A retrospective study and profile of new cases attending the Child Guidance Clinic, Bustamante Hospital for Children, between September 1998 and Ferbruary 1999

A total of 72 new cases who attended the Child Guidance Clinic at the Bustamante Children Hospital between the six months period of September 1998 and February 1999 were investigated in a retrospective study, using their case notes. The age of cases ranged from 3 years to 17 years with the mean age of 8.8 and most frequent age group being 6 to 10 years (58.3 percent). More cases were males (52.4 percent) and most of them came from St. Catherine. The most common presenting problem was aggressiveness (43.1 percent) where as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disease (ADHD) was diagnosed most often (20.8 percent). The majority of children were born of unplanned pregnancies (71.4 percent of recorded cases). Only 30 cases had both parents living in the same household 19.4 percent of cases were abused, among which sexual abuse was the most common form. Out of 26 cases recorded for psychosocial stressors, witnessing violence (22.2 percent) was the most common stressor and exposure to gunmen accounted for (6.9 percent) of these cases. Over half (53.7 percent) of the cases recorded were separated from fathers. Fathers were also the ones who did not support nor contact their children much, whereas mothers tend to support and contact their children more regularly when not living together. Most of these findings showed and suggested the need of children to be attached and receive the love, care affection and attention from both parents, their mothers and also their fathers.(Au)

Some effects of sex, age, and household structure on family drawings of Barbadian children

An analysis of the family drawings of a nonclinical sample of 502 Barbadian children aged 7-11 years is reported. The inclusion or omission of figures and the size and positioning of the figures of parents and self were examined with reference to sex, age, and household structure. The view that cultural values about the structure of the family unit and parental roles are reflected in children's representations of their parents in family drawings was supported. (AU)

Factors contributing to the problems of juvenile delinquency among girls in Jamaica

This case control study set out to examine factors contributing to the problem of juvenile delinquency among girls in Jamaica. It was carried out at the Eshere Remand Center - an institution administered by the Correctional Services Division of the Ministry of National Security and with a corresponding number of young females attending the Kingston Secondary School. The study was undertaken between May 31 and July 7, 1995. Thirty-three juveniles out of a total population of 35 from the institution were interviewed as well as the same number from the secondary school. Two juveniles were unavailable for interview. All the girls were between 13 and 18 years. The comparison group from the Kingston Secondary School were selected from a potential sample of 121 who were enrolled in grades 9 to 11. The study indicated that the main risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency among girls were: absences of father, violence in the home, drug use and abuse associated with gangs and separation from mother. The crimes most frequently committed were wounding, uncontrollable behaviour, and fighting all involving a high level of aggression. The reasons given are dominated by: influence of friends, for money, for self defence and revenge. The mean age of offenders was 15.7 years. The desirability of minimizing the phenomenon of delinquency challenges all sectors of the society to coordinate efforts in a multi-sectoral drive. Energies need to be focussed on inter-alia, conflict resolution, training programmes for youth and the promotion of family values. (AU)

Risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency in males

This case-control study was designed to determine the variables associated with juvenile delinquency. It was carried out at Hill Top Juvenile Correctional Institute in St. Ann, and Penwood Secondary School in St. Andrew Jamaica during March 28 - April 28, 1995. Sixty five juvenile delinquents between the ages of 12 - 18 were interviewed from the correctional institution out of a population of seventy one; six delinquents refused to be interviewed. Sixty five controls were randomly chosen and interviewed from a population of 140 boys in grades 9 - 11 at Penwood Secondary school with ages between 12 - 18 years. In all 130 boys were selected for the study. The risk factors associated with juvenile delinquencies in Jamaica are: being born to a teenage mother, absence of a father, inappropriate child rearing practices, violence in community and home, abuse and neglect, poverty, and drug use and abuse including alcohol. The most frequent crimes committed by juvenile delinquents are crimes of high aggressiveness: wounding and aggravated robbery; the second most frequent crimes committed are those related to larceny. Reasons for committing these crimes range from "I don't know why" to influenced by friends/gang which was most common (26.2 percent). The second most common reason was for the want of money (23.1 percent), and thirdly for self defense (19.9 percent). The mean age of offenders was 16.25 years. In order to reduce the prevalence of juvenile delinquency, the above stated risk factors must be dealth with. A multifaceted intervention strategy is needed to deal with adolescent health, family life, conflict resolution programmes, economic policies, social policies, peer pressure and education. (AU)

Conjugal behaviour and child development in Rural Jamaica - abstract

The effects of maternal conjugal behaviour on child development were studied in rural Jamaica using ethnographic methods and standardized measurments of development and the environment. Fifty-nine children and their caregivers were recruited pre-natally and followed for five years. The children's cognitive and physical development was assessed at age five using the McCarthy Scales of Child Assessment and weight/height ratio. School attendance and the Home Observation for Measurment of the Environment were used as indicators of the environment. The findings suggested that multiple mating, father absence and out of wedlock status did not result in poorer development outcomes and, in many fact may have provided some development advantages for these children. A large number of siblings, however, appeared to be developmentally disadvantaged regardless of mother's conjugal behaviour. (au)