Online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines: An exploratory study of outcomes after reintegration into the community.

BACKGROUND: This study examined psychosocial outcomes for Filipino survivors of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify relationships between demographic variables, self-reported and caregiver-reported trauma symptoms, and psychosocial functioning among Filipino youth who have experienced OSAEC. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: This study utilized inclusion criteria of survivors of OSAEC between ages 12 and 18 who received residential care and were reintegrated into the community for at least one year (N = 48). Participants were in care at shelters associated with Project PAVE in the Philippines. METHODS: As measured by three assessment tools, relationships between demographic variables and psychosocial functioning were explored for risk and protective factors of trauma symptoms and psychosocial functioning to better understand this population's needs post-integration. RESULTS: Results suggest survivors continue to experience psychosocial symptoms after reintegration. Caregivers reported survivors reintegrated outside the home had significantly higher externalizing symptoms (MR = 6.67; H(3) = 14.85, p = .002, η2 = 0.27) compared to survivors reintegrated within the home and survivors who trafficked themselves to have higher internalizing symptoms (MR = 16.79; H(3) = 11.80; p = .008, η2 = 0.20) than survivors trafficked by a relative. Caregivers reported survivors who resided in the shelter for one month or less to have higher internalizing symptoms (MR = 20.12; H(2) = 11.06; p = .004; η2 = 0.20) than survivors who resided in the shelter for six months or longer. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of further research to better understand the needs of this vulnerable population in order to guide the most effective intervention, aftercare, and reintegration programs to support survivors and their caregivers.

Perceptions about interpersonal relationships and school environment among middle school students with asthma.

OBJECTIVES: To examine interpersonal relationships involving peers and teachers and perceptions about school environment among middle school students with asthma in comparison to their healthy counterparts. The study also assesses asthma prevalence in a large sample of middle school students representing different geographic locations. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from 1059 middle school students in grades 6-8 enrolled in schools in a northeastern region of the United States. Students reported their chronic health conditions including asthma and completed questionnaires measuring perceptions about their relationships with peers and teachers as well as school environment. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were used to compare students with asthma and their healthy counterparts in the study variables. RESULTS: Asthma was reported by 16.5% of the sample (n = 169). The rate was higher among minority students (23%) than their white counterparts (15%). Greater proportion of urban students (28%) reported asthma than rural (18%) and suburban (14%) students. Students with asthma reported significantly poorer relationships with peers (B = -1.74, p <.001) and teachers (B = -1.41, p =.009), and their perceptions about overall school environment (B = -1.30, p =.009) were also lower than their healthy counterparts. Race showed no significant effects on school factors. CONCLUSION: Overall asthma prevalence was substantially higher than the national average of adolescent asthma, particularly those residing in the urban area. Poor perceptions of interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers among students with asthma may indicate compromised quality of life. Suboptimal interpersonal relationships and school environment need to be identified and adequately addressed, given their implications for asthma management at the school setting among middle school students.

The longitudinal association of young children's everyday routines to sleep duration.

INTRODUCTION: Everyday routines promote children's health. In the present study, we examined whether children's participation in everyday routines at ages 4 and 6 years predicted their sleep duration at age 6 years. METHOD: A secondary analysis of data was performed for 177 families who participated in the Rochester Preschool Children Injuries Study. Mothers were interviewed when their children were ages 4 and 6 years and reported on their children's everyday routines and perceived sleep duration. Relationships were examined by multiple hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: It was found that children who participated in more frequent routines at age 4 years were more likely to do so at age 6 years. Children's inadequate sleep duration at age 6 years was predicted by less frequent routines at age 6 years and by inadequate sleep duration at age 4 years after controlling for mothers' ethnicity, mothers' education, and family structure. An indirect relationship of routines at age 4 years to sleep at age 6 years through routines at age 6 years was found. DISCUSSION: Continuous engagement in everyday routines seems to play an important role in children's sleep acquisition.

Evaluation of a peer-led asthma self-management program and benefits of the program for adolescent peer leaders.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the leading chronic condition in adolescents. Nonetheless, research efforts to address adolescent asthma morbidity by applying a developmentally appropriate self-management intervention have been limited. Recently a peer-led asthma self-management program has been developed and implemented for adolescents. The purpose of the study was to assess the acceptability of a peer-led asthma program for adolescents based on participant feedback and to examine the program's impact on asthma outcomes in peer leaders. METHODS: Adolescents with persistent asthma (n = 91, 13-17 years) participated in a camp-based asthma program led by peer leaders (the intervention group) or healthcare professionals (the control group), and completed a set of program evaluation forms. Peer leaders (n = 14, 16-20 years) completed study questionnaires measuring asthma knowledge, self-efficacy, asthma control, and quality of life at baseline, immediately after camp, and 3, 6, and 9 months post-camp. RESULTS: The peer-led group reported more positive experience with the program than the adult-led group (P = .01, Cohen's d = 0.53), particularly in its usefulness in dealing with asthma. Peer leaders were rated by participants highly on knowledge (98%), attitudes (93-96%), personal skills (91%), and perceived similarities (80-86%). Significant improvements were found in peer leaders' knowledge (P < .001, η(2) = 0.87), self-efficacy (P < .001, η(2) = 0.74), asthma control (P = .01, η(2) = 0.66), and quality of life in emotional functioning (P = .002, η(2) = 0.82) and activity (P = .003, η(2) = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: A peer-led asthma self-management program was successfully implemented and well received by adolescent learners. Asthma outcomes in peer leaders appear to have improved as a result of the program, although caution should be exercised in determining clinical meaningfulness, given the modest changes in mean scores. ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01161225.