Associations between left-behind children's characteristics and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional study from China.

BACKGROUND: Parent-child separation poses a significant challenge for left-behind children (LBC). However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the correlation between left-behind characteristics and the psychological symptoms of LBC. This study investigated psychological symptoms among LBC and explored associations between left-behind characteristics and those symptoms. METHODS: Using stratified cluster sampling, 1,832 LBC aged 13-18 years from three cities in East China were selected for analysis. Participants' depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 and the General Anxiety Disorder 7, respectively. Chi-square tests were used to compare differences in detection rates of psychological symptoms among LBC in different groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to infer associations between left-behind characteristics and psychological symptoms. RESULTS: Depression and anxiety symptoms were detected in 32.86% and 33.24%, respectively, of participating LBC. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences in detection rates of depression symptoms by sex, grade, and timing of parent-child separation. Statistically significant differences were observed in anxiety symptom rates by sex, grade, type of caregiver, and timing of mother-child separation. Multivariate analysis indicated a positive association between LBC's anxiety symptoms and mother-child separation that occurred during post-primary school, and type of caregiver (father only or mother only). Our findings confirm a positive association between left-behind characteristics and anxiety symptoms among LBC. CONCLUSION: The timing of mother-child separation and type of caregiver are potential risk factors for the development of anxiety symptoms in this population.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) in Chinese left-behind and non-left-behind children: an exploratory structural equation modeling approach.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive data has shown that adolescents often suffer from depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, and are in a particularly fragile stage of psychological, physiological, and social development. Left-behind children in particular tend to have significantly higher, state anxiety and depression compared to non-left-behind children. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) is an effective tool for evaluating depression, anxiety, and stress, and is used to measure levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in groups from a variety of backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness, reliability, and measurement invariance of the DASS-21 in Chinese left-behind children. METHOD: The test and re-test method was used (N = 676), and the exploratory structural equation model (Mplus v.8.3) used to verify basic measurement models. For measurement invariance, the configural, weak, strong, and strict models were tested. The reliability of the DASS-21 was also tested using the collected data. RESULTS: Analysis results showed that the DASS-21 had a stable three-factor structure in the sample of left-behind children in China. The measurement invariance test showed that gender and time not only had strong invariance, but also strict invariance. The results of cross left and non-left invariance indicated a lack of strict invariance. Finally, the McDonald's omega coefficient of the DASS-21 total scale was 0.864, and the internal consistency of each subscale was also good. CONCLUSIONS: The DASS-21 is shown to be an effective and reliable tool for measuring depression, anxiety and stress in Chinese left-behind children.

The Trauma of Separation: Lifelong Health Implications on Children.

In the United States, there are millions of globally displaced children who travel with family to seek immigration relief, many of whom have experienced family separation or live under the constant threat of separation. Family separation constitutes a significant trauma with lifelong impacts on a child's mental health, physical health, and development. This review provides a summary of the various contexts within which family separation occurs as well as the current literature on long-term health sequelae. These include mental illness, externalizing behaviors, developmental challenges, family stability, economic impacts, and educational attainment. Given the number of newcomer children in the US, it is paramount that pediatric clinicians develop a holistic understanding of their needs and the effects of separation to provide evidence-based care and to advocate for the prevention of this trauma for all future migrant families. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(5):e167-e170.].

Mental Health Implications of Family Separation Associated with Migration Policies in the United States: A Systematic Review.

The practice of family separation as a mechanism of oppression has a deep-rooted history in the U.S., manifesting in diverse contexts, including punitive migration policies. This systematic review aimed to provide a rigorous and updated synthesis of the research on family separation as a result of migration policies and its impacts on immigrants' mental health while making a distinction between forced family separation, family separation by constrained choices, and living with the fear of family separation. We systematically searched four bibliographic databases using keywords related to family separation, migration, transnational families, and mental health for peer-reviewed studies published in English on or before January 1st, 2022. Results of the review indicate that family separation or fear of it may result in depression, anxiety, behavioral and emotional issues, sleep disturbances, and stress or distress in affected children. Similarly, impacted parents or caregivers might experience stress or distress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Findings call for migration policy changes prioritizing family unity and comprehensive mental health interventions to respond to the pervasive consequences of family separation or fear thereof among immigrants in the U.S.

Developmental trajectory of depressive symptoms among left-behind adolescents: The effects of parent-adolescent separation and parent-adolescent cohesion.

INTRODUCTION: Left-behind adolescents are vulnerable to depressive symptoms under the context of parent-adolescent separation. However, limited knowledge is available regarding left-behind adolescents' depression trajectory and the protective resources against it. The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate the depression trajectory and its association with parent-adolescent separation (left-behind status, age of separation and duration of separation) and parent-adolescent cohesion (father-adolescent cohesion, mother-adolescent cohesion) among left-behind adolescents. METHODS: The participants were 1,107 left-behind adolescents (Mage = 13.23 ± 0.86 years at T1; 45.17% girls; 38.48% both-parent migrant adolescents, 61.52% father-only migrant adolescents) from two rural areas of Shandong Province in China, who were participated in assessment at three time points with 6 months apart from November 2014 to November 2015. RESULTS: The results indicated that the trajectory of left-behind adolescents' depression symptoms showed a decreasing trend. Both-parent migrant adolescents reported a higher initial level of depressive symptoms than father-only migrant adolescents. Duration of separation positively predicted the initial level of left-behind adolescents' depressive symptoms. Mother-adolescent cohesion negatively predicted the initial level and positively predicted the change rate of left-behind adolescents' depressive symptoms. Moreover, mother-adolescent and father-adolescent cohesion buffered the negative effect of parent-adolescent separation on the initial level of left-behind adolescents' depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the protective role of parent-adolescent cohesion for left-behind adolescents, having important implications for interventions targeted toward mitigating the detrimental influence of parent-adolescent separation on left-behind adolescents' depression trajectory.

Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Latinx Children, Youth, and Families: Clinical Challenges and Opportunities.

Latinx children, youth, and families in the United States have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic compared to non-Latinxs, experiencing a higher burden of deaths, economic adversity, parental stress, and mental health problems. At the same time, Latinx children, youth, and families in the United States have rich cultural and community resources that serve as a source of protection and promotion. To our knowledge, no special issue has been devoted to the impact of the pandemic on Latinx children, youth, and families, which limits opportunities to examine its implications for clinical theory, research, assessment, policy, and practice. To address this gap, we present this special issue entitled "Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Latinx children, youth, and families: Clinical challenges and opportunities," a collection of nine articles written by Latinx scholars. In this introduction, we explain why it is important to center Latinx children, youth, and families and why we need to use a structural-intersectional approach. We summarize the articles in this collection by grouping them by themes: immigration and family separation; the impact of family economic adversity; school and family contexts of mental health; the pandemic experience of Latinx LGBTQ and AfroLatinx youth; and a model to imagine the future of Latinx children, youth, and families. We conclude with a brief summary and suggestions for future research.

Câncer materno: a compreensão da criança e suas representações / Maternal cancer: the child's understanding and its representations / Cáncer materno: comprensión del niño y sus representaciones

O câncer é uma doença crônico-degenerativa, que tem como uma de suas principais características a capacidade de invadir tecidos e órgãos do corpo, favorecendo o crescimento desordenado de células. É uma doença que impacta fortemente a pessoa enferma e todos à sua volta, incluindo sua família e seus amigos. A partir desse cenário, este trabalho visou compreender a visão da criança e o impacto emocional sofrido diante do diagnóstico de câncer da mãe. Buscou-se avaliar, a partir de ferramentas lúdicas e do desenho-estória, o entendimento da criança em relação ao processo de adoecimento materno, tomando como base o referencial psicanalítico para reconhecer como ela lidou com a situação. Participaram desta pesquisa uma mulher de 39 anos com diagnóstico de câncer em remissão e seu filho de 9 anos. Os resultados demonstraram que o adoecimento materno causou impactos emocionais significativos e assustadores para o infante, gerando fantasias irreais relacionadas ao câncer e a si próprio. Dessa forma, considera-se de fundamental importância o cuidado estendido aos familiares do indivíduo doente, a fim de que se tenha um olhar a todos que sofrem diante desse contexto.(AU)

Cancer is a chronic-degenerative disease that has as one of its main characteristics the ability to invade tissues and organs of the body, favoring the disordered cell growth. It is a disease that strongly impacts the sick person and everyone around them, including their family and friends. Based on this scenario, this work aimed to understand the child's view and the emotional impact suffered in the face of the mother's cancer diagnosis. It sought to evaluate, with ludic tools and drawing history, the child's understanding about the mother's illness process, based on the psychoanalytic framework to recognize how they deal with the situation. A 39-year-old woman diagnosed with cancer, in remission, and her 9-year-old son participated in this research. The results showed that the maternal illness caused significant and frightening emotional impacts for the infant, creating unrealistic fantasies related to cancer and to himself. Thus, the care extended to the sick individual's family and to the relatives is considered of fundamental importance, to give a complete care for all those who suffer in this context.(AU)

El cáncer es una enfermedad crónico-degenerativa, que tiene como una de sus principales características la capacidad de invadir tejidos y órganos, favoreciendo un crecimiento desordenado de las células. Enfermedades como esta impactan fuertemente a la persona que está enferma y a todos los que la rodean, incluidos familiares y amigos. Considerando esta situación, este estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender la percepción de un niño y el impacto emocional que sufrió ante el diagnóstico del cáncer vivido por su madre. Se pretendió evaluar, utilizando herramientas lúdicas y de dibujo-cuento, la comprensión del niño al proceso de enfermedad materna, buscando reconocer cómo el niño manejó este proceso a partir del referencial teórico psicoanalítico. En esta investigación participaron una mujer de 39 años diagnosticada de cáncer en remisión y su hijo de 9 años. Los resultados mostraron que los impactos emocionales de la enfermedad materna fueron significativos y aterradores para el infante, generando fantasías irreales relacionadas con el cáncer y él mismo. De esta forma, el cuidado extendido a la familia del individuo que está enfrentando esta enfermedad es importante para promover una atención integral a quienes la padecen en este contexto.(AU)

Does social capital aid in leveling the income gradient in child mental health? A structural analysis of the left-behind and not-left-behind Chinese children.

BACKGROUND: Few prior studies have investigated the income gradient in child mental health from a socio-environmental perspective. In an age when child mental health problems in a rapidly changing social environment have become a worldwide issue, an understanding of the socio-environmental mechanisms of the income disparities in child mental health outcomes is imperative and cost-effective. METHODS: By conducting structural equation analyses with Chinese nationally representative survey data, this study explored the family income gradient in child depression and its potential socio-environmental pathways at the neighborhood, family and school levels, differentiating left-behind and not-left-behind children. RESULTS: We found a robust family income gradient in depressive symptoms. Neighborhood cohesion mitigated the income gradient in depressive symptoms by playing a suppression role. School social capital acted as a mediator. Neighborhood trust, neighborhood safety and family social capital played no significant impact. The mitigating and mediating roles of social capital components were significant among only the not-left-behind children. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce income-related inequalities in child mental health in the long run, integrating policies that directly reduce poverty with policies that improve distal socio-environments is necessary.

Unintentional injury and its associated factors among left-behind children: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Unintentional injuries among children and adolescents are a major public health problem worldwide. These injuries not only have negative effects on children's physiology and psychology, but also bring huge economic losses and social burdens to families and society. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Chinese adolescents, and left-behind children (LBC) are more prone to experience unintentional injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the type and incidence of unintentional injury among Chinese children and adolescents and explore the influences of personal and environmental factors by comparing the differences between LBC and not left-behind children (NLBC). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in January and February 2019. Additionally, 2786 children and adolescents from 10 to 19 years old in Liaoning Province in China were collected in the form of self-filled questionnaires, including Unintentional Injury Investigation, Unintentional Injury Perception Questionnaire, Multidimensional Subhealth Questionnaire of Adolescent (MSQA), Negative life events, "My Class" questionnaire and Bullying/victim Questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with unintentional injury among children and adolescents. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors affecting unintentional injuries between LBC and NLBC. RESULTS: The top three unintentional injuries were falling injuries (29.7%), sprains (27.2%) and burns and scalds (20.3%) in our study population. The incidence of unintentional injuries in LBC was higher than that in NLBC. Burn and scalds, cutting injury and animal bites in LBC were higher than those in NLBC. The results show that junior high school students (odds ratio (OR) = 1.296, CI = 1.066-1.574) were more likely to report multiple unintentional injuries than primary school students. Girls (OR = 1.252, CI = 1.042-1.504) had higher odds of reporting multiple unintentional injuries. The odds of multiple injuries in children and adolescents with low levels of unintentional injury perception were higher than those in children and adolescents with high levels of unintentional injury perception (OR = 1.321, C = 1.013-1.568). Children and adolescents with a higher levels of mental health symptoms (OR = 1.442, CI = 1.193-1.744) had higher odds of reporting multiple unintentional injuries. Compared with teenagers who had never experienced negative life events, teenagers who had experienced negative life events many times (OR = 2.724, CI = 2.121-3.499) were more likely to suffer unintentional injuries many times. Low-level discipline and order (OR = 1.277, CI = 1.036-1.574) had higher odds of reporting multiple unintentional injuries. In-school adolescents who were bullied were more likely to report being injured multiple times than their counterparts who were not bullied (OR = 2.340, CI = 1.925-2.845). Low levels of unintentional injury perception, experienced negative life events and bullying had greater impacts on LBC than on NLBC. CONCLUSION: The survey found that the incidence of at least one unintentional injury was 64.8%. School level, sex, unintentional injury perception, subhealth, negative life events, discipline and order and bullying were associated with incidents of unintentional injury. Compared with NLBC, LBC had a higher incidence of unintentional injury, and special attention should be given to this group.

Does parents' cognitive ability affect household educational investment? Evidence from Chinese families with left behind children.

The large group of left-behind children with the absence of parental accompanying are likely to have serious physical and psychological problems, which may lead to serious public safety and social economic troubles in adulthood. Such unique phenomenon calls us attention on the impact of parents on household educational investment. Based on the data of China Family Panel Studies in 2014, This paper examines the effects of parents' cognitive ability on household educational investment for their children. The research propositions were tested using multiple regression analysis methods. Results indicate that parents' cognitive ability can significantly improve the level of monetary and non-monetary investment in education. We also find that compared with their counterparts, the cognitive ability of left-behind children's parents fails to affect their household educational investment, due to the "parent-child separation effect". Further analysis shows that improving the regional informatization level of parents of left-behind children can alleviate the "parent-child separation effect", and finally facilitate cognitive ability's role in increasing household educational investment. These findings enlighten education policy makers and households a feasible way to alleviate the imbalance and insufficiency of household educational investment among left-behind children families.

Identifying Mental Health Profiles Among Adolescents Who Experienced a Recent Parental Deployment or Military-Related Family Separation.

Accessing two independent samples of adolescents in military families in the United States who recently experienced parental separation (N = 573; N = 186), this study sought to identify adolescent mental health profiles indexed on multiple indicators. In other words, we asked how military adolescents fare after parental separation in terms of mental health indicators. Proximal family processes (family cohesion, conflict, and marital adjustment) were also examined in relation to mental health profiles as well as core adolescent outcomes, self-rated health, and school enjoyment. In both samples, three profiles emerged identifying similar structures of mental health profiles. Two-thirds of adolescents were in the lowest risk mental health group. Poor family cohesion and greater conflict were associated with the moderate and highest risk groups. The lowest risk group reported better health and greater school enjoyment. Family nurses and other health care professionals are encouraged to inquire about military connectedness, structural changes occurring within the family system, and family processes in relation to adolescent well-being.

Heartbreak and Loneliness Due to Family Separations and Limited Visiting during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the healthcare system. In the pediatric unit, stress, uncertainty, and many unexpected challenges for many parents were frequently reported. Research has shown that parents had less contact with their children during the pandemic due to hospital restrictions. However, it is unknown how parents perceived their experiences in a pediatric unit. This study aimed to describe the lived experiences of parents who had a child in the pediatric unit during the pandemic. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to investigate parents' experiences of having children admitted to the pediatric unit during the pandemic in Hong Kong. Eight Chinese parents participated in the interview. Three major themes emerged: (1) parents' pediatric ward experiences during COVID-19 were emotionally isolating and overwhelming, (2) the family and family-centered care were disrupted, and (3) interactions with pediatric providers intensified or alleviated emotional distress. Integrating the above themes of experiences of emotional distress was the main characteristic of the parents' experiences during the pandemic. Therefore, policymakers should understand the lived experiences of parents of children diagnosed with COVID-19 and should make prompt decisions to deal with both parental concerns and safety issues.

Exploring the Impact of Family Separation on Refugee Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-narrative Analysis.

The refugee crisis is spreading rapidly, with the number of global refugees this decade doubling in comparison to the last, leading to further concern regarding asylum policies and their psychological impacts. The aim of this systematic review is to further emphasize the correlation between familial separation and the risk of mental health disorders in refugees. This particular review uses quantitative and qualitative data sourced from a variety of countries to comparatively view the mental health status of approximately 8,737 refugees ages 15 and older. This was done to determine if familial separation could potentially impact their overall quality of life. As a result, separation from one's family was found to be correlated with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, adult separation anxiety disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and more. Studies reported a high variance in the prevalence of mental health disorders when models were adjusted for family separation. Methods to improve asylum procedure and mental health services for refugees is taken into consideration.

Development of psychological resilience and associations with emotional and behavioral health among preschool left-behind children.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the development of psychological resilience and its associations with emotional and behavioral health among preschool left-behind children (LBC). METHODS: LBC in 26 preschools of Fuyang City, Hefei City, and Maanshan City of Anhui Province were included at baseline survey; and baseline children in the junior and middle classes of preschools as targeted samples were recruited for the 1-year follow-up. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to examine associations of psychological resilience with emotional and behavioral health. RESULTS: In total, 1463 LBC were included at baseline and 568 of the 905 targeted LBC completed the 1-year follow-up. Change patterns of psychological resilience were identified as the stable-high pattern (19.0%), increasing pattern (18.3%), declining pattern (15.9%), and stable-low pattern (46.8%). The results showed that psychological resilience at baseline was positively associated with later dietary behavior habits and prosocial behaviors, and negatively associated with later problematic behaviors and sleep problems. In addition, children with the declining pattern had more problematic behaviors and sleep problems, and fewer prosocial behaviors at follow-up. Children with the increasing pattern and stable-high pattern had more prosocial behaviors, better dietary behavior habits, and fewer problematic behaviors and sleep problems at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of preschool LBC had lower psychological resilience and its level among some LBC changed during the follow-up. Higher psychological resilience was a protective factor for emotional and behavioral health. Timely assessing psychological resilience and then strengthening it are needed to promote the emotional and behavioral health of preschool LBC.

Implicações da prática profissional no acolhimento institucional de crianças: perspectiva de cuidadoras / Implications of professional practice in children's institutional sheltering: caregivers' perspective / Implicaciones de la práctica profesional en el alojamiento institucional de niños: perspectiva de cuidadoras

Este estudo qualitativo teve como objetivo compreender, a partir da teoria de bioecológica de desenvolvimento, as implicações da prática profissional no processo de acolhimento de crianças em uma casa-abrigo, na perspectiva de cuidadoras. As participantes foram 10 profissionais de uma casa-abrigo localizada na região sul do Brasil. Utilizou-se a entrevista semiestruturada e a organização e análise dos dados sustentou-se na Grounded Theory, com auxílio do software Atlas.ti 8.4.14. Os resultados evidenciaram uma centralização das ações de acolhimento e atenção em torno dos cuidados físicos das crianças. As ações para promover suporte e cuidados emocionais dentro da casa-abrigo eram delegadas às profissionais da equipe técnica da instituição. Observou-se que as dificuldades encontradas pelas cuidadoras diziam respeito à falta de segurança e preparação para responder e acolher as demandas emocionais das crianças, as quais estão presentes em diversos momentos do processo de acolhimento. Percebeu-se que as práticas institucionais afetaram decisivamente tanto as ações de acolhimento das participantes e o suporte emocional oferecido às crianças na passagem pela casa-abrigo quanto as cuidadoras, no sentido de vivenciarem no trabalho sentimentos de insegurança. Os resultados tensionam ecologicamente a interação nos processos proximais presentes no desenvolvimento humano. Advoga-se pela reflexão sobre as implicações das práticas institucionais de uma casa-abrigo e o desenvolvimento infantil, visando o cuidado integral dos acolhidos.(AU)

Based on the developmental bioecological theory, this study analyzes the implications of professional practice in children's user embracement at a shelter from the caregivers' perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 professionals from a shelter located in southern Brazil. Data organization and analysis was performed based on Grounded Theory using the Atlas.ti 8.4.14 software. Results showed that embracement and attention focus on the physical care of children. Support and emotional care activities were delegated to the institution's technical team. Caregivers faced difficulties regarding the lack of security and preparation to respond to and accept the children's emotional demands, which arise at different moments in the embracement process. The institutional practices decisively affected both user embracement actions and the emotional support offered to the children, as well as the caregivers, in the sense of experiencing feelings of insecurity. These findings ecologically tension the interaction in the proximal processes present in human development. Further reflections on the implications of institutional shelter-based practices for child development are needed to provide comprehensive care.(AU)

Este estudio cualitativo tuvo como objetivo comprender, desde la perspectiva de la teoría bioecológica del desarrollo, las implicaciones de la práctica profesional en el proceso de acogida de niños en una institución infantil desde la perspectiva de las cuidadoras. Las participantes fueron 10 profesionales de una institución de acogida infantil ubicada en la región Sur de Brasil. Se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada, y para la organización y análisis de datos se aplicó Grounded Theory, con el uso del software Atlas.ti 8.4.14. Los resultados mostraron que las acciones de recepción y atención se centran en el cuidado físico de los niños. Las acciones de promoción de apoyo y cuidado emocional dentro del alojamiento se asignaron a los profesionales del equipo técnico de la institución. Se observó que las dificultades encontradas por las cuidadoras estaban relacionadas con la falta de seguridad y preparación para responder y aceptar las demandas emocionales de los niños, las cuales se encuentran presentes en diferentes momentos del proceso de acogida. Se notó que las prácticas institucionales afectaron decisivamente tanto las acciones de acogida de las participantes como el apoyo emocional que la institución brinda a los niños durante su paso, así como a las cuidadoras en el sentido de experimentar sentimientos de inseguridad en el trabajo. Estos resultados tensan ecológicamente la interacción en los procesos proximales presentes en el desarrollo humano. Se aboga por reflexionar sobre las implicaciones de las prácticas institucionales en los alojamientos institucionales y el desarrollo infantil, apuntando a la atención integral de los acogidos.(AU)

A experiência intersubjetiva na ludoterapia humanista sob uma perspectiva fenomenológica / The intersubjective experience in humanistic play therapy from the standpoint of phenomenology / La experiencia intersubjetiva en la ludoterapia humanista desde una perspectiva fenomenológica

Esta pesquisa qualitativa objetivou compreender, fenomenologicamente, a experiência vivida por psicoterapeutas e crianças no acontecer clínico da ludoterapia humanista. Foram realizados 26 encontros dialógicos individuais com nove psicoterapeutas e sete crianças, registrados pela pesquisadora na forma de Narrativas Compreensivas que incluíram suas impressões impactadas subjetivamente pelas falas e expressões corporais dos participantes. A análise fenomenológica culminou com a escrita de uma Narrativa Síntese. Os resultados indicam que a relação psicoterapêutica é percebida como: facilitadora do crescimento psicológico da criança; intensificadora do fluxo de mudanças ao dinamizar os processos pessoais infantis; geradora de motivação na criança para a relação interpessoal, a partir do envolvimento subjetivo do terapeuta; potencializadora da tomada de consciência com base na corporeidade; propiciadora da integração de experiências por meio do brincar; reveladora das singularidades individuais, catalisando o desenvolvimento; e, por fim, benéfica à atualização de significados e sentidos da experiência pessoal e relacional. Evidenciou-se, entre os psicoterapeutas, uma concepção da ludoterapia humanista que prioriza a compreensão dirigida ao estilo próprio de cada cliente em relação aos modos de sentir e expressar-se no mundo e à estruturação do processo psicoterapêutico a partir do relacionamento com a criança. Concluiu-se, assim, que a experiência desse tipo de relação interpessoal facilita a constituição na criança de singularidades que imprimem um sentido existencial próprio ao seu mundo de relações e historicidade. A relevância do processo psicoterapêutico para o crescimento psicológico da criança apresentou-se também pelo seu caráter psicoprofilático, reverberado no encadeamento de processos associados à experiência pessoal dela.(AU)

This qualitative research aimed to understand, phenomenologically, the lived experience of psychotherapists and children in the clinical event of humanistic play therapy. A total of 26 individual dialogical encounters were held with nine psychotherapists and seven children, registered in the form of Comprehensive Narratives by the researcher, which included her subjectively impacted impressions about the participants' speeches and body expressions. The phenomenological analysis culminated in a Synthesis Narrative. The results demonstrate that the psychotherapeutic relationship is perceived as: facilitating the child's psychological growth; intensifying the flow of change by streamlining children's personal processes; generating motivation for the child to get involved with interpersonal relationship, based on the subjective involvement of the therapist; potentiating awareness raising based on the corporeality; enabling the integration of experiences by playing; revealing the uniqueness, catalyzing development; and, finally, benefiting the updating of meanings and senses of personal and relational experience. A conception of humanistic play therapy became evident among the psychotherapists, which prioritizes the understanding directed to the own way of each client regarding how to feel and express themselves in the world and the structuring of the psychotherapeutic process based on the relationship with the child. Thus, it was concluded that the experience of this interpersonal relationship facilitates the constitution in the child of singularities that bring their own existential meaning to their world of relationships and historicity. The relevance of the psychotherapeutic process for the child's psychological growth was also shown by the psycho-prophylactic character reverberated in the processes associated with the child's personal experience.(AU)

Esta investigación cualitativa tuvo por objetivo comprender, fenomenológicamente, la experiencia vivida por psicoterapeutas y niños en ludoterapia de orientación humanista. La investigadora desarrolló 26 conversaciones dialógicas individuales con nueve psicoterapeutas y siete niños, registradas como narrativas comprensivas que incluyeron sus impresiones impactadas subjetivamente por los discursos y expresiones corporales de los participantes. El análisis fenomenológico culminó con una síntesis narrativa. Los resultados demuestran que la relación psicoterapéutica se percibe como facilitadora del crecimiento psicológico del niño; intensificadora del flujo de cambio, optimizando su procesos personales; generadora de motivación para que el niño se involucre en la relación interpersonal a partir del envolvimiento subjetivo del terapeuta; potenciadora de la toma de conciencia a partir de la corporeidad; propiciadora de la integración de las experiencias por medio del juego; reveladora de singularidades individuales al catalizar el desarrollo; y beneficiosa para actualizar los significados y sentidos de la experiencia personal e relacional. Entre los psicoterapeutas se hizo evidente una concepción de ludoterapia humanista que prima por comprender la forma propia del cliente de sentirse y expresarse y la estructuración del proceso psicoterapéutico a partir de la relación con el niño. Se concluyó que la vivencia de este tipo de relación facilita la constitución en el niño de singularidades que le aportan un sentido existencial a su mundo de relación e historicidad. La relevancia del proceso psicoterapéutico para el crecimiento psicológico también se mostró por su carácter psicoprofiláctico, que reverberó en la cadena de procesos asociados con la experiencia personal del niño.(AU)

Poder, norma e ideário na lei da alienação parental / Power, norm and ideology in the law of parental alienation / Poder, norma e ideología en la ley de alienación parental

A recomendação ética do psicólogo para intervir criticamente sobre a demanda vai de encontro com a tarefa de diagnosticar atos de Alienação Parental e, num sentido amplo, com a judicialização das relações privadas. A genealogia de Foucault consiste num método capaz de lançar luz sobre as práticas de poder na base dos discursos relacionados ao tema da alienação parental. O eufemismo pedagógico empregado para designar as sanções da lei tem como finalidade estratégica o convencimento a respeito de supostos benefícios da tutela sobre as famílias, ao mesmo tempo em que lhes são atribuídas alguma patologia disfuncional. Numa perspectiva crítica, a assimetria de gêneros corresponde às relações de poder presentes no problema da alienação parental. Por fim, a inversão dos critérios de identificação da alienação parental revela o distanciamento entre o ideal normativo e a realidade da ruptura conjugal e familiar, apontando para a importância de práticas de cuidado e assistência em vez de judicativas e punitivas.(AU)

The psychologist's ethical recommendation to critically intervene on the demand goes against the task of diagnosing acts of Parental Alienation (AP) and, in a broad sense, with the judicialization of private relations. Foucault's genealogy consists of a method able to shed on the power practices on the basis of discourses related to the theme of Parental Alienation. The pedagogical euphemism used to designate the sanctions of the law has the strategic purpose of convincing about the supposed benefits of guardianship over families, while attributing some dysfunctional pathology to them. From a critical perspective, gender asymmetry corresponds to the power relations present in the Parental Alienation problem. Finally, the inversion of the Parental Alienation's identification criteria reveals the gap between the normative ideal and the reality of marital and family disruption, pointing to the importance of care and assistance practices instead of judicative and punitive ones.(AU)

La recomendación ética del psicólogo de intervenir críticamente sobre la demanda va en contra de la tarea de diagnosticar actos de Alienación Parental (AP) y, en un sentido amplio, con la judicialización de las relaciones privadas. La genealogía de Foucault consiste en un método capaz de arrojar luz sobre las prácticas del poder a partir de discursos relacionados con el tema de la Alienación Parental. El eufemismo pedagógico que se utiliza para designar las sanciones de la ley tiene el propósito estratégico de convencer sobre los supuestos beneficios de la tutela sobre las familias, atribuyéndoles alguna patología disfuncional. Desde una perspectiva crítica, la asimetría de género corresponde a las relaciones de poder presentes en el problema de la Alienación Parental. Finalmente, la inversión de los criterios de identificación de la Alienación Parental revela la brecha entre el ideal normativo y la realidad de la ruptura conyugal y familiar, señalando la importancia de las prácticas de cuidado y asistencia en lugar de las judicativas y punitivas.(AU)

Saúde mental e atuação de psicólogos hospitalares brasileiros na pandemia da covid-19 / Health and works of brazilian hospital psychologists in the covid-19 pandemic / Salud mental y actuación de psicólogos en hospitales brasileños en la pandemia del covid-19

Em março de 2020 a situação causada pela covid-19 foi elevada à categoria de pandemia, impactando de inúmeras formas a vida em sociedade. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender os impactos da pandemia na atuação e saúde mental do psicólogo hospitalar, profissional que atua nos espaços de saúde e tem experienciado mais de perto o sofrimento dos doentes e dos profissionais de saúde frente à covid-19. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo com 131 psicólogos que atuam em hospitais. Os profissionais foram convidados a participar através de redes sociais e redes de contatos das pesquisadoras, utilizando-se a técnica Bola de Neve. Foram utilizados dois questionários, disponibilizados na plataforma Google Forms, um abordando os impactos da pandemia sentidos pelos profissionais e outro referente ao sofrimento psíquico. Os dados foram analisados a partir de estatísticas descritivas e inferenciais. Foram observados impactos na atuação de quase a totalidade dos participantes, constatada a necessidade de preparação dos profissionais para o novo cenário, a percepção de pouco apoio institucional e quase metade da população estudada referiu-se a sintomas de sofrimento psíquico considerável desde o início da pandemia. É fundamental dar atenção a sinais e sintomas de sofrimento psíquico, procurando evitar o adoecimento de uma categoria profissional que se encontra na linha de frente do combate aos danos psicológicos da pandemia e cuja própria saúde mental é pouco abordada na literatura.(AU)

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic breakout hugely impacted life in society. This study analyzes how the pandemic impacted hospital psychologists' mental health and performance, professional who more closely experienced the suffering of patients and health professionals in this period. An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with 131 hospital psychologists. Professionals were invited to participate through the researchers' social and contact networks using the Snowball technique. Data were collected by two questionnaires available on the Google Forms platform, one addressing the impacts felt by professionals and the other regarding psychic suffering, and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that almost all participants had their performance affected by the need to prepare for the new scenario, the perceived little institutional support. Almost half of the study sample reported considerable psychological distress symptoms since the beginning of the pandemic. Paying attention to signs and symptoms of psychic suffering is fundamental to avoid compromising a professional category that is on the front line of combating the psychological damage caused by the pandemic and whose own mental health is little addressed by the literature.(AU)

En marzo de 2020, la situación provocada por el COVID-19 se caracterizó como pandemia e impactó el mundo de diversas maneras. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender los impactos de la pandemia en la salud mental y la actuación del psicólogo en los hospitales, uno de los profesionales que trabaja en espacios sanitarios y que ha experimentado más de cerca el sufrimiento de pacientes y profesionales sanitarios frente al COVID-19. Este es un estudio exploratorio descriptivo, realizado con 131 psicólogos que trabajan en hospitales. Los profesionales recibieron la invitación a participar a través de las redes sociales y redes de contactos de las investigadoras, mediante la técnica snowball. Se utilizaron dos cuestionarios disponibles en la plataforma Google Forms: uno sobre los impactos de la pandemia en los profesionales y el otro sobre el sufrimiento psíquico. Los datos se analizaron a partir de estadísticas descriptivas e inferenciales. Se observaron impactos en el trabajo de casi todos los participantes, la necesidad de preparación de los profesionales para este nuevo escenario, la percepción de poco apoyo institucional, y casi la mitad de la población estudiada reportaron sentir síntomas de considerable angustia psicológica desde el inicio de la pandemia. Es esencial prestar atención a los signos y síntomas del sufrimiento psíquico, buscando evitar la enfermedad de una categoría profesional que está a la vanguardia de la lucha contra el daño psicológico de la pandemia y cuya propia salud mental se aborda poco en la literatura.(AU)

Práticas psicológicas nos Creas do interior do RS: o olhar de trabalhadoras(es) / Psychological practices on CREAS in the countryside of the state of Rio Grande do Sul: perspectives of workers / Prácticas psicológicas en CREAS en el interior de Rio Grande do Sul: perspectiva de trabajadoras/es

O presente texto tem o objetivo de explanar ações desempenhadas por psicólogas(os) trabalhadoras(es) dos Centros de Referência Especializados de Assistência Social (Creas), em situações de violência intrafamiliar, identificadas a partir do estude empírico realizado por mim, psicóloga pesquisadora, também trabalhadora de um Creas. Participaram da pesquisa doze psicólogas(os), trabalhadoras(es) destes centros, em sete municípios do interior do Rio Grande do Sul, onde foram realizadas, presencialmente, as entrevistas. A análise dos dados apontou para uma compreensão metodológica a partir de três dimensões já apontadas na bibliografia, sendo elas: a) Acolhida Inicial, que demonstra que esses profissionais geralmente iniciam suas práticas com uma família ou indivíduo indo ao encontro destes, buscando a vinculação dos mesmos com o serviço; b) Acompanhamento Especializado, onde essas(es) trabalhadoras(es) desenvolvem suas práticas com diversidade e criatividade, a partir de visitas domiciliares, trabalhos com grupos, indivíduos ou famílias, geralmente em conjunto com outros profissionais, principalmente assistentes sociais; c) Articulação com a Rede, onde se identificou um importante movimento para o trabalho em conjunto com outros serviços disponíveis no território. Por fim, as considerações finais indicam que ainda há um caminho a ser trilhado com relação à definição das práticas dos psicólogos no Creas. Porém, há muito que se falar a respeito de práticas que já estão ocorrendo. Assim, tornam-se relevantes as pesquisas acadêmicas nesse contexto, pois ao inserir os profissionais psicólogos trabalhadores da política, eles podem promover uma articulação entre a produção do fazer cotidiano e a reflexão teórica e acadêmica sustentada pelas pesquisas.(AU)

This study aims to explore the activities developed by psychologists from the Centros de Referência de Atenção Especializada (CREAS - Brazilian Specialized Social Assistance Reference Centers), regarding situations of intrafamily violence identified by me, the author, a research psychologist and, CREAS worker. Participants include 12 psychologists who work on such centers from 7 cities in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where the interviews were conducted in person. The data analysis pointed toward a methodological comprehension based on 3 dimensions that have already been mentioned in the literature: the Initial Approach, which shows that these workers usually initiate their practices with a family or an individual by going after them, seeking bond development with the service. The Specialized Follow-up, in which these workers develop their practices with diversity and creativity, through home visits and activities with group, family or individual, often with other workers, such as social assistance workers. And the Network Articulation, in which a significant movement toward working with the public services available on each territory is identified. Finally, there is still a path to be taken regarding the definition of psychological practices on CREAS, however, there is much to be noticed of what has already been occurring. Thus, academic research on such context is relevant since the inclusion of psychologists who work in this policy may promote an articulation between daily activity and the theoretical and academic reflection, supported by the research.(AU)

Este texto tuvo por objetivo explicar las acciones desarrolladas por psicólogas/os trabajadoras/es en los "Centros de Referência Especializados de Assistência Social" (CREAS) (Centros de Referencia Especializados en Asistencia Social), respecto a las situaciones de violencia intrafamiliar, identificadas por un estudio empírico hecho por una psicóloga-investigadora que actúa en un CREAS. Participaron 12 psicólogas/os que trabajan en estos centros, en siete ciudades del interior de Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil), donde se llevó a cabo las entrevistas en persona. El análisis de datos apuntó a una comprensión metodológica de tres dimensiones ya destacadas en la bibliografía: la Acogida Inicial, que enseña que estos profesionales generalmente empiezan sus prácticas con una familia o individuo buscando el encuentro para la promoción de la vinculación con el servicio; El Seguimiento Especializado, en el que desarrollan sus prácticas con diversidad y creatividad desde visitas domiciliarias, trabajos con grupos, individuos o familias, generalmente junto a otros profesionales, sobre todo con trabajadores sociales; y Articulación con la Red de Servicios, en la cual se identificó un importante movimiento para el trabajo con otros servicios disponibles en el territorio. Por fin, se observa que todavía hay un camino por recorrer en relación a la definición de las prácticas de psicólogos en CREAS, aunque hay mucho que decir respecto a las prácticas que ya están ocurriendo. Así, se vuelven relevantes las investigaciones académicas en ese contexto por introducir a los profesionales psicólogos trabajadores de la política, las cuales pueden promover una articulación entre la producción del hacer cotidiano y la reflexión teórica y académica sustentada por las investigaciones.(AU)