Victimization, polyvictimization, and depression symptoms among immigrants and native children and youth in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Migration exposes children and youth to vulnerabilities, including uprooting, lack of protection, limited access to services, and violence. Previous studies have shown that victimization experiences impact the mental health of migrant children, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aims to examine the co-occurrence of multiple forms of maltreatment (polyvictimization) among migrant and Chilean children and youth and its association with depressive symptoms, addressing a research gap in Latin America. METHODS: Secondary data from the National Polyvictimization Survey (NPS) conducted by the Chilean Ministry of the Interior were analyzed. Measures assessing polyvictimization and depressive symptoms were administered to a sample of 1362 participants, with equal group sizes for migrants and Chilean-born individuals. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The study revealed marked differences in experiences of conventional crime victimization and polyvictimization between migrant and Chilean-born participants, with migrants facing slightly higher incidences. Correlational analysis indicated variable strengths of association between victimization types and depressive symptoms across groups, with Chilean-born individuals showing stronger correlations for certain victimization forms. Multiple regression analysis highlighted gender, polyvictimization, child maltreatment, internet victimization, sexual victimization, and peer/sibling victimization as significant predictors of depressive symptoms across the sample. Notably, an interaction was observed between child maltreatment and migrant status, indicating a mitigated impact of maltreatment on depressive symptoms among migrant adolescents. This suggests the potential for unique resilience or coping mechanisms in this group. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidates the varied victimization experiences of migrant children and youth in Chile, with a notable emphasis on the mitigating effect of migrant status on the relationship between child maltreatment and depressive symptoms. It highlights the resilience and potential adaptive strategies of migrant minors facing adversity. The findings underscore the necessity of developing support and intervention strategies that recognize the specific needs and strengths of migrant children and youth, advocating for policies that protect and empower this vulnerable demographic amidst new environmental challenges.

Psychological Distress in Young Chilean Adults Exposed to Parental Alienating Behaviors during Childhood/Adolescence.

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological distress of young adults exposed to alienating behaviors during childhood/adolescence. Four hundred and sixteen adults responded to the online survey. A brief sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Scale, and a questionnaire on adverse childhood experiences were included. The analyses revealed that individuals who experienced one or more alienating behaviors exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, somatization, and overall psychological distress. Furthermore, even after controlling for the effect of other adverse childhood experiences, alienating behaviors had a significant impact on psychological distress in adulthood. This highlights an understudied aspect of alienating behaviors, i.e., their conjunction or parallelism with other adverse childhood experiences.

Victimization and risk factors in children and adolescents admitted into outpatient protection center in northern Chile

The present study aimed to identify the proportion of victimization, types of victimization, and risk factors associated to children and adolescents who were admitted into an outpatient protection center for children and adolescents in northern Chile during the years 2016 and 2017. Secondary data from the database pertaining to the protection center was used. The sample was non-probabilistic and included 6,499 cases. The research was descriptive-comparative with a non-experimental retrospective cross-sectional design. The results showed a higher percentage of victimization by neglect, followed by witnessing domestic violence and child sexual abuse. The sociodemographic variables showed a higher percentage of victimization at the age of 6 to 9 and 14 to 17 years old, in children and adolescents who were in the first and second cycle of elementary school and were Chilean. It was found that children victimized by child sexual abuse and bullying also had a drug diagnosis record. Logistic regression analyses showed that gender, age, schooling, nationality, and a drug diagnosis record increase the probability of occurrence of certain types of victimization. The results showed the magnitude of the problem concerning victimizations experienced by children and adolescents in northern Chile and the need to generate prevention strategies for this population.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la proporción de victimización, tipos de victimización y factores de riesgo asociados a los niños, niñas y adolescentes que ingresaron a un Centro de Protección a la infancia en el norte de Chile durante los años 2016 y 2017. Se utilizaron datos secundarios de la base de datos del sistema de protección a la infancia. La muestra fue no probabilística e incluyó 6.499 casos. La investigación fue descriptiva-comparativa con un diseño no experimental retrospectivo de corte transversal. Los resultados mostraron un mayor porcentaje de victimización por negligencia, seguido por presenciar violencia doméstica y abuso sexual infantil. Las variables sociodemográficas mostraron un mayor porcentaje de victimización en la edad de 6 a 9 y de 14 a 17 años, en niños y adolescentes que cursaban el primer y segundo ciclo de primaria y eran chilenos. Se encontró que los niños víctimas de abuso sexual infantil y bullying también tenían un registro de diagnóstico de drogas. Los análisis de regresión logística mostraron que el género, la edad, la escolaridad, la nacionalidad y un registro de diagnóstico de drogas aumentan la probabilidad de ocurrencia de ciertos tipos de victimización. Los resultados evidencian la magnitud del problema de las victimizaciones que sufren los niños, niñas y adolescentes del norte de Chile y la necesidad de generar estrategias de prevención para esta población.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Peer Victimization in a National Sample of Chilean Children and Youth.

This research aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of peer victimization (PV) in a national sample of Chilean children and youth. We worked with secondary data of Encuesta Nacional de Polivictimización (2017). The sample was probabilistic and included 19,684 participants between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.7, SD = 1.59) from all Chilean regions. The participants answered an adapted version of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire to assess different violence forms. However, for the present study, only five items related to PV were considered. The results showed that a lifetime and the last 12 months' prevalence of PVwerevery high. More than half of the adolescents (60.3%) reported at least one type of victimization by peers throughout a lifetime. Gender differences were found; females have the highest rates of PV than males. These results have discussed the magnitude of this issue and promote the generation of prevention strategies.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Mental Health in Adolescents from Northern Chile in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world population; however, there is limited knowledge about its impact on adolescents. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in young people in northern Chile. The sample consisted of 1315 young people between the ages of 14 and 18. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed to identify the risk factors associated to the considered symptomatology. Depressive symptomatology was reported at 36.3%, anxiety at 6%, and social phobia at 27.8%. Adolescent females reported a higher probability of presenting depressive (OR, 3.409), anxious (OR, 3.949), and social phobia (OR, 3.027) symptomatology. Young women between the ages of 17 and 18 were more likely to present anxiety (OR, 2.172); moreover, being a migrant was related to lower odds of presenting anxiety (OR, 0.259) and depression (OR, 0.662). Having a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 was associated with depressive symptomatology (OR, 1.369). The COVID-19 pandemic can have serious repercussions on the mental health of adolescents. It is important to generate interventions to meet the needs of youth during the post-confinement period.

Perspectivas y tendencias actuales del concepto de alienación parental: una revisión sistemática de la literatura / Current perspectives and trends of the concept of parental alienation: a systematic review of the literature

Resumen: Antecedentes: Son diversos las/os investigadoras/es que se han interesado por el fenómeno de la alienación parental. No obstante, esta compleja dinámica relacional no ha estado exenta de controversias. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión sistemática de las perspectivas y tendencias actuales del concepto de alienación parental, sus características y efectos en la población que experimentan estas circunstancias. Método: Se utilizó la metodología PRISMA-P para llevar a cabo una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva de artículos publicados entre el año 2016 y junio de 2020 en revistas indexadas Scopus y/o WOS. Se contemplaron 95 estudios, de los cuales 11 fueron considerados para la revisión, de acuerdo con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión preestablecidos. Se identificó un amplio campo investigativo en el cual se circunscribe la alienación parental, como dinámica relacional. Resultados: Los 11 estudios seleccionados establecían relaciones entre la experiencia de alienación parental e indicadores de salud mental, tanto en niños, niñas, adolescentes, como adultos que experimentan o experimentaron estas dinámicas. Así también, se relacionó con maltrato psicológico. Conclusiones: La alienación parental es un fenómeno con una importante prevalencia en la población y se ha vinculado con un deterioro en la salud mental de las personas que la experimentan o la han experimentado.

Abstract: Background: Several researchers have been interested in the phenomenon of parental alienation. However, this complex relational dynamic has not been without controversy. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of current perspectives and trends on the concept of parental alienation, its characteristics and effects on the population experiencing these circumstances. Method: PRISMA-P methodology was used to conduct an exhaustive literature search of articles published between 2016 and June 2020 in Scopus and/or WOS indexed journals. Ninety-five studies were contemplated, of which 11 were considered for the review, according to the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. A broad field of research was identified in which parental alienation is circumscribed as a relational dynamic. Results: The 11 selected studies established relationships between the experience of parental alienation and mental health indicators, both in children, adolescents and adults who experience or have experienced these dynamics. Thus, it was also related to psychological maltreatment. Conclusions: Parental alienation is a phenomenon with a significant prevalence in the population and has been linked to a deterioration in the mental health of people who experience or have experienced it.

Insatisfacción corporal y comportamientos alimentarios anómalos en una muestra comunitaria de adultos chilenos / Body dissatisfaction and abnormal eating behaviors in a community sample of Chilean adults

Resumen En Latinoamérica se han realizado estudios dirigidos a evaluar la insatisfacción corporal y los comportamientos alimentarios anómalos (CAA), sin embargo se han enfocado principalmente en adolescentes o estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el porcentaje de insatisfacción con el peso corporal (INCP) en una muestra de hombres y mujeres adultos chilenos, analizando la relación de este factor con distintas variables sociodemográficas, psicológicas y conductuales, entre las que figuraron los CAA. Participaron 654 adultos de 18-64 años de edad (436 mujeres, 218 hombres ; con rango de edad de 18-64 años, índice de masa corporal promedio de 25.49 kg/m2), quienes fueron evaluados con base a una batería de cuestionarios de autoreporte. La INCP estuvo presente en 45.9% de la muestra, resultando significativamente mayor en las mujeres que en los varones. Fueron identificadas diferencias significativas en las escalas que evaluaron CAA, en función del índice de masa corporal y el sexo de los participantes, registrando puntuaciones significativamente mayores las mujeres y los participantes con obesidad. Al comparar entre participantes con vs. sin INCP, los primeros mostraron más CAA y menor actividad física. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que la INCP puede interactuar e influir sobre los hábitos alimentarios y la práctica de ejercicio físico.

Abstract The aims of this research were to estimate the percentage of body weight dissatisfaction in males and females Chilean adults, assessing its relationship with different sociodemographic, behavioral and psychological variables, and analyzing whether the presence of body weight dissatisfaction acts as a risk factor for some disordered eating behaviors. The 654 participants (436 women, 218 men; age range 18-64 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 25.49 kg/m2) were evaluated with a battery of self-administered questionnaires. The percentage of body weight dissatisfaction in the whole sample was 45.9% and significantly higher in women than men. Significant differences were observed in the clinical scales that evaluated disordered eating in function of the BMI of the participants; in those scales females also showed higher scores than males. Comparing participants with and without body weight dissatisfaction, the first one showed more unhealthy eating behaviors. The results of this study show how body weight dissatisfaction can interact and influence healthy habits, such as a daily eating behaviors and physical exercise.