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School engagement is a luxury not often afforded to children involved in the child welfare system. Current definitions of school engagement largely center around three micro-level foci: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive. These definitions rely heavily on the student and their participation in school in prescribed ways that can exclude system-involved youth, leaving little room to consider how life experiences and developmental trajectories interface with how students show up in educational spaces. This perspective of school engagement also lacks socio-ecological considerations that may impact children in the child welfare system, such as frequent school moves, trauma reactions, systemic racism, and insufficient access to structural resources. Each of these influences may affect how a child engages with school and how a school engages with children and families. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the conceptual misalignments of the current approaches to measuring school engagement for youth involved in the child-welfare system and its subsequent implications for practice and research. We present recommendations that may lead to more inclusive and equitable measures of this important "determinant of life success." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing from Spencer's phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST), this study examines how Black adolescents navigate racism-related stress, ethnic-racial socialization, and critical reflection as racial ecologies, and their association with coping strategies. Additionally, we explore critical action, a unique coping strategy related to critical consciousness. Using latent profile analysis, data from 200 Black adolescents (Mage = 14.2 years) were analyzed, with racism, ethnic-racial socialization, and critical reflection as indicators. Profile differences in coping were also investigated. Four distinct profiles of Black teen racial ecologies were identified: (a) Positively Racially Socialized, Less Discriminated (n = 88); (b) Racially Socialized, Discriminated, and Aware (n = 47); (c) Racially Discriminated and Negatively Socialized (n = 37); and (d) Low Racially Salient (n = 28). These profiles exhibited differences in coping strategy endorsement. The findings highlight the importance of Black youth's racial ecologies in shaping their coping mechanisms and have implications for research and clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School engagement has been identified as a protective factor, mitigating the effects of trauma, and promoting adaptive functioning. However, the ways in which school engagement is measured and understood for youth involved with the child welfare system is limited. This structured review of the literature aims to explore the measurement tools used to assess school engagement for youth involved with the child welfare system with the purpose of identifying the measures most commonly used with this youth population, and determining if there are measures specific to this unique child population. Fourteen databases were searched to identify articles published through March 2020. Articles were included if they, (a) were conducted in the United States, (b) measured school engagement through quantitative methods, (c) the sample was primarily youth involved with the child welfare system. After screening the review yielded 29 articles. All but one of the studies utilized scales that were not created for child welfare populations. The one study that did create a scale for this youth population, utilized scale items from a measure not created for child welfare youth. Results highlight a need to expand the measurement of school engagement to focus specifically on the unique experiences of this youth population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both in the United States and across the world, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread social problem. It often occurs in households with children, and IPV exposure during childhood is associated with negative sequelae across developmental domains. This systematic review synthesizes the literature on the effects of IPV exposure on social-emotional competence (i.e., social competence, empathy, emotion regulation) from infancy through late adolescence. Seven bibliographic software databases were searched for relevant citations up to August 2020, and a total of 15,354 citations were identified after deduplication. Following a screening process by two research assistants, 381 citations were included in a broader Evidence and Gap Map. Data extraction was completed for included citations, and all were coded into child outcome categories and subcategories. Twenty-six studies examined social-emotional competence. Across studies examining social competence, a majority found that IPV-exposed children demonstrated lower levels of social competence and emotional regulation than a comparison group. Limited evidence was found to indicate that IPV-exposed children also exhibited fewer empathic skills compared with non-exposed peers. Social-emotional competence was additionally identified to significantly mediate and/or moderate the association between IPV exposure and other outcomes (e.g., aggressive behaviors, psychological distress), underscoring that social-emotional competence may be a malleable factor that could promote resilience among children exposed to IPV. These findings highlight the need to further explore the associations between social-emotional competence and other child adjustment outcomes, and develop and implement programming to foster social-emotional competence among IPV-exposed children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure threatens healthy child development by compromising outcomes across a range of domains including academic functioning. However, research suggests variability in the strength and nature of the association between IPV exposure and academic functioning, and the extent to which it varies by different academic outcomes and co-occurring risk factors (e.g., child maltreatment). This systematic review seeks to clarify the relation between IPV exposure and academic functioning by distilling overall outcome trends and critically assessing the existing literature's strengths and limitations. Seven databases were searched to identify relevant articles published through August 2020. Studies were included if (a) at least 80% of the sample were from birth to 18 years of age; (b) valid tools were used to measure outcome variables, and (c) outcomes of children exposed to IPV were compared with children who experienced other forms of violence and/or no violence exposure. After screening, the review yielded 13 articles examining academic functioning. The majority (76.9%, n = 10) of the studies found a negative association between IPV exposure and academic functioning, but results varied among subdomains of academic functioning (subjective performance, objective performance, and conduct). Findings from several studies indicate that the combined experience of IPV exposure and maltreatment negatively affects academic functioning. Results highlight the need for: 1) additional research examining IPV exposure and academic functioning 2) early detection of IPV-exposed children, and 3) the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions to support academic functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black racial identity (BRI), particularly centrality and private regard, have been linked to mental health and are often theorized to reflect trait-like and situational influences. We estimated the strength of trait and dyadic relationships (a type of situation) for BRI and its links to subclinical anxiety and depression. Black university students (N = 110) rated their BRI, mental health, and perceived support when with or thinking about three relationship partners (e.g., mothers, friends). Variance components analyses estimated the strength of trait and dyadic effects. All constructs had significant trait and dyadic components. Participants with higher trait private regard and centrality reported better mental health than those with lower BRI. Additionally, BRI varied depending upon which partner was rated (dyadic effects). When a participant experienced high private regard or centrality with a partner, the participant had low subclinical depression and anxiety in that relationship. When a participant had high BRI and mental health when with a partner, the participant saw the partner as highly supportive. Findings suggest the importance of supportive others for adaptive BRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Psychosocial factors and life stressors have an impact on long-term health effects on mothers and their children. Recent studies examining maternal mental health have predominantly focused on identifying maternal experiences with depression; however, there has been minimal research investigating maternal experiences with psychosocial risk factors and its relationship with child well-being. Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted using data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study. The study sample includes 2396 adolescents and their biological mothers. Adolescents were between the ages of 14 and 19. We examined primary outcomes regarding mental health (depression and anxiety), life-satisfaction, and substance usage (alcohol and drugs). Results: The association between maternal psychosocial factors an adolescent depression was significant, F(26) = 5.29, p <.01. Mothers educational attainment and poverty level significantly predicted adolescent depression; with completion of some college (B = −0.411, p 0.025), a college degree (B = −0.540, p = 0.018), and living at the 300% poverty level (B = −0.725, p = 0.002) predicting lower levels of adolescent depression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that there was a positive relationship between maternal mental health and adolescent mental health. Further, this study demonstrated that maternal mental health and social determinants of health are predictors of adolescent mental health and social functioning, thus indicating an inextricable connection to child well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive alcohol use and problems during college is a major public health concern, and there are health disparities in patterns of drinking and alcohol-related illnesses based on ethnicity and race. Given the prevalence and disparities in excessive alcohol use and problems and associated negative impacts, it is important to examine potential protective factors such as dimensions of ethnic-racial identity (ERI). Thus, the current study examined how multiple dimensions of ERI were associated with alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms, and how these relations varied by individuals' ethnic-racial group among 1850 diverse emerging adults (M = 18.46, SD =.38). Findings indicated that there were significant differences by race/ethnicity. ERI affirmation was negatively associated with AUD symptoms for Asian individuals and African American individuals, while ERI exploration was positively associated with AUD symptoms among African American individuals. ERI resolution was negatively associated with alcohol use for Latinx individuals and positively associated with alcohol use for Multiracial individuals. Among White individuals, ERI exploration was negatively associated with alcohol use and ERI affirmation was negatively associated with AUD symptoms. Overall, the current study builds on our understanding of nuanced ways in which ethnic-racial identity impacts alcohol problems among emerging adults and highlights areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act scale (DFSCA) has been widely used to measure school engagement in studies utilizing the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) data. Recent analyses using NSCAW-I suggest that the best use of the DFSCA scale is a three-factor structure measuring emotional, behavioral, and cognitive-behavioral engagement. However, this three-factor structure presented concerns with the cognitive-behavioral engagement construct, warranting further analyses. This study aimed to test the three-factor structure in separate samples, and to test an alternative model that excluded the cognitive-behavioral engagement construct. Using NSCAW-II data, we performed a series of confirmatory factor analyses, to explore the fit of the hypothesized and alternative models across three random samples. We extracted three random samples from the NSCAW-II data, without replication. Each sub-sample represented 20 % of the larger NSCAW-II sample. The samples included children between the ages of 6 and 15 who were involved with the child welfare system due to a maltreatment report. Results indicated that both the three-factor structure that includes the cognitive-behavioral engagement construct, and the two-factor structure that excludes the factor fit the data well. Implications for using these factor structures in future research is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines distinguishing characteristics of father-perpetrated maltreatment and disparities in Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation outcomes based on perpetrator gender and race. A sample of children (N = 2,017) reported to CPS for maltreatment attributed to their mother and/or father was drawn from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II). Measures included perpetrator(s) relationship to the child (mother alone, father alone, mother and father) and race (Black, White, Other), caseworker-reported maltreatment characteristics and co-occurring risk factors, and CPS investigation outcomes (services, substantiation, out-of-home placement, criminal investigation, and criminal charges). Bivariate analyses revealed no clear pattern of higher risk for maltreatment involving fathers. In regression, father-alone perpetration predicted less out-of-home placement but more criminal investigations and charges. A significant interaction indicated the greatest risk for criminal charges when a Black father co-perpetrated maltreatment with mother. Findings imply needs for anti-bias training, specialized services for fathers, and coordinated diversion between child welfare and criminal justice systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the development of psychobehavioral symptoms (internalizing, externalizing, and posttraumatic stress [PTS]) of child welfare–involved adolescents over a 3-year period and to identify predictors of the trajectories. Using three waves of data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW-II), latent growth curve modeling was conducted on a sample of 350 adolescents who were between 11 and 13 years of age at baseline. Findings indicated that adolescents' internalizing symptoms decreased over time, whereas externalizing symptoms remained stable over time. PTS symptoms decreased over time in girls, but not boys. Physical abuse predicted higher levels of externalizing behaviors and sexual abuse predicted a slower decrease in PTS symptoms. Greater child prosocial skills and higher quality of caregiver–child relationship were associated with lower initial levels of externalizing symptoms. In addition, a higher quality caregiver–child relationship and greater satisfaction with peer relationships were associated with lower initial levels of internalizing and PTS symptoms. Findings suggest that intervention strategies should consider gender, maltreatment type, and interpersonal and social skills to effectively prevent the development of psychobehavioral symptoms among child welfare–involved youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This exploratory study identifies barriers and facilitators to self-management to inform future epilepsy self-management interventions for persons who have epilepsy complicated by co-morbid mental health conditions and serious medical events. Methods Focus group methods were used in a series of community advisory board meetings. Analysis was conducted using a thematic, constant comparative approach aiming to describe the range of barriers and facilitators salient to participants. There were a total of 22 participants, including 8 health professionals, 9 patients with epilepsy, and 5 care partners. Mean age was 49.1 (SD = 11.0, range 32–69), 11 (50%) were female, and 11 (50%) were male. For those with epilepsy, mean years having epilepsy was 24.7 (SD = 19.9, range 1–58 years). Results Individual psychological barriers (mental illness, fatigue, and psychological distress) prominently interfered with health behaviors. Community and family barriers included stigma, lack of epilepsy knowledge, and poor social support. Facilitators included planning for seizures, learning about medications, stress management, socializing with others, and talking with other epilepsy patients. Discussion Qualitative evidence in this study suggests a linkage between social integration and positive health behaviors. Future efforts to embed patients with epilepsy and their caregivers into clinical care processes could offset barriers and enhance facilitators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess perceived facilitators and recommendations for stroke recovery and prevention among younger African-American (AA) men (age < 65 years) in order to inform the development and pilot testing of an intervention for this high-risk group. Methods: Focus group methodology was used to collect data from 10 community-dwelling AA stroke survivors and seven of their care partners (CPs) (N = 17). Thematic analysis of session transcripts and the constant comparative method were used to generate themes. Results: Participants cited facilitators to post-stroke care and recovery as Family Support, Stress Reduction, and Dietary Changes. Specific person-level recommendations for AA men included following established stroke guidelines, use of complementary and alternative medicine, and never give up recovery efforts. Community-level recommendations included making a list of community resources available, providing support and education to care partners, using videos that feature AA men to deliver information and use AA men stroke survivors to help disseminate the information. Provider and health system recommendations included consolidation of medical bills, improving provider communication skills, and making providers aware of needs specific to AA men and their families. Conclusions: While AA men and their CPs acknowledged and welcomed learning more about the American Health Association Stroke Prevention Guidelines, it is clear that they desired approaches that addressed their specific needs and preferences as young AA men who sometimes felt de-valued by their community and care providers. Specific person, community and care-system level approaches that are of perceived value to AA men offer potential to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates how younger African-American (AA) men less than 65 years old perceive facilitators and recommendations for stroke prevention and recovery in order to help develop health interventions for this high risk group. Focus group methodology was used to generate themes from 10 community dwelling AA stroke survivors. Findings showed that these men who sometimes felt devalued by their communities and care providers desired approaches that address their specific needs as AA men.

Background: African Americans (AAs) who experience a first time stroke are younger and have double the stroke rate and more poststroke complications than other Americans. Objective: To assess perceived poststroke care barriers among younger AA men and their care partners (CPs) in order to inform the development of acceptable and effective improvements in poststroke care for this high-risk group. Methods: Ten community-dwelling AA stroke survivors and 7 of their CPs participated in focus groups and advisory board meetings. Survivors had stroke or transient ischemic attack within 1 year and a Barthel Index score &nvgt;60. In focus groups, using a semi-structured interview guide, survivors and CPs identified self-perceived barriers and facilitators to poststroke care. Thematic analysis of session transcripts and the constant comparative method were used to generate themes. Results: Survivor age ranged from 34 to 64 years. Mean Barthel score was 95.5. CPs, all AA women, ranged in age from 49 to 61 years. Five CPs were wives, 1 was a fiancée, and 1 was a niece. Participants cited multiple personal, social, and societal stroke recovery challenges. Although hypertension and smoking risks were acknowledged, stress, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anger/frustration, personal identity change, and difficulty communicating unique needs as AA men were more frequently noted. Facilitators included family support, stress reduction, and dietary changes. Conclusions: Younger AA men and their CPs perceive multiple poststroke care barriers. Biological risk reduction education may not capture all salient aspects of health management for AA stroke survivors. Leveraging family and community strengths, addressing psychological health, and directly engaging patients with health care teams may improve care management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]