Child support grant expansion and cognitive function among women in rural South Africa: Findings from a natural experiment in the HAALSI cohort.

BACKGROUND: Cash transfers are a promising but understudied intervention that may protect cognitive function in adults. Although South Africa has a rapidly ageing population, little is known about the nature of association between cash transfers and cognitive function in this setting. OBJECTIVES: We leveraged age-eligibility expansions to South Africa's Child Support Grant (CSG) to investigate the association between duration of CSG eligibility and cognitive function of biological mothers of child beneficiaries in South Africa. METHODS: We analysed 2014/2015 baseline data from 944 women, aged 40-59 years with at least one CSG-eligible child, enrolled in the population-representative HAALSI cohort in Agincourt, South Africa. Duration of CSG eligibility for each mother was calculated based on the birth dates of all their children and the CSG age-eligibility expansion years (2003-2012). Cognitive function was measured using a cognitive battery administered at the HAALSI baseline interview. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between duration of CSG eligibility, dichotomized as low (≤10 years) and high (>10 years) eligibility, and cognitive function z-scores of the mothers. RESULTS: High vs. low duration of CSG eligibility, was associated with higher cognitive function z-scores in the full sample [ß: 0.15 SD units; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.26; p-value = 0.01]. In mothers with one to four lifetime children, but not five or more, high vs. low duration of CSG eligibility, was associated with higher cognitive function z-scores [ß: 0.19 SD units; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.34, p-value = 0.02]. CONCLUSION: Government cash transfers given to support raising children may confer substantial protective effects on the subsequent cognitive function of mothers. Further studies are needed to understand how parity may influence this relationship. Our findings bring evidence to policymakers for designing income supplementation programmes to promote healthy cognitive ageing in low-income settings.

A Research Note on Trends in the Stock and Flow of Child Support Agreements.

In this research note, we demonstrate that trends in the likelihood of child support agreements differ by marital history (i.e., never-married vs. ever-married) and by whether measures rely on the stock of families (i.e., all those in which children live apart from a parent) or the flow (i.e., those that include children who newly live apart from a parent) in a given year. While previous research has highlighted difference by marital history, the contrast between stock and flow is a new contribution. Trends are typically measured with reference to the stock of cases, even while the flow of cases, which more immediately reflects concurrent policy changes, is more relevant in many contexts. Interpretations of recent declines in child support agreements in the stock of cases-referenced as evidence for both mandating participation and the impracticality of requiring child support-may be better informed by considering the flow of cases. We find the flow of previously married mothers increasingly likely to have child support agreements while the likelihood is relatively consistent over time for never-married mothers. For both groups, using the flow measure, we find notable increases in agreements without payments due in the most recent period. These findings underscore the importance of differentiating stock and flow, and by marital history, in considering the proportion with agreements as an indicator of the effectiveness of current policy.

How Expert Are the Experts? Child Custody Evaluations in Situations of Domestic Violence in Italy.

In recent decades, scholars and professionals have investigated the courts' treatment of mothers and children who claim that an ex-partner/father is abusive, especially in child custody proceedings. In Italy, Laws 54/2006 and 154/2013 established that joint-custody and coparenting are critical to ensure the best interest of the child. In the process of custody determination, judges can appoint an expert to assess parenting skills. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the knowledge, opinions, and practices of the Court-Appointed Experts (CAEs) in child custody disputes in cases involving allegations of domestic violence (DV). Semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 CAEs; the interviews' transcripts were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Results suggested that in the management of child custody cases, most CAEs showed: strong prejudices against women victims of DV, who were often blamed and/or secondarily victimized; adherence to controversial models (e.g., parental alienation syndrome) and characterization of mothers as "alienators"; poor knowledge of DV and relevant laws. CAEs' overlooking DV underlines the urgent need to develop and implement guidelines on child custody decision-making in the context of DV.

Outcomes and experiences after child custody loss among mothers who use drugs: A mixed studies systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mothers who use drugs are more likely to experience child custody loss than mothers who do not use drugs. The negative impact of removal on children has been well characterized in current literature while less is known about the impact of custody loss on mothers. The purpose of this mixed studies systematic review is to describe the state of science on the maternal outcomes and experiences after child custody loss among mothers who use drugs. METHODS: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Social Work Abstract databases were systematically searched between June 2022 to January 2023. Article eligibility criteria centered on the outcomes and experiences of mothers who use drugs after losing child custody. Studies were analyzed using results-based convergent synthesis methodology for mixed studies reviews. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A visual synthesis model was derived from combined results across all studies. RESULTS: Of 2434 articles screened, 22 relevant scientific articles were selected for inclusion. Longitudinal, cohort studies (n=4) and a cross-sectional study (n=1) identified positive associations between custody loss and poorer mental health, increased drug use and overdose risk, less treatment engagement, and worsened social factors. Qualitative studies (n=17) identified themes that described re-traumatization after child custody loss and the development of coping mechanisms through identity negotiation. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that child custody loss associated with drug use may exacerbate trauma and worsen maternal health. Immediate implications are provided for maternal health policy and practice in healthcare, child welfare, and legal professions.

Intimate Partner Violence, Child Custody, and Financial Issues Among Female Suicide Decedents With Known Intimate Partner Problems: National Violent Death Reporting System, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Hardships such as custody issues and financial stress may increase suicide risk for individuals experiencing intimate partner problems, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV). The objective of this study was to examine associations among custody issues, financial strain, and IPV among female suicide decedents with known intimate partner problems using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). METHODS: NVDRS data from 2018, which comes from 41 U.S. states, was used to examine the nature and frequency of custody and financial strain and IPV among a sample of 1,567 female suicide decedents with known intimate partner problems (e.g., divorce, breakup, argument). Case narratives were used to extract detailed information about these situations. RESULTS: IPV was documented in 22.14% of cases. Compared with those without documented IPV, cases with documented IPV were more likely to include custody issues (3.44% vs. 6.34%). Controlling for demographic characteristics and mental health, documented child custody issues were associated with greater odds of IPV (odds ratio = 1.80; 95% confidence interval = 1.03-3.16). Financial strain was not statistically significantly associated with child custody issues or IPV among this sample. CONCLUSIONS: Child custody issues can contribute to suicide among women with known intimate partner problems and are positively associated with IPV. Suicide prevention and intervention efforts should recognize child custody issues as a risk factor, particularly when coupled with IPV. There is also a need to promote policies and services that improve the financial and civil legal circumstances of IPV survivors.

The impact of child mortality on fertility in South Africa: Do child support grants and antiretroviral treatment matter?

This paper investigates the effect of under-five mortality, child support grant (CSG) coverage and the rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on fertility in South Africa. The study employs the quality-quantity trade-off framework to analyse the direct and indirect factors affecting fertility using the two stage least squares fixed effects instrumental variable approach. The analysis uses balanced panel data covering nine provinces from 2001-2016. This period was characterised by significant increases in the child support grant coverage and ART coverage. Furthermore, this period was characterised by a significant decline in the under-five mortality rate. We find no evidence to support the hypothesis that increases in the CSG coverage are associated with an increase in fertility. This finding aligns with previous literature suggesting that there are no perverse incentives for childbearing associated with the child support grant. On the other hand, results indicate that an increase in ART coverage is associated with an increase in fertility. Results also show that a decrease in under-five mortality is associated with a decline in fertility over the sample period. HIV prevalence, education, real GDP per capita, marriage prevalence and contraceptive prevalence are also important determinants of fertility in South Africa. Although the scale up of ART has improved health outcomes, it also appears to have increased fertility in HIV-positive women. The ART programme should therefore be linked with further family planning initiatives to minimise unintended pregnancies.

Noncustodial parents, instrumental networks, and child support compliance.

Research on child support compliance has focused on the characteristics of noncustodial parents (NCPs) that are associated with compliance, finding that compliance with child support orders is primarily related to the ability to pay support as demonstrated by earnings. Yet, there is evidence linking social support networks to both earnings and noncustodial parents' relationships with children. Using a social poverty framework, we show that relatively few NCPs are completely isolated: most have at least some people in their network who can loan money, provide a place to stay, or provide a ride. We explore whether the size of these instrumental support networks is positively linked to child support compliance both directly and indirectly through earnings. We find evidence of a direct association between instrumental support network size and child support compliance, but no evidence of an indirect association via increased earnings. These findings suggest the importance for researchers and child support practitioners to consider the contextual and relational factors of the social networks in which parents are embedded, and to more thoroughly examine the process by which support from one's network can lead to child support compliance.

Maternal satisfaction with joint and sole child physical placement arrangements following separation in Wisconsin and Finland.

Families (and sometimes courts) make important decisions regarding child physical custody arrangements post-separation, and shared parenting arrangements are increasingly common in most developed countries. Shared arrangements may be differentially associated with parental satisfaction, and these associations may vary across countries. Using data from surveys of separated mothers in Wisconsin and Finland, the present study explores this possibility and is guided by three aims: (a) to identify child and family characteristics associated with sole and shared child placements 6 or more years after separation; (b) to estimate associations of children's post-separation placements with maternal satisfaction with placements and expense sharing; (c) to examine whether the relationship between post-separation placement and maternal satisfaction varies by mothers' earnings and the quality of parents' relationships. We find that Finnish mothers with shared placement are more satisfied with their placement than are their counterparts with sole placement, while we find the inverse is true for Wisconsin mothers. Moreover, parental satisfaction with shared placement, overall and relative to sole placement, varies greatly depending on the quality of a mother's relationship with the other parent; and differences in relationship quality in Wisconsin and Finland may help explain the difference in satisfaction with shared placement in the two locations. In both Finland and Wisconsin, we find mothers with shared placement are more satisfied with the way expenses are shared between parents than are mothers with sole placement. Associations between placement and satisfaction are robust to extensive controls for child and maternal characteristics.

Accessibility of child protection investigations during pandemic: A qualitative analysis of court proceedings.

BACKGROUND: Qualitative research using published court records to examine contextual factors that contribute to child protection decisions in cases involving parents with intellectual disabilities is limited, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: The present study conducted qualitative content analysis on 10 published Ontario court cases to study child protection decision-making between 2019 and 2021. RESULTS: The findings corroborated previous literature with nine out of 10 cases resulting in loss of child custody. Four major themes emerged from content analysis: (1) Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cases; (2) Systemic barriers to accessibility; (3) Attitudes and bias toward parents with intellectual disabilities; and (4) Ultimate reliance on intellectual disability status for final custody decision. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting content analysis on published court cases is useful in learning about accessibility barriers for parents with intellectual disabilities and may help in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child protection system.

Inventory of parenting systems and styles: a measure for early childhood / Inventário de sistemas e estilos parentais: uma medida para a primeira infância / Inventario de estilos y sistemas de crianza: una medida para la primera infância

The Component Model of Parenting (CMP), from an evolutionary perspective, proposes a phylogenetically evolved repertoire of six systems (body contact, body stimulation, face-to-face exchange, object stimulation, and primary care) and two parenting styles (distal and proximal) by combining some of these systems. We developed the Inventory of Parenting Systems and Styles (ISEP) and applied it to hospitals and schools to analyze its psychometric properties. The parenting measure analysis we propose evolved 70 primary caregivers of young children with a mean age of 22.44 months. ISEP consists of 26 daily situations and assesses the most common parenting practices caregivers adopted in each one of them. Besides, we created a Coding Guide to Parenting Practice. It enabled us to classify each response according to the CMP systems. We found a variance of 84.67% and 95.55% in codification agreement between expert judges and a significant intraclass correlation coefficient for all parenting systems, which discloses validity evidence on the response process of the inventory. Our analyses indicated the occurrence of all parental systems, with a prevalence of narrative envelope and body stimulation. Cluster analysis revealed two clusters, one formed by proximal style and another by distal style, in accordance with the interactions of the system, representing a validity of evidence based on the internal structure of the instrument. ISEP provides reasonable measures for research and professional practice in Psychology. Further research with more extensive and diverse samples is necessary to refine the instrument and, especially its guide.(AU)

O Modelo de Componentes da Parentalidade (MCP) da perspectiva evolucionista propõe seis sistemas - contato corporal, estimulação corporal, contato face a face, estimulação por objeto, envelope narrativo e cuidado primário - universais e filogeneticamente evoluídos, e dois estilos parentais - distal e proximal - oriundos da combinação de alguns desses sistemas. Para analisar propriedades psicométricas de uma medida de parentalidade, o Inventário de Sistemas e Estilos Parentais (ISEP) foi aplicado em contexto escolar e hospitalar, em 70 cuidadores primários de crianças com idade média de 24,44 meses. O ISEP, construído para este estudo, apresenta 26 situações cotidianas e solicita que cuidadores indiquem a prática parental mais comumente adotada em cada uma delas, e cada resposta foi classificada em um dos sistemas do MCP por um Guia de Codificação de Práticas Parentais. A concordância entre juízes com a codificação variou entre 84,67% e 95,55%, e os coeficientes de correlação intraclasse foram significativos para todos os sistemas de parentalidade, representando uma evidência de validade por processo de resposta do inventário. As análises indicaram a ocorrência de todos os sistemas parentais, com predominância de envelope narrativo e estimulação corporal. Uma análise de cluster formou dois conglomerados, um derivando o estilo proximal e outro o estilo distal, de acordo com a interação entre os sistemas, constituindo uma evidência de validade baseada na estrutura interna do instrumento. O ISEP mostrou ser uma medida promissora para a pesquisa e a prática profissional em Psicologia. Outras pesquisas com amostras mais amplas e diversificadas são necessárias para refinamento do instrumento e do guia.(AU)

El Modelo Componencial del Parentaje (MCP), desde una perspectiva evolutiva, propone seis sistemas (contacto corporal, estimulación corporal, contacto cara a cara, estimulación con objetos, envoltura narrativa y atención primaria), universales y filogenéticamente evolucionados, así como dos estilos parentales (distal y proximal) que se originan combinando algunos de ellos. Para analizar las propiedades psicométricas de una medida parental, se aplicó el Inventario de Estilos y Sistemas de Crianza (ISEP), en el contexto escolar y hospitalario, a 70 cuidadores primarios de niños con una edad media de 24,44 meses. El ISEP fue construido para el presente estudio, presenta 26 situaciones cotidianas y crianza los cuidadores deben indicar la práctica parental más común adoptada en cada una de ellas. Una Guía de Codificación de Prácticas Parentales permite clasificar cada respuesta en uno de los sistemas del MCP. La concordancia entre los jueces con la codificación varió entre 84,67% y 95,55% y los coeficientes de inter-correlación en todos los sistemas parentales fueron significativos, evidenciando su validez por el proceso de respuesta al inventario. Los análisis indicaron la ocurrencia de todos los sistemas parentales, con predominio de envoltura narrativa y estimulación corporal. Un análisis de clusters formó dos conglomerados, derivando el estilo proximal y el estilo distal, según la interacción entre los sistemas, constituyendo evidencia de validez basada en la estructura interna del instrumento. El ISEP demostró ser una medida valida y fiable para la investigación y la práctica profesional en Psicología. Se necesita más investigación con muestras más grandes y diversificadas para perfeccionar el instrumento.(AU)

Vagalumes e biografemas: poéticas e políticas públicas no desligamento institucional por maioridade / Fireflies and biographems: poetics and public policies regarding institutional removal due to adulthood / Luciérnagas y biografemas: poéticas y políticas públicas en desconexión institucional debido a la edad adulta

Este artigo versa sobre o processo de desligamento institucional por maioridade de jovens que residem em serviços de acolhimento. Aposta-se em uma política do sensível para visibilizar os encontros e desencontros que acontecem entre as e os jovens e as políticas públicas brasileiras. Para tanto, realizaram-se encontros com jovens que já haviam passado pelo processo de desligamento e com jovens que logo completariam 18 anos e teriam de sair das instituições de acolhimento. Para tornar visíveis essas existências, investiu-se na escrita de biografemas, inspirados na obra de Roland Barthes. Os conceitos de necropolítica e vidas precárias foram fundamentais para compreender as omissões do Estado no momento do desligamento. Verificou-se que o Estado pode maximizar a precariedade de algumas vidas, especialmente daquelas marcadas por características de raça, gênero e classe culturalmente marginalizados. Contudo, é também o encontro com as políticas públicas que garante melhores condições de vida para alguns, facilitando o acesso à universidade e ao mercado de trabalho. A pesquisa aponta que, diante do abandono, as e os jovens se fazem vagalumes, produzindo luminosidades em meio à escuridão e reivindicando o direito à vida.(AU)

This article discusses the process of institutional removal of young people that reside in foster care institutions for reaching adulthood. It relies on a politics of the sensitive to make visible the encounters and mismatches that take place between young people and Brazilian public policies. To do so, meetings were held with young people who had already experienced the removal process and with young people who would soon turn 18 and would have to leave the host institutions. To make these existences visible, this study invested in the writing of biographems, inspired by the works of Roland Barthes. The concepts of necropolitics and precarious lives were fundamental to understand the omissions of the State at the time of removal. It was also found that the State can maximize the precariousness of some lives, especially those marked by culturally marginalized race, gender, and class characteristics. However, it is also the encounter with public policies that ensures better living conditions for some, facilitating access to the university and the labor market. This research points out that, in the face of abandonment, young people become fireflies, producing luminosity amid the darkness and claiming the right to life.(AU)

Este artículo aborda el proceso de desconexión institucional justificado por la edad adulta de los jóvenes que residen en los servicios de acogida. Utilizamos una política sensible para hacer visibles las reuniones y los desajustes que tienen lugar entre los jóvenes y las políticas públicas brasileñas. Con este fin, se celebraron reuniones con los jóvenes que ya habían pasado por el proceso de desconexión institucional y también con los jóvenes que pronto cumplirían los 18 años y tendrían que abandonar las instituciones de acogida. Para hacer visibles estas existencias, se redactaron biografemas, inspirados en el trabajo de Roland Barthes. Los conceptos de necropolítica y vida precaria fueron fundamentales para comprender las omisiones del Estado en el momento de la desconexión. Se encontró que el Estado puede maximizar la precariedad de algunas vidas, principalmente de aquellas marcadas por características de raza, género y clase culturalmente marginadas. Sin embargo, el encuentro con las políticas también puede garantizar mejores condiciones de vida para algunos, facilitándoles el acceso a la universidad y al mercado laboral. Esta investigación señala que, ante el abandono, los jóvenes se convierten en luciérnagas, produciendo luminosidad en medio de la oscuridad y reclamando el derecho a la vida.(AU)

O inventário de envolvimento paterno revisado: inclusão de pais com filhos pré-escolares / The inventory of father involvement revised: inclusion of fathers with preschool children / El inventario de envolvimiento paterno revisado: inclusión de padres de preescolares

Apesar da importância do envolvimento paterno, sua avaliação persiste desafiadora. No Brasil, o Inventário de Envolvimento Paterno (IFI-BR) vem se mostrando adequado para uso com pais de crianças de 5 a 10 anos. Entretanto, do ponto de vista do desenvolvimento infantil e de intervenções preventivas, seria importante avaliar o envolvimento paterno quando as crianças são mais novas. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivos: identificar limitações do IFI-BR, quando usado com pais de crianças entre 2 e 10 anos, e avaliar itens para o IFI-BR-revisado. No Estudo 1, 434 pais com filhos no Ensino Infantil ou Fundamental 1 responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico e ao IFI-BR. Com base em análises de dados omissos, estrutura interna e precisão, modificações foram sugeridas, visando à manutenção da estrutura interna original do instrumento. No Estudo 2, 572 pais com filhos na mesma faixa etária responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico e à versão modificada do IFI-BR. Foram comparadas as frequências de dados omissos e estimativas de precisão para os itens originais e modificados, selecionando aqueles que melhor representavam essa amostra de pais para compor a versão revisada do IFI-BR. Esses resultados indicaram evidências adequadas de validade, com base no conteúdo da versão revisada do IFI-BR, quando utilizada para avaliar a qualidade do envolvimento paterno de pais brasileiros com filhos do Ensino Infantil ao Fundamental 1. Após verificadas evidências de validade adicionais, essa versão revisada do IFI-BR poderá ser utilizada, por exemplo, em estudos longitudinais e na avaliação de intervenções precoces com pais.(AU)

Despite the importance assigned to father involvement, evaluating this construct remains a challenge. In Brazil, the Inventário de Envolvimento Paterno (IFI-BR) has showed satisfactory evidence of validity for fathers of children between 5 and 10 years old. From the perspective of child development and preventive interventions, however, evaluating father involvement with younger children is essential. Hence, this study sought to: identify limitations of the IFI-BR for fathers of children between 2 and 10 years old, and evaluate items for a revised IFI-BR. In Study 1, 434 fathers of children in early childhood and primary school settings answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the IFI-BR. Based on analyses of missing data, internal structure, and reliability, modifications were suggested to maintain the original internal structure. In Study 2, 572 fathers of children in the same age range answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the modified IFI-BR. After comparison between values for missing data and reliability of the original and modified items, the items that best represented the broader sample of fathers were selected to compose the revised IFI-BR. Results indicated adequate evidence of content validity for the revised IFI-BR when used to assess the involvement of Brazilian fathers with children in early childhood education and primary school settings. After additional evidence has been verified, this revised IFI-BR can be used, for example, in longitudinal studies and to evaluate early interventions with fathers.(AU)

La participación paterna es importante, pero su evaluación sigue siendo desafiadora. En Brasil, el Inventário de Envolvimento Paterno (IFI-BR) demuestra ser adecuado para aplicar a padres de niños de 5 a 10 años de edad. No obstante, desde la perspectiva del desarrollo infantil y de las intervenciones preventivas, sería importante evaluar la participación de los padres de niños más jóvenes. Este estudio tuvo como objetivos: identificar limitaciones del IFI-BR cuando se aplica a padres de niños entre los 2 y 10 años y evaluar ítems para el IFI-BR-revisado. En Estudio 1, 434 padres con hijos en el jardín de infantes o escuela primaria respondieron un cuestionario sociodemográfico y el IFI-BR. Con base en el análisis de datos faltantes, estructura interna y exactitud, se sugirieron modificaciones para mantener la estructura interna original del instrumento. En Estudio 2, 572 padres respondieron un cuestionario sociodemográfico y la versión modificada del IFI-BR. Se compararon las frecuencias de datos faltantes y estimaciones de exactitud para los ítems originales y modificados, seleccionando aquellos que representaban mejor a esta muestra de padres para la versión revisada del IFI-BR. Estos resultados indicaron evidencia adecuada de validez, basada en el contenido de la versión revisada del IFI-BR, cuando se utilizó para evaluar la calidad de la participación de padres brasileños con niños en el jardín de infantes y en la escuela primaria. Después de verificada la evidencia adicional de validez, la versión revisada del IFI-BR se puede utilizar, por ejemplo, en estudios longitudinales y en la evaluación de intervenciones precoz con los padres.(AU)

Falsa acusação de abuso sexual na alienação parental: luto ou melancolia? / False accusation of sexual abuse in parental alienation: mourning or melancholia? / Falsa acusación de abuso sexual en la alienación parental: ¿luto o melancolía?

Este artigo apresenta como principal objeto de estudo a falsa acusação de abuso sexual no contexto da alienação parental para, diante dela, estabelecer a seguinte problemática: será possível propor uma eventual correlação entre si e os processos psíquicos do luto e da melancolia? Neste sentido, a partir do recurso teórico ao referencial psicanalítico de Freud e de Laplanche, debate as circunstâncias que norteiam o discurso levado ao Judiciário pelo genitor alienante valorizando em tal movimento não apenas a realidade material da prova, tão importante no campo jurídico, mas também a realidade psíquica ditada pelo inconsciente, a qual se pauta em uma noção de verdade que, na sua vinculação direta com a particularidade de cada sujeito e com o dinamismo das relações específicas que ele estabelece consigo mesmo e com os outros, coloca em xeque as certezas positivistas da norma. Em termos conclusivos, destaca o quanto, a despeito da atual literatura existente sobre alienação parental no Brasil a correlacionar, em regra, a um luto mal elaborado por parte do alienante, é possível e mesmo desejável cogitar também a presença da melancolia - ou, mais especificamente, de traços melancólicos intermediários - na formação e desenvolvimento desse fenômeno.(AU)

This article presents as the main object of study the false accusation of sexual abuse in the context of parental alienation, to establish the following problem: would it be possible to propose a probable correlation between parental alienation and the psychic processes of mourning and melancholia? In this sense, based on the psychoanalytic theoretical framework of Freud and Laplanche, the article discusses the circumstances that guide the discourse taken to the judiciary branch by the alienating parent, valuing in such action not only the material reality of the evidence, which is very important in the legal field, but also the psychic reality dictated by the unconscious, which is guided by a notion of truth that, in its direct connection with the particularity of each subject and with the dynamism of the specific relations that they establish with themselves and others, threatens the positivist certainties of the norm. In conclusive terms, it highlights how, despite the current existing literature on parental alienation in Brazil generally correlates it to a poorly elaborated mourning by the alienating person, it is possible and even desirable to also consider the presence of melancholia-or, more specifically, of intermediate melancholic traits-in the formation and development of this phenomenon.(AU)

Este artículo presenta como principal objeto de estudio la falsa acusación de abuso sexual en el contexto de alienación parental, con el fin de responder al siguiente planteamiento: ¿Es posible proponer una posible correlación entre la alienación parental y los procesos psíquicos de duelo y melancolía? Para ello, desde el marco psicoanalítico de Freud y de Laplanche, se discuten las circunstancias del discurso llevado al Poder Judicial por el padre alienante, que valora en tal movimiento no solo la realidad material de la prueba, tan importante en el campo jurídico, sino también la realidad psíquica dictada por el inconsciente, el cual se guía por una noción de verdad que, en su conexión directa con la particularidad de cada sujeto y con el dinamismo de las relaciones específicas que establece consigo mismo y con otros, pone en jaque las certezas positivistas de la norma. En la conclusión, destaca cómo, a pesar de la literatura actual existente sobre la alienación parental en Brasil, en general, la correlaciona con un duelo mal diseñado por parte de la persona alienante, es posible e incluso deseable considerar la presencia de la melancolía -más específicamente, de rasgos melancólicos intermediarios- en la formación y desarrollo de este fenómeno.(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)

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families: Sanctioning And Child Support Compliance Among Black Families In Illinois.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal cash welfare program for low-income, working families with children in the United States that requires participation with child support enforcement, if one parent is noncustodial, to receive the cash benefit. Cash assistance has been linked to improved child health and academic achievement, but sanctions to benefits can increase health risks. Our community-engaged, mixed-methods research project sought to identify barriers to TANF among families with young children in Illinois. In this study we analyzed TANF sanctions related to child support enforcement, using analysis of TANF administrative data and semistructured interviews with TANF customers. We conducted logistic regression and Fisher's test to explore demographic differences in sanctioning and sanction types. Black families were 111 percent more likely than White families to receive at least one sanction in 2018-19. Black families who were enrolled in TANF received more sanctions for child support noncompliance (2018: 42 percent; 2019: 50 percent) than White families (2018: 30 percent; 2019: 34 percent). Mothers who were survivors of intimate partner violence voiced particular challenges with child support compliance. Policy recommendations include shifting to alternative cash assistance models and removing pass-through funding so that families receive the full child support benefit.

El Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos y la relevancia del vínculo genético: una revisión de la jurisprudencia sobre gestación por sustitución transfronteriza / El Tribunal Europeu de Drets Humans i la rellevància del vinclegenètic: una revisió de la jurisprudència sobre gestació per substitució transfronterera / The European Court of Human Rights and the relevance of genetic linkage: a review of the jurisprudence on cross-border surrogacy

En ausencia de instrumentos internacionales que establezcan pautas comunes sobre los acuerdos de gestación por sustitución transfronteriza, los ordenamientos que los prohíben o los consideran nulos han tenido que enfrentarse a la cuestión de sus efectos, lo que ya ha dado lugar a varios pronunciamientos del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos. A partir del precedente Mennesson c. Francia(2014), el trabajo analiza las diferentes aproximaciones al fenómeno que han sido objeto de escrutinio por parte del TEDH. El trabajo presta una atención especial, por su mayor frecuencia, a los casos que tienen origen en la negativa de un estado a reconocer la filiación resultante de un acuerdo de gestación por sustitución celebrado fuera de sus fronteras y, en particular, al peso otorgado a la exigencia de vínculo genético entre el menor y al menos un progenitor de intención. Los más recientes Valdís Fjölnisdóttir y otros c. Islandia(2021) y A.M. c. Noruega(2022) evidencian quelimitar el reconocimiento de efectos de estos acuerdos a los casos en que existe dicho vínculo no es coherentecon el interés superior de los menores que resultan de los mismos, en especial cuando su adopción ya no es posible.(AU)

A manca d’instruments internacionals que estableixin pautes comunes sobre els acords de gestació per substitució transfronterera, els ordenaments que els prohibeixen o els consideren nuls s’han hagut d’enfrontar a la qüestió dels seus efectes, el que ja ha donat lloc a diversos pronunciamentsper part del Tribunal Europeu de Drets Humans. A partir del precedent Mennesson c. França (2014), el treball analitza les diferents aproximacions al fenomen que han estat objecte d’escrutini per part del TEDH. El treball posa una atenció especial, atesa la seva major freqüència, en els casos que s’originen en la negativa d’un estat a reconèixer la filiació resultant d’un acord de gestació per substitució celebrat fora de les seves fronteres i, en particular, en el pes atorgat a l’exigència de vincle genètic entre el menor i com a mínim un progenitor d’intenció. Els més recents Valdís Fjölnisdóttir i altres c. Islàndia (2021) i A.M. c. Noruega (2022) evidencien que limitar el reconeixement d’efectes d’aquests acords als casos d’existència del mencionat vincle no és coherent amb l’interès superior dels menors que en resulten, en especial quan la seva adopció ja no és possible.(AU)

In the absence of international instruments establishing common guidelines for cross-border surrogacy agreements, jurisdictions that prohibit them or consider them null and void have been confronted with the question of their effects, which has already led to several rulings by the European Court of Human Rights. Based onthe leading case Mennesson v. France (2014), this paper analyses the different approaches to the phenomenon which have been scrutinized by the ECtHR. Due to their greater frequency, the paper pays special attention to cases arising from a state’s refusal to recognize parenthood resulting froma surrogacy arrangement concluded outside its borders and, in particular, to the weight given to the requirement of a genetic link between the child and at least one intended parent. The more recent Valdís Fjölnisdóttir and other v. Iceland(2021) and A.M. v. Norway(2022) make it clear that limiting the recognition of the effects of these arrangements to cases where such a link exist is not consistent with the best interests of the resulting children, especially when adoption is no longer possible.(AU)

Joint physical custody and academic achievement among youth: A population-based study with registry linkage.

Previous research has documented that youth in joint physical custody (JPC) often report fewer mental health problems than peers in other postseparation living arrangements. Whether JPC is associated with functional outcomes such as academic achievement has been less examined, and existing work has relied on self-reported school grades and pertinent controls such as parental education. Using data from the Norwegian population-based youth@hordaland study (n = 7,914), we examined the association between living arrangements and academic achievement among youth (16-19 years) using register-based information on grade point average (GPA; range: 1-6), parental education, and income. We also assessed the influence of family cohesion and coresiding biological and half/stepsiblings in explaining differences between youth in JPC and other living arrangements. Across all regression models, youth in JPC had significantly higher GPA (0.2-0.4 points) than youth living with a single mother or father. Parental education had a strong attenuating effect and reduced the magnitude of the difference with 30%-35% for youth in single-parent families and 55% for youth in stepparent families. In conclusion, we find that youth in JPC have a small but significant academic advantage compared to peers in single-parent families, which is not fully accounted for by objective measures of parental education and income, sibling composition, and family cohesion. Future longitudinal studies are needed to disentangle whether positive outcomes associated with JPC are due to inherent qualities of this living arrangement or better captured by preseparation selection mechanisms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

How Do Family Court Judges Theorize about Parental Alienation? A Qualitative Exploration of the Territory.

Parental alienation (PA) and its conceptualization or understanding of the process underlying this dynamic has long been controversial, but it has also been frequently brought to courtrooms. This study provides an account of how legal professionals conceptualize "parental alienation" and how they describe the characteristics of the phenomenon. Using a qualitative design, 21 family court judges (range 33-60 years; 11 men and 10 women), working with child custody cases, participated in an individual in-depth interview. A qualitative analysis based on Grounded Theory basic procedures revealed a complex picture of alienation dynamics with five interconnected results. First, PA contexts and landscapes, which included the judges' perceptions on the PA nurturing contexts, its strategic behavior patterns and functions, portraits of PA and clues for its identification; second, considerations on PA severity; third, the influential factors, including those related to the emergence of PA; fourth, individual and relational impact of being exposed to PA; and fifth, perceived signs of change. The results also allowed for the complexification of the judges' theories, revealing six properties of the PA concept: elasticity, intentionality and camouflage, power asymmetries, multifactorial nature, and destructiveness. Directions for future research are expanded from these results and pragmatic contributions of knowledge on judges' critical thinking on PA issues and its manifestations in legal practice are discussed.

'I know what I should be feeding my child': foodways of primary caregivers of Child Support Grant recipients in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Despite South Africa being an upper middle-income country producing enough food to sustain its population, and having an advanced social welfare system, it has high levels of food insecurity at the household-level. Food insecurity is linked to malnutrition and undernutrition in children. This manuscript addresses gaps in knowledge about food choices and practices of primary caregivers of children in receipt of South Africa's largest cash transfer programme, the Child Support Grant (CSG). OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to explore CSG caregivers' foodways and the choices they made about what food to buy, where to buy it and for what reasons, in Langa in the Western Cape and Mt Frere in the Eastern Cape. METHODS: We conducted a total of 40 in-depth interviews and 5 focus group discussions with primary caregivers of Child Support Grant recipients younger than 5 years in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. RESULTS: Caregivers' food choices were less influenced by cultural practices and personal preferences, than by financial and physical constraints in terms of what and where to access food. Constraints in food choices were chiefly a consequence of the small amount of the grant, as well as a food environment that only availed foods of a certain quality and type in these low-income communities. CONCLUSIONS: The foodways of recipients of social assistance can only be better aligned with nutrition messaging and policy if there are changes in the monetary value of cash transfers, and the food environments of low-income households which determine access to, availability and affordability of nutritious food. Local informal food enterprises play an important role in the food system of CSG recipients and need to be considered in any strategies that seek to reform the food system of low-income communities in South Africa and similar settings.

Does the unconditional cash transfer program in South Africa provide support for women after child birth? Barriers to accessing the child support grant among women in informal work in Durban, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: The child support grant (CSG) is the largest unconditional cash transfer program in Africa and aims to alleviate poverty and improve child health and nutrition in low-income families in South Africa. Among informal working women, the CSG is an important source of income after childbirth when informal workers are unable to work, but reports suggest that women experience delays in accessing the CSG. We explore experiences and challenges of accessing the CSG among informal workers in Durban, South Africa. METHODS: We undertook a longitudinal mixed-methods cohort study. Women informal workers were recruited during pregnancy and followed-up for up to one year after the baby was born. Quantitative questionnaires and semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data about women's plans for applying for the CSG, the application process, use of the CSG in the household, and household food insecurity. Interviews were conducted in IsiZulu by experienced researchers. Descriptive analysis of quantitative data used SPSS v26, and framework analysis using NVIVO v12.3 was used for qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four informal working women were enrolled. The CSG received for older children was reported as an important and reliable source of income for mothers after childbirth. However, delays receiving the CSG for the new baby meant this support was unavailable to first-time mothers. The complex application process for the CSG required mothers to travel to various government departments to complete the required documentation, often taking the baby with them. This was costly and time-consuming for mothers who were already vulnerable, and led to delays in obtaining CSG funds. Many women experienced moderate or severe food insecurity before and after the baby was born. As a result, some mothers had to return to work earlier than planned, disrupting childcare and breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Cash transfer programmes can effectively support low income households and improve outcomes for mothers and children. In South Africa there is a need for innovative approaches to streamline CSG applications, so women can access the funds immediately post-delivery to fill a resource gap and provide support at a vulnerable time for mothers and their children.