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Background/Objectives: The current study compared Self-Figure drawings from Thai and Indian adolescents to assess the cross-cultural applicability of a child abuse assessment tool. The research aims to understand the extent to which distinctions or similarities arise in Self-Figure drawings among adolescents from two culturally similar yet distinct backgrounds characterized by differences in religious affiliations, socioeconomic contexts, and political environments. Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilized quantitative measures, including the Traumatic Events Checklist (TEQ-5) and Medical Somatic Dissociation Questionnaire (MSDQ), alongside a qualitative analysis of Self-Figure drawings. Ethical approval was obtained with waived informed consent, and a convenience sample of 386 adolescents aged 13–18 years (193 from Thailand [M = 14.8, SD = 1.73; 135 females (69.9%) and 58 males (30.1%)], and 193 from India [M = 15.2, SD = 1.64; 135 females (69.9%) and 58 males (30.1%)]), who reported experiencing child abuse, participated in the study by completing questionnaires and drawing themselves. Results: The analysis revealed that Thai adolescents had higher MSDQ scores, while Indian adolescents exhibited more prominent pictorial indicators. Indian participants reported experiencing a broader range of event types, whereas Thai adolescents predominantly depicted verbal or emotional abuse. Variations in pictorial indicators were found significant, except for hair, cheek or chin, omitted legs or feet, and omitted eyes. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of how cultural factors influence adolescents' self-representations through drawing. The differences in pictorial indicators highlight the nuanced variations within similar cultures, emphasizing the cultural specificity of self-expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the alarming increase in incidences of child sexual abuse (CSA), the present study was conceived to conduct a feasibility trial for a brief CSA-focused cognitive-behavioral intervention for children. A quasi-experimental single-group pre-post design with convenient sampling was adopted. The intervention module was administered to 20 children aged 7–13 years (M = 10.4, SD = 1.3) with a CSA history. The intervention was spread across a minimum of six required sessions and a maximum of 12 sessions held weekly for approximately 90 to 120 minutes' duration to restore the child's functioning and to assist the child in processing and managing trauma effectively along with initiating the process of growth. Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS), Children's Impact of Events Scale−13 (CRIES-13), Developmental Psychopathology Checklist (DPCL), Multidimensional Scale for Child Sexual Abuse (MSCSA) and Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) were used to measure the impact of the intervention on the children. Estimation of improvement was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test, effect size and subjective feedback from children. Feasibility assessment was done across five parameters: recruitment, data collection, attrition, adherence and improvement. We found that the intervention led to significant improvement in scores of all scales with a large effect size of.50 for MSCSA and CRIES-13 and medium effect size for CGAS, CRIES-13 (Intrusion & Avoidance), CPSS, and DPCL. Feasibility was estimated to be high across all five parameters of the assessment. Thus, the newly developed intervention was found to be helpful in restoring the child's functioning, and assisting the child in processing, and managing trauma effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a trauma that creates havoc in the personal and social lives of CSA survivors. The survivors in Kerala, India, struggle amidst the cultural background that silences CSA. Rehabilitation efforts in the state are channelized through government-run shelter homes that serve as the second home for CSA survivors. Aim: This study aims to examine the role of emotional health and sociodemographic factors in predicting resilience among CSA survivors under institutional care in Kerala. Method: We used a correlational research design with purposive sampling. From shelter homes in Kerala, 267 female participants (age range: 10-18 years, mean age: 16 years) were recruited. A personal data sheet and an emotional health questionnaire (EHQ) were used to collect data. Spearman rank correlation coefficient, linear regression, Kruskal--Wallis H test, Mann--Whitney U test, and Dunn's post hoc test were used to analyze data. Results: Positive relationships among the emotional health variables namely aggression, anxiety, and depression were found, whereas a negative relationship existed between these variables and resilience. Further analyses found that the emotional health variables significantly predicted the resilience among survivors of CSA. In addition, there exists significant differences in resilience based on sociodemographic variables, such as age, duration of stay, and friendships, but resilience did not vary based on the religion and birthplace of survivors. Conclusion: Results suggest that participants experience moderate levels of emotional distress. Provision for integrated psychological support is recommended in the present rehabilitation process in Kerala. The mentoring relationships developed in the institutions are found to be instrumental in building confidence and hope in the participants, which is reflected in the trends in their resilience scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is known to have short and long‑term consequences which can have an impact even in adulthood. The objectives of the study were to explore the nature of CSA in individuals attending psychiatric services, the impact of CSA on psychopathology, trauma and attachment beliefs and interpersonal functioning in young adult survivors and factors associated with CSA and its impact. Methodology: The study adopted a cross‑sectional exploratory design. The sample comprised of 246 young adult patients attending inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services of a tertiary care hospital in India. The tools used were: Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Sexual and Physical Abuse History Questionnaire, abuse‑related Beliefs Questionnaire, Sexual Abuse Severity Score, Trauma and Attachment Beliefs Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory and Social Adjustment‑Self Report. Results: About 21% of the sample had a history of CSA; among them 70% were females. The age of CSA ranged between 8 and 12 years. About 34% of them had more than 5 such experiences and about half of them had more than 2 perpetrators with majority of the sample experiencing high coercion. The survivors of CSA had greater levels of psychopathology, trauma and attachment beliefs, difficulties in certain domains of interpersonal functioning in comparison with individuals without a history of CSA. Female gender, poor parental emotional support, and having more than one significant life event contributed to risk of CSA. Poor emotional support from parents and trauma related beliefs predicted psychopathology. Conclusion: The study has implications with respect to the assessment, research and conceptualization of therapy in individuals with a history of CSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing in low-middle income countries like India. Built environment features such as walkability can influence weight-related outcomes but data from developing countries are scanty. Objective: To develop population level walkability index in urban Bengaluru, and examine its association with indices of childhood obesity in school children. Study Design: Nested cross-sectional study based on a cohort. Participants: Normal healthy children aged 6 to 15 years from urban schools in Bengaluru. The children were stratified into different land use classification such as residential, commercial and open space based on residential address. Methods: Anthropometric data, body composition data, measured using air displacement plethysmography. Outcomes: Walkability index derived using residential density, street connectivity and land-use mix environment variables. Results: The mean (SD) of age, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score and percentage body fat (% Body fat) of 292 (50% boys) children were 10.8 (2.9) year, 17.4 (3.3) kg/m2, −0.27 (1.35) and 20.9% (8.8), respectively. The mean (SD) walkability index was 16.5, which was negatively associated with BMI (slope −0.25 and -0.08) and percentage body fat (slope −0.47 and −0.21) for age 5 and 10 years, respectively in children, but the effects decreased with increasing age. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study suggest that the neighborhood walkability may be associated with the obesity indices in younger children. Future longitudinal studies are needed to understand how built environment affects health and body composition of children in India and other low-middle income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about men and boys' experiences of child sexual abuse (CSA) in India, particularly about their experiences of disclosing abuse. Disclosure experiences are often important as they can potentially make the path to recovery and healing more tractable or challenging for survivors. Using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with eleven adult men survivors of CSA in India varying in age, location and sexual orientation, to learn about their experiences of disclosing abuse. Barriers to disclosure included guilt, shame, protecting the perpetrator, protecting others from emotional stress and pain, stigma about same-sex sexual activity, and fear of minimisation of abuse experiences. Disclosure was further inhibited by pervasive silence in society about sexuality and sexual abuse. Responses to disclosure were varied and included supportive responses, silence and victim blaming. Findings demonstrate that disclosure experiences of men survivors were strongly influenced by patriarchal and heteronormative norms and practices. Social work has a role to play in building awareness of sexual abuse of boys, helping create a social environment where survivors can feel safe about disclosing abuse, and challenging the oppressive structures of patriarchy and heteronormativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates of child sexual abuse (CSA) during adolescence may undercount exposure and retrospective recollection in adulthood may be prone to recall bias. Thus, a more accurate and CSA may be possible if the question is examined in a large sample of 18 years old. This study examined the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of CSA among college-going 18 years olds. This is a cross-sectional survey of college students. 1424 students from 58 colleges selected by cluster random sampling completed a self-administered questionnaire incorporating standardized instruments. Prevalence rates were calculated. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables and binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlates of CSA. CSA was reported by 13.2% and significantly more common among males compared to females (18.4% vs. 10.4%, P < 0.05). In the full model of binary logistic regression analysis, students who reported sexual abuse were significantly more likely to report psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. The finding was replicated even when male and female students were analyzed separately. To conclude, CSA is common among college students. With an increasing number of young people enrolling in colleges in India, timely interventions on campuses are important to reduce the psychological morbidity in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious and hidden problem in India. Despite being such a huge problem a culture of silence surrounds the subject of CSA. Empowering children to protect themselves and disclose the abuse is the only way to overcome the hidden problem of CSA. Hence the present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of health education. Methodology: Health education through interactive power point discussion and video was imparted to 200 girls of class 6th to 12th in Government higher secondary school, Coimbatore. Baseline data was collected using self-administered questionnaire. A week after the base line assessment, health education was delivered in five sessions with forty students per session. Interactive session lasting for 60 minutes using power point and videos were used to educate children. Follow-up data was collected after two months using the same questionnaire. Results: Initially only 23% of girls were aware about child sex abuse, and then, after intervention witnessed significant improvement to 71.5%. Similarly only 19% of girls were aware of various types of child sex abuse prior to intervention, however significant number of girls became aware post intervention. There was significant improvement in proportion of children (94.5%) who agreed that they will report bad touch to someone they trust until that person believes them. Pre-intervention only 31% of children knew as to what to do if sexually abused, this percentage rose significantly after the intervention. There was a significant improvement in knowledge from 49% to 78% post intervention regarding laws to protect children from sexual offences. Almost 90% of children reported that they knew about the child help line number. Conclusion: In this study has proven that health education imparted to girls has improved their knowledge and empowered them to report the events and protect themselves from such incidents [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual violence is a major public health problem in India and is associated with myriad short- and long-term behavioral health effects. Affected children are at an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, and substance misuse. Behavioral health professionals are highly likely to encounter patients at risk of or with a recent/remote history of child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or sex trafficking. Caregivers of patients may report a history of child sexual violence. Clinicians must possess the knowledge and skills to recognize and appropriately respond to suspected child sexual violence using a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and rights-based approach. Many behavioral health professionals lack the knowledge of child sexual violence and the confidence of working with affected patients. Child sexual violence is not routinely addressed in medical school curricula, nor is it systematically addressed in postgraduate training programs. Practicing clinicians may feel ill-equipped to recognize and manage patients exposed to child sexual violence and may miss opportunities to offer critical support and assistance to vulnerable children and their families. The behavioral health sector needs an organized, systematic, and trauma-informed response to child sexual violence, and this requires specific training of professionals and development of organizational response protocols tailored to fit the needs of the organization and its patient population. Multiple resources are available in India to assist behavioral health professionals, and organization administrators accomplish these goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study expands the limited literature on men survivors of CSA in India. • CSA is often an emotionally painful experience for adult men survivors. • CSA can impact men survivors in individual, interpersonal, and relational ways. • Experiencing CSA may influence men survivors' relationships with children. • Patriarchal constructions of masculinity influence how men survivors experience CSA. Previous research has shown alarming rates of prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) in India, including among boys. However, little is known about lived experiences of men and boys who have experienced sexual abuse during childhood. The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore perspectives of adult men survivors of CSA on impact of abuse. Purposive sample of eleven adult men with lived experience of CSA, located in six different cities across India. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with men survivors of CSA. Study findings show that child sexual abuse can impact men survivors' lives in profound and multiple ways, and survivors' experiences are significantly influenced by sociocultural notions of masculinity. Three themes were identified: impact on self, impact on interpersonal relationships, and impact on relationships with children. Findings challenge some commonly held beliefs and misconceptions about men survivors. CSA can have profound and long-lasting consequences for boys vis-à-vis their wellbeing and interpersonal and social relationships. It is important to center survivors' voices when developing direct practice interventions, programs and policies to address CSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]