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This study examined the conditions for, and mechanisms of, mentoring efficacy against depression symptoms in a random sample of 202 adolescent North Korean refugees living in South Korea. Rhodes (2005) argued that mentoring may benefit adolescents with high parental attachment because social engagement comes easily to them, and that it also may benefit adolescents with weak attachment because of greater need. The present study drew on Rhodes' (2005) theory to postulate curvilinear moderation of the mentoring-depression relationship by parental attachment. Teacher and peer attachment were posited as mediators of the relationship between mentoring and depression. Using fixed effects regression models, Sobel tests, and non-parametric bootstraps to test the hypotheses, a negative association was identified between mentoring and depression symptoms. Results suggested mediation by social withdrawal, and models also found a significant curvilinear moderating effect of parental attachment on the mentoring-depression relationship. These findings suggest that adolescent North Korean refugees with strong parental attachment and adolescent North Korean refugees with weak parental attachment may disproportionately benefit from mentoring as compared with adolescent North Korean refugees who scored in the middle in parental attachment. These results are also consistent with the idea that mentoring may reduce social withdrawal which, in turn, reduces depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child neglect is prevalent in western rural China, yet there is limited research among ethnic minority communities. The Salar, a Turkic-Muslim ethnic minority residing primarily in western China, also face this specific problem. The group is deeply influenced by ethnicity, Islam and Chinese Confucianism, which in turn makes women vulnerable to child marriage and IPV. These victimizations, coupled with various life stressors, further complicate the challenges of providing adequate care for their children. This study hypothesizes a relationship between child neglect and maternal child marriage, IPV victimization, and depression symptoms. 201 married Salar women from five villages in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, China, were randomly selected to participate in the study. A probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling approach was used to collect a random representative multi-stage cluster sample in 2022. Random effects Poisson regression models were used to test the hypotheses. The participants reported a 65.6 % rate of child neglect and a 30.8 % rate of IPV in the past year. 37.6 % experienced child marriage. Results revealed significant associations between child neglect and child marriage, IPV, and depression symptoms. A two-way interaction between IPV and depression symptoms was strongly positively associated with child neglect. This research indicates that Salar Muslim mothers who have experienced child marriage, adulthood victimization, and depression are at a higher risk of neglecting their children. The findings represent a valuable initial step toward researching and addressing the protection needs of women and children from Muslim ethnic minorities in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intergenerational transmission of trauma is a major focus of international research. Epigenetic, complex-trauma, and intergenerational abuse pattern transmission theoretical explanations all have existing empirical support. Three-D theory argues that in addition to trauma victimization severity, victimization invasiveness and exploitativeness have important independent effects. Moreover, 3-D theory claims that a positive 3-way interaction occurs between trauma victimization invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity. This study examines the 3-D hypotheses in the context of intergenerational trauma effects on adolescent depression symptoms and suicidal ideation in generation two. Three-D theory may play a particularly important role in intergenerational trauma effects for female victims in the context of conservative South Asian sex role norms. Test for main effects, two-way, and three-way interaction effects of invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity of traumatic victimization on intergenerational transmission to adolescent depression and suicidal ideation in generation two. Pathways from maternal depression and borderline personality symptoms as well as physical and sexual abuse and neglect of the adolescent child were also tested. and setting. Participants were a nationally representative, random, multi-stage cluster sample of 1089 Nepali mothers and their 15–17 year old adolescent children. Regression models with adjustments for clustering within municipality were used to test the hypotheses. One in four Nepali adolescents had considered suicide; more than half had high depression scores. A three-way interaction effect between maternal trauma invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity was positively associated with adolescent depression symptoms. A two-way interaction effect between exploitativeness and severity of maternal trauma was positively associated with adolescent suicidal ideation. Maternal depression, BPD symptoms, and very severe physical abuse of the adolescent were also associated with adolescent depression symptoms. Further research is needed to measure and investigate invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity of traumatic victimization as they bear on intergenerational transmission of trauma. Examination of intergenerational transmission of self-concept as a potential vector is recommended. • First large scale study of 3-D theory of traumatic victimization. • Features trauma invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity. • Intergenerational effects of trauma on adolescent depression & suicidal ideation. • Nationally representative sample of 1089 mothers and adolescents in Nepal. • Empirical support for 3-way interaction effect posited by 3-D theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a form of maltreatment that involves a child in sexual activity that she or he cannot fully comprehend or is unable to give informed consent to. The empirical link between child neglect and contact child sexual abuse is well established but little research examines mediators that explain this link. This study tests online risk behaviors and unwanted sexual experiences online as sequential mediators of the neglect – CSA relationship. The study uses a representative cross-sectional sample of 1097 Hong Kong adolescents. Preacher and Hayes' (2008) non-parametric bootstrap approach was used to test three mediation hypotheses. Baseline logistic regression models showed neglected children had 11.2 times higher odds of reporting contact CSA (p <.001). Similarly, neglect was associated with 3.5 times higher odds of more online risk behavior (p <.001), which in turn was associated with 2.7 times higher odds of more online invasive exploitation (p <.001). Online invasive exploitation was associated with 2.7 times higher odds of reporting offline contact CSA (p <.001). The study found online risk behaviors to be a significant mediator of the relationship between neglect and online invasive exploitation (unwanted online sexual experiences). Online invasive exploitation, in turn, mediated the relationship between online risk behaviors and offline contact CSA. The findings highlight the importance of intervening against neglect as it appears to play a vital role in the etiology of contact CSA in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence in the field of child labour has identified social norms among the key antecedents. Social norms regulate actions of people within the social order. Where social norms are institutionalized and legitimized, people conform to them out of a sense of duty. It is argued that legitimate, deep-rooted, and institutionalized social norms are difficult to change. Yet, there have been some significant improvements in research suggesting that normative change programs can effectively shift deep-rooted social norms. In this study, we explored a pathway to change social norms that underpin child labour practices in four major hubs of cocoa and sea fishing. We employed a bottom-up practice research approach to co-design the study, and implemented it through narrative vignette interviews. Using vignette stimulus, we interviewed parents (n = 40), with 20 of them perceived to have engaged their children in child labour, and stakeholders in the communities (n = 10). Findings from the narrative interviews revealed norms on informal apprenticeship, inheriting family business, and hard work, among the core child labour norms. We unraveled the constitutive procedural norms that legitimize and justify the child labour norms in the communities. Based on this, a normative change framework has been designed and supported with suggested intervention programs to shift the social norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The influence of father involvement on intimate partner violence (IPV) and men's health is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of six aspects of father involvement in delivery and child care, and to explore their individual associations with IPV against women and paternal health in an Asia-Pacific context.Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2011-2012 UN Multi-Country Cross-Sectional Study on Men and Violence, which surveyed >10,000 men from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted in 2016 to examine the associations among father involvement, IPV, and paternal health.Results: The sample comprised 6,184 men (aged 18-49 years) who had at least one child. The prevalence ranged from 40.0% to 62.9% across different aspects of father involvement. Presence at prenatal visits, taking paternity leave, and helping children with homework were associated with a reduced likelihood of IPV against women (all p<0.05). When possible confounding factors were adjusted for, father involvement accounted for 2% of the variance of men's perceived health, 4% of depression, and 2% of life satisfaction (all p<0.05).Conclusions: Father involvement may be beneficial in reducing IPV and improving paternal health. More family-friendly policies should be adopted by policymakers to promote father involvement throughout pregnancy to improve family well-being and child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational choice deterrence theory suggests that caregiving behavior, which includes abusive and neglectful behavior, can be influenced or manipulated via informal social control strategies enacted by neighbors, family members and friends in the social network. The literature identifies two forms of informal social control that have the potential to influence maltreating caregiver behavior, protective vs punitive, with the latter having more contrasting evidence related to its influence on maltreating caregiving practices. To examine the perceptions and meanings female caregivers associate with protective and punitive informal social control strategies that have been enacted against them. 17 female caregivers from Ghana, who self-reported their involvement in neglectful acts, were purposively selected to engage in river of life oral history narrative interviews. Narrative accounts from the caregivers were analyzed thematically using Taguette software package. The findings showed that protective informal social control in child neglect are interpreted via values and norms of childcare that have been institutionalized in the community. Caregivers perceived protective informal social control to have impact on their level of respect/influence, authority in the family or community, and to elicit internal consequences: shame, guilty feelings and embarrassment. Punitive informal social control approaches were considered as misplaced interventions that had ulterior motives of satisfying the neighbors' hatred/dislike of the perpetrator and quest for revenge. The findings suggest that the development of a fruitful theoretical framework to explain the effectiveness of informal social control should prioritize the social values and legitimate norms of the community. Implications for practice and theory development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given previous research on depression, history of physical abuse, family order, attachment, and parenting, we hypothesized that the physical abuse–depression relationship would be moderated by (a) family order and (b) attachment, and that (c) attachment and family order would interact significantly in predicting depression. Hypotheses were tested in South Korea in a random cluster sample of 82 youth aged 15–25 who were either themselves North Korean refugees ( n = 39) or who were born to North Korean refugee mothers in China ( n = 43). A qualitative interview was used to shed further light on the findings. Family order appears to be a protective factor against depression in that more order is associated with a weakened past abuse–depression relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on previous research on intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, and informal social control, we hypothesized relationships between child abuse severity and (1) protective informal social control of intimate partner violence (ISC_IPV) by neighbors, (2) intimate terrorism, (3) family order, and (4) the power of mothers in intimate relationships. In what we believe may be a first study of physical child abuse by parents in Nepal, we used a three stage cluster approach to draw a random sample of 300 families in Kathmandu. Random effects regression models were used to test the study hypotheses. The analyses found support for hypotheses one and two, but with an important caveat. Although observed (actual) protective ISC_IPV had the hypothesized negative association with child abuse severity, in one of our models perceived protective ISC_IPV was positively associated with child abuse severity. The models clarify that the overall direction of protective ISC_IPV appears to be negative (protective), but the positive finding is important to consider for both research and practice. A significant relationship between family order and child abuse severity was found, but the direction was negative rather than positive as in hypothesis three. Implications for neighborhood research and typological research on IPV and child maltreatment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a new measure of informal social control of child maltreatment (henceforth ISC_CM) by neighbors. Research literature typically uses collective efficacy ( Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997 ) to examine neighborhood informal social control. We argue that double standards about the application of informal social control to family versus street crime requires a measure of informal social control specific to child maltreatment. We also argue that how neighbors intervene may matter as much as whether they intervene. Neighbors may engage in ISC_CM aimed at protecting the child and calming the parent, or more punitive ISC_CM aimed at deterring future abuse. We tested the relationship of both with very severe physical abuse and with abuse related child behavior problems. We used a random, 2-stage cluster design of Hanoi to collect the sample. Thirty Hanoi wards were randomly selected using probability proportional to size sampling. A simple random sample of families in each ward was then drawn using local government lists of ward residents. Based on power analysis, the target sample size was 300. Of 315 residents contacted, 293 participated, yielding a response rate of 93%. Random effects regression models (which estimate a random effect for each ward) were run in Stata11 . We found that protective ISC_CM is associated with lower odds of very severe physical abuse and lower reported externalizing problems when abuse is present. Perceived collective efficacy and punitive ISC_CM is not associated with lower odds of very severe physical abuse. Implications for research, policy and practice are discussed. We conclude that further investigation of neighbor ISC_CM is needed to replicate the findings in other cultural contexts, ultimately followed by experimental manipulation of ISC_CM in a neighborhood context to examine the effects on child maltreatment. If further research corroborates the current findings, the development of neighborhood intervention programs to enhance protective ISC_CM may assist materially in reducing very severe child abuse and negative consequences stemming from such abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper offers a critique of existing typologies of domestic violence and an alternative based upon fundamental sociological concepts. It argues that the etiology and trajectory of domestic violence is fundamentally different depending on contextual aspects of the intimate relationship. The three fundamental dimensions of context are relationship order, power structure and legitimacy. Four questions are used to classify violent acts: 1) Are there relationship norms? 2) Is power more or less shared or unequal? 3) If unequal, is the violent act by the subordinate or superordinate partner? 4) What is the relationship of the violent act to the relationship norms (Legitimacy)? Based on these four questions, acts of domestic violence are classified into Anarchic Acts, Acts of Violent Conflict, Acts of Insurrection, Acts of Retaliation, Acts of Inconsistent Control and Acts of Consistent Control. Knowledge of the classification of a particular violent act is a necessary but insufficient condition for classifying a type of domestic violence. Based on prevailing patterns of violent acts and which violent acts are present, five types of domestic violence are identified. The five types are: 1) Anarchic Type, 2) Violent Conflict, 3) Tolerant Dictatorship, 4) Despotic Dictatorship and 5) Totalitarian Dictatorship. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Over the past 20 years, there has been a growing commitment to strengthen community norms—to foster informal support for families and enhance community commitment to protect children from child abuse and neglect. The current study examined the relationship between child neglect and normative interpretations of the dominant cultural value of abiriwatia in Ghana. It was hypothesized that the norms of abiriwatia were associated with lower incidence of child neglect. We used a random, stratified four-stage cluster design to select a nationally representative sample of 1100 female caregivers in Ghana. Norms of the cultural value of abiriwatia were measured using a new 11-item Likert scale questionnaire developed by the authors, and child neglect was measured using the Conflict Tactics Scale. Factor analysis of the abiriwatia scale retained three factors, community authority, collective childcare, and lineage, as the core norms of abiriwatia. We found that the abiriwatia norm of community authority was associated with fewer instances of child neglect. Norms of community responsibility for childcare were negatively associated with child neglect frequency (B = −0.31, p <.05). However, the relationship between the abiriwatia norm of lineage and child neglect was positive (B = 0.24, p <.05). The protective associations among the norms of community authority and collective childcare and child neglect suggest that traditional practices that strengthen and enforce the collective norms of abiriwatia , including storytelling, family byelaws, community durbar s (community meetings), taboos, and reciprocal farming activities (nnoboa) could be protective against neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospital-stranded children are defined as children who are left by parents in medical settings for over six months. These children, who legally are not classified as orphans, are excluded from existing permanent placement policies in China. Yet, little is known about this vulnerable population of children. This study explores the experiences of hospital-stranded children and the causes for their plight, and examines the strengths and weaknesses of existing child protection practices in medical settings. Using a multiple-case design, 20 hospital-stranded children from three children's hospitals in a first-tier Chinese city were included in this study. Sixteen hospital personnel participated in semi-structured interviews. Interview findings, case records, and field observations were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Current child protection practices were analyzed through a child protection system model. The children in this study were well cared for by the hospitals, but their rights to provision, participation, and protection were violated due to the lack of a national child protection system. Three key weaknesses of child protection practices were identified: underreporting of suspected cases, delayed action after reporting, and inadequate follow-up services. The ineffectiveness of the national child welfare system and the family-oriented cultural values in China also created barriers to the protection of hospital-stranded children. The findings suggest an urgent need for a national child protection system. Professional child protection training for healthcare workers and collaboration among departments within and outside hospitals are also necessary to offer a systematic protective network for hospital-stranded children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Child sexual abuse is a major concern in refugee camps in Ghana. • Refugees in refugee camps establish strong connections with local residents in the community, but distance themselves from professionals within the refugee camps. • Effective collaboration between community leaders, professionals and refugees in refugee camp can be useful in addressing safeguarding concerns, including CSA, in refugee camps. Abuse and maltreatment within refugee camps remains a major concern. The situation is exacerbated in low-income countries due to the challenges associated with lack of available expert staff and limited financial resources necessary to safeguard the welfare of children. This study draws on the experiences of practitioners (including social workers, health workers and non-professional caregivers/volunteers) from refugee camps in Ghana, on measures to safeguard the welfare of refugee children. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 practitioners from three refugee camps in Ghana. Narratives from the practitioners were organized using NVivo, and analyzed following strategies of initial and focused coding from the constructivist grounded theory approach. Child sexual abuse (CSA) was identified as the most common maltreatment across the refugee camps and continues to increase due to the increased lawlessness and lack of response from refugees. The following key safeguarding measures emerged from the practitioners' narratives; community education; gendered-informed interventions; developing child inclusive practices, capability building of staff and tripartite collaborative approach between expert professionals, volunteers and senior community leaders. The findings suggest the need to increase the understanding of social workers and professionals in refugee camps on the cultural nuances among refugees and develop collaboration with community leaders to respond to the multicultural needs of refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrary to evidence from the Western literature, cases of filicide in Ghana are mostly unreported because they are rooted in cultural practices and hidden from the general public. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural context of filicide in a rural community. Particularly, to provide an understanding of the spirit child (SC) phenomenon, how the killing of a SC is performed and to provide a general understanding of filicide within a particular context. Participants and setting: Four relatives of a family that engaged in a filicide incident took part in the study. The interviews were conducted in a rural community in Ghana where the incident occurred. Short written narratives were used to explore the experiences and perceptions of relatives whose family engaged in filicide. Children with severe deformities are likely to be associated with matters of divinity which gives way for the conceptualization of the SC and its attendant filicide. The findings highlight the critical role of traditional healers in rural communities and the consequences of strong community beliefs and expectations that influence parents to commit filicide. The study provides directions for child protection workers to address the stigma parents face for having children with severe deformities and to provide education on child welfare legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvictimization is often commonplace for young people living in violent communities. The situation is no different for young people in Ghanaian Zongo communities where poverty, social disorder and social vices are prevalent due to structural reasons. Using the social ecology approach to resilience, the study sought the perspectives of young people about how systemic aspects of community contribute to their positive development in high-risk communities. Following the short narrative approach, 23 young people ages 18–24 from two Zongo communities in Ghana were engaged in qualitative interviews. Cultural values of solidarity and peer support were common systemic enablers that facilitated young peoples' resilience. These enablers provided context and resources which ensured their survival in cases of neglect and abuse. Cultural values of solidarity exemplified by care for each other among residents created a safe environment and cultural capital contributed to the young peoples' resilience. Additionally, the "base" within Zongo communities provided a social structure that enabled peer support and promoted young peoples' resilience in the face of polyvictimization experiences. The findings shift the resilience discourse from a conception of personality traits to one of collective aspects of community systems. They also identify cultural values of solidarity within the community that provide cultural capital for the social functioning of young people dealing with polyvictimization in high-risk environments. The findings provide pathways for professionals to promote resilience and develop resilience-oriented primary preventive measures for adolescents living in high-risk environments in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Parental poverty complicates child welfare intervention in physical neglect cases due to the lack of targeted pro-poor family support programs for neglected children in Ghana. • Child maintenance arrangements may be inconsequential in addressing physical neglect among poor families. • A holistic and multi-pronged community-oriented approach which draws on formal and informal support could be useful to address the complicated situation of physical neglect among poor families. There is ample evidence in the literature to suggest that poverty and deprivation are strong correlates of parent and caregiver neglect. With specific reference to physical child neglect, the impact of poverty complicates child welfare interventions, especially in developing economies where parent and caregiver poverty are commonplace. This study explores the dilemma and constraints of child welfare workers when intervening in physical neglect cases involving poor parents. The study draws attention to the unique situation of developing countries as far as the issue of parental poverty and child welfare practice is concerned and highlights informal measures that promote child welfare practice, thereby ensuring better outcomes for children and families. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 child welfare workers (10 females, three males) from three social welfare agencies in the Ashanti region of Ghana, using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were coded and analysed thematically with the assistance of NVivo 12 data management software. Non-existence of targeted family support programs, inability to develop child maintenance plans and the lack of adequate alternative care homes were found to be common constraints that affect child welfare workers' intervention in physical neglect cases involving poor parents. The study shows that the development of child maintenance plans, which constitutes the typical approach used to address child neglect in Ghana, becomes inconsequential when parents neglect children due to poverty and deprivation. However, the results showed that focusing on informal traditional community resources could be a useful alternative in the development of intervention plans for poor families and their neglected children. The findings indicate the need to critically evaluate how the informal traditional child protection practices can be revived, enhanced and incorporated into formal child welfare practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]