Search

The purpose of this study was to examine, in a sample of residential care children, the moderating role of cognitive flexibility in the association between maltreatment and emotion regulation competencies. The sample included 69 children aged 8 to 12 and their group home educator as their primary caretaker. Educators completed questionnaires evaluating child emotion regulation competencies and cognitive flexibility. Child history of maltreatment and sociodemographic data were collected on the basis of the children’s child protective services files. Moderation analyses showed that the effect of child maltreatment on emotion regulation was only present for children with high levels of cognitive flexibility, such that the less children experienced severe maltreatment, the more they showed emotion regulation competencies. Children with low cognitive flexibility displayed lower levels of emotion regulation regardless of their maltreatment history. These results suggest that focusing on cognitive flexibility when intervening with children in residential care could help strengthen their emotion regulation competencies, which may prevent further maladaptive behaviors.

OBJECTIVETo investigate prospective associations between type of child abuse (physical, sexual, both), timing (childhood, young adulthood, both), and welfare receipt into middle-age.METHODSDatabase linkage study using the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children cohort born in 1980 and government administrative databases (N = 3020). We assessed parental tax returns, family and personal background characteristics (1982–1987). At age 22 years, participants answered retrospective questionnaires on experienced childhood abuse (physical, sexual abuse < age 18 years) and intimate partner violence (IPV) (ages 18–22). Main outcome was years on social assistance, on the basis of participant tax returns (ages 23–37 years). Analysis included weights for population representativeness.RESULTSOf 1690 participants (54.4% females) with available data, 22.4% reported childhood abuse only, 14.5% IPV only, and 18.5% both. Prevalence of childhood physical, sexual, and both was 20.4%, 12.2%, and 8.3%, respectively. Adjusting for socioeconomic background and individual characteristics, we found that childhood physical abuse alone and physical or sexual abuse combined were associated with a two-fold risk of welfare receipt, as compared to never-abused (adjusted incidence risk ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–3.58; and adjusted incidence risk ratio 2.04, 95% CI, 1.29–3.23, respectively). Repeated abuse (childhood abuse combined with adult IPV) had a three-fold risk (adjusted incidence ratio 3.59, 95% CI, 2.39–5.37).CONCLUSIONSAbuse across several developmental periods (childhood and young adulthood) is associated with increased risks of long-term welfare receipt, independently of socioeconomic background. Results indicate a dose-response association. Early prevention and targeted identification are crucial to preventing economic adversity that may potentially lead to intergenerational poverty.

Canadian guidelines suggest using a positive, empowering, comprehensive, and safe approach to provide sexual health education (SHE). However, when they do so, decision-makers and educators often favour sexual risk prevention initiatives rather than positive aspects of sexuality. Furthermore, youth often criticize the gap between what they learn in class and what they experience in “real” life. This is particularly true for youth who have experienced sexual dating violence and whose particular needs are little considered in the development of SHE initiatives. The current qualitative study aimed to identify the key principles of SHE from the perspective of adolescent girls who experienced sexual dating violence. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 100 adolescent female participants, aged between 14 and 19 years old, who reported at least one experience of sexual dating violence. Four conceptual categories were created based on participants’ narratives, from which a theorization of SHE key principles was conducted: (1) Consent-Based: SHE should promote the affirmation and respect of sexual desires and boundaries; (2) Positive-Oriented: SHE should promote the legitimization of girls’ sexuality and pleasure; (3) Gender Equality–Focused: SHE should promote gender equality in sexual and romantic relationships; and (4) Developmentally Appropriate: SHE should correspond to the psychosexual development of youth. Results support the relevance of educating about consent, promoting a positive and inclusive approach to sexuality with sexually victimized youth, and involving them in SHE initiatives to better meet their needs. Implications for practice are discussed.

This study presents an exploratory mixed-method descriptive analysis of psychological distress, challenges encountered and coping strategies of youth during the first wave of COVID-19. A total of 4 914 Quebec youth, aged 14 to 25 recruited through social media completed an online survey on the impact of the pandemic on their daily life, psychological distress and post-traumatic growth. They were also invited to answer two open-ended questions regarding the difficulties they experienced and their coping strategies. Overall, 26.6% of youth showed serious psychological distress and 20.3% displayed probable PTSD symptoms related to the COVID-19. Comparative analyses revealed that youth identifying as gender and sexual minorities were more vulnerable to distress during the first wave of the pandemic. While few sociodemographic variables distinguish youth reporting post-traumatic growth from those who do not, the former group was more likely to seek and receive social support. Qualitative data highlighted difficulties that were common to many respondents including lack of social contacts, the lockdown itself, and problems related to disruptions of educational and academic activities. Youth also mentioned three main strategies they used to cope: maintaining social contacts, engaging in leisure activities and physical exercise. While many youths have encountered compelling challenges during the lockdown of the first wave of COVID-19, some report having relied on efficient coping strategies to deal with the situation. Support services should be implemented to help the youth cope with the pandemic while considering their diverse needs.

Le programme Lanterne vise à prévenir la violence sexuelle et s’adresse aux enfants d’âge préscolaire ainsi qu’aux adultes qui gravitent autour d’eux. Cette étude vise à recueillir 1) les perceptions des personnes éducatrices concernant l’utilisation des outils pédagogiques du programme auprès des enfants et 2) l’expérience subjective des personnes-ressources qui agissent à titre de Lanterne. Selon les personnes interrogées, les outils sont très appréciés des tout-petits et le programme est adapté à leur niveau développemental. Les personnes Lanterne ont aussi observé des retombées positives du programme sur leur pratique professionnelle, elles rapportent notamment accorder un plus grand respect à l’intimité des jeunes enfants. Finalement, les données recueillies permettent d’offrir des recommandations en vue d’assurer la pérennité du programme., The “Lanterne” Program, aimed at preventing sexual violence, is intended for preschoolers and the adults close to them. The purpose of this study is to collect data on 1) educator perceptions regarding the use of the program’s educational tools with children and 2) the subjective experiences of resource persons acting as Lanterns. According to the interviewees, the tools are very popular with the children and the program is developmentally appropriate for them. The Lanterns have also observed that the program has positive impacts on their professional practice, including greater respect for the privacy of young children. Finally, the collected data suggests recommendations to ensure the program’s sustainability., El programa Lanterne tiene como objetivo prevenir la violencia sexual. Está dirigido tanto a los niños en edad preescolar como a los adultos que gravitan a su alrededor. Este estudio tiene como objetivo recopilar: 1) las percepciones de las educadoras sobre el uso de las herramientas educativas del programa con los niños y 2) la experiencia subjetiva de las personas recursos que actúan como linternas (Lanterne). Según los entrevistados, las herramientas son muy populares entre los niños pequeños y el programa está adaptado a su nivel de desarrollo. Las personas linternas (Lanterne) también han observado el impacto positivo del programa en su práctica profesional, en particular, informan otorgar un mayor respeto a la intimidad de los niños pequeños. Finalmente, los datos recopilados permiten ofrecer recomendaciones en vista de asegurar la continuidad del programa.

Resume L’agression sexuelle (AS) est une problematique associee a des consequences deleteres tant au plan psychologique que relationnel, dont la prevalence est particulierement elevee chez les adolescentes. Afin d’ameliorer les interventions offertes aux victimes d’AS, les recentes etudes ont identifie des facteurs associes a l’efficacite therapeutique. En parallele, certaines etudes ont explore l’influence du nombre de victimisations anterieures sur l’effet des interventions, mais peu d’entre-elles ont analyse ce possible impact dans le cadre d’interventions de groupe offertes aux adolescentes. La presente etude a donc pour objectif d’evaluer les effets d’une intervention de groupe d’approche psychoeducative, et d’examiner le role du nombre de victimisations vecues sur l’evolution des symptomes a la suite de l’intervention. Un echantillon de 44 adolescentes (M = 14,93 ans, ET = 1,47) a ete recrute au Centre d’intervention en abus sexuels pour la famille (CIASF). Elles ont complete des instruments portant sur les symptomes lies aux problemes de comportement, aux symptomes de stress post-traumatique, de dissociation ainsi qu’au sentiment de culpabilite, avant et apres l’intervention. Les resultats revelent que l’intervention de groupe psychoeducative permet de diminuer significativement plusieurs symptomes, a l’exception des problemes de comportements exteriorises. Par ailleurs, les analyses de regression indiquent qu’un nombre plus eleve de formes de victimisation predit une evolution moindre pour plusieurs symptomes en fin de traitement. En conclusion, bien que l’intervention psychoeducative soit liee a des effets benefiques, prendre en consideration les experiences de victimisation multiple chez les adolescentes beneficiant de ces services permettrait d’en optimiser les effets chez les adolescentes.

Objectives Alexithymia is a risk factor associated with a wide array of mental health issues and has been linked to a history of trauma including child sexual abuse. Yet, few measures evaluating alexithymia in children have been validated. This study aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the French version of the Children's Alexithymia Measure (CAM; Way et al., 2010) in a sample of sexually abused children. Methods A sample of 418 non-offending caregivers of sexually abused children aged 6 to 12 completed the Children's Alexithymia Measure. They were also invited to complete a series of questionnaires used as validity indices including the Emotion Regulation Checklist, the Child Behavior Checklist and the Child Dissociative Checklist. Results Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the unidimensional factor structure of the Children's Alexithymia Measure and the total score showed high internal consistency. As expected, the total score of the Children's Alexithymia Measure was positively correlated with emotion regulation difficulties. In addition, the total score of the Children's Alexithymia Measure was found to be correlated with dimensions of both internalizing and externalizing behavior problems as well as dissociative symptoms, with children displaying higher scores of alexithymia showing higher symptoms. Conclusions Findings provide initial support for the psychometric properties of the French version of the Children's Alexithymia Measure with a clinical sample of child victims of sexual abuse. The measure could be useful for future studies exploring the mediating role of alexithymia in the association between trauma and psychopathology. The measure could as well be a relevant tool in the clinical assessment of vulnerable children.

Considering the increased risk of revictimization, adolescents who have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA) are a priority subpopulation for the prevention of dating violence. Yet, intervention programs often focus on psychological symptomology associated with CSA; few tackle issues specific to relational violence. Addressing the relational traumatization of adolescents with a history of CSA is essential to prevent their revictimization. Given specific CSA sequelae related to intimacy and engagement in sexual behaviors, there is a need for tailoring interventions to boy and girl survivors. A case study of a group intervention designed for adolescent girls with a history of CSA was conducted. The context adaptation, based on intervention mapping proposed by Bartholomew and colleagues, served as a theoretical framework. Four steps were taken to ensure that the intervention addressed CSA youth needs: (a) needs assessment, (b) analysis of the conceptual framework of the original program, (c) selection of interventions and developing new interventions, and (d) validation with a committee of practitioners. This approach provided an understanding of risk factors and intervention priorities using the problem logic model. The original program was enhanced by adding four interventions addressing the prevention of dating violence. These interventions were then validated by practitioners before implementation in the setting. The approach underscores the relevance of understanding the needs of the clientele and of adopting a collaborative approach to ensure the proposed interventions are relevant.

Childhood maltreatment and neglect are associated with a host of negative outcomes. Yet, some children show resilience despite their exposure to these traumatic events. Several protective factors have been documented in the literature, but few studies focus on protective factors in the child’s community that can promote resilience. The purpose of this review was to provide a comprehensive portrait of the impact of community protective factors on the resilience of abused and neglected children. The databases PsycNet and PubMed were used to screen the literature relying on the following inclusion criteria: (1) published in English or in French; (2) report empirical and quantitative data; (3) include a minimum sample size of 30 participants; (4) rely on a sample of maltreated children or adolescents under the age of 24; (5) examine the associations between community protective factors and indicators of psychological adaptation; and (6) include outcome measures that assessed either positive adaptation or the absence of symptomatology in participants. Of the 9,553 articles identified, 44 studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review. Although many protective factors show significant results, several methodological limitations remain to be examined to affirm that these community variables have a significant impact on the level of resilience of maltreated children. Since child maltreatment is a systemic issue, it remains important to fully understand how community protective factors operate on the resilience of these children as it can greatly inform practitioners and community institutions on how to intervene with populations at risk of maltreatment.

Adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, given their increased socialization needs during this developmental period. This prospective study examined the potential changes in adolescents’ well-being from before to during the pandemic, and the moderating role of a history of child maltreatment (CM), COVID-19-related distress, and gender among 1,802 adolescents (55.5% participants identified as boy, 42.2% as girl, and 1.5% as nonbinary; Mage 14.74 years). Another aim was to determine whether COVID-19-related distress mediated the relationship between CM and well-being. Results revealed that COVID-19-related distress was associated with lower well-being (i.e., higher levels of internalized and externalized behaviors, and lower levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction). Boys experienced a greater decrease in life satisfaction and self-esteem than girls. A history of CM had a moderation effect, with the pandemic having a lesser impact on the outcomes of adolescents with such a history. However, it was also associated with more COVID-19-related distress, which in turn was associated with lower levels of internalized and externalized behaviors, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. These unexpected results with regard to CM might indicate that the social restrictions during the pandemic could have had a relieving effect on adolescents with particular challenges associated with CM.

Physical dating violence (DV) is a widespread problem among adolescents. A growing body of literature demonstrates that physical DV often occurs during disagreements when partners use destructive conflict management strategies, such as conflict engagement (e.g., losing control, criticizing) or withdrawal (e.g., acting cold, being distant). However, little is known regarding how the individual daily variability on the use of destructive conflict management strategies can influence the probability of perpetrating day-to-day physical DV, especially if the other partner is also perceived as using destructive behaviors. Using an intensive longitudinal approach, the current study first aimed to examine the daily associations between the use of various conflict management strategies and physical DV perpetration in adolescent dating relationships. A second objective was to investigate if perceived partner’s conflict behaviors moderated the relation between self-reported conflict management strategies and day-to-day physical DV perpetration. A sample of 216 adolescents ( Mage = 17.03, SD = 1.49) involved in a dating relationship, completed a baseline assessment followed by 14 daily diaries. Results of multilevel logistic analyses revealed that using conflict engagement strategies significantly increased the probability of day-to-day physical DV perpetration. Furthermore, the probability of perpetrating physical DV was significantly higher on days in which teens reported using high levels of conflict engagement while also perceiving their partner as using high levels of conflict engagement or withdrawal. These findings yield new insights on the daily context in which disagreements might escalate into aggression. Evidence from this study further supports the conflict escalation pattern and the demand/withdraw communication pattern in the context of adolescent dating relationships. Preventive initiatives should address the interplay of perceptions and conflict behaviors concerning physical DV perpetration.

Child sexual abuse is associated with a range of negative consequences, including behavior problems and dissociative and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) has shown to be successful in the treatment of child victims of sexual abuse, but yet presents some challenges with preschoolers. Child sexual abuse has often been associated with insecure attachment among preschool children. Therefore, combining an attachment-based intervention with the TF-CBT may offer a means to optimize therapeutic outcomes. This pilot study examined in a pre/post-test design whether the combination of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) with the TF-CBT led to changes in the well-being of sexually abused preschoolers and their parents. Participants included 33 sexually abused children aged 4 to 6 years old and their non-offending caregivers. Parents completed questionnaires on their child’s behavior problems and dissociative symptoms, and reported on their own psychological distress and posttraumatic symptoms following their child’s disclosure of trauma. Results showed decreases in child internalizing and dissociative symptoms and maternal psychological distress and posttraumatic symptoms after the intervention. This pilot study suggests this combined protocol is a promising tool to foster the recovery of young victims of sexual abuse and their non-offending caregivers.

The effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) have been found to surpass generations as maternal history of CSA is associated with increased difficulties in sexually abused children. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. The present study aimed to test maternal mental health symptoms including psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and dissociation as mediators of the relationship between maternal CSA and children’s internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms in a large sample of sexually abused children. A total of 997 sexually abused children aged 3-14 years old and their mothers were recruited at five specialized intervention centers offering services to sexually abused children and their families. The children were divided into two groups depending on their mothers’ self-reported history of CSA. Mothers completed a series of questionnaires assessing their mental health and children’s functioning. Maternal history of CSA was associated with increased maternal psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and dissociation following children’s disclosure of CSA. In turn, maternal psychological distress and maternal dissociation were associated with increased child internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms. Maternal PTSD symptoms were associated with child internalizing symptoms. Maternal mental health difficulties mediated the association between maternal CSA and sexually abused children’s maladaptive outcomes. Clinicians should assess for possible history of CSA in mothers of sexually abused children and determine how best to support them to cope with the aftermaths of their child’s disclosure and with their own traumatic past.

Cette étude expose les résultats de l’évaluation des effets d’un nouveau programme de prévention de la violence sexuelle chez des jeunes de secondaire III au cours de sa phase pilote. Cette évaluation repose sur un devis préexpérimental prétest/post-test, auprès d’un échantillon de 167 élèves ayant participé aux ateliers en classe. Les résultats révèlent qu’après leur participation au programme, les élèves améliorent leurs connaissances, leurs attitudes, leurs habiletés préventives et de soutien, et leur sentiment d’autoefficacité. Cette étude cerne des effets favorables à la participation au programme et contribue à l’optimisation des pratiques préventives offertes aux jeunes en matière de violence sexuelle., This study presents the results of a pilot evaluative study of a new sexual violence prevention program designed for high school students. This evaluation is based on a pre-experimental pre-test/post-test design from a sample of 167 high school youths who participated in the classroom workshops. Results show that following their participation in the program, they improved their knowledge, attitudes, protective and supportive skills, and self-efficacy toward sexual violence. This study identifies positive effects following the participation in this program and helps optimize sexual violence prevention initiatives targeting youth.

Context Child sexual abuse (CSA) is an important public health problem associated with an array of negative consequences. Although prevalence rates are well established from North America, few studies have focused on the extent of CSA and associated outcomes in youth from France. Objectives This study aimed to: 1) estimate the prevalence of CSA, 2) assess the associations between CSA and health outcomes while exploring possible gender specificities and 3) document the contribution of revictimization on symptom complexity. Method The sample involved 2309 participants aged between 14 and 23 years old (M = 19.55). Measures assessing CSA, other forms of child maltreatment and mental health problems were administered. Sexual revictimization and a host of protective factors (resilience, coping strategies, parental support) were also assessed. Results CSA was reported by 13.1% of girls and 4.2% of boys. Regression analyses revealed that CSA was associated with all mental health outcomes except alcohol and drug use (other than cannabis) after controlling for sociodemographics and other forms of child maltreatment. Sexual revictimization was associated with symptom complexity. Emotion-centered and avoidance coping predicted symptom complexity while resilience and paternal support acted as protective factors. Limitations The study relied on a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample, which limits the generalizability of results. The small number of boys reporting CSA precludes drawing firm conclusions as to the gender specificities in the outcomes associated with CSA. Conclusions Findings underscore the relevance of developing efficient prevention programs as CSA is linked to a host of negative outcomes.

Peer victimization and dating violence are highly prevalent among adolescents. Those two forms of victimization are notably associated with heightened levels of internalizing problems. The stress generation hypothesis stipulates that depressive cognitions and behaviors may generate interpersonal stressors for depressed individuals. It has thus been hypothesized that victims of peer victimization may experience higher levels of internalizing problems, which in turn, may render them more at risk of experiencing dating violence victimization. We used a longitudinal design with three waves from the Quebec Youth’s Romantic Relationships Survey ( n = 4,923). Participants (59.6% girls, aged between 14 and 18 years old) reported their experiences of dating violence victimization, peer victimization and psychological distress. A cross-lagged panel analysis was performed to test the mediational effect of psychological distress between peer victimization and dating violence while controlling for age and gender. The interaction effect of gender in the model was also tested. The longitudinal relationship between peer victimization and dating violence victimization was significantly mediated by internalizing problems. This result thus supports the stress generation hypothesis. No interaction effect of gender was observed in the model, thus suggesting that this relationship does not change as a function of gender. This study offers to practitioners in the area of prevention and intervention for peer victimization and dating violence a different way of tackling the problem of revictimization. Indeed, our findings revealed that internalizing problems were longitudinally associated with subsequent relational problems, when occurring after being victimized. Therefore, addressing internalizing problems instead, or in addition to prevention or intervention efforts to stop victimization may help in reducing revictimization rates.