Una revisión meta-analítica de las respuestas en escalas clínicas y reestructuradas del MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF de padres en disputa por la custodia / A meta-analytical review of the responses in the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF clinical and restructured scales of parents in child custody dispute

La evaluación de las capacidades parentales para el ejercicio de la guarda y custodia de los hijos incluye el ajuste psicológico y la psicopatología. En esta evaluación, además, se ha de sospechar disimulación. El instrumento psicométrico de referencia para dicha evaluación es el MMPI. Para conocer de lo informado por los progenitores en disputa por la custodia nos planteamos una revisión meta-analítica de las escalas clínica y las escalas clínicas reestructuradas. Encontramos 21 estudios primarios con progenitores (se descartaron los diseños de simulación de progenitores en disputa) de los que obtuvieron 291 tamaños del efecto para las escalas clínicas y 1 para las reestructuradas. Los resultados mostraron un tamaño del efecto promedio positivo, significativo, y generalizable en las escalas Hy, Pd y Pa; negativo, significativo y generalizable en las escalas Ma y Si y no generalizable en las escalas Pt y Sc; y un tamaño del efecto promedio insignificante en las escalas Hs y D. Se estudió el género como moderador, no hallándose diferencias entre padres y madres. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la práctica forense

Parental attribute evaluation in relation to child custody comprises psychological and psychopathology. Additionally, defensiveness must be suspected on this setting. The worldwide reference psychometric measurement instrument for this purpose is the MMPI. With the aim of knowing the responses of parents litigating by child custody, a meta-analytic review of the responses to clinical and restructured scales was performed. A total of 21 primary studies (studies with a simulation design i.e., participants were instructed to answer as parents litigating by child custody were found were disregarded) were found, obtaining 291 effect sizes for clinical scales and 1 for restructured scales. The results showed positive, significant and generalizable mean true effect size in the Hy, Pd and Pa scales; a negative, significant and generalizable in the Ma and Si scales, and non-generalizable in the Pt y Sc scales; and a trivial mean true effect size in the Hs and D scales. Parent gender was studied as a moderator having no found differences between the responses of mothers and fathers. The implications of the results for forensic evaluation practices are discussed

Child support and justice-involved military veterans.

The study examines and evaluates the effectiveness of a federal and county collaboration in Pennsylvania designed to help military veterans with child support arrearages in the criminal justice system. The study focused on the veteran participants (n=232) identified psychosocial problems, their range of justice involvement, strategies to mitigate, address barriers and legal dilemmas through the collaborative. The average age 40, majority male, Caucasian, divorced, enrolled in Veterans Administration (VA) healthcare, serving on supervised parole or probation, homeless episodes, and income <$500.00 per month. In general, the findings enhance the limited body of knowledge about military-veteran child support and provide strategies and specific insight into the problems veterans face on individual, familial, and societal levels.

Violencia contra niños y adolescentes: características de los casos reportados en un Centro de Referencia del Sur de Brasil / Violência contra crianças e adolescentes: características dos casos notificados em um Centro de Referência do Sul do Brasil / Violence against children and adolescents: characteristics of notified cases in a southern Reference Center of Brazil

Objetivo: Conocer la epidemiología de la violencia contra los niños, niñas y adolescentes atendidos en un Centro de Referencia Especializado para la Asistencia Social (CREAS), a partir de los registros de las notificaciones entre enero de 2009 y mayo de 2014. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y documental, de enfoque cuantitativo que examinó 800 historias clínicas de CREAS. El instrumento de investigación abordó variables sociodemográficas seleccionadas de las víctimas, de los agresores y el tipo de violencia. Se realizó análisis con estadística descriptiva y uso de software SPSS versión 22. Resultados: El perfil predominante fue de niños y adolescentes blancos, de sexo femenino, con edades comprendidas entre los siete y los 14 años, que viven en los suburbios. La mayoría de los agresores son varones, con edades comprendidas entre 20 y 40 años. El estudio identificó a la madre como principal responsable de los ataques, seguida del padre y padrastro. Hubo predominio de violencia sexual, física y psicológica. Conclusión: El enfrentamiento del problema de la violencia es complejo, lo que requiere medidas inmediatas de protección (AU)

Objetivo: Apresentar o perfil epidemiológico da violência contra crianças e adolescentes atendidas em um Centro de Referência Especializado em Assistência Social (CREAS), a partir dos registros das notificações no período entre janeiro de 2009 e maio de 2014. Metodología: Estudo descritivo e documental, de abordagem quantitativa, analisadas em 800 prontuários do CREAS. O instrumento de pesquisa abordou variáveis sociodemográficas selecionadas das vítimas, dos agressores e a modalidade de violência. Foi realizada análise com estatística descritiva e utilização do software SPSS® versão 22. Resultados: O perfil prevalente foi de crianças e adolescentes brancas, do sexo feminino, com idades entre sete e 14 anos, residentes em bairros periféricos. A maioria dos agressores é do sexo masculino, com idades entre 20 e 40 anos. A mãe é a principal responsável pelas agressões, seguida do pai e padrasto. Houve o predomínio da violência sexual, física e psicológica. Conclusão: O enfrentamento do problema da violência é complexo, requerendo medidas protetivas imediatas (AU)

Objective: To present the epidemiology of violence against children and adolescents treated at a Specialized Reference Center for Social Assistance (CREAS), from the records of notifications between January 2009 and May 2014. Methods: This is a descriptive and documentary study, a quantitative approach which examined 800 medical records of CREAS. The research instrument addressed sociodemographic variables selected victims, the aggressors and the type of violence. The analyzed with descriptive statistics and use of SPSS software version 22. Results: The prevalent profile was children and adolescents white, female, aged between seven and 14 years, living in suburbs. Most offenders are male, aged between 20 and 40 years, and low level of education. The study identified the mother as the main responsible for the attacks, father and stepfather then. There was a predominance of sexual, physical and psychological violence. Conclusion: The face of the violence problem is complex, requiring immediate protective (AU)

The care of Filipino juvenile offenders in residential facilities evaluated using the risk-need-responsivity model.

According to the risk-need-responsivity model of offender, assessment and rehabilitation treatment should target specific factors that are related to re-offending. This study evaluates the residential care of Filipino juvenile offenders using the risk-need-responsivity model. Risk analyses and criminogenic needs assessments (parenting style, aggression, relationships with peers, empathy, and moral reasoning) have been conducted using data of 55 juvenile offenders in four residential facilities. The psychological care has been assessed using a checklist. Statistical analyses showed that juvenile offenders had a high risk of re-offending, high aggression, difficulties in making pro-social friends, and a delayed socio-moral development. The psychological programs in the residential facilities were evaluated to be poor. The availability of the psychological care in the facilities fitted poorly with the characteristics of the juvenile offenders and did not comply with the risk-need-responsivity model. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

La gestión clínica de la política pública de protección social en la atención primaria de salud / Clinic management of public social protection policy in primary health care

OBJETIVO: Conocer la efectividad de la gestión clínica de los profesionales de atención primaria de salud en el ámbito del Sistema de Protección Integral de la Infancia «Chile Crece Contigo» y la Red Protege. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, con información disponible desde fuentes secundarias del Sistema Chile Crece Contigo, realizado en la comuna de Pudahuel, Santiago de Chile. La población fue de 1.656 mujeres embarazadas adscritas el año 2009 al Sistema Chile Crece Contigo. La vulnerabilidad social se midió con la ficha de protección social. Se seleccionaron variables sociodemográficas y de prestaciones del Sistema Chile Crece Contigo. Se contó con una base de datos bruta y depurada. El procesamiento y análisis de los datos se realizó por medio del programa estadístico Statistical Package Social Sciences y Excel. Se calcularon estadísticos descriptivos de frecuencia, posición y dispersión. Se contó con la certificación del Comité de Ética Científico de la Facultad de Enfermería. RESULTADOS: Se observó un 91,4% de vulnerabilidad social detectada por tamizaje institucional (ficha de protección social). El riesgo psicosocial fue mayor en mujeres con vulnerabilidad social (42,0 vs.28,2%) reconociéndose como más frecuente el insuficiente apoyo familiar, los síntomas depresivos, violencia de género, abuso de sustancias y conflictos con la maternidad. En las prestaciones universales, específicas e integradas no se cumplió con el 100% del acceso a las mismas. CONCLUSIONES: La invisibilidad de la vulnerabilidad social y la baja efectividad de la transferencia de beneficios a mujeres/niños-as socialmente vulnerables merece el desarrollo de competencias de gestión clínica contextualizada e integrada en los profesionales de atención primaria de salud

OBJECTIVE: Knowing the effectiveness of clinical management of primary care health in the field of Integral Protection System for Children "Chile Crece Contigo" and "Red Protege". Method: Observational, descriptive, with information available from secondary sources of Chile Crece Contigo system in the district of Pudahuel, Santiago de Chile. The population was 1,656 pregnant women assigned to Chile Crece Contigo system in 2009. Social vulnerability was measured with the Social Protection Record. Sociodemographic and Chile Crece Contigo system performance variables were selected. It featured a raw and refined database. Processing and analysis of data was performed using the statistical program Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Excel. Descriptive statistics for frequency, position and dispersion were calculated. Certification of Scientific Ethics Committee of the School of Nursing was granted. RESULTS: A 91.4% of institutional social vulnerability detected by screening social protection record was observed. Psychosocial risk was higher in women with social vulnerability (42.0 vs.28.2%) more often recognized as inadequate family support, depressive symptoms, domestic violence, substance abuse and conflicts with motherhood. In the universal, specific and integrated performance it was not met with 100% access to benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The invisibility of the social vulnerability and low effectiveness of the transfer of benefits to socially vulnerable women/children deserves skills development of contextualized and integrated clinical management professionals in primary health care

Beliefs and Recommendations Regarding Child Custody and Visitation in Cases Involving Domestic Violence: A Comparison of Professionals in Different Roles.

Research is lacking on differing perspectives regarding custody cases involving domestic violence (DV). In a survey of judges, legal aid attorneys, private attorneys, DV program workers, and child custody evaluators (n = 1,187), judges, private attorneys, and evaluators were more likely to believe that mothers make false DV allegations and alienate their children. In response to a vignette, evaluators and private attorneys were most likely to recommend joint custody and least likely to recommend sole custody to the survivor. Legal aid attorneys and DV workers were similar on many variables. Gender, DV knowledge, and knowing victims explained many group differences.

Inclusión/focalización de menores en mediación familiar: revisión de estudios y propuestas futuras / The inclusion of / focus on childrenin family mediation: A review of studies and future proposals

La mediación es un modelo para la resolución de conflictos respaldado por la comunidad internacional en Derecho de Familia, para ayudar a los progenitores que buscan soluciones a problemas familiares presentados en casos de custodia de menores. El objetivo del artículo es una revisión sobre las ventajas y/o desventajas planteadas en estudios que incluyen a menores en sus intervenciones, frente a intervenciones centradas en el menor en procesos de mediación familiar. En este estudio se realizó una revisión de estudios de Australia, Nueva Zelanda, algunos condados de EEUU, algunos estudios europeos; meta-análisis y estudios de revisión; investigaciones "inclusivas del menor"; guías internacionales que apoyan escuchar al menor y estudios que plantean críticas. Aunque la mediación en otros países tiene cuatro décadas de existencia, en España surge a partir de la promulgación de la Ley 1/2001 de Mediación Familiar en Cataluña, a la que prosiguieron otras normativas autonómicas, quizá por su novedad, no existan aún suficientes artículos en España. En algunos países se está produciendo un nuevo paradigma tendente a la inclusión del menor tras los hallazgos favorables en los procesos de mediación familiar, aunque es necesario un enfoque múltiple y flexible en la intervención en mediación familiar

Mediation is an established model for conflict resolution, backed by the international community in relation to family law, to help parents seeking solutions to family problems in child custody cases. The aim of this article is to review the advantages and / or disadvantages presented in the studies with child-inclusive or child-focused interventions in family mediation processes. In the present research, we carry out a review of studies realised in Australia, New Zealand, some counties in the US and in Europe; meta-analysis and review studies of "child inclusive" investigations, international guidelines that support listening to children and also studies that criticise it. While mediation has existed for four decades in other countries, in Spain it has only arisen since the enactment of Law (1/2001) of Family Mediation in Catalonia, followed by other Autonomous Communities regulations, which explains why sufficient studies might not yet exist. In some countries a new paradigm is emerging, aimed at the inclusion of children due to the favourable findings in family mediation processes, although a multiple and flexible approach in the field of family mediation intervention is necessary

Comunicación, orígenes e identidad en el acogimiento familiar y residencial: el programa “Viaje a mi historia” / No disponible

El presente artículo revisa los principales retos y necesidades que tienen los niños y niñas en el sistema de protección centrándose en la necesidad de saber acerca de su familia de origen y su situación familiar en el acogimiento familiar y residencial. Existe un considerable consenso científico y profesional acerca de la necesidad de hablar con los niños y de que una comunicación abierta, afectuosa y fluida sobre estos temas favorece su mejor adaptación. Sin embargo, diferentes estudios indican que la comunicación entre acogedores y acogidos no es una tarea fácil y que acogedores y profesionales necesitan apoyo y formación específica para abordarla adecuadamente. Al hilo de estos resultados, se exponen las líneas generales del programa Viaje a mi Historia que se lleva a cabo en la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía. Este programa ha sido diseñado con el objetivo de apoyar la tarea de acogedores y profesionales y servir de recurso en la comunicación entre acogedores y acogidos de manera que los niños y niñas puedan conocer su historia personal y familiar, las razones por la cuales están acogidos y su futuro en la medida de protección, contribuyendo así a que puedan desarrollar una identidad positiva en su paso por el acogimiento (AU)

This article reviews the main challenges and needs the children have in the protection system focusing on the need to know about their family of origin and family status in foster care and residential centres. There is considerable scientific and professional consensus today about the need to talk with children and that an open communication, caring and smooth on these issues enables a better adaptation. However, several studies show that communication between carers and children is not an easy task and, conversely, carers and professionals need support and specific training to address it properly. In line with these results, are also set out the broad lines of the program Travel to My Story carried out in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spain). This program was designed with the aim to support the work of carers and professionals, as well as serve as a resource for communication between carers and children so that children can know their personal and family history, the reasons why they are in foster care or protection centres and their future in the protection measures, thus contributing to developing a positive identity on their way through the placement (AU)

Do specialty courts achieve better outcomes for children in foster care than general courts?

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effects of unified family and drug treatment courts (DTCs) on the resolution of cases involving foster care children and the resulting effects on school performance. METHOD: The first analytic step was to assess the impacts of presence of unified and DTCs in North Carolina counties on time children spent in foster care and the type of placement at exit from foster care. In the second step, the same data on foster care placements were merged with school records for youth in Grades 3-8 in public schools. The effect of children's time in foster care and placement outcomes on school performance as measured by math and reading tests, grade retention, and attendance was assessed using child fixed-effects regression. RESULTS: Children in counties with unified family courts experienced shorter foster care spells and higher rates of reunification with parents or primary caregivers. Shorter foster care spells translated into improved school performance measured by end-of-grade reading and math test scores. Adult DTCs were associated with lower probability of reunification with parents/primary caregivers. CONCLUSION: The shortened time in foster care implies an efficiency gain attributable to unified family courts, which translate into savings for the court system through the use of fewer resources. Children also benefit through shortened stays in temporary placements, which are related to some improved educational outcomes.

Shared physical custody after family split-up: implications for health and well-being in Swedish schoolchildren.

AIM: In Sweden, shared physical custody following a parental separation has emerged as means for children to keep close relationships with both parents. Previous studies show that children benefit from regular contact with both parents, who share responsibility for their social, emotional and economic welfare. In this study, we investigate any associations between family arrangements, that is, two-parent, single and shared physical custody families and child health outcomes and whether this association was modified by parent-child communication. METHODS: Data on 11- to 15-year-old children from the 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Children in shared physical custody were more likely than children in two-parent families to report multiple health complaints (OR 1.26) and low well-being (OR 1.71). When variables of parent-child communication were entered in the model, the initial differences remained between children living in shared physical custody and those living in two-parent families. CONCLUSION: Children in shared physical custody and single-parent families are more at risk of negative outcomes compared with children in two-parent families. This association was not modified by parent-child communication in children in shared custody families, indicating that the communication equals that in two-parent family children.

Forgotten children? An update on young children in institutions across Europe.

The worst of institutional care was brought to public attention in Romania during the 1990s when pictures of severely deprived and malnourished children were shown around the world. However, many European countries have high rates of young children in institutions, where the physical care of the child predominates, with social/emotional needs a secondary concern. Yet institutional care is a very poor substitute for positive family care, increasing the risk of development delay, attachment difficulties, neural growth dysfunction and mental health disorders. This article provides an update on a series of projects that have highlighted this issue in Europe, arguing that babies and small children aged less than 3years old, with or without disability, should not be placed in residential care without a parent or primary caregiver. This principle has been discussed by the UN General Assembly (2009) and specific guidelines have been produced for all 193 member states.

Multidimensional treatment foster care: an alternative to residential treatment for high risk children and adolescents / Tratamiento multidimensional de acogimiento familiar: una alternativa al tratamiento residencial para niños, niñas y adolescentes en alto-riesgo

This paper describes the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care program (MTFC), an evidence based approach for providing psychotherapeutic treatment for very troubled children and adolescents that is an alternative to residential care. Versions of the MTFC program have been developed and validated for young children with a history of maltreatment as well as for older children and adolescents who are involved with the youth justice system. In the paper we describe the development of the MTFC program and its foundations in the social learning model that originated at the Oregon Social Learning Center in the 1960's and 70's. We present information about program elements. We then review the research that has been conducted on MTFC (AU)

Este programa describe el programa "Tratamiento Multidimensional de Acogimiento Familiar" (MTFC), una práctica basada en la evidencia que proporciona tratamiento a niños, niñas y adolescentes muy problemáticos y que constituye una alternativa al acogimiento residencial. Se han desarrollado y validado diferentes versiones del programa MTFC para niños y niñas con historia de maltrato infantil así como para niños y niñas más mayores y adolescentes involucrados en el sistema de justicia juvenil. En el artículo se describe el desarrollo del programa MTFC y sus bases teóricas, que se inspiran en el modelo de aprendizaje social que se originó en el Oregon Social Learning Center en las décadas de los años 1960 y 1970. Se presenta información de los principales elementos del programa y se revisa la investigación más importante que se ha llevado a cabo con el MTFC (AU)

Estrategias para la captación de familias acogedoras / No disponible

El acogimiento familiar provee a niños y niñas la oportunidad de crecer y desarrollarse en un ambiente familiar, mientras esperan que se resuelva aquello que provocó la separación de su familia o bien son adoptados o se independizan al cumplir la mayoría de edad. Encontrar familias dispuestas a acoger a estos niños supone uno de los principales retos para el sistema de protección durante la próxima década. Este artículo lleva cabo una revisión de las prácticas internacionales para la captación de familias acogedoras. Las intervenciones de captación exitosas son aquellas que se dirigen a toda la comunidad, implican en sus intervenciones a los acogedores veteranos, usan todos los medios a su alcance y envían mensajes realistas sobre lo que supone acoger. La investigación también subraya la necesidad de llevar a cabo planes de captación y sensibilización anuales y de contar con sistemas de evaluación de las estrategias. En el artículo se aportan una serie de pautas para gestores y técnicos de programas de acogida (AU)

Fostering provides children with an opportunity to grow and develop in a family environment, while finding a solution to the source of separation from their families, either with adoption or with independence when reaching the age of majority. Finding families ready to look after those children is one of the most important challenges for foster care systems in the next decade. This paper aims to review international procedures to recruit foster families. The most successful recruitment interventions are those aimed at general population, involving experienced foster parents, using all available resources, and sending objective messages about what this decision entails. Previous research also underlies the need for yearly recruitment and sensitization plans, and assessment systems of the strategies used. Several guidelines are offered in this paper for agencies and managers of foster programs (AU)

Maternal custody status and living arrangements of children of women with severe mental illness.

The authors report results of a pilot study on the custody status of 20 women with severe mental illnesses who were parents of a total of 76 children. The mothers had some of their children living with them and others dispersed among kinship and nonkinship arrangements. Qualitative findings illustrate how bewildered these women were about the status of children placed outside the home and their ability to obtain custody or maintain contact with their children. The authors suggest that social workers working with women with severe mental illness inquire about and "map" the whereabouts of women's children, help mothers mediate legal and social services delivery systems, and help mothers exercise their rights when there is risk of termination of parental rights.