Setting the scene

"Young People, Violence and Strategic Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)" brings together data and case studies from a range of SSA countries. While the findings are diverse, a set of themes predominate: they reveal that violence, embedded in everyday lived realities, is a complex and urgent issue that should be comprehensively probed. While moments of political and xenophobic violence are reflected upon, critical attention is firmly on young women and their grappling with sexual and gender-based violence. The COVID lens has magnified micro-struggles and long-standing structural problems showing how inequities and disadvantages have created an infrastructure through which violence has been exacerbated. There is also a focus on masculinities constructed by oppressive histories, social and economic crises, and state disregard, but with the message that marginality should not be reified, nor the gendered practices of young men oversimplified. In all the chapters, contextual specificities and insightful case studies offer thoughts and arguments about the ways in which violence manifests, what interventionist strategies are compelling, and how young people's proactive involvement in interventions could begin to address the problem of violence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Youth challenges in Namibia during COVID-19: Engaging joblessness, violence, and e-learning

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and harsh lockdown regulations have impacted the wellbeing of the youth globally. The pandemic has also caused significant mortality and morbidity, creating daunting health and socio-economic challenges. The restrictive measures that have been put in place by many countries to contain the spread of the virus negatively affected the livelihood of youth. Namibia was equally impacted by the pandemic. The country introduced preventative measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, ranging from closure of social spaces, schools, recreational facilities, businesses, among others. These had unintended consequences on the livelihood of youth and their families. The main objective of the chapter is to better understand the impact of young people's chronic exposure to joblessness, violence, education disruptions on their wellbeing. Specifically, the chapter examines the extent to which protective measures influenced changes in violence, access to sexual and reproductive health as well as land and housing. The study utilized a desk review, relying on secondary data and policy documents. The findings indicated that retaining contact with friends and pursuing leisure activities are key to the wellbeing of young people. In addition, financial worries emanating from job losses and low economic acitivities also exacerbated young people's livelihood. Furthermore, having the youth and adults at home all day long, resulting from closing of schools and workplaces, increased family conflicts and violence. Consequently, victims of domestic violence were unable to access places of safety and other psychosocial support services. The study further indicated that the implementation of e-learning was threatened by the lack of ICT infrastructure and the capacity of teachers and learners to access and use e-learning platforms. Moreover, the youth indicated that they felt isolated and lacked motivation which is usually derived from interaction with their peers. The chapter therefore, recommends the creation of targeted youth interventions including employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, poverty reduction programs, as well as investment in ICT infrastructure and training. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Males' experiences of gender-based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A review of literature

Globally, gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a serious global health, human rights, and development issue. There is no standard definition of GBV, but it can be enacted under different forms such as physical violence, sexual violence, economic violence, psychological and emotional aggression (including coercive tactics) directed at someone because of their biological sex or gender identity. Most literature focuses on violence against females (both heterosexual and homosexual) and children, with little focus on males' perspectives. Most GBV narratives present males as perpetrators of violence. Recent statistics show that intimate partner violence (IPV) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased unemployment, substance abuse and reduced economic status. Recent country specific statistics are sparse but understanding the males' perceptions and experiences of GBV can assist with identifying appropriate interventions to deal with GBV. This critical review highlights critical knowledge gaps in the existing literature and a need for future research within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

A study of internet-facilitated violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Sub-Saharan Africa

Before the influx of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Africa was seen as a dark continent (Agwe-Mbarika et al., 2011). In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution declaring Internet access a human right and the intentional Internet disruption a human rights violation. This is contained in resolution A/HRC/32/L.20 of 2016. Recent reports also declare that Internet access falls under the freedom of expression (La Rue, 2011). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Child abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic-Prospect, risk and factors: A narrative review

This narrative review focuses on the risk of child abuse, the determinants of child maltreatment during the Covid-19 outbreak and the conceivable psycho-social impact of child abuse. Literature was retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science along with Google Scholar, and reports from various sources with no time and context restrictions. The narrative analysis of all pertinent records shows that the risk of abuse towards children has spiked during the Covid-19 outbreak, especially sexual abuse and neglect. Prolonged living inside of homes, school closures, limited contact, unemployment, domestic violence, poor access to health care, and related social stressors have impacted on the rates of child abuse during the Covid-19 outbreak. These maltreated children may experience poor interpersonal relationships, problematic coping behaviours, and depressive disorders across their life span. These findings point to context-specific outcomes and protective measures that could assist prospective researches and guide policies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Intimate partner violence during COVID-19 pandemic: Literature review

With the COVID-19 pandemic, staying at home, social isolation and many protection measures that will prevent the transmission of the virus have been implemented by the states with regard to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Although such social isolation decisions prevent the community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic, they also brought others together. While the houses are seen as a safe place to protect against the virus, there has been a pandemic of violence against women in the home. Since the decisions of social isolation, applications and emergency calls regarding intimate partner violence have increased and women have been exposed to violence more frequently and more seriously than before the pandemic. This study differentiates factors that show co-growth of intimate partner violence in psychosocial crises such as pandemics. The research shows that spousal violence occurs throughout societies regardless of socio-economic and educational status, long-term sharing of homestay and economic losses caused by the pandemic are important variables that increase spousal violence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Turkish) COVID-19 pandemisi ile birlikte evde kalma, sosyal izolasyon ve bunun gibi virusun bulasini engelleyecek bir cok onlem Dunya Saglik Orgutu tavsiyeleri dogrultusunda devletler tarafindan alinmis ve uygulamaya konulmustur. Bu gibi sosyal izolasyon kararlari COVID-19 pandemisinin toplum icerisinde bulasini engellese de beraberinde baska sorunlari da getirmistir. Evler virusten korunmak icin guvenli bolgeler olarak gorulurken ev icinde kadina yonelik siddet pandemisi ortaya cikmistir. Sosyal izolasyon kararlarinin alinmasindan itibaren es siddeti ile ilgili basvurular artmis ve kadinlar pandemi oncesinden daha sik ve daha ciddi boyutlarda es siddetine maruz kalmislardir. Bu calismanin amaci pandemi gibi psikososyal krizlerde es siddetini artiran faktorleri tespit etmektir. Arastirma sonucunda es siddetinin dunya genelinde sosyo-ekonomik ve egitim durumu gozetmeksizin toplumlarin genelinde yaygin sekilde ortaya ciktigi, aile uyelerinin uzun sureler ayni ortami paylasmasi ve pandeminin yarattigi ekonomik kayiplarin es siddetini artiran onemli degiskenler oldugu gorulmustur. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The effectiveness of blended versus regular Forensic Outpatient Systemic Therapy in the treatment of juvenile antisocial behavior: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Antisocial behavior during adolescence can have long-lasting negative effects and leads to high societal costs. Forensic Outpatient Systemic Therapy (Forensische Ambulante Systeem Therapie; FAST) is a promising treatment for juveniles aged 12-21 showing severe antisocial behavior. The intensity, content and duration of FAST can be adjusted to the needs of the juvenile and their caregiver(s), which is considered crucial for effective treatment. Next to the regular version of FAST (FASTr), a blended version (FASTb) in which face-to-face contacts are replaced by minimally 50% online contacts over the duration of intervention was developed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The current study will investigate whether FASTb is equally effective as FASTr, and through which mechanisms of change, for whom, and under which conditions FASTr and FASTb work. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be carried out. Participants (N = 200) will be randomly assigned to FASTb (n = 100) or FASTr (n = 100). Data collection will consist of self-report questionnaires and case file analysis, and include a pre-test at the start of the intervention, a post-test immediately after the intervention, and a six month follow-up. Mechanisms of change will be investigated using monthly questionnaires of key variables during treatment. Official recidivism data will be collected at two-year follow-up. DISCUSSION: This study aims to improve the effectiveness and quality of forensic mental health care for juveniles with antisocial behavior by studying the effectiveness of blended care, which has not been studied before in treatment of externalizing behavior. If found to be at least as effective as face-to-face treatment, blended treatment can help meet the urgent need for more flexible and efficient interventions in this field. In addition, the proposed study aims to unravel what works for whom, knowledge urgently needed in mental health care for juveniles with severe antisocial behavior. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 07/11/2022, registration number NCT05606978.

COVID-19 pandemic and violence: Contagions and curfew policy on female homicides

This article studies the causal effect of COVID-19 pandemic curfew and lockdown durations on gender violence measured by the female homicides rates across Ecuadorian municipalities. To overcome potential endogeneity concerns due to heterogeneous intensity in restriction durations, we implement an instrumental variable approach that adjusts the duration of the lockdown and each of the "red-light" policy stages based on the lags of contagion rates and the length of the policy. We show that the generalized lockdown led to a 0.91 percentage point increase of female homicide rates (12.75% in the prelockdown period), and the less restrictive mobility measures led to a 0.23 to 0.8 pp increases. These results are in line with very recent evidence of the COVID-19 lockdowns and violence against women during the pandemic. These findings appeal for policy interventions addressed to avoid violence against women during mobility restriction and emergencies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Intimate partner violence during COVID-19: Demographic and economic correlates of survivor experiences

Objective: To extend our understanding of intimate partner violence (IPV) during the COVID-19 pandemic, we examined socioecological correlates of IPV, as well as rates of victimization. We assessed physical IPV, sexual IPV, psychological IPV, reproductive coercion, coercive labor, and coercive control. Method: A total of 374 recent survivors of IPV were recruited in partnership with IPV and social service agencies in Southeast Texas. Participants were asked about their experiences with IPV, COVID-19, and economic situation during the first year of the pandemic (March 2020-December 2020). Data were collected in December 2020. The sample was racially and ethnically diverse and primarily female-identified (77%). Statistical analyses included descriptive, analysis of variance, t tests, and chi-square test. Results: Among participants, rates of past-year IPV were high, with 77.3% reporting physical victimization and 94.7% reporting psychological abuse victimization. A majority (55.5%) of participants, self-reported violence increases since the pandemic began. Older (46 +) and Black participants reported higher rates of IPV, including coercive control. Reported IPV increases since COVID was significantly associated with homelessness during COVID-19, lower income, and physical IPV, psychological IPV, economic IPV, along with coercive control and coerced labor by a partner. Conclusions: We found that COVID-19-related IPV increases were associated with IPV victimization types and economic factors, including low income and homelessness. Results also confirm a "dual pandemic" perspective, underscoring the heightened risk for IPV for Black, middle age, and older survivors. These findings highlight the need for a strong and sustained community response to address potential outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The associated factors of self-harm and suicide ideation among Chinese Indonesians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: This study aimed to identify the associated factors of self-harm and suicide ideation among Chinese Indonesians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A nonrandom sampling was performed through a nationwide online survey in Indonesia (May-June 2021). The online survey covered participants' demographic information, suicide literacy, suicide stigma, loneliness, and self-harm and suicide ideation. A series of t-tests, chi2 tests, and hierarchical logistic regressions with the backward stepwise method were used to identify the factors associated with self-harm and suicide ideation. Responses from a total of 484 Chinese Indonesians were analyzed in this study. Results: The predictive model showed a significant goodness of fit to the observed data [chi2(17) = 174.1, p < .001;RN2 = .41]. Chinese Indonesians with an average monthly income of >=USD 843 were found to be 0.23 times (95% CI = 0.07-0.99) less likely to experience self-harm and suicide ideation than those who did not have an income. A one-point increase in the intensity of suicide glorification and loneliness were associated with 3.06 and 3.67 increase in the chance of experiencing self-harm and suicide ideation, respectively. Conclusion: One third of Chinese Indonesians self-reported self-harm and suicide ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health and suicide prevention intervention programs are recommended to target those with low socioeconomic status, high glorification toward suicide, and high perceived loneliness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Impact and Implications:-The current study indicated that one third of Chinese Indonesians experienced self-harm and suicide ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Monthly income, suicide glorification, and levels of loneliness were found to be significantly associated with this experience. Our findings will inform the development of effective suicide prevention and intervention programs in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 regarding "Good Health and Well-being," especially for reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promoting mental health and well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Commercial sexual exploitation of children in zimbabwe: A threat to human and social development

Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in child sex work is reportedly rising in Zimbabwe. While children of both sexes are affected, more females than males are forced to engage in sexual acts in exchange for money, food, access to shelter, education or some other gains from adults who control these means of survival and commodities. Drivers of CSEC include socioeconomic factors, negative peer pressure, childhood abuse, the influence of uncensored social media, and, more recently, the economic impact of COVID-19. Involvement in underage sex work exposes children to severe adversities, such as psychosocial and mental health disorders, physical and biological injuries, venereal diseases and HIV. CSEC is a growing concern for resource-limited countries, disenfranchises children and robs particularly the girl child of a better future. The worsening socioeconomic landscape in Zimbabwe and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the problem. Solving the problem of CSEC requires a multipronged approach that involves stakeholders from several sectors, including public health, education, social services, security and the legal fraternity. There is a need to empower communities, empower civil society and development partners, enhance legal frameworks, provide messaging, education and vocational training, as well as rehabilitative services for affected children and their families. CSEC is a violation of the child's rights and a public health concern that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency to preserve the next generation's human capital necessary for the sustainable development of Zimbabwe. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and culture in neglect, abuse, and violence against older persons: Human rights, global health, and systems approaches in pandemics

Although prevalent in the 1990s, research on social and economic determinants of elder abuse, including race, ethnicity, and culture, has lagged in recent years, compromising understanding of elder abuse as a public health problem calling for systems responses. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the tragic impact of substantial disruptions in access to care across fragmented health systems and community-based settings on vulnerable older adults and, in such crisis conditions, the persistence of both violations of older adults' human rights and historical inequities in their treatment. Older adults have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, particularly older Black/African Americans and Latinx and those living in congregate settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and prisons, as reflected in reporting of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. American Indian reservations and indigenous and tribal communities are also struggling with the effects of the pandemic on the health and economic security of their members. The pandemic is exposing challenges that have heretofore been ignored or covered up, or have remained otherwise invisible, such as institutional neglect, poverty, deprivation, and isolation, yet have deepened suffering of older adults. However, little is yet known about older persons' experience of abuse, neglect, and violence during pandemic crisis conditions, such as sheltering-in-place, quarantines or lockdowns, or situations of scarce resources including intensive care unit beds, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment. The risks created by these conditions and their palpable urgency call for critical examination of the contribution of structural inequities to older adults' heightened risk in disaster and post-disaster environments and the disproportionate impact of crisis conditions (Institute of Medicine [IOM], Crisis standards of care: A systems framework for catastrophic disaster response: Volume 1: Introduction and CSC framework. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 2012. https://doi.org/10.17226/13351) upon the human rights of diverse older adult populations and communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Problematic consumption of online pornography during the COVID-19 pandemic: Clinical recommendations

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the greatest contemporary challenges. Feelings of fear and uncertainty triggered by this pandemic have had noxious effects on people's mental health. This seems to have increased during quarantine and there is evidence of an intensification of reward- directed behavior. Nevertheless, there are few studies dealing with pornography consumption during this period. The aim of this manuscript is to contextualize this phenomenon during the pandemic and suggest some clinical recommendations on the matter. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The impact of cyberbullying victimization on psychosocial behaviors among college students during the covid-19 pandemic: The indirect effect of a sense of purpose in life

By drawing from positive psychology and general strain theory, this study examined whether a sense of purpose in life has an indirect effect between college students' cyberbullying victimization and their depressive symptoms, cyberbullying perpetration, and suicidal thoughts/behaviors. Data were collected from 314 college students (69.9% female) aged 18 to 24 and older from two universities in the Midwest and South-central region of the United States. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) identified that cyberbullying victimization was positively associated with depressive symptoms and cyberbullying perpetration. Moreover, cyberbullying victimization indirectly affected depressive symptoms through a sense of purpose in life. This study will emphasize the importance of fostering cyberbullied college students' purpose in life to college staff, administrators, faculty, and practitioners, and will provide them with strategies to develop campus-wide cyberbullying interventions for college students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Sharing experiences and seeking informal justice online: A grounded theory analysis of zoombombing victimization on reddit

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoombombing emerged as a new form of online disruption/harassment characterized by unintended and unsolicited virtual visits by both strangers and known individuals via Zoom. The current study utilizes a grounded theory-based qualitative analysis of over 1,000 posts on Reddit to explore discussions around Zoombombing victimization incidents. This paper reveals how Zoombombing victimization subreddits function as communities for sharing victimization stories, user perceptions, and support while further developing a space that promotes informal justice online. The implications include an enhanced understanding of how Zoombombing occurs and the role of online forums and cyberpolicing tools in preventing and discussing victimization. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Possibility of increased alcohol-related domestic violence following the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper discusses the possibility of increased alcohol-related domestic violence following the COVID-19 pandemic. Intimate partner violence has significant long-term mental health consequences, and the greater the violence, the greater the impact on women's physical and mental health. This violence puts women at risk for disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and they are generally at greater risk for psychological trauma. As a result, domestic violence is likely to increase during COVID-19. Due to the importance of education in the prevention of domestic violence, it is recommended that education be provided through the media to increase public awareness and learn strategies to combat violence. Therefore, raising awareness about this crisis and the violence that follows can help people in this regard. People also need to put aside the factors that cause them violence, such as alcohol and drugs, and seek help from an experienced counselor if necessary. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Suicide prevention: Global trends

Even before Covid-19 in 2020, why has suicide increased into a global crisis, and what can be done to reduce this? This chapter offers a panoramic overview of suicide: global trends, a focus on four diverse regions (Armenia, Haiti, Palestine, Nigeria), one case study, and methods of effective suicide intervention and prevention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students at elevated risk of self-injury: The importance of virtual and online resources

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which involves deliberate damage to body tissue without suicidal intent, has long been a concern for schools and school staff. Secondary schools are an ideal setting in which to identify, and appropriately refer, students who self-injure as well as implement evidence-based prevention and early intervention programs. However, in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, schools have been closed and students sent home to learn online. This may result in the exacerbation of existing anxieties and pose several new stressors that cumulatively may increase risk of NSSI. In this article, we draw on recent research and our collective experience working with schools, as well as digital mental health, to outline some of these potential stressors and offer resources for school staff to help students who are engaging in or at risk of NSSI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Reflections on intimate partner violence, its psycho-socio-cultural impact amidst COVID-19: Comparing South Africa and the United States

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to provide a comparative analysis on the psychological and socio-cultural impacts of COVID-19 on victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) in South Africa (SA) and the USA. Design/methodology/approach: The authors collected media and scholarly articles that dealt with IPV victims during the early phase of the pandemic. This study focused solely on SA and the USA because of their unique contexts and the fact that the authors are residents of these countries. The authors observed how both presidents dealt with IPV amidst the COVID 19 pandemic, especially when stay-at-home orders were in place. Aspects relating to the psychological and socio-cultural impacts amidst the pandemic were considered. Findings: The authors found that in both countries, many black women from low socio-economic backgrounds experience IPV. Being in isolated spaces with their perpetrators prohibits victims from reporting the abuse. As the world attempts to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections, effective strategies have been suggested for victims and perpetrators. The authors found the approaches of the two governments (until the Biden Administration in 2021) to be starkly different in terms of effective strategies and the neglect and downplaying of the extent of one or both pandemics (i.e. COVID-19 and IPV). Pro-safety, equality, gender and race-conscious embracing approaches to overcome IPV are urgently needed. Originality/value: The paper focused on IPV during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides relevant information about IPV in both countries, especially when stay-at-home orders are in place. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The coronavirus crisis as "preparing ground" for abusive sexual behavior between siblings

This article presents the impacts and implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis on the complicated phenomenon of sexual abuse among siblings-the most frequently occurring type of sexual abuse of children. The COVID crisis led to a higher risk of this type of abuse occurring in normative families, or significantly escalating in families in which abuse had already occurred before the pandemic. Throughout the world, COVID-related social distancing and closure directives forced family members to stay together for extended periods of time in a shared space-essentially prisoners in their homes. The first part of this article gives an overview of the global situation that emerged in the wake of the pandemic, including social distancing and isolation, closure or limiting of support and treatment systems. In the second part, the consequences of this situation are described, noting the situational risk factors for the direct and indirect abuse and victimization of children The third part of the article presents how these risk factors have a mutually reinforcing relationship. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)