Early identification of youth with problematic sexual behavior: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Early intervention efforts designed for youth with problematic sexual behavior (PSB) have strong promise. Prompt identification of youth with PSB is critical to ensuring early intervention and effective response. OBJECTIVE: The current study explored the complexities of how PSB of youth is identified in the community. SETTING: A qualitative semi-structured interview approach was utilized to explore the perceptions and experiences of community members involved in cases of youth with PSB. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 100 community members from eight geographically diverse locations in the United States. METHOD: Themes involving identification of PSB were classified by qualitative analyses, beginning with thematic analysis followed by focused coding. RESULTS: Results indicated multiple pathways for the identification of youth with PSB involving a variety of professionals and agencies. Victim disclosure and witnessing the PSB were the most common identification pathways, with caregivers and school personnel the most common initial identifiers. Once identified, cases were reported to child welfare, law enforcement, and/or behavioral health agencies. Complications due to unclear response pathways and fears held by caregivers were notable. CONCLUSIONS: Developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed policies and procedures for the identification of and response to PSB in youth within and across professions would facilitate a public health response to for prevention and early responses to PSB of youth.

A qualitative investigation of policy for youth with problematic sexual behavior.

AIMS: Community management of youth with problematic sexual behavior (PSB) is complex. Public policies and service practices have historically utilized adult-focused approaches with limited research outcomes. This descriptive case study aimed to address this gap by documenting current PSB policies and policy reforms for community-based management systems. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews with 219 professionals from eight urban and rural communities throughout the United States served as the primary data source for the study. The three-stage Framework Method was used to guide the data analysis process. RESULTS: This study covered three areas: context of policy development, attitudes, and perceptions of policy for youth with PSB, and existing policy and policy reform initiatives. CONCLUSION: Findings support benefits of collaborative multidisciplinary teams that cross agency policies and procedures on management of cases involving youth with PSB. Implications for practitioners, policymakers, and community members are discussed.

The Relationship Between Pediatric Residents' Experiences Being Parented and Their Provision of Parenting Advice.

Background: Factors surrounding pediatricians' parenting advice and training on parenting during residency have not been well studied. The Resident Parenting Questionnaire (RPQ) was developed to assess (a) the relationship between pediatric residents' upbringing and their parenting advice style and (b) factors associated with confidence and resource use when delivering parenting advice. Methods: Three hundred and one pediatric residents from 15 United States residency programs completed the RPQ with upbringing and advice responses categorized using Baumrind's parenting model (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive). Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, Bowker's test of symmetry, and regression analyses assessed associations between residents' upbringing, parenting advice style/content, and confidence in providing parenting advice. Results: Most participants indicated being raised authoritatively (68%) and giving authoritative parenting advice (83%), but advice differed based on how they perceived their upbringing (p < 0.001). Residents noting authoritative upbringing were more likely to give authoritative advice (85%) while others tended to give advice differing from upbringing (e.g., those perceiving authoritarian upbringing were more likely to give authoritative/permissive). Analyses suggest resident race, acculturation, future plans, and resident level are associated with parenting advice type. Confidence in giving parenting advice decreased significantly as patient age increased and increased with resident level advancement. Residents reported consulting attending physicians for parenting advice guidance more than any other evidence-based resources. Conclusion: Most pediatric residents appear to be aware of appropriate authoritative parenting advice regardless of upbringing, especially as they advance through residency. Residents may benefit from opportunities to reflect upon their upbringing, particularly if raised in authoritarian or permissive styles. Targeted training of residents on evidence-based parenting strategies, particularly for older pediatric patients, appears warranted.

Comprehensive Psychometric Analysis of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Many assessment measures have only been validated for one specific diagnostic population, which is costly and reduces the clinical utility of assessments. The Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) is one popular measure designed to assess disruptive behavior problems in youth. The ECBI has sound psychometric properties in typically developing youth, but the factor structure has never been examined in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, the current study conducted a comprehensive psychometric analysis of the ECBI in children with ASD. Retrospective data from a nationally representative sample was collected from 335 children with ASD ages 2-12 years old. A four factor solution was identified for this sample. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.