA) to be sex- and perpetrator-specific risk factors for early pubertal development. Knowledge of sex- and perpetrator-specific effects could help clinicians to specify their diagnostic process and to define differential prevention and treatment goals for children with experiences of CN and CEA. Further research on the sex-specific impact of parental CN and CEA on girls' and boys' puberty is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children require special legal protection, including criminal law protection, in all countries since they are one of the most vulnerable categories of population. Crimes against children inflict harm not only to victims but also affect further development of society as a whole. The US experience in the field of criminal law protection of children has significant specifics and is of scientific interest. The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe characteristic features of American criminal law in this area and its applicability in Russia. To reach the goal formal-legal, comparative-legal and other methods are used. American laws create legal duty to report acts that constitute child abuse. Failure to report constitutes crime. Statutes of several US states contain special chapters devoted to crimes against children. Parents or other caregivers may not inflict harm the child directly but also, by inaction, allow third party to do so. Such inaction is deemed a crime. Using reasonable force to discipline children is legal in the USA if the punishment does not inflict harm greater than transient pain and other legal requirements are met. Parents or other caregivers must control children and never leave them unattended at home if they are younger than state`s law or recommendations of state`s authorities prescribe. «Hot car» laws prohibit to leave children unattended in a vehicle if they have not reached the age prescribed by law. Violation of such duties is a crime in some cases. The applicability of such experience in Russia is analyzed for each criminal law prohibition. It is concluded that many rules of the US criminal law are redundant. The features that are of certain interest for our country have been identified and studied.

OBJECTIVES: The main research objective is to determine how parents interpret the setup, support, and evaluation of regular face-to-face contacts with their child following placement in substitute care on the grounds of neglect. THEORETICAL BASE: The theoretical background is constituted by the findings on the importance of children's need for contact with their own parents and neglect as a social construct. METHODS: The qualitative research consisted of in-depth interviews with actual parents selected using purposive criterion sampling. Data were processed using Grounded Theory analytic procedures. OUTCOMES: Research findings indicate that parents perceive setup and support of contact as a complicated and lengthy process that, particularly in the child's adjustment phase, threatens parents' mutual right to parenting and the children's right to their care. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The research results provide social workers with suggestions for the quality setup, evaluation, and support of contact between children and their biological parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Child neglect is prevalent in children's social work and assessing neglect is complex because it is multifaceted and opaque. This systematic review identifies and evaluates evidence of tools or measures to better assess child neglect. Methods: Informed by Cochrane methodology and adapted to the needs of social work practice, a systematic search and review of measures of child neglect was undertaken. Ten databases were searched, augmented by grey literature, and contact with relevant experts. Results: Only two measures, the Child Neglect Index (CNI) and modifications of the Maltreatment Classification System (MCS), met the inclusion criteria. Neither tool was completely comprehensive for child neglect. Discussion: Our findings indicate (a) a dearth of suitable tools to measure neglect and (b) the need for robust testing of neglect measures in the social work setting. The current evidence based on measuring child neglect is too limited to effectively inform policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguments about the associations between child maltreatment and empathy remain controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to estimate the direction and magnitude of the relationships between child abuse and neglect and empathy. Four English databases (Web of Science, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Cochrane Library), three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Weipu), and grey literature were systematically searched. We extracted data related to the associations between child maltreatment and empathy and pooled them using random effects models. A total of 24 eligible studies involving 22,580 participants and 176 estimates were included in the analyses. Overall, child maltreatment was significantly related to reduced empathy ( r _ = −0.15, 95% CI [−0.17, −0.13]). Specifically, the rank-order mean effect size of subtypes of maltreatment on empathy is: emotional neglect ( r _ = −0.18, 95% CI [−0.25, −0.12]) > physical neglect ( r _ = −0.16, 95% CI [−0.23, −0.09]) > emotional abuse ( r _ = −0.15, 95% CI [−0.21, −0.10]) > physical abuse ( r _ = −0.12, 95% CI [−0.17, −0.07]) > sexual abuse ( r _ = −0.07, 95% CI [−0.14, −0.01]). Furthermore, the meta-regression results suggested that the aggregated associations between child maltreatment and empathy were not inflated by publication bias, but they were moderated by the age of respondents, sample size, publication language, empathy measurement, and maltreatment type. The results indicate that general maltreatment and its subtypes are associated with reduced empathy. Parent training and empathy enhancement programs should be designed to help children with a history of childhood maltreatment, respectively, from an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

An increasing number of studies have examined the relationship between child maltreatment and self-esteem. In this study, we assess the magnitude of this association through a meta-analytic approach. Four English databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and Web of Science), three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Weipu), and grey literature were systematically searched. A total of 254 independent studies, including 550 effect sizes, met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. Child maltreatment was significantly and negatively associated with self-esteem ( P C C ¯ = −0.24, p <.001); emotional abuse and neglect were associated with decreased self-esteem ( P C C ¯ = −0.23, p <.01; P C C ¯ = −0.22, p <.01, respectively) at a moderate level; and physical abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect were negatively associated with self-esteem ( P C C ¯ = −0.14, p <.01; P C C ¯ = −0.14, p <.01; P C C ¯ = −0.17, p <.001, respectively) at a small level. Furthermore, the meta-regression results suggested that the aggregated associations between child maltreatment and self-esteem were not inflated by publication bias, but they were moderated by age and culture. General and subtypes of child maltreatment are associated with decreased self-esteem. Evidence-based and culturally sensitive child maltreatment prevention and intervention programs should be developed and implemented as early as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of child maltreatment in the U.S. have been relatively stagnant since the 1990s. This lack of progress suggests that prevention efforts, which have primarily focused on individual behaviors, have been unsuccessful. Building on existing research, this conceptual paper identifies the need to refocus prevention efforts on changeable and causal risk factors. The Modifiable Maltreatment Factors (MMF), a new framework to classify risk factors for maltreatment, is introduced. Use of the MMF in social work education and child protective services work could increase the understanding of macro factors in child maltreatment and the possibilities of policy change and community organizing in maltreatment prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child neglect is considered the most common form of child maltreatment with severe implications for children's development. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of scholarly literature examining child neglect, possibly stemming from a lack of consistent definition. The current qualitative study addresses this gap by aiming to understand the phenomena of child neglect from the direct perspective of youth from the general population, a perspective that has so far barely been considered. Data were collected by 10 focus groups conducted among multicultural youth aged 12 to 15 years in the north of Israel. The qualitative-thematic analysis generated three main themes, each including several subthemes: (a) experience of neglectful behavior (lack of parental care, lack of parental priority, dynamics of blaming the child, rejection, and relinquishment of the child); (b) instrumental characteristics of neglect (lack of material and financial investment in the child, expressions of neglect in providing food and nutrition, poor appearance and hygiene of the child and home); (c) lack of parental involvement (lack of parental guidance, lack of communication and availability, lack of presence in the child's life). The perspectives of the Israeli youth resembled existing conceptualizations of child neglect. The youth also added a new dimension to the conceptualizations in their focus on the emotional context involved in the range of neglectful behaviors they described. This new conceptualization of child neglect is discussed together with some suggestions for how it can inform better professional practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child maltreatment is any action, neglect or aggression towards a child caused by parents, family members or others. The objective of this study is to find out the beliefs and attitudes regarding abuse among nursing students. Methods: This was an exploratory study with the aim of validating the questionnaire, made up of four dimensions. This questionnaire was administered during the 2020/2021 academic year to 370 undergraduate nursing students (first and third year), in Toledo, Talavera de la Reina and Albacete of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, in addition to resident nurses, master's students and doctoral students during the first four-month period (September, October, November and December). A statistical analysis was carried out observing internal consistency for Cronbach's alpha. Results: In total, 61.6% of the students concluded that the child was not responsible for maltreatment, and 41.6% thought that it was independent of gender. Furthermore, 65.7% stated that it is human nature for parents to care for their children, 74.1% considered maltreatment to be a crime in the family, and 15.4% said that it does not exist in higher social classes. A total of 23.2% said that those in nursing professions should not intervene in child abuse. With regard to Münchausen syndrome, there was less agreement among the participants, being unknown to the great majority of the students. Conclusions: Among the participants, a lack of knowledge about child abuse was observed, as well as the role of nursing in its detection. Subsequently, given the importance of nursing and its professionals in the detection and management of child abuse, it is necessary to implement knowledge and skills in undergraduate training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of child maltreatment has been inconsistent across literature due to its complexity, multidimensionality, and the variety of conceptualizations of this construct. Five instruments have recurrently examined psychometric properties across the last years of research: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure, Child Abuse Potential Inventory, Identification of Parents at Risk for child Abuse and Neglect, and Psychosocial Screening Tool. This article aims to examine and wrap up the knowledge regarding the psychometric properties of these instruments. A systematic review was performed through three of the most relevant databases in order to identify the most validated instruments to assess child maltreatment from 2010 to 2020, and 19 research articles were identified. Results indicate that there is a lack of information regarding some psychometric properties and therefore, in the light of this information, it is not possible to clearly determine if there are instruments with stronger scientific evidence for their psychometric properties, although the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure Scale (MACE) obtained the strongest psychometric evidence. This systematic review provided a comprehensive review on the main psychometric properties of five child maltreatment instruments in order to facilitate researchers and child welfare professionals the selection of the most suitable instrument for their specific purpose. We recommend addressing these gaps of information by further examining the psychometric properties of these instruments, and developing valid and reliable instruments for early detection in child maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper grants some considerations on a critical phenomenon for child health: child neglect. It is an omission-type form of childhood maltreatment, which is widespread but very hard to intercept. For the assessment of child neglect, the Italian Society of Pediatric Psychology (S.I.P.Ped.) has developed and validated a specific assessment technique (the C.N.A. technique). It is supposed to be for parents of children between 3 and 9 years old. It is based on a paradigm that identifies the dysregulation of parental competence as the cause of neglect. It can occur in hypo- or hyperactivation of three fundamental factors (recognition, stimulation, and care). The child neglect assessment technique (C.N.A.) differs from the retrospective tools available in the literature since it allows for interception of the “signs” of possible child neglect when negligence occurs.

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]

Child maltreatment crosses all socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and educational boundaries; however, studies focusing on demographic characteristics of these children in Greece are scarce. Despite recent effort there is no national registry and the response system remains fragmented. Since the existing response system often includes hospital admission, this study aims to describe the characteristics of children up to 16 years of age with suspected maltreatment admitted to a tertiary children's hospital in Greece, as well as to describe the case management procedure and to calculate the length and baseline cost of hospitalization for this population of children. The socioeconomic factor most often recorded in the study participants was parental unemployment within the nuclear family structure. The main reason for referral to Social Services was neglect. The mean hospitalization duration was 28.5 days. The most frequent outcome was discharge to parental home under Social Services' supervision. The analysis of associations between gender, age, residence status and the referral reasons showed significant differences. Quantitative and qualitative descriptors of children with suspected maltreatment offer potential insights on the social determinants of health. Our findings have the potential of offering assistance to future interventions that aim to develop effective system responses and preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) may be defined as physical, sexual and/or psychological maltreatment of the child. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dentists about CAN, to give basic information on the topic and to take feedback. Methods: It was an observational study that the questionnaire that consisted 26 questions in four parts was sent by e-mail with an electronic link via Turkish Dental Association to Turkish dentists. At the end of the questionnaire, a short education by power-point presentation was given to volunteered participants and self-competence feedbacks were taken. Results: A total of 326 dentists (113 males and 213 females) aged 23-70 years, answered the questionnaire. Only 16.2% of dentists reported that they know their legal rights and information on reporting CAN. 79.5% of dentists noted that they did not receive education on CAN during their undergraduate years. 95.6% of the participants volunteered to attend the education provided. Feedbacks showed that information obtained by the education had a beneficial impact on dentists’ awareness and knowledge. Conclusions: Turkish dentists’ knowledge and awareness of CAN were inadequate. Educational efforts may enable them to recognize cultural misperceptions, take necessary precautions, to be confident in reporting child abuse and neglect without hesitation and fulfill their legal obligations.

Social work and allied professions can struggle to accurately assess child neglect. Our research project is developing a new child neglect measurement tool for use by multi-agencies to address this issue. Phase two of this project employed a Delphi study to gather the views of a range of experts to help develop it. There were two important stages to inform the Delphi study: a systematic review of child neglect measures, and three online focus groups with a purposive sample of 16 participants with expertise in child neglect (academics, practitioners, and experts by experience). We then conducted a three-round modified online Delphi study with a purposive sample of 60 international panellists with expertise in child neglect. We followed the CREDES guidelines for the rigorous application of the Delphi technique. The panel generated salient items for the tool and scaled these for importance. The panel reached consensus for 18 items and 15 elements for the tool. The items included neglect type, chronicity, and severity. The elements included hyperlinks to research and the use of 10-point scales. The draft tool is short and may be useable by a range of practitioners in multi-agency settings. It is inclusive of social harms, such as poverty and social isolation. It will now be piloted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use high-frequency mobile phone movement data and quick-release administrative data from Georgia to examine how time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic is related to child maltreatment referrals. Findings show that referrals plummeted by 58% relative to previous years, driven by fewer referrals from education personnel. After this initial decline, however, each 15 minutes at home was associated with an increase in referrals of material neglect by 3.5% and supervisory neglect by 1%. Our results describe how children have fared during the initial wave of the pandemic, and the results have long-term implications for child development and well-being. [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]

In the United States, childcare subsidies are available to low-income working parents to assist with the cost of childcare. The subsidies are provided as block grants to states, which allows for a great deal of flexibility in the specific policies guiding their distribution. Prior research has found a protective link between childcare subsidies and child maltreatment, but the variations in policies have been much less explored. The current study used longitudinal administrative child welfare data from 10 years (2009–2019) linked with state policies regarding the income eligibility requirements of states to examine the impact of these policies on child abuse and neglect among young children (0–5); early school-age children (6–12), and older children (13–17). Using multiple regression and controlling for state demographic characteristics, the study found that more generous policies surrounding income eligibility were related to lower rates of child abuse and neglect investigations at the state level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to address father absence as a key contributory factor to child neglect and abuse and a cause of disrupted and unstable families by means of an explorative literature review. The study follows a biblical and multidisciplinary approach and collaboration between scholars from the fields of social work and theology in an effort to transform broken families. The Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, stipulates that children in need of care and protection refer to children who face social issues such as abuse, absent parents, and children who abuse alcohol and drugs, among other things. These children require adequate care, love, and security. A stable family or home environment can provide stability, security, and a caring environment where children can develop to become emotionally healthy and pro-social. God can transform families, especially the families of children who receive the ministry of his Word. The Scripture in Jeremiah 31 verse 29 proclaims: “The fathers have eaten a sour grape and the children’s teeth are set on edge”. This quote refers to the involvement of the father as the primary leading figure in the family. It illustrates that proper fathering has a much broader significance than just the biological production of children. South Africa has experienced rapid changes, including shifts in family composition. There are many broken relationships, and father absence is a salient issue. Countless numbers of children in the South African landscape are being raised without their biological fathers. Many experiences no fatherly presence at all as they lack an alternative figure. Children are often humiliated for being fatherless and many families are challenged by father absence, and this creates in children a sense of loss and confusion. Hence, the aim of this article to reciprocate to father absence as social ill from a biblical point of view and to suggest a transformative ecclesial praxis.

Evidence of the protective role of informal social control by community members (family members, friends, and neighbours) in child neglect has received considerable attention. Likewise, the protective effects of informal social control interventions in neglect are theorised to be common and highly efficacious in communities that have sanctioned informal interventions through collective social values and norms. Yet, no research has examined this theoretical postulation within the field of community/neighbourhood research in child maltreatment. We tested the theory‐driven hypothesis by examining the interaction effects of protective informal social control of neglect and the collective value of Abiriwatia (a collective value based on lineage with norms on collective childcare duties) against the frequency of child neglect. Data consist of 616 caregivers' self‐report of child neglect in the past year, from the Ghana Families and Neighbourhood Study. Hypotheses were tested using random effects regression models with standard errors corrected for settlement/community clusters. Protective informal social control of child neglect was significantly associated with fewer neglect in the past year (B = −0.79, p < 0.05). The interaction between protective informal social control of child neglect and the collective value of Abiriwatia was negative (B = −0.07, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that strengthening the collective normative commitment to childcare would promote family members' intervention to protect against neglect situations, and their intervention can deter further acts of neglect. Community neglect prevention programmes should take advantage of the findings to strengthen community norms that sanction collective childcare duties. Community child protection committees of the Department of Social Welfare should develop social groups and informal associations to strengthen Abiriwatia in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child maltreatment (abuse and neglect) is a global public health problem. Healthcare professionals must contribute to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children at risk. Aim: To determine whether paediatric dentists' rates of child protection training, experience and practice have changed and to identify factors currently associated with maltreatment recognition and referral. Design: A pre‐piloted anonymous questionnaire was mailed to the UK‐based British Society of Paediatric Dentistry members in 2005 (n = 789) and 2016 (n = 575). Analysis was conducted for practising dentists. Results: Response rates were 66.3% in 2005 and 62.4% in 2016. Increases were observed in respondents' postgraduate child protection training (87.2% vs. 99.7%), multi‐agency training (27.9% vs. 49.2%), ever suspected (67.9% vs. 82.3%) and ever referred child maltreatment (30.7% vs. 61.0%). The proportion who had suspected maltreatment but never referred a child reduced from 37.2% to 21.3%. Having referred more than five times in the preceding five years rose from 0.4% to 14.6% of respondents, yet those seeing children with neglected dentitions daily or more frequently remained unchanged. Conclusion: This repeated cross‐sectional survey demonstrates a substantial improvement in UK paediatric dentists' training and practice, but a gap remains between suspecting and referring maltreatment concerns such that some children remain at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare professionals have a significant role to play in the early diagnosis of child abuse and neglect (CAN), which is important in terms of protecting children's health. The study aimed to measure the change in the participants' level of diagnosing the risks and symptoms of CAN before and after the training by providing a training program to healthcare professionals including the signs of CAN, symptoms and procedures to be followed in this case. All healthcare professionals working in a State Hospital and Family Health Centers in Tunceli, Turkey, and who volunteered to participate in the study were included in the study (n = 125). The data were collected before and after the training by using the Personal Information Form and The Diagnosis Scale of the Risks and Symptoms of Child Abuse and Neglect (DSRSCAN). 39 participants (31.2%) reported that they had previously suspected CAN, and 35 (28%) stated that they had encountered CAN before. The mean DSRSCAN score of the healthcare professionals included in the study before the training was 3.38 (lowest =2.37, highest =3.55), while after the training, it went up to 3.60 (lowest =2.76, highest =5.00), and the difference between the pre‐training and post‐training DSRSCAN scores was determined to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). It was determined that when healthcare professionals were trained on CAN, their awareness could be further strengthened. Hence, training programs for healthcare professionals on diagnosing and reporting CAN should be updated and increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in the USA is designed to address poverty. Because of the link to poverty, it may indirectly affect child maltreatment outcomes. However, TANF spending by states, which differs by the state's racial composition, may moderate the effects. This study explores the relationship between states' TANF spending and child maltreatment outcomes with the states' Black population concentration as a moderator. The analysis used state-level data including TANF administrative data from the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), child maltreatment data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), and population data from the American Community Survey (ACS). The sample includes 50 states and District of Columbia from 2015 to 2017 (n = 153). The results from the multivariate regression models show that both TANF spending on family and marriage promotion and TANF spending on work activities were associated with decreases in neglect (7.5% decrease, p<.01 and 11% reduction, p<.05, respectively), but the size of the decreases depended on the states' Black population concentration. Findings suggest that TANF spending is linked to child maltreatment rates with consideration of states' Black population. This article has implications for anti-racist poverty policy and child abuse prevention. [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]