Examining Influences on Problem Recognition and Help-Seeking for Child Externalizing Behaviors Among African American Mothers.

Childhood behavior problems are one of the most common clinical referrals. If left untreated, these behaviors can result in detrimental consequences to the child's development (Wehmeier et al., 2010; Scholtens et al., 2012). Behavior parent training has been identified as first-line treatment for oppositional behavior; however, many racial minority families fail to enroll in behavior parent training. The current study examines maternal help-seeking for children displaying oppositional behavior in hopes to delineate variables that might influence parent training enrollment among African American families. Participants were 112 African American mothers who were provided child behavior vignettes and completed measures assessing factors related to problem recognition, parental attributions, child rearing values, mental health stigmatization, racial identity, and treatment utilization. Results found that when presented with a child displaying clinically significant externalizing child behaviors, slightly more than half of African American mothers recognized clinically significant child behavior problems. Mothers were more likely to engage in behavioral parent training if problematic behavior was recognized. Additionally, mothers' attributions of child behavior, cultural values, and mental health stigmatization were influential to help seeking. This study supports the importance of considering cultural variables that impact problem recognition and subsequent treatment utilization among African American families.

Eating Behavior and Obesity in a Sample of Spanish Schoolchildren.

From the point of view of prevention, it is convenient to explore the association between eating behavior and the obese phenotype during school and adolescent age. The aim of the present study was to identify eating behavior patterns associated with nutritional status in Spanish schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study of 283 boys and girls (aged 6 to 16 years) was carried out. The sample was evaluated anthropometrically by Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body fat percentage (%BF). Eating behavior was analyzed using the CEBQ "Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire". The subscales of the CEBQ were significantly associated with BMI, WHtR and %BF. Pro-intake subscales (enjoyment of food, food responsiveness, emotional overeating, desire for drinks) were positively related to excess weight by BMI (ß = 0.812 to 0.869; p = 0.002 to <0.001), abdominal obesity (ß = 0.543-0.640; p = 0.02 to <0.009) and high adiposity (ß = 0.508 to 0.595; p = 0.037 to 0.01). Anti-intake subscales (satiety responsiveness, slowness in eating, food fussiness) were negatively related to BMI (ß = -0.661 to -0.719; p = 0.009 to 0.006) and % BF (ß = -0.17 to -0.46; p = 0.042 to p = 0.016).

Collaborative support for child abuse prevention: Perspectives of public health nurses and midwives regarding pregnant and postpartum women of concern.

Child abuse is a globally prevalent problem, and its numbers have continuously increased in Japan over the past 30 years. Prevention of child abuse depends on the support available to pregnant and postpartum women from the time of pregnancy. Public health nurses and midwives are expected to provide preventive support in cooperation, as they can support pregnant and postpartum women from close proximity and recognize their health problems and potential signs of child abuse. This study aimed to deduce the characteristics of pregnant and postpartum women of concern, as observed by public health nurses and midwives, from the perspective of child abuse prevention. The participants comprised ten public health nurses and ten midwives with five or more years of experience working at the Okayama Prefecture municipal health centers and obstetric medical institutions. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview survey and analyzed qualitatively and descriptively using an inductive approach. The characteristics of pregnant and postpartum women, as confirmed by public health nurses, included four main categories: having "difficulties in daily life;" "a sense of discomfort of not feeling like a normal pregnant woman;" "difficulty in child-rearing behavior;" and "multiple risk factors checked by objective indicators using an assessment tool." The characteristics observed by midwives were grouped into four main categories: "mental and physical safety of the mother is in jeopardy;" have "difficulty in child-rearing behavior;" "difficulties in maintaining relationships with the surrounding people;" and "multiple risk factors recognized by an assessment tool." Public health nurses evaluated pregnant and postpartum women's daily life factors, while midwives evaluated the mothers' health conditions, their feelings toward the fetus, and stable child-rearing skills. To prevent child abuse, they utilized their respective specialties to observe those pregnant and postpartum women of concern with multiple risk factors.

Universal Teacher-Child Interaction Training in early childhood special education: A cluster randomized control trial.

Growing evidence suggests that Teacher-Child Interaction Training-Universal (TCIT-U) is effective for increasing teachers' use of strategies that promote positive child behavior, but more rigorous research with larger, diverse samples is needed to understand the effects of TCIT-U on teacher and child outcomes in early childhood special education. Using a cluster randomized control trial, we evaluated the effects of TCIT-U on (a) teacher skill acquisition and self-efficacy and (b) child behavior and developmental functioning. Teachers in the TCIT-U group (n = 37) exhibited significantly greater increases in positive attention skills, increased consistent responding, and decreased critical statements relative to teachers in the waitlist control group (n = 36) at post and 1-month follow-up (d's range from 0.52 to 1.61). Teachers in the TCIT-U group also exhibited significantly fewer directive statements (d's range from 0.52 to 0.79) and greater increases in self-efficacy compared to waitlist teachers at post (d's range from 0.60 to 0.76). TCIT-U was also associated with short-term benefits for child behavior. Frequency (d = 0.41) and total number of behavior problems (d = 0.36) were significantly lower in the TCIT-U group than in the waitlist group at post (but not follow-up), with small-to-medium effects. The waitlist group, but not the TCIT-U group, demonstrated an increasing trend in number of problem behaviors over time. There were no significant between-group differences in developmental functioning. Current findings build support for the effectiveness of TCIT-U as universal prevention of behavior problems with an ethnically and racially diverse sample of teachers and children, including children with developmental disabilities. Implications for implementation of TCIT-U in the early childhood special education setting are discussed.

Parent Perception of Child's Behavior during the Initial Dental Visit among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross Sectional Study.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate parent perception of behavior and level of cooperation to determine the success of a dental appointment with a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (2) Methods: pre-treatment form, task analysis (TAS), and Frankl scale scores were extracted from patient charts. Values were calculated for patient demographics and other health characteristics (N = 235). Regression models were constructed to examine the success level during the first dental appointment (measured by TAS and Frankl scores) by several factors. (3) Results: The model to test patient characteristics: age, gender, ethnicity, and verbal communication, Hispanic ethnicity significantly predicted the TAS score, F (4, 191) = 2.45, p = 0.03 [95% CI -17.18, -3.53], and age significantly predicted the Frankl score, F (4, 194) = 5.17, p = 0.00 [95% CI 0.04, 0.12]. There was a significant association between parent perception of behavior and Frankl scores, F (2, 202) = 7.68, p = 0.00 [ 95% CI -0.11, -0.02]. (4) Conclusion: The results indicate that ethnicity and age play a role in successful outcomes during the dental appointment. Additionally, parent perception of their child's behavior significantly predicted the Frankl score, thus coordinating with parents during the dental appointment can be a key factor in treatment planning for productive dental visits.

Family Structure and Child Behavior Problems in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

A large body of literature suggests that children living with two married, biological parents on average have fewer behavior problems than those who do not. What is less clear is why this occurs. Competing theories suggest that resource deficiencies and parental selectivity play a part. We suggest that examining different contexts can help adjudicate among different theoretical explanations as to how family structure relates to child behavior problems. In this paper, we use data from the Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), the UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), and the US Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K) to examine the relationship between family structure and child behavior problems. Specifically, we look at how living in several configurations of biological and social parents may relate to child behavior problems. Findings suggest both similarities and differences across the three settings, with explanations in the UK results favoring selectivity theories, US patterns suggesting that there is a unique quality to family structure that can explain outcomes, and the Australian results favoring resource theories.

Children's eating behaviours and related constructs: conceptual and theoretical foundations and their implications.

BACKGROUND: There is a substantial body of research on children's eating behaviours (e.g., food responsiveness and fussiness) and related constructs (e.g., eating in the absence of hunger, appetite self-regulation). This research provides a foundation for understanding children's dietary intakes and healthy eating behaviours, as well as efforts at intervention, whether in relation to food avoidance, overeating and/or trajectories to excess weight gain. The success of these efforts and their associated outcomes is dependent on the theoretical foundation and conceptual clarity of the behaviours and constructs. This, in turn contributes to the coherence and precision of the definitions and measurement of these behaviours and constructs. Limited clarity in these areas ultimately creates uncertainty around the interpretation of findings from research studies and intervention programs. At present there does not appear to be an overarching theoretical framework of children's eating behaviours and associated constructs, or for separate domains of children's eating behaviours/constructs. The main purpose of the present review was to examine the possible theoretical foundations of some of the main current questionnaire and behavioural measures of children's eating behaviours and related constructs. METHODS: We reviewed the literature on the most prominent measures of children's eating behaviours for use with children aged ~ 0-12 years. We focused on the explanations and justifications for the original design of the measures and whether these included theoretical perspectives, as well as current theoretical interpretations (and difficulties) of the behaviours and constructs. RESULTS: We found that the most commonly used measures had their foundations in relatively applied or practical concerns rather than theoretical perspectives. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded, consistent with Lumeng & Fisher (1), that although existing measures have served the field well, to advance the field as a science, and better contribute to knowledge development, increased attention should be directed to the conceptual and theoretical foundations of children's eating behaviours and related constructs. Suggestions for future directions are outlined.

The relationship between parental depression and child internalizing and externalizing problems: The roles of parenting stress and child maltreatment.

Introduction: Although the relationships between parental mental health and child internalizing and externalizing problems have been explored by previous studies, the pathways between these two variables need further exploration. The present study aims to explore the relationships between parental depression and child internalizing and externalizing problems and to examine the roles of parenting stress and child maltreatment in those relationships within the Chinese cultural context. Method: Data were collected from 855 Chinese families with preschool-aged children, and mediation analysis was used to examine the pathways between these variables. Results: The results show that parental depression is positively associated with child internalizing and externalizing problems, and child maltreatment and the combination of parenting stress and child maltreatment mediated the relationships between parental depression and child internalizing and externalizing problems, respectively. These findings suggest that parental depression not only has a direct effect on child internalizing and externalizing problems but also has an indirect effect via parenting stress and child maltreatment. Discussion: Decreasing the levels of parenting stress and child maltreatment should be applied in interventions to break the relationships between parental depression and child internalizing and externalizing problems within the Chinese cultural context.

Associations of parental feeding practices with children's eating behaviors and food preferences: a Chinese cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Childhood inadequate eating behaviors contribute to the epidemic of obesity. Previous research suggests that parental feeding practices are partially associated with development of eating behaviors among children, but the results are inconsistent. The present study was to investigate whether parental feeding practices were associated with eating behaviors and food preferences among Chinese children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 242 children (ages 7-12) in six-primary schools in Shanghai, China. A series of questionnaires including parental feeding practices and children's eating behaviors have been validated, and were completed by one of parent who has responded for child's daily diet and living. In addition, researchers instructed children to complete the questionnaire of food preference. After adjustment for children's age, sex and BMI status, as well as parental education and family income, the linear regression analysis was used to evaluate relationships of parental feeding practices with children's eating behaviors and food preferences. RESULTS: Parents with boys had higher level of control overeating practice than those with girls. Mothers who responded to child's daily diet and living and completed feeding practices questionnaire used a greater level of emotional feeding practices than fathers. Boys had higher levels of food responsiveness, emotional overeating, enjoyment of food and desire to drink than girls. Boys had different preferences for meat, processed meat products, fast foods, dairy foods, eggs, and snacks and starchy staples & beans from girls. In addition, scores of instrumental feeding practice and preference for meat significantly differed among children with different weight status. Furthermore, parental emotional feeding practice was positively associated with children's emotional undereating (ß 0.54, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.92). There were also positive associations of parental encouragement to eat with children's preference for the processed meat (ß 0.43, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.77). Moreover, instrumental feeding practice was negatively associated with children's fish liking (ß -0.47, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.01). CONCLUSION: The current findings support associations of emotional feeding practice with some children's emotional undereating, as well as parental encouragement to eat and instrumental feeding practice related to preference for processed meat and fish, respectively. Further studies should continue to ascertain these associations using longitudinal designs, and to evaluate efficacy of parental feeding practices impacting developments of healthy eating behaviors and preferences for healthy foods among children by interventional studies.

Sleep ecology, objective sleep characteristics and behavior problems in preschoolers referred to child protection services: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to environmental risk factors increases the negative impact maltreatment has on children's development. Sleep ecology (i.e., sleep hygiene and home sleeping conditions) can be one of these factors. Poor sleep hygiene and suboptimal home sleeping conditions can alter sleep characteristics, which in turn, may lead to behavior problems (BPs), highly prevalent in maltreated preschoolers. OBJECTIVES: Describe sleep ecology in maltreated preschoolers and explore associations between their sleep ecology, objective sleep characteristics and BPs. METHOD: Parents (n = 22) completed the Children's Sleep Hygiene Scale (CSHS), and a sleep environment questionnaire to document sleep ecology. Children wore an actigraph to record objective sleep characteristics. Parents completed the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children (BASC-2) to assess children's BPs. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed. RESULTS: Most of the parents (90.5 %) reported adequate sleep hygiene. However, 20 parents (95.2 %) reported suboptimal home sleeping conditions. Better physiological and overall sleep hygiene were related to earlier sleep onset. Better emotional sleep hygiene was associated with shorter nighttime awakenings and better sleep efficiency. Later sleep onset was associated with lower anxiety, and longer 24-hour sleep duration with higher somatization. Better physiological sleep hygiene was associated with less depression, and better emotional sleep hygiene with less hyperactivity. CONCLUSION: This study showed that sleep hygiene could be associated with maltreated preschoolers' sleep characteristics and BPs, and that their home sleeping conditions may be of concern. Associations between sleep ecology, objective sleep characteristics and BPs deserve to be better understood, and further explored.

Protocol for the Open Sky School: a two-arm clustered randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a nature-based intervention on mental health of elementary school children.

BACKGROUND: This article outlines the protocol for a trial to test the effectiveness of a nature-based intervention called Open Sky School to reduce mental health problems among elementary school children. Experimental studies show that contact with nature (e.g. walks in parks) improve mental health. A growing number of teachers have been applying outdoor education within the regular school curriculum and evidence suggests that such teaching methods could improve students' mental health but a randomized controlled trial has never been conducted. METHODS: A two-arm clustered randomized controlled trial will be conducted in elementary schools across Québec, Canada. Following informed consent by teachers, parents and students, schools will be randomly assigned 1:1 to the intervention or the control group with a total of 2500 5-6th grade students and 100 teachers expected to participate. The intervention will take place outdoors in a green-space (2 h per week for 12 weeks) and include a toolkit of 30 activities to foster well-being (e.g. mindfulness) and academic competencies (e.g. mathematics). Questionnaires will be administered to teachers and students before, immediately after and 3 months after the intervention. The primary outcome will be reductions of mental health problems in children from pre-to-post test (Social Behavior Questionnaire: self and teacher reports). Secondary outcomes include depression, positive and negative affect, nature connectedness, and pro-environmental behaviors among children. We will explore, immediate benefits on teacher's well-being and positive and negative affect and sustained benefits among students at 3 months follow-up. For the primary outcome, we will explore moderators including child's sex, child's disability status, the green-space of neighbourhoods, the school's socio-economic position and teacher's experience. DISCUSSION: In conducting the first randomized controlled trial of the Open Sky School, our results could provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of nature-based interventions in reducing mental health problems among elementary school children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05662436 on December 22, 2022.

Self-Reported Parental Healthy Dietary Behavior Relates to Views on Child Feeding and Health and Diet Quality.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether parental views on child feeding and its impact on health differ between those parents whose self-perception was that they followed a healthy diet to those who do not. Furthermore, differences in the child's diet quality and weight were compared between the groups. Parents of 2-6-year-old children (n = 738), recruited from child health clinics throughout Finland, answered semi-structured questionnaires on their views on child feeding and health as well as their child's diet quality. Participants were divided into two groups based on their self-perceived report of following a healthy diet: health-conscious (HC, n = 396) and non-health-conscious (non-HC, n = 342) parents. HC parents considered health, eating behavior, and nutrient-related factors more often when feeding their child than non-HC parents (<0.001 < p < 0.03). Moreover, they more commonly considered diet to have an important impact on their child's long-term health than the non-HC parents (<0.001 < p < 0.05). Children of HC parents were more likely to have a good diet quality (p = 0.01) and lower BMI-SDS values (p = 0.015) than those of non-HC parents. Parental health consciousness was linked with better diet quality and healthier weight in their children. This information may be useful in the regular clinical monitoring of children's health.

Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children: A Validation Study.

Self-efficacy has a strong influence on children's eating behavior. Feeling capable of regulating one's eating behavior is especially relevant in situations of activation while facing temptations or experiencing negative emotions. Despite the relevance, there is no validated measure to assess children's self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors in these domains. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children based on a sample of 724 elementary school children in Portugal. The sample was split randomly into two groups, and a principal component analysis with Group 1 and a confirmatory factor analysis with Group 2 were carried out. The scale comprises two distinct but related factors-self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors in activation and temptation situations and self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors in negative emotional situations. Moreover, self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors was positively and statistically related to self-regulation processes toward healthy eating, declarative knowledge about healthy eating, and attitudes and perceptions toward healthy eating. The present study provides preliminary evidence that the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children is valid and reliable for evaluating children's self-efficacy in regulating their eating behaviors.

Androgens and child behavior: Color and toy preferences in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Human males and females show average gender/sex differences for certain psychological phenomena. Multiple factors may contribute to these differences, including sex chromosomes, exposure to gonadal hormones, and socialization or learning. This study investigated potential hormonal and socialization/learning influences on gender/sex differences in childhood preferences for color, specifically pink and red vs. blues, and for toys. Children (aged 4 to 11 years) with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH, n = 43 girls and 37 boys), marked by elevated prenatal adrenal androgen exposure, and without CAH (n = 41 girls and 31 boys) were studied. Prior research indicates girls with CAH are masculinized for certain behaviors, such as toy choices, while boys with CAH generally do not differ from boys without CAH. In the current study, children indicated preferences for stereotyped hues of pink vs. blue as well as two control color pairs. They also indicated their preference between gender/sex-typed toys (doll vs. car) presented in black and white, in gender/sex-congruent colors (pink doll vs. blue car) and in gender/sex-incongruent colors (pink car vs. blue doll). Color findings: Control girls preferred stereotyped pink over blue more than boys or girls with CAH did; the latter two groups did not differ in their color preferences. No preference differences occurred for other color pairs. Toy findings: In black/white or gender/sex-congruent colors, boys preferred the car more than control girls or girls with CAH did, while girls with CAH preferred the car more than control girls did. In gender/sex-incongruent colors (pink car vs. blue doll), boys still preferred the car, while girls with CAH showed reduced and control girls showed increased preferences for the pink car compared to the car preferences in black/white. Results support learning theories of color preferences, perhaps also influenced by pre-existing toy preferences which may occur for other reasons, including early androgen exposure. Specifically, girls with CAH may have learned they do not enjoy stereotypical toys for girls, often colored pink, and pink coloring may subsequently diminish their preference for a car. Our results highlight the importance of gonadal hormones and learning in the development of childhood toy and color preferences.

Qualitative changes in children's physical activity and sedentary behaviours throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: The HomeSPACE project.

Opportunities for children to be physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic were limited, resulting in a decrease in overall physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour during the lockdown restrictions of the pandemic. This study further explored these changes across various stages of the restrictions, starting during the first UK-wide lockdown in March 2020 through to the "new normal" in December 2021. Nine families, consisting of eleven children (36% girls, 64% boys; aged 13.38 years ± 1.14), eight mothers and one father were tracked throughout this time, using semi-structured interviews to explore the fluctuations in physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the home environment in the context of self-determination theory. Findings indicate that as restrictions eased, physical activity within the home decreased, as children were exposed to more opportunities at school and in the community; these opportunities seemingly increased children's motivation to be physically active through increasing levels of their basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Some children's physical activity levels have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, with a newfound enjoyment for being physically active. Whilst others now prefer to pursue more sedentary behaviours that became habitual during the lockdown restrictions. Accessible opportunities now need to be promoted to drive up children's motivations to be physically active following the years of uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.

What works in the psychological treatment of child conduct problems? An umbrella review of meta-analytic studies / ¿Qué funciona en el tratamiento psicológico de los problemas de conducta en niños? Revisión umbrella de estudios meta-analíticos

Conduct problems (CP) constitute a major field for child clinical psychology, in terms of not only prevalence, but also developmental, social, andclinical relevance. This study carried out an umbrella review of meta-analyses on the efficacy of treatment/indicated prevention of child CP (meanage range up to 12 years). Following a registered protocol, several databases (i.e., Web of Science, PsycINFO, PROSPERO, and The CochraneLibrary) were searched for meta-analyses published from January 2002 to March 2022. Nine meta-analytic publications met the required criteria, andthe main characteristics and findings of the studies were systematically described. Weighted effect sizes (ESs) were calculated through RStudioprogram. Analyses of heterogeneity, publication bias, quality (AMSTAR-2), and credibility were also conducted. Results indicate that parent traininghas been the most studied intervention, with a weighted ES of d = -0.49 (95% CI -.67 to -.32). The reviewed studies identified several moderatorsfor the efficacy of parent training, including individual (severity of CP), family (financial disadvantage), and intervention (delivery format) characteristics. Results from child-centered play therapy were also analyzed, d = -.34 (95% CI -.40 to -.28), but the reduced number of meta-analyses andthe weakness detected by quality assessment suggest the need of cautiously considering the pooled effects. In general, evidence seems to besuggestive of the efficacy of treatment of CP, particularly for parent training. Nevertheless, efficacy seems to be moderate, heterogeneity indexesare high, and quality assessments of meta-analyses are often suboptimal. This study suggests several avenues to strengthen knowledge in this field. (AU)

Los problemas de conducta (PC) son un foco prioritario de atención en la psicología clínica infantil. Este estudio presenta una revisión umbrella de meta-análisis sobre la eficacia del tratamiento/prevención indicada de los PC infantiles (rango de edad media hasta 12 años). Siguiendo un protocoloregistrado, se buscaron meta-análisis (enero 2002 a marzo 2022) en Web of Science, PsycINFO, PROSPERO y The Cochrane Library. Nuevemeta-análisis cumplieron con los criterios requeridos y sus características y hallazgos fueron descritos sistemáticamente; además, con RStudiose calcularon los tamaños del efecto (TEs) ponderados. Se realizaron análisis de heterogeneidad, sesgo de publicación, calidad (AMSTAR-2) ycredibilidad. El entrenamiento parental fue la intervención más estudiada, con un TE medio ponderado de d = -.49 (IC del 95%: -.67 a -.32), y seidentificaron diversos moderadores de eficacia, incluyendo características individuales (gravedad de los PC), familiares (desventaja económica) yde intervención (formato de administración). También se analizaron los resultados de la terapia de juego centrada en el niño, d = -.34 (IC del 95%:-.40 a -.28), pero el reducido número de meta-análisis y la debilidad detectada por la evaluación de la calidad sugieren la necesidad de considerarcon cautela los efectos agrupados. En general, la evidencia es sugestiva de eficacia del tratamiento de los PC, específicamente del entrenamientoparental. No obstante, la eficacia parece ser moderada, los índices de heterogeneidad elevados y las evaluaciones de calidad de los meta-análisisno suelen ser óptimas. Este estudio sugiere varias vías para reforzar el conocimiento en este campo. (AU)

Beneficios de la transición social temprana en menores transgénero. Perspectivas de familias: estudio cualitativo / Benefits of early social transition in transgender minors. Family perspectives: qualitative study

FUNDAMENTOS: El término trans aglutina a todas las identidades transgénero. La transición social temprana hacia el género sentido tiene beneficios en el desarrollo del menor. Para las familias, el tránsito es un periodo de grandes incertidumbres, siendo necesario el acompañamiento dirigido a las familias de menores trans. El objetivo del artículo fue explorar, desde una perspectiva paterna y familiar, las necesidades y experiencias sobre el tránsito de menores trans que sirvieran de referente a otros padres/madres que apoyan el tránsito social de sus hijos e hijas.MÉTODOS: Se trabajó con grupos focales de familias funcionales de menores transgénero que habían iniciado la transición (n=14), de nivel educativo medio-alto y que pertenecían a zonas urbanas de Tenerife. Mediante entrevista semiestructurada, comentaron sus experiencias en el proceso de dar soporte al tránsito social de sus hijos e hijas. Los datos fueron registrados en una videograbación y se procesaron mediante análisis de contenido y categorización. RESULTADOS: La transición social temprana tuvo beneficios positivos e inmediatos en el desarrollo del menor, además de en la disminución de la ansiedad. Hubo una mejora general en el humor, la autoestima y las relaciones tanto sociales como familiares. El acompañamiento de especialistas y asociaciones ayudó en las distintas situaciones sociales y favoreció la resiliencia. CONCLUSIONES: El tránsito social temprano es positivo en la esfera personal y sociofamiliar del menor. Para mejorar su resiliencia, las familias demandan acompañamiento en este proceso, así como conocer otras personas trans que les sirvan como referentes transpositivos. Además, señalan la necesidad de formación específica en los profesionales sanitarios.(AU)

BACKGROUND: The term trans brings together all transgender identities. The early social transition towards the affirmed gender has benefits in the child’s development. For families, transit is a period of great uncertainty, requiring support aimed at families of trans minors. The aim of this paper was to explore the needs and experiencies of parents and close-relatives who supported the social transition of their children. METHODS: We worked with focus groups of functional families of transgender minors who had begun the transition (n=14), with a medium-high educational level and who belonged to urban areas of Tenerife. Through a semi-structured interview, they commented on their experiences in the process of supporting the social transition of their children. The data was recorded in a video recording and processed through content analysis and categorization. RESULTS: Early social transition had positive and immediate benefits on child development as well as in the reduction of anxiety. There was a general improvement in mood, self-esteem, and social and family relationships. The accompaniment of specialists and associations helped in the different social situations and favoured resilience.CONCLUSIONS: Early social transition is positive in the personal and socio-family sphere of the minor. To improve their resilience, families demand accompaniment in this process, as well as meeting other trans people who serve as transpositive references. In addition, they point out the need for specific training in health professionals.(AU)

Predictors of educational failure at 16 and 19 years of age-SESBiC longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Educational attainment is highly associated with future health and independence. Throughout childhood, children are exposed to factors that may promote educational attainment and factors that may be associated with a reduced likelihood of being able to complete their education. The purpose of the current study was to investigate which factors, measured from birth up to finishing upper secondary school, were associated with a lower mean grade point average from lower and upper secondary school as well as eligibility to upper secondary school and college/university. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study on 1723 children born in 1995/1996 who have been followed until they were 20 years old. Information with respect to maternal sociodemographics, maternal stress factors during pregnancy and childhood, birth characteristics of the child, child behavior at 3 and 12 years of age, and mean grade point average from lower and upper secondary school, including eligibility to upper secondary school and college/university was collected. RESULTS: Children exhibiting high problems scores on the child behavior checklist at 12 years of age and children or having other living arrangements (e.g. foster parents or institutional care) were less likely to fulfill the requirements for upper secondary school (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.17-0.71 and OR = 0.33 95% CI = 0.17-0.65, respectively). The likelihood of fulfilling the requirements to college/university was lower if the child had divorced parents at three years of age (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.16-0.58) and exhibited externalizing problems at 12 years of age (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.24-0.86) and if the mother had experienced high level of stress at (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14-0.77). CONCLUSION: Identifying mothers with high level of stressors as well as children with externalizing behaviour problems to provide guidance and support is very important as these two factors appear to be associated with future study performance in both lower and upper secondary school.

The Influence of Parental Mindfulness on Preschool Child Behavior Problems: A Chain-Mediated Model Analysis.

This study aimed to examine the associations between parental mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems and to investigate the mediating role of marital satisfaction and coparenting in the relationship between mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems. This was a cross-sectional study in which general sociodemographic data were obtained from 3448 parents of children in grades junior to senior of kindergarten who were assessed using instruments such as the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (TEMSS), and the Parents' Perceptions of the Coparenting Relationship Questionnaire (PPCR). (1) Mindfulness, preschool child behavior problems, marital satisfaction, and coparenting were significantly correlated with each other, where mindfulness was positively correlated with marital satisfaction and coparenting and significantly negatively correlated with preschool child behavior problems. (2) Mindfulness negatively predicted preschool children's problem behaviors. (3) Marital satisfaction independently mediated the relationship between mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems. (4) Coparenting also independently mediated the relationship between mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems. (5) Marital satisfaction and coparenting play a chain-mediating role between mindfulness and preschool children's problem behaviors. Mindfulness predicted preschool child behavior problems, with marital satisfaction and coparenting as mediators.

Barriers to Optimal Child Sleep among Families with Low Income: A Mixed-Methods Study to Inform Intervention Development.

This study gathered formative data on barriers to optimal child sleep to inform the development of a sleep intervention for parents of preschool-aged children in low-income households. Parents (n = 15, age: 34 ± 8 years, household income: $30,000 ± 17,845/year) reporting difficulties with their child's sleep participated in this study. Mixed methods included an online survey and semi-structured phone interview. Items assessed barriers/facilitators to optimal child sleep and intervention preferences. Interview transcripts were coded using inductive analyses and constant-comparison methods to generate themes. Derived themes were then mapped onto the Theoretical Domains Framework to contextualize barriers and inform future intervention strategies. Themes that emerged included: stimulating bedtime activities, child behavior challenges, variability in children's structure, parent work responsibilities, sleep-hindering environment, and parent's emotional capacity. Parent's intervention preferences included virtual delivery (preferred by 60% of parents) to reduce barriers and provide flexibility. Mixed preferences were observed for the group (47%) vs. individual (53%) intervention sessions. Parents felt motivated to try new intervention strategies given current frustrations, the potential for tangible results, and knowing others were in a similar situation. Future work will map perceived barriers to behavior change strategies using the Behavior Change Wheel framework to develop a parenting sleep intervention.