«Ella es mi favorita¼: perspectivas infantiles sobre el buen cuidado en residencias / «She's my favourite¼: Children´s perspectives about good residential child care / «Ela é minha favorita¼: Perspectivas das crianças sobre bom cuidado em residências

Resumen (analítico) Esta investigación explora las perspectivas de niños/as que viven en programas residenciales respecto a las características de un buen cuidador/a. Se desarrolló un estudio cualitativo utilizando técnicas gráficas y entrevistas grupales a 14 niños/as que viven en residencias de Valparaíso-Chile. Se identificó la red de cuidado percibido por los niños/as a nivel individual y residencial, destacando las figuras residenciales por sobre familiares. Los niños/as manifestaron una especificidad del vínculo con sus cuidadoras residenciales y sugieren características de un buen cuidador, asociadas a protección, permanencia y acompañamiento cotidiano. El cariño es un elemento transversal en la narrativa infantil sobre sus experiencias de cuidado y perspectivas sobre lo que hace un buen cuidador. Los resultados sugieren que los programas residenciales debieran considerar las perspectivas infantiles y crear condiciones para favorecer esta vinculación afectiva.

Abstract (analytical) This research explores the perspectives of children living in residential programs regarding the characteristics of a good caregiver. A qualitative study was developed using graphic techniques and group interviews with 14 children living in residential programs in Valparaíso-Chile. The network of care perceived by the children at individual and residential level was identified, highlighting residential figures over family members. The children showed a specificity of the bond with their residential caregivers and suggested characteristics of a good caregiver, associated with protection, permanence and daily accompaniment. Affection is a crosscutting element in children's narratives about their caregiving experiences and perspectives on what makes a good caregiver. The results suggest that residential programs should consider children's perspectives and create conditions to favor this affective bonding with caregivers.

Resumo (analítico) Explorase as perspectivas das crianças que vivem em programas residenciais sobre as características do bom cuidador. Foi desenvolvido um estudo qualitativo utilizando técnicas gráficas e entrevistas de grupo com 14 crianças que vivem em lares residenciais em Valparaíso-Chile. A rede de cuidados percebida pelas crianças a nível individual e residencial foi identificada, destacando-se as figuras residenciais sobre as familiares. As crianças expressaram uma especificidade do vínculo com os seus cuidadores residenciais e sugeriram características do bom cuidador, associadas à protecção, permanência e acompanhamento diário. O afecto é um elemento transversal nas narrativas das crianças sobre as suas experiências de cuidados e perspectivas sobre o que faz um bom cuidador. Os resultados sugerem que os programas residenciais devem considerar as perspectivas das crianças e criar condições para fomentar esta ligação afectiva.

Sexual harassment by peers in Chilean schools.

BACKGROUND: Although a significant amount of literature has explored peer sexual harassment in higher education, little is known about peer sexual harassment in primary and middle school. Among existing studies, most have examined individual student characteristics that predict peer sexual harassment without considering the importance of the classroom and school context, which may prevent or promote such harassment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify individual and school-related factors predicting sexual harassment victimization. METHODS: A sample of 17,364 Chilean students from Grades 5 through 8 in 405 schools with low socioeconomic status answered instruments concerning peer sexual harassment, other types of peer victimization and discrimination, and perceptions of classroom and school climate and norms against sexual harassment. Data were analyzed through hierarchical multivariate regression. RESULTS: Experiences of being sexual harassed by other students were reported by 13.5 % of students, with higher frequencies in male students, students from Grades 5 and 6, and students with lower individual socioeconomic status. School-related experiences of being discriminated against due to sexual orientation, ethnic origin, and disability were the strongest predictors of sexual harassment victimization. CONCLUSION: We discuss how peer sexual harassment might be understood as a consequence of peer social discrimination based on sexism, racism, and ableism. We also discuss the need to provide inclusive school climate policies that allow all students to feel safe and included.

Reducing risk and improving maternal perspective-taking and empathy using virtual embodiment.

The ability to perspective-take (cognitive awareness of another's state) and empathise (emotional/affective response) are important characteristics for sensitive, co-operative and constructive parenting, which assists in developing adaptive functioning for children. For the first time, immersive virtual reality was used to place parents in the position of a child in order to assess impact on perspective-taking and empathy. This novel study was conducted with 20 non-high risk Spanish mothers (a pilot study with 12 mothers is reported in supplementary files). Mothers were virtually embodied as a 4-year-old child, experienced from the first-person perspective and with virtual and real body movements synchronised. They interacted with a 'mother avatar', which responded either in a Positive or Negative way. Participants reported a strong body ownership illusion for the child body that led to cognitive, emotional and physical reactions. Experiencing negative maternal behavior increased levels of empathy. In addition, the Negative mother led to increased feelings of fear of violence. Physiological data indicated greater stress in the Negative than Positive condition. Although further research is required to assess the effectiveness of such methods, any improvement in empathy that leads to a change in parenting behavior has the potential to impact on developmental outcomes for children.

The crucial role of the micro caregiving environment: Factors associated with attachment styles in alternative care in Chile.

The distribution of attachment styles has been shown to differ between groups of children living with their parents and children placed in alternative care (AC), defined as residential or foster. However, this is the first study in Latin America to explore possible factors affecting the quality of attachment in children living in both residential and foster care. Two groups of children (N=57) were compared: one group living in Residential Homes (RC) and the other in Foster Care (FC) in Chile. Children's, caregivers' and structural factors (e.g., child: caregiver ratios) and their links with attachment styles were investigated. The micro caregiving environment (i.e., the specific individual child caregiver relationship), especially the caregivers' engagement, sensitivity, disciplinary control and affection, as well as some structural factors (i.e., child: caregiver ratios), were linked to attachment security in children. Specifically, better emotional caregiving and lower child-caregiver ratios were associated with higher rates of secure attachment. The association between quality of care (as measured by the HOME inventory) and attachment styles seems to be influenced by caregiver relationships (as measured by CCSERSS). Caregiver relationship factors (i.e., affection, engagement and sensitivity) directly impact the quality of the attachment children establish with them while living in AC. However, the relationships that caregivers establish with children under their care can be facilitated by good quality structural factors, particularly child-caregiver ratios.

Attachment representations and socio-emotional difficulties in alternative care: A comparison between residential, foster and family based children in Chile.

Attachment has been assessed in children living in alternative care (AC) settings, such as Residential Homes (RC) and Foster Care (FC). However, no study has been conducted to compare attachment styles in residential, foster and parental care conducted as usual in the same country at the same point in time. There is also a lack of studies conducted in less developed countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare outcomes for children living in three different types of care in Chile. Three groups of children (N=77), living in (RC), (FC) and with biological parents (PC) were compared. Attachment styles, Indiscriminate Friendliness (IF) and socio-emotional/behavioral difficulties were assessed. Higher rates of secure attachment were observed in the RC group (36.1%) when compared to studies in RC in other countries (mean 18%). However, children in both types of AC were significantly more likely to have insecure and/or disorganized attachment styles than PC children. Higher rates of socio-emotional and behavioral problems were observed in RC (55.6%) and FC (50%) compared to PC (10%). Within type of AC, no significant differences were found, for attachment styles or for socio-emotional/behavioral difficulties, the only difference were the levels of IF, with children in RC having higher levels. As a conclusion, impact of placement in AC can vary between different countries, other factors, rather than only type of AC could better explain differences in attachment security for children. Implications for research and practices are discussed.

Attachment Styles in Children Living in Alternative Care: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: A large number of children are currently living in Alternative Care. The relationship they establish with their temporary caregivers can play a significant role in their development. However, little has been published regarding attachment with temporary Caregivers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to analyse the existing published studies regarding attachment styles in children living in alternative care (Children's Homes and Foster Care). The review analyses rates of attachment styles and associated factors (including characteristics of settings, children and caregivers) in both settings. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted searching electronic databases for peer reviewed publications in different languages. Studies considering attachment in children living in Children's Homes or Foster families at the time of the study were included. RESULTS: Overall, 18 articles reporting 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results are presented in terms of characteristics of the studies, rates of attachment in different settings and possible mediating factors. Implications for practice and research are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Attachment styles in children living in alternative care differ from those observed in children living with biological or adoptive families, however several factors can mediate this outcome (including characteristics of settings, children and caregivers). Most research has been conducted in Europe and USA. Therefore, further research is needed in less developed countries in order to guide local policies for better care.

Apego e hiperactividad: un estudio exploratorio del vínculo madre-hijo / Attachment and hyperactivity: an exploratory study of the mother-child bond

El Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAH) es uno de los principales motivos de consulta en los Servicios de Psiquiatría y Psicología Infantil. Estudios recientes han sugerido que el TDAH podría darse en el contexto de un vínculo inseguro. El presente artículo presenta los resultados de un estudio que explora las representaciones internas del vínculo en niños con diagnóstico de TDAH y en sus madres, mediante la aplicación de pruebas de evaluación. Se estudia la distribución de estilos vinculares comparándola con la dada en población no clínica, se establecen relaciones entre el estilo vincular del niño y el de su madre y se exploran aspectos cualitativos del vínculo y su relación con la sintomatología del cuadro. Los resultados señalan diferencias significativas entre el grupo control y el clínico en cuanto al vínculo madre-hijo. Se discuten las implicancias clínicas de estos resultados y la necesidad de considerar los estilos vinculares en el tratamiento de los ni±os con TDAH

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the main reasons for attending Child Psychological and Psychiatric services. Recent studies have suggested that ADHD may appear in the context of unsecure attachment. The present article shows the results of an exploratory study that inquires in the internal representations of children diagnosed with ADHD and their mothers, through psychological testing. The distribution of attachment is studied comparing it with non clinical population results, and a relationship between children and mothers attachment style is established, in terms of qualitative and quantitative characteristics as well as the symptoms of the disorder. The results show significant differences in attachment style in clinical and control patients. The clinical implications of the findings and the need for attachment considerations in the treatment of ADHD are discussed