Socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents in Asia Pacific countries during COVID-19: Focus on disadvantaged populations.

BACKGROUND: Mobility restrictions and economic downfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of child maltreatment, including increased risk for violent discipline use by parents. OBJECTIVE: We examined the socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents against children in Asia Pacific countries. PARTICIPANTS & SETTINGS: This secondary data analysis included 7765 parents with children 6-18 years old in eight Asia Pacific countries. METHODS: 24 potential determinants were identified, including household demographic factors, parents' psychosocial status, and livelihood changes. The dependent variable was parental use of violent discipline (physical, severe physical, psycho-social aggression, and any violent discipline). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 41 % of households reported violent discipline. Parental demographic characteristics that were positively related to use of violent discipline were living in rural areas, not being a household head, female sex, age younger than 35 years, and large family size. Poor parental mental health status, loss of job or reduced income due to COVID-19, lack of food at household level, parent engagement in petty trade, and owning a business also predicted violent discipline. Mandatory curfew and receiving pandemic-related education materials were also positive predictors. CONCLUSION: Some socio-demographic factors, economic hardship due to COVID-19, and poor mental health status of parents are associated with the use of violent discipline against children in the Asia Pacific region. These results highlight several potential target areas for child protection interventions by governmental and non-profit organizations, including economic, social, and mental health interventions.

Gender differences in psychosocial status of adolescents during COVID-19: a six-country cross-sectional survey in Asia Pacific.

BACKGROUND: School closures and family economic instability caused by the COVID-19 lockdown measures have threatened the mental health and academic progress of adolescents. Through secondary data analysis of World Vision Asia Pacific Region's COVID-19 response-assessments in May-June 2020, this study examined whether adolescents' study, physical, and leisure activities, psychosocial status, and sources of COVID-19 information differed by gender. METHODS: The assessments used cross-sectional surveys of adolescents in poor communities served by World Vision (n = 5552 males and n = 6680 females) aged 10-18 years old in six countries. The study households of adolescents were selected either by random sampling or non-probability convenience sampling and assessed using telephone or in-person interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between gender and psychosocial status; daily activities (e.g., play, study); and sources of information about COVID-19. RESULTS: Participation in remote education was low (range: 0.5-20.7% across countries), with gender difference found only in Vietnam. Compared to males, female adolescents were less likely to play physically with a range of AOR: 0.36-0.55 (n = 5 countries) or play video games with a range of AOR: 0.55-0.72 (n = 2 countries). Female adolescents were more likely to feel isolated or stressed (India, AOR = 1.13, 95%CI:1.00, 1.26); feel unsafe (the Philippines, AOR = 2.22, 95%CI:1.14, 4.33; Vietnam, AOR = 1.31, 95%CI:1.03, 1.47); be concerned about education (India, AOR = 1.24, 95%CI:1.09, 1.41; Myanmar, AOR = 1.59, 95%CI:1.05, 2.40); or be concerned about household income (India, AOR = 1.13, 95%CI:1.00, 1.28; Vietnam, AOR = 1.31, 95%CI:1.09, 1.58). Female adolescents were also less likely to obtain COVID-19 related information through internet/social media (Bangladesh, AOR = 0.51, 95%CI:0.41, 0.64; India, AOR = 0.84, 95%CI:0.73, 0.96; and Myanmar, AOR = 0.65, 95%CI:0.43, 0.97) and mobile call or short message (India, AOR = 0.88, 95%CI:0.80, 0.98) but more likely to get the information from friends (Vietnam, AOR = 1.18, 95%CI:1.02, 1.36) and family (Bangladesh, AOR = 1.44, 95% CI:1.21, 1.70; India, AOR = 1.29, 95% CI:1.15, 1.45). CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of gender differences in the impacts of COVID-19 on adolescents' schooling, physical, and mental health can inform adolescent protection interventions. Psychosocial support during response and recovery phases needs to pay special attention to gender differences, since female adolescents' psychosocial status is at higher risk when facing the challenges of this pandemic.

Differences in the early impact of COVID-19 on food security and livelihoods in rural and urban areas in the Asia Pacific Region.

Lockdowns due to COVID-19 in early 2020 had health, economic, and social consequences globally. Using survey data collected as part of a rapid assessment among non-governmental organization- (NGO) supported communities in six Asia Pacific countries (n = 13,522), this study examined if the early impacts of COVID-19 on job loss or reduced income, food expenditure, food availability at households and markets, and affordability of essential items, differed between rural and urban areas. Job loss or reduced income was higher in urban areas than in rural areas in India (91.2% vs. 82.5%), Myanmar (72.0% vs. 48.6%), and Vietnam (76.5% vs. 44.9%). While there was a significant decline in food expenditure in all six countries, there were significantly larger reductions in food expenditures in urban areas versus rural areas in India (35.2% vs. 24.0%), Myanmar (30.8% vs. 8.5%), and Vietnam (31.0% vs. 2.3%). Food stocks were less available in urban areas than in rural areas in Bangladesh (18.8% vs. 37.8%), India (91.5% vs.76.0%), and Myanmar (72.0% vs. 59.0%). Foods and essential items were largely available at markets, without significant differences between rural and urban areas, except in Vietnam. Full affordability was only 20%-30% for most items, with a trend of higher affordability of some items in urban areas than in rural areas. Recommendations to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 include promoting urban agriculture with efficient food distribution and cash support and supporting small-holder farmers for procurement and adequate functioning of the supply chain system in the region.