ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to examine the opinions of secondary school students about mathematics lessons taught with distance education. The research was carried out by taking the opinions of 286 secondary school students from one state school selected from each of the provinces (Manisa, Izmir, Mugla, Antalya, Sirnak, Bitlis). Quantitative and descriptive survey method was used in the study. According to the findings, it was seen that the opinions of female and male students were very close to each other, there was no significant difference according to the variables of the number of siblings and whether they had their own study room, and there was a significant difference between 5th grade students and 8th grade students. Students;It was seen that there was no difference in their views on understanding the lesson better and increasing their success, they did not have any problems in accessing the Mathematics lesson, but they had problems due to internet interruptions during the lesson, they did not have any problems in communicating with their teachers and delivering homework during the lesson, but they still preferred face-to-face education at a high rate. It was observed that the motivation of the 5th grade students during the lesson and their better understanding of the lesson were higher than the 8th grade students.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The emerging respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed the threat to human life across the globe. Various physical measures applied to curb the spread of the virus in initial phase of pandemic but high level of immunity by vaccination is an effective strategy to reduce the morbidity and mortality. To achieve this parent's willingness is important for vaccination of children. Objectives: To study the parent's willingness and associated factors to vaccinate the children with Covid-19 vaccine. Material & Methods: The cross sectional study conducted in the month of July 2022. A confidential interview of 300 parents visited to OPD was taken. Information obtained about socio-demography, routine immunization and comorbidity in children, parents COVID-19 vaccination, COVID-19 infection and hospitalization in family members and willingness for children's covid-19 vaccination. Results: Out of 300 parents around 253(84.3%) parentswere willing, 10(3.3%) not willing and 37(12.3%) not sure about children's vaccination. hospitalization of family members, parental vaccination against Covid-19, vaccination of siblings > 12 years, parents having 1- 2 children were significantly associated with willingness. Conclusion: Counselling of parents to relieve the anxiety is needed, communicating clear information about vaccination and expected side effects of the vaccine, provision of reliable source of information like family physician, health care workers.
ABSTRACT
The diagnostic characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes challenges in social communication skills. Among different components of social communication, language, particularly vocabulary, must be supported early in children's development as language is shown to be associated with academic, social, cognitive, and adaptive skills and their development trajectory. Enhanced milieu teaching (EMT) is one of evidence-based, naturalistic interventions that are designed to support the vocabulary development of young children with ASD. EMT is often implemented by caregivers, therapists, or teachers;however, there is no study that evaluated the effectiveness of sibling-implemented EMT on the vocabulary use of children with ASD. With the rise of COVID-19, there is an increased duration of family interactions at home which led to the need for more structured and effective strategies for social interactions, especially for children with ASD. As siblings frequently engage in social interactions such as play, training older siblings to facilitate effective communication and play with their younger siblings with ASD could improve the language development of children with ASD as well as the siblings' social interactions. Adapting a multiple probe design, the study examined the effects of sibling-implemented EMT with virtual performance feedback for the siblings without ASD on the siblings' implementation fidelity of EMT and language outcomes and percentage of responses by children with ASD. Generalization with a novel material and maintenance over one week, two weeks, or one month was measured. Social validity questionnaires were completed by the siblings and the caregivers after the intervention. The findings provide implications for family-centered evidence-based practices, particularly through the use of virtual training for family members including the siblings of children with ASD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
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)
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study investigates the role of family composition on children's development during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, net of family socioeconomic status (SES). Background: At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020, schools closed and children all around the world were sent home, providing a rare opportunity to study the association between family composition and children's educational performance. Method: This study uses an extraordinary large-scale dataset on learning growth in primary education combined with extensive family background information (Netherlands Cohort Study on Education [NCO]). Using a difference-in-differences design and school-fixed effects, the association between family composition and learning growth before and during the school closure was compared, while controlling for family SES. Results: We find that during the pandemic, the effect of family composition on learning growth increased. Children in single-parent families and children in large families suffered larger learning losses during the pandemic than children in two-parent families and small families. Firstborn children experienced slightly less learning loss during the pandemic. Conclusion: The results indicated that the effect of family composition increased during the first school closure, even after controlling for family SES. Implications: This study provides evidence of family composition effects net of family SES. This indicates that apart from family SES, family composition should be taken into account to identify students at risk of learning loss. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Marriage and Family published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of National Council on Family Relations.
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, caregivers of disabled children have faced adverse conditions complicating their media use management (i.e., parental mediation). Disabled children and non-disabled children in a household may also have distinct cognitive, emotional, and physical needs requiring different parental mediation strategies. In this exploratory study, we surveyed U.S. parents (N = 123) with a disabled and non-disabled child between the ages of 5 and 13 to explore child differences in average hours spent watching media and playing games, problematic media use, and parental mediation during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic (Spring 2020-Spring 2021). Results suggest higher problematic media use for children with disabilities compared to their siblings without disabilities during the pandemic, with rates of problematic use primarily increasing or staying the same for both, but significantly more parental mediation of children without disabilities compared to those with disabilities. In the wake of the pandemic and spikes in children's media use, screen time advice from health providers to households with both disabled and non-disabled children requires unique considerations to support healthy child media use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) IMPACT SUMMARY Prior State of Knowledge: Media have offered young people important opportunities for learning, entertainment, and social connection during the COVID-19 pandemic, but parents also have concerns about overuse and negative effects. Novel Contributions: We surveyed parents of school-age siblings with and without disabilities to compare media use patterns, problematic media use, and parental mediation. We found higher rates of problematic media use among disabled children, but more parental mediation of non-disabled children. Practical Implications: Practitioners who provide screen media guidance to households with both disabled and non-disabled children should consider these families' unique considerations and circumstances, including how siblings mutually influence one another's media use, as well as their parents' overall caregiving practices. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Supportive family relationships may mitigate the impact of the Covid19 pandemic on young children's adjustment, but existing work is limited by its focus on within-country variation and parental influences. Addressing these gaps, and drawing on reported buffering effects of older siblings on child mental health (Lawson and Mace, 2010), the current international study examined whether child adjustment problems were, on average, elevated by the pandemic and whether this buffering effect of older siblings would be maintained. In the first wave of the Covid19 pandemic (April to July 2020), 2516 parents of 3- to 8-year-old children living in Australia, China, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States of America—six countries with contrasting governmental responses to the pandemic—completed an online survey about family experiences and relationships and child adjustment, as indexed by ratings on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ: R. Goodman, 1997). As expected, child SDQ total difficulty scores were elevated in all sites except Sweden (which notably did not enforce mass school closures). Compared to children without siblings, children with one or more older siblings showed fewer adjustment problems. Children from lone-parent households displayed more adjustment problems, as did those whose parents reported increased sibling conflict. Finally, child adjustment problems were negatively associated with family socio-economic status, but positively related to the indices of Covid-19 family disruption and government stringency. We discuss these findings in relation to existing work on asymmetric effects of older versus younger siblings, and siblings as sources of support. © 2023 The Authors. Social Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
ABSTRACT
A preliminary evaluation of a multicomponent youth development program for siblings in foster care was conducted prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pretest posttest measures of youth well-being were collected from sixteen youth, caregivers, and caseworkers over a six-month period. Caregivers reported increased internalizing and externalizing behaviors, sibling relationship difficulties, prosocial behavior, and resilience during the study period. Youth reported reduced school engagement, increased resilience, and prosocial behavior. In-person sibling programming was associated with increased prosocial behavior. Virtual sibling programming was associated with lower hyperactivity, increased prosocial behavior, and increased emotional problems. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
ABSTRACT
Nearly a quarter-million children are siblings to children living with serious illness. Intense physical, emotional, social and psychological concerns are introduced when a brother or sister is diagnosed with a serious illness or disease. Support services for siblings are critical to promote positive outcomes and decrease negative consequences and align with parents' desires to support all of their children. These include services offered to the sibling or family to provide comfort or enhance the quality of life during a child's serious illness. Despite national standards, sibling support services are often difficult for families to access. The aim of this study was to describe sibling support activities provided through teaching children's hospitals across the United States using a cross-sectional, descriptive design. Results indicate most hospitals surveyed offer sibling support services that focus on sibling education about the illness;parent education on how to anticipate the siblings needs;and activities for families to do together, yet face barriers to delivery. Services focused directly on siblings and actively supporting their adaptation were least often provided and less than half reported screening siblings for psychosocial distress. Findings suggest that sibling support services may be an important resource to minimize distress and promote adaptation for siblings. This description of current and available sibling support services is an important starting point for enhancing services, policies, and institutions that fully envelope siblings into patient- and family-centered care. Copyright © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
ABSTRACT
The diagnostic characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes challenges in social communication skills. Among different components of social communication, language, particularly vocabulary, must be supported early in children's development as language is shown to be associated with academic, social, cognitive, and adaptive skills and their development trajectory. Enhanced milieu teaching (EMT) is one of evidence-based, naturalistic interventions that are designed to support the vocabulary development of young children with ASD. EMT is often implemented by caregivers, therapists, or teachers;however, there is no study that evaluated the effectiveness of sibling-implemented EMT on the vocabulary use of children with ASD. With the rise of COVID-19, there is an increased duration of family interactions at home which led to the need for more structured and effective strategies for social interactions, especially for children with ASD. As siblings frequently engage in social interactions such as play, training older siblings to facilitate effective communication and play with their younger siblings with ASD could improve the language development of children with ASD as well as the siblings' social interactions. Adapting a multiple probe design, the study examined the effects of sibling-implemented EMT with virtual performance feedback for the siblings without ASD on the siblings' implementation fidelity of EMT and language outcomes and percentage of responses by children with ASD. Generalization with a novel material and maintenance over one week, two weeks, or one month was measured. Social validity questionnaires were completed by the siblings and the caregivers after the intervention. The findings provide implications for family-centered evidence-based practices, particularly through the use of virtual training for family members including the siblings of children with ASD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To examine the production and persistence of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of family clusters with history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). STUDY POPULATION: The study enrolled 57 Italian families over a 6-month period (March 1–September 4, 2020) who met the inclusion criteria, which required that the families had a child or children of pediatric age (<15 years old) and had at least 1 immediate family member with a history of COVID-19. METHODS: Families were enrolled 4 to 8 weeks after the end of isolation or hospitalization. They underwent clinical evaluation, and blood samples were collected from confirmed COVID-19 cases. Confirmed cases were defined as having a history of positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) or having a positive serologic test (chemiluminescence immunoassay or plaque reduction neutralizing test). Data regarding the date of infection, severity of illness, and age at the time of illness were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: During this study, 57 family clusters were evaluated. Of these, 209 recruited subjects underwent serological assessment. In total, 152 confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified, with 70 children or older siblings and 82 parents making up these confirmed cases. The median age for the group of children and older siblings was 8 years old, and the median age for the parent cohort was 42 years old. Neutralizing antibodies persisted up to 7 to 8 months from infection with only a modest decline over time. Neutralizing antibodies inversely correlated with age with children <6 years old (particularly toddlers <3 years old) showing the highest levels. Mildly affected children (<6 years old) showed increasing levels of neutralizing antibodies over the study time (236 days from time of infection). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a longitudinal evaluation of neutralizing antibody production and duration in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients from familial clusters. Of the participants in this study, younger children developed higher levels of neutralizing antibody compared with older siblings or adults.
ABSTRACT
In this article, Turkish mothers' perspectives on sibling relationships are described and analyzed on the basis of 15 qualitative interviews. It is surprising that sibling relationships have received little attention in cultural psychological or sociological research for decades, while other social relationships—such as parent–child relationships, (marital) partner relationships, peer relationships, or hierarchical relationships (e.g., superior–subordinate)—were often studied. The two main goals of the present study are first, to examine Turkish mothers' ethnotheories of sibling relationships between their own offspring and second, to analyze these parental ethnotheories through the lenses of the cultural psychological and sociological concepts of collectivism/individualism and interdependent/independent self-concepts. The interview data for this empirical study was derived from a larger project which focuses on parental ethnotheories more broadly. Problem-centered interview method was used. Eleven of the interviews took place via a digital platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while four of the interviews were conducted face-to-face just before pandemic's onset. The Turkish mothers interviewed were from Istanbul and Sinop, a small Turkish city on the coast of the Black Sea. The data was interpreted using the documentary method and relational hermeneutical analysis. The article examines and discusses three topics of sibling relationships, namely hierarchical/equal sibling roles based on birth order, solidarity/sharing, and conflict. We show that all of the mothers interviewed place a high value on connectedness between siblings. With regard to the hierarchical or egalitarian distribution of roles, some of the interviewees differ. [ FROM AUTHOR]
ABSTRACT
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)
ABSTRACT
This article discusses the COVID-19 crisis's impact on inappropriate and abusive sexual behavior among siblings (IASBAS) and how perceptions of this phenomenon affect construction of the post-crisis reality in Israel. Sibling sexual abuse, the most frequent type of sexual assault against children, does not occur in a vacuum; it is affected by the environment in which children live and develop. The pandemic created situational risk factors and a "germination substrate" for risk of abuse in "normative" families and escalation in families in which it had previously occurred. The first part of the article, based on research data and reports, reviews the objective reality that emerged in Israel and worldwide due to the pandemic. Part two describes situational risk factors converging to a new dangerous situation for children's abuse and victimization that resulted from this crisis: domestic violence (direct, indirect, and sexual), at-risk children returning and staying at home, increased exposure to online sexual content, parental dysfunction, and lack of formal and informal support sources. These risk factors are mutually reinforcing, thus exacerbating the risk of sexual assault among siblings. Part three describes the etiology characterizing the complex phenomenon of IASBAS. Part four discusses the significance of the risk factors at various stages and conditions for its development, identification, prevention or preventing escalation, and providing professional support, all of which affect the post-crisis reality. Part five offers recommendations for prevention, detection, and intervention that help deal with the reality "the day after."
ABSTRACT
There is a consensus that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) fall short of the recommended 60-minute daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and some experience motor delays and abnormalities. Yet ASD interventions focusing on addressing these challenges are insufficient in the existing literature. Research evidence supports the effectiveness of neurotypical (NT) sibling involvement in ASD intervention, therefore, using NT siblings as intervention agents to promote PA and motor skills in their sister/brother with ASD may be a viable option. The three studies within this dissertation were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic when free and unstructured physical activity (PA) was suggested to be achieved by playing with siblings. This dissertation's first investigation was a qualitative study investigating the perceptions of NT siblings and caregivers on prospective sibling-guided motor intervention in children with ASD. The principal investigator also gathered information that ball games, in-person format, once or twice per week frequency, weekend days, and 30-minute session duration were most preferred. Prior to designing and implementing the PA intervention, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 18 parent-ASD-NT triads (54 participants) to understand PA, parental perceived motor competence, and PA-related family dynamics in children with ASD during COVID-19. The findings from the PA questionnaire revealed that children with ASD spent a significantly greater amount of time in sedentary behaviors (mean = 2379.06 mins;SD = 1480.10) during an entire week than in leisure time activities (mean = 316.88 mins;SD = 301.48) and sports activities (mean = 183.00 mins;SD = 153.94). Also, parents perceived their children's competence on most skills listed in the parental proxy of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence (PMSC-parent) as not too good or sort of good. In addition, it was indicated that NT siblings' self-efficacy in supporting children with ASD was lower than that of parents. By incorporating the findings from the first two studies, the third study within this dissertation provided an online family-implemented PA intervention for children with ASD to promote the variables that were measured in the cross-sectional study. The intervention used a randomized control trial with three intervention conditions: (a) Group A: PA intervention carried out by both a parent and a NT sibling, (b) Group B: PA intervention delivered by a parent only, and (c) Group C: control condition with only sedentary activities provided, rather than PA intervention. Among families who completed more than 60% of the intervention, significant differences were found in scores of object control skills [F (1,6) = 17.163, p = 0.006, etap2 = 0.741], fundamental motor skills [F (1,6) = 7.385, p = 0.035, etap2 = 0.552], and PMSC-parent total scores [F (1,6) = 6.914, p = 0.039, etap2 = 0.535] over time across the three groups [F (2,6) = 6.838, p = 0.028, etap2= 0.695], [F (2,6) = 13.507, p = 0.006, etap2 = 0.818], and [F (2,6) = 6.844, p = 0.028, etap2 = 0.695], with Group A showed more significant improvements. In addition, a significant within-group difference was found in parent-ASD interaction across time [F (1,6) = 6.964, p = 0.039, etap2 = 0.537]. Lastly, a process evaluation was conducted to examine the reach, dose, fidelity, and participant enjoyment. Results from this dissertation inform the design of future sibling-guided motor and PA interventions for children with ASD and encourage researchers to provide quality and enjoyable motor, PA intervention, and play-based services in an online format at the family level. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a psychological burden worldwide, especially for individuals with eating disorders (EDs). In addition, the healthy sisters of patients with EDs are known to present specific psychological vulnerabilities. This study evaluates differences between the general population, patients with EDs, and their healthy sisters. METHOD: A group of 233 participants (91 patients with EDs, 57 of their healthy sisters and 85 community women) was enrolled in an online survey on general and specific psychopathology 1 year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey examined associations between posttraumatic symptoms and depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, and eating-related concerns. RESULTS: Clinically relevant scores for posttraumatic disorders were found in patients with EDs. Healthy sisters scored similarly to patients for avoidance. Regression analysis showed specific associations between interpersonal sensitivity and posttraumatic symptomatology in patients and healthy sisters, but not in community women. CONCLUSION: The psychological burden in patients with EDs is clinically relevant and linked to interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsiveness, and global symptom severity. Differences between patients, healthy sisters, and community women are discussed regarding vulnerability factors for EDs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.
ABSTRACT
Having had financial management courses gave me the tools to work with his lawyer to prepare a "Durable Power of Attorney" (POA) document;speak with his accountant to determine what to do and how to submit his taxes with me signing;to distribute copies of the POA to those requiring such a document so I could discuss medical issues and accounts (telephone, television) on his behalf;and to discuss short- and longterm care policies, making sure they were up-to-date and that I understood how claims could be filed on his behalf. Because of the need of the car hauler at my brother's (western side of state) and the fact our daughter and her husband live on the eastern side of Washington (state), we loaded up the car hauler with the furniture, etc. knowing we would make an extra stop to deliver items to her. Before leaving Arkansas, the Executive Director of the facility was called and an apartment was assigned. Because my brother was coming from Washington, a 2-week quarantine period in our home was requested before he could move into the facility and, again, after the move-in. * Tote bag items to carry in truck at all times: [...]I gathered all phone numbers for doctor, accountant, lawyer, insurance agent, neighbors;hours of operation for the nearest grocery store to my brother;local post office hours (had to submit permanent address change);checkbooks from which bills are paid;UPS office (had to terminate television account and return cable box);real
ABSTRACT
Before COVID-19, the Sibling Support Program: A Family-Centered Mental Health Initiative (SSP) provided a training opportunity for mental health trainees to facilitate support groups for siblings of youth with psychiatric needs with the goal of reducing trauma and building resiliency among siblings. As part of the SSP, caregivers also joined psychoeducational groups led by parent mentors with the goal of increasing parental competency and confidence. The SSP groups were offered in-person for these family members at partnering hospitals and clinics in Massachusetts. With the arrival of COVID-19, the SSP director reconfigured the program as an online offering for trainees and family members using Zoom and Google Meet. Specific aspects of training were adapted to meet the trainees' needs, including a new and virtual orientation tool, as well as a "debrief" style of supervision that was accessed online. Trainees demonstrated flexibility and creativity in their approach to facilitating sibling support groups on virtual platforms and learned that family communication, privacy issues, program accessibility, and participant geographics all impact the group experience. At a time when it is unsafe to meet in person, virtual support groups provide valuable learning opportunities for mental health trainees and critical assistance for families of youth struggling with mental health issues.
ABSTRACT
When examined in terms of chronic urticaria, no pathological findings and results were found except the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody (Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Antibody, Roche Diagnostic, Mannheim, Germany) which was tested to confirm the retrospective suspicion of COVID and the result was found >250 lU/mL. Besides increased immune activity due to this ongoing antigenic stimulus of SARS-CoV-2 rather than disease itself may lead to continuation of the symptoms. [...]our analysis showed no active risk of acute COVID infection. [...]we think that the follow-up period for patients that still get tested PCR positive even after an elongated acute COVID infection should be reevaluated as recommended by some other researchers (4).
ABSTRACT
The estimated 5.4 million children in the United States providing unpaid care, support, and assistance to their family members and other individuals are called "youth caregivers." Before the COVID-19 pandemic, youth caregivers existed on the fringes of American society, without recognition in state or federal policy. They experience higher levels of social isolation, depression, anxiety, and absenteeism from school in comparison to their non-caregiving peers. The pandemic has only served to widened the disparities they face. This article presents recommendations for research, policy, and practice to build a more equitable "Post-COVID-19" society for youth caregivers.