Academic Performance in Institutionalized and Noninstitutionalized Children: The Role of Cognitive Ability and Negative Lability.

More research is needed to understand the factors that contribute to low academic achievement in institutionalized children. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive and emotion regulation skills and academic performance, by comparing institutionalized and noninstitutionalized Portuguese children. The sample comprised 94 participants (46 institutionalized (22 boys) and 48 noninstitutionalized (23 boys) children), aged between 6 and 10 years, matched for age and sex. We used Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) to measure cognitive abilities. Emotional regulation and negative lability were assessed using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERC). Academic performance was assessed with the Competence Academic Scale (CAS) of the Portuguese version of the Social Skills Rating System-Teacher Form (SSRS-T). Institutionalized children exhibited poorer academic performance than their noninstitutionalized counterparts (effect size, η2 = 0.174). Cognitive ability (ß = 0.28) and negative lability (ß = -0.28) were significant predictors of academic performance. In addition to institutionalization, cognitive ability, and the challenges of managing negative emotions may contribute to the observed differences in academic performance. Interventions aimed at fostering cognitive and emotional competencies may play a protective role for institutionalized children facing academic and social difficulties.

Using Dancesport as an Educational Resource for Improving Institutionalized Children's Learning Strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Specialized studies mention that extracurricular activities (including dance) contribute to the stimulation of multiple intelligences, on whose development the educational process and academic success depend. The aims of the study were to investigate the benefits of dancesport for the development of institutionalized children's learning strategies, and to examine gender-dependent differences in learning strategies, as well as to formulate possible recommendations regarding the practice of dance at the age of preadolescence, from the perspective of school success vectors. METHODS: Through the School Motivation and Learning Strategies Inventory (SMALSI), we could observe the changes produced in children from the initial phase to the final assessment at the end of a dancesport program. The intervention took place over a period of six months with a frequency of two lessons per week, with each lesson lasting 60 min, and aimed to increase school motivation and performance, considering the learning strategies used by institutionalized children. Thirty institutionalized children, aged 11-12 years old, participated in the research, during which they did not engage in other extracurricular physical activities. The preadolescents were assessed using the School Motivation and Learning Strategies Inventory (SMALSI). This self-report rating scale measures nine areas associated with learning strategies, six of which focus on student strengths (study strategies, note-taking/listening skills, reading/comprehension strategies, writing/research skills, test-taking strategies, and time management/organization techniques), and three are aimed at student liabilities (low academic motivation, test anxiety, and concentration/attention difficulties). RESULTS: The results show that the biggest improvements in the case of institutionalized children were recorded for study strategies, effectiveness of test-taking strategies, and concentration difficulties. Girls registered significantly better results than boys only in the case of study strategies and for writing/research skills (Mann-Whitney test was used). DISCUSSION: The study demonstrates the benefits of dancesport practice for the development of institutionalized children's learning strategies, creating a foundation for the improvement of their academic performance and school integration. CONCLUSIONS: At the end of the dance program, significant improvements in academic interest were observed due to the testing strategies used. Better results were also obtained for the scales of anxiety and difficulty concentrating during tests, where average scores decreased significantly.

The Relationship Between Temperament Characteristics and Emotion Regulation Abilities in Institutionalized and Noninstitutionalized Children.

This study examined the role of institutionalization and temperament dimensions on emotion regulation and negative lability in school-aged (6-10 years) children. Participants were 46 institutionalized (22 boys; 24 girls) and 48 noninstitutionalized children (23 boys; 25 girls), matched in age and sex. Emotion regulation and negative lability were assessed with the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC). The School-Age Temperament Inventory (SATI) was used to measure temperament dimensions. No significant between-group differences emerged in temperament dimensions, emotion regulation and negative lability. After controlling for institutionalization status, results indicated that (a) approach/withdrawal (sociability) and persistence positively predicted emotion regulation, (b) negative reactivity positively predicted negative lability, and (c) persistence negatively predicted negative lability. Institutionalization did not predict emotion regulation or negative lability. The protective role that specific temperament characteristics, such as persistence and approach/withdrawal (sociability), may have for at risk populations (e.g., institutionalized) and typically developing (e.g., noninstitutionalized) children is highlighted.

A Comprehensive Multilevel Analysis of the Bucharest Early Intervention Project: Causal Effects on Recovery From Early Severe Deprivation.

OBJECTIVE: The Bucharest Early Intervention Project is the first randomized controlled trial of foster care as an alternative to institutional care. The authors synthesized data from nearly 20 years of assessments of the trial to determine the overall intervention effect size across time points and developmental domains. The goal was to quantify the overall effect of the foster care intervention on children's outcomes and examine sources of variation in this effect, including domain, age, and sex assigned at birth. METHODS: An intent-to-treat approach was used to examine the causal effects of the randomized controlled trial for 136 children residing in institutions in Bucharest, Romania (baseline age, 6-31 months) who were randomly assigned to either foster care (N=68) or care as usual (N=68). At ages 30, 42, and 54 months and 8, 12, and 16-18 years, children were assessed for IQ, physical growth, brain electrical activity (EEG), and symptoms of five types of psychopathology. RESULTS: Participants provided 7,088 observations across follow-up waves. Children assigned to foster care had better cognitive and physical outcomes and less severe psychopathology than did those who received care as usual. The magnitude of these effect sizes remained stable across development. The foster care intervention most influenced IQ and disorders of attachment/social relatedness. CONCLUSIONS: Young children benefit from placement in families after institutional care. The benefits of foster care for previously institutionalized children were remarkably stable across development.

Attachment and alexithymia predict emotional-behavioural problems of institutionalized, late-adopted and community adolescents: An explorative multi-informant mixed-method study.

OBJECTIVE: Compared to community adolescents (COM), adolescents placed in residential care (RC) or late adopted (LA) appear to show more emotional-behavioural problems. They also appear vulnerable in variables linked to emotional-behavioural problems, such as insecure-disorganized attachment and alexithymia. This study employs a mixed-method multi-informant approach to (1) compare adolescents placed in RC, LA and COM in emotional-behavioural problems, attachment and alexithymia and (2) investigate relationships and interplay of attachment and alexithymia concerning emotional-behavioural problems in these three groups. METHOD: Participants were 174 adolescents (50 RC, 33 LA and 91 COM; Mage = 15, 53% boys and 47% girls). Adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed through both caregiver-reported and self-reported questionnaires, while attachment and alexithymia were assessed with a mixed method, using interviews and self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: The results showed RC adolescents as more vulnerable in all variables, while LA and COM did not differ. Accounting for the group, attachment and alexithymia cumulatively predicted 25-43% of internalizing problems, and 19-43% of externalizing problems depending on the method of assessment or problems' informant (all p < 0.01). Alexithymia was both an independent predictor and interacted with preoccupied attachment in predicting internalizing problems, while no predictors were isolated for externalizing ones, and the group never indicate an effect on problems' rates. CONCLUSIONS: The authors discuss the utility to maintain a research focus on attachment and alexithymia, also suggesting future directions of research. A need to determine potential distortions of results because of problems' informant and method of assessment is also highlighted.

Condições de saúde e perfil epidemiológico de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados: estudo transversal retrospectivo / Health conditions and epidemiological profile of institutionalized children and adolescents: retrospective cross-sectional study

Introdução: A população infantil é frequentemente vítima de maus tratos, violências e negligências por parte dos familiares, o que ameaça sua integridade física e emocional, remanescendo a alternativa de acolhimento em instituições de abrigo infantil com a finalidade de proteção e cuidado. Objetivo: Analisar as condições de saúde e o perfil epidemiológico da população infantil institucionalizada. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e retrospectivo, realizado a partir da coleta de dados de prontuários e outros documentos das crianças e adolescentes acolhidos em uma instituição de abrigo infantil do município de Governador Valadares, Brasil, no período entre janeiro de 2016 e dezembro de 2019. Resultados: Durante este período, foram abrigados 105 crianças e adolescentes, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino, com até 4 anos de idade e sem condição de saúde diagnosticada. Para a maioria dos acolhidos não havia informações sobre a história gestacional, dados do nascimento, vacinação e frequência na escola. O uso de álcool e/ou drogas pelos pais, negligência, abandono e violência foram os motivos mais frequentes da institucionalização. Grande parte das crianças e adolescentes permaneceu em acolhimento por até um ano, possuía irmãos também abrigados e foi reintegrada à família ou adotada por familiares. Conclusão: Os resultados do presente estudo poderão contribuir para subsidiar a implantação de políticas públicas que minimizem a vulnerabilidade social, evitando o acolhimento institucional e seus impactos negativos sobre o desenvolvimento infantil.

Introduction: The child population is often the victim of mistreatment, violence, and neglect on the part of family members, which threatens their physical and emotional integrity, remaining the alternative of shelter in child institutions for protection and care. Objective: To analyze the health conditions and the epidemiological profile of the institutionalized child population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study, based on the collection of data from medical records and other documents of children and adolescents admitted to a children's shelter institution in the municipality of Governador Valadares, Brazil, between January 2016 and December 2019. Results: During this period, 105 children and adolescents were sheltered, most of them female, aged up to 4 years old and with no diagnosed health condition. For the majority of sheltered there was no information about the gestacional history, birth data, vaccination e school attendance. The use of alcohol and/or drugs by parents, negligence, abandonment and violence were the most frequent reasons for institutionalization. Most of the children and adolescents remained in children's shelter institution for up to a year, had siblings who were also sheltered and were reintegrated into the family or adopted by relatives. Conclusions: The results of this study may contribute to support the implementation of public policies that minimize social vulnerability, avoiding institutional care and its negative impacts on child development.

Crisis de reparación: brechas y gestión del cuidado en niños, niñas y adolescentes institucionalizados(as) / Reparation crisis: gaps and care management in institutionalized children and adolescents

INTRODUCCIÓN: La institucionalización de niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA) es una medida frecuente en el país, pese a que la evidencia es contundente en señalar las graves consecuencias a nivel global en NNA bajo este régimen de cuidado, destacando el rezago en el desarrollo y problemas de salud mental. En este escenario, los enfermeros(as) de los equipos de Salud Mental comunitaria participan en su tratamiento y rehabilitación. OBJETIVO: Develar la gestión del cuidado en el trabajo con NNA pertenecientes a residencias Mejor Niñez, adscritos a Centros de Salud Mental, con enfoque comunitario. METODOLOGÍA: Se trabaja bajo el paradigma cualitativo, con análisis de contenido, en una población de enfermeros(as) adscritos a centros de Salud Mental, seleccionados por muestreo deliberado. Investigación autorizada por el Comité Ético-Científico de Valdivia (Chile). RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron dos metacategorías: La gestión del cuidado de enfermeros(as) de Salud Mental en NNA institucionalizados(as), que engloba el actuar de enfermería según las realidades locales, y las brechas y nodos de las residencias Mejor Niñez: Crisis de reparación, que incluye narrativas de dilemas éticos y de coordinación. CONCLUSIONES: Existen falencias respecto del bienestar y seguridad de los niños(as) institucionalizados(as), lo cual puede generar consecuencias nocivas en el proceso de reparación. Se sugiere la incorporación de enfermeros(as) al staff de hogares institucionales, así como el empleo de protocolos de acción para el abordaje de enfermería en salud mental dirigido a esta población.

INTRODUCTION: Institutionalization of children and adolescents (NNA) is a frequent measure in the country, though the evidence is conclusive identifying the serious consequences at a general level in children and adolescents under this care regime, especially in evelopmental problems and terms of mental health conditions. In this scenario, nurses from community mental health teams participate in the treatment and rehabilitation of these users. The purpose is to generate knowledge about care management and the challenges related to this context. METHODOLOGY: The population consisted of nurses from Mental Health centers in the South of Chile, selected by means of a non-probabilistic deliberate sampling and snowball technique. This research was authorized by the Valdivia's Ethical-Scientific Committee(Chile). RESULTS: Two meta-categories were obtained: The care management of Mental Health nurses for institutionalized children and adolescents, which includes nursing actions according to the realities of each locality; and the second meta-category is called "Mejor Niñez" residencies Gaps and nodes: Crisis of reparation, which includes accounts of ethical and coordination dilemmas. CONCLUSIONES: There are still flaws regarding the safety and well-being of institutionalized children, which may generate harmful consequences in the reparation process. The incorporation of nurses to the staff of institutional homes is suggested, as well as the use of action protocols for the mental healthnursingapproach aimed at this population.

Adverse and traumatic exposures, posttraumatic stress disorder, telomere length, and hair cortisol - Exploring associations in a high-risk sample of young adult residential care leavers.

Background: Childhood adversities (CAs), potentially traumatic exposures (PTEs), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to increase the risk for poor health outcomes, including diseases of aging and early mortality. Telomere length (TL) and hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) are biomarkers known to be associated with CA and PTEs, and PTSD, but there is considerable heterogeneity in findings. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association of CAs, PTEs, and PTSD with TL and HCC in a high-risk sample of young adults who were previously placed in youth residential care institutions throughout Switzerland. Method: Our sample includes 130 participants (30.8% women, M Age = 26.5 ± 3.7 years) with previous youth residential care placements (MPlacements= 3.9). CAs and PTEs, as well as PTSD, were assessed with self-reported questionnaires and semi-structured clinical interviews. Immune cell TL was measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in whole blood. Hair samples were collected for HCC measurement and assayed with high-sensitivity ELISA. Multivariate regression models were fitted to describe the associations between CAs, PTEs, and PTSD with TL and HCC, adjusting for covariates. Results: In our high-risk sample, a higher burden of CAs, PTEs, Criterion A trauma, and PTSD was associated with longer TL. PTEs, Criterion A trauma, and PTSD were associated with lower HCC, however no significant associations between CAs and HCC were found. The magnitude of these effects varied depending on the dimensional or categorical nature of the stress-phenotype and the specific measure used. Conclusions: Our findings are in contrast with many, but not all, previous studies of associations between adversity and both TL and HCC. For instance, our findings are in line with other studies that find a state of hypocortisolism in PTSD. Better measurement of adversities and trauma, multisystem biomarker approaches, and more research in larger high-risk samples at the upper end of the adversity-continuum is warranted.

Neuro Postural Optimization Neuromodulation Treatment of Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer Technology on Stress and Quality of Life in Institutionalized Children in a Capital City of the Brazilian Amazon.

Background The deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry is defined as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and is a common phenomenon among living organisms. This deviation from perfection is thought to reflect the environmental pressures experienced during development and, therefore, the FA represents an epigenetic measure of the environmental stress, which affects all living beings from conception, progressively affecting all aspects of life. Rinaldi and Fontani hypothesized that the FA morpho-functional changes are originated by an adaptive motor behavior determined by functional alterations in the cerebellum and neural circuits, not caused by a lesion, but induced by the experienced environmental stress. They identified in the asymmetric activation of symmetrical muscle groups, detectable even in healthy subjects, the expression of the dysfunctional adaptation state of the subject and named this clinical semeiotic phenomenon functional dysmetria (FD). On these premises, they developed the radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, a neuromodulation technology aimed at optimizing the best neuro-psycho-motor strategies in relation to environmental interaction. Neuro postural optimization (NPO) is a neurobiological stimulation treatment administered with the REAC technology and it has been specifically studied to treat the state of dysfunctional adaptation that is revealed through the presence of FD. Aim The purpose of this study was to verify whether a single administration of the REAC NPO treatment can trigger the improvement of the capacity of stress management and the quality of life in a population of children housed in a group home in Macapá, Brazil. Materials and methods The sample of this study consisted of nine children (six boys and three girls) in the age group of 6-11 years, which represented the totality of the children present in the structure. The children was investigated for the assessment of the presence of functional dysmetria and with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM 4.0 (PedsQL) before and one week after the administration of the REAC NPO. Results The stable disappearance of FD was found in all children at follow-up. In addition, improvements were found in stress management and quality of life, in the physical, emotional, social, and scholastic aspects evaluated with PedsQL. Conclusions It was seen that the REAC NPO neurobiological modulation treatment induced the stable disappearance of FD and triggered the initial improvement of neurophysical aspects also in a population of children housed in a group home in the Amazon region of Macapá, Brazil.

The Assessment of Early Server Childhood Caries Status in Abandoned Institutionalized Children.

Oral health is a critical indicator of children's quality of life, which at this early age, depends exclusively on the attention, involvement, and guidance of parents or caregivers. Assessing carious damage and measuring the prevalence of early severe tooth decay in temporary teeth in children is obtained by calculating the dmft index, giving the sum of an individual's decayed, missing, and filled teeth. The aim of our study was to conduct a clinical examination of the oral status of institutionalized children from Romania. We selected and included in the study 144 children, both boys and girls in equal number, with ages of five or six years old, from which 110 were eligible for the study and met the inclusion criteria. Of all children, 20.90% were five years old girls, 27.27% five years old boys, 26.36% six years old girls, and 25.46% six years old boys. Of all, 10,45% had more than three incisors presenting decays, equally affected by gender. Of the boys' group, 20% of age six had more de two canines affected, and 26.7% of five years old girls had more than three affected canines. Of the five years boys' group, 24.3% had more than three affected temporary molars, 44.9% of six years boys had more than five. Of the five years old girls, 33.3% had more than four temporary molars affected and, 56.6% of the six years old girls' group had more than five molars presenting carious lesions. The dental status and dmft values were similar for five years old and six years old children and similar boys and girls. Due to the vulnerability of young children that consists not only in their inability to identify, express, and address their own needs but also the lack of parental support, lack of an optimal diet for age, and proper hygiene, they reach adolescence with an impaired dental status, inappropriate for their age.

Emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents in a residential care institution in Colombo, Sri Lanka - Implications for service delivery.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that children in residential care institutions (RCI) have higher rates of psychological problems, suicide and criminal behaviour. There is only one study in Sri Lanka which has examined the psychological well-being of children in RCIs. Further evidence is needed to formulate policies related to the mental health of institutionalized children in the local context. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in a selected RCI, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. All children (> 4 years) and adolescents who have been in the institution for more than 3 months were included. The caregiver rated version of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess the extent of emotional and behavioural problems. RESULTS: The sample included 103 children and adolescents, between 5-17years. Majority (51.5%) were females. Mean age at entering care was 6.48 years. The mean score for externalizing problems was 6.72 (SD=3.702) and the mean score for internalizing problems was 4.12 (SD=2.312). Peer problems (23.4 %) and conduct problems (21.5 %) were the commonest problems encountered. Only 40 % of the children having clinically significant levels of problems were in contact with mental health services. CONCLUSION: A quarter of the participants had elevated levels of emotional and behavioural problems. Routine screening programmes should be carried out at regular intervals in the RCI's for early detection of children with psychological problems in institutionalized children.

Multiple facets of attachment in residential-care, late adopted, and community adolescents: an interview-based comparative study.

In this study, 117 adolescents (12-19 years) from three groups (39 each), two groups from adverse caregiving environments as placed in residential-care (RC; i.e. istitutions) or late-adopted (LA; i.e. adopted after 12 months), and one of low-risk community adolescents (COM), were compared for the attachment distribution of categories in the Friends and Family Interview (FFI), and in several attachment-related domains where RC and LA showed difficulties during childhood. Only institutionalized adolescents showed more insecure and disorganized categories than both late-adopted and community peers, who did not differ. In the attachment-related domains, only RCs showed lower coherence, reflective functioning, secure-base/safe-haven parents, social and school competence, adaptive response, and more parental anger and derogation than the other two groups. Late-adoptees only showed higher hostility towards sibling(s) than COM.Therefore, only residential-care adolescents were at "high-risk" in attachment, but the analysis of attachment-related domains helped to detect vulnerabilities in both groups.

Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and autistic trait in institutionalized children with maltreatment experience.

The present study examined how maltreatment experience was associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children under institutional care. The key caregivers of children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years who were under institutional care in Nagano prefecture, Japan were asked to answer the background questionnaire, ADHD-Rating Scale, and the Japanese children's version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. A total of 378 valid responses were obtained, of which 222 reported maltreatment experience prior to institutionalization. Both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive scores were significantly higher in the maltreated group. Maltreatment experience was significantly associated with the presence of hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (p = 0.003) and inattentive symptoms (p = 0.027). Particularly, those who had experienced physical abuse were significantly more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (p = 0.012) and autistic trait (p = 0.002). Thorough assessment of neurodevelopmental symptoms should be performed when placing children with maltreatment experience into institutional care.

Swatantra Clinic: A descriptive study on the specialized child mental health service for children in difficult circumstances at a tertiary care center in India.

In India, children in difficult circumstances, like institutionalized children have higher mental health morbidity and complex psychosocial concerns than the non-institutionalized children. To cater to the complex needs of these children referred by the Juvenile Justice System, a specialized service called 'Swatantra Clinic' was initiated by the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India. This article thereby aims to describe the psychosocial characteristics of these children, along with the array of specialized interventions provided during the first year of its inception in June 2018. It was found that majority of these children were girls and were from lower socio-economic, urban background, primarily referred for externalizing or internalizing concerns. The majority of them reported experiences of physical and verbal abuse along with family stressors and almost half of them had a diagnosable psychiatric condition. The nature of the psychosocial services rendered at the clinic mostly comprised of brief, individual and family counseling along with liaison work with various governmental agencies for rehabilitation services. These form the key components of a comprehensive, collaborative, time-bound and holistic care model to cater to the distinct psychosocial issues of this vulnerable population of children in low - middle resource settings. Policy implications are discussed.

[Rolf Hassler: from leucotomy to stereotaxy]. / Rolf Hassler: von der Leukotomie zur Stereotaxie.

Rolf Hassler is one of the most renowned German specialists in psychiatry, neurology and neuroanatomy. Hassler's career exemplifies medicine as scientific endeavor. Relaying on an expertise in neuroanatomy gained at Oscar and Cecile Vogt's Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, especially regarding the structure of the thalamus, Hassler enabled Freiburg University's neurosurgery clinic the invention of stereotactic "stepped leucotomy" and established thalamotomy internationally in a leading way. While directing the Neuroanatomical/Neurobiological department of the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research from 1959 until 1982, Hassler continued to study the effects of stimulation and targeted subcortical electrocoagulation in the cat brain. The Freiburg trained neurosurgeon Gert Dieckmann helped Hassler to apply the newly gained knowledge for the stereotactic therapy of torticollis, tics and obsessions and compulsions. The use however of thalamotomy also as a surgical therapy for aggressiveness in children, mainly during the late 1960s and early 1970s, is starting to provoke public criticism. Contrary however to the accusation of a medicine shaped by Nazi ideology into a "science without humanity", Hasslers career reveals a problematic intrinsic to medicine: the together of "art of healing and science".

Habilidades sociais e acadêmicas de crianças e adolescentes em instituições de acolhimento / Social and academic skills of sheltered children and teenagers / Habilidades sociales y escolares de niños y adolescentes en instituciones de acogida

Considerando que habilidades sociais (HS) podem ser preditoras de bom desempenho escolar e que crianças e adolescentes com longo tempo de permanência em instituições tendem a apresentar dificuldades escolares, buscou-se, no presente estudo, comparar HS, problemas de comportamento e desempenho escolar entre crianças/adolescentes com e sem histórico de acolhimento institucional. Participaram do estudo 36 crianças/adolescentes divididas em dois grupos: G1, composto por 18 crianças/adolescentes de três instituições de acolhimento do interior do estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, e G2, composto por 18 crianças/adolescentes sem histórico de acolhimento e do mesmo contexto escolar; além de seus respectivos docentes. Todos os estudantes responderam a inventários de HS, conforme a idade e ao Teste de Desempenho Escolar (TDE). Os professores responderam a duas escalas: uma de HS e uma de problemas comportamentais. Para o G1, maiores índices de habilidades sociais foram correlacionados a bom desempenho em leitura e problemas de comportamento foram correlacionados a índices mais baixos nos escores totais do TDE. Para o G2, maiores índices de habilidades sociais correlacionaram-se a melhor desempenho em matemática no TDE. Os participantes do G2 perceberam-se mais habilidosos que os do G1, apesar de os professores terem percebido as habilidades sociais de ambos os grupos como semelhantes. Em relação aos problemas de comportamento, os professores indicaram diferenças significativas, com maiores índices para o G1. Os dados sugerem intervenções junto aos professores para que possam reforçar comportamentos habilidosos de seus alunos, favorecer o autoconceito e o desempenho escolar.

Considering that social skills (SS) may be predictors of good school performance and that children and adolescents institutionalized for a long time tend to present school difficulties, this study sought to compare SS, behavioral problems, and school performance in children/teenagers with and without institutional sheltering experiences. The study sample consisted of teachers and 36 children/teenagers that were divided into two groups: G1, which included 18 children and teens from three shelters in the countryside of Mato Grosso do Sul; and G2, including 18 children and teens without history of institutional sheltering and from the same school context as G1. All students answered social skills inventories according to their age and the School Performance Test (SPT). Teachers answered two scales: one for SS and one for behavioral problems. In G1, higher social skills scores were associated with good reading performances whereas behavioral problems were associated with lower total scores in the SPT. In G2, higher social skills scores were associated with better performance in SPT mathematics test. Although teachers reported similar social skills in both groups, G2 participants perceived themselves as more skilled than G1 participants. In turn, teachers assigned higher scores for behavioral problems in G1, significantly different than those found for G2. These findings indicate the need for interventions implemented with the help of teachers to reinforce skilled behaviors in their pupils, favoring self-esteem and school performance.

Las habilidades sociales (HS) pueden ser predictoras de un buen rendimiento escolar. Considerando los indicativos de dificultades escolares de niños y adolescentes con largo tiempo de permanencia en instituciones de acogida, el presente estudio pretende comparar las habilidades sociales, los problemas de conducta y el rendimiento escolar entre niños/adolescentes con y sin histórico de acogida institucional. En el estudio, participaron 36 niños/adolescentes que fueron divididos en dos grupos: G1 - que consta de 18 niños/adolescentes de tres instituciones de acogida de la zona rural de estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (Brasil); y G2 - que se compone de 18 niños/adolescentes sin histórico de acogida y del mismo contexto escolar; además de sus respectivos maestros. Los participantes del G1 y del G2 respondieron a inventarios de habilidades sociales según la edad y al Test de Rendimiento Escolar (TRE). Los profesores respondieron a dos escalas: la de HS y la de problemas de conducta. Para el G1, los más altos índices de habilidades sociales se correlacionaron a un buen rendimiento en lectura; y los índices más bajos se correlacionaron a problemas de conducta en los puntajes totales del TRE. Para el G2, los más altos índices de habilidades sociales estuvieron correlacionados a un mejor rendimiento en matemáticas en el TRE. Los participantes del G2 fueron más hábiles que los del G1, pero los profesores percibieron las habilidades sociales de ambos grupos como semejantes. Con relación a los problemas de conducta, los profesores indicaron diferencias significativas, con altos índices para el G1. Los datos sugieren intervenciones junto con los profesores para que puedan reforzar conductas hábiles de sus alumnos, favorecer el autoconcepto y el rendimiento escolar de ellos.

Sistemas familiares conflituosos e cuidado feminino com crianças acolhidas / Conflicting family systems and female care with institutionalized children / Sistemas familiares conflictivos y cuidado femenino con niños acogidos

O estudo de famílias como um sistema permite desfocalizar sofrimentos e problemáticas em uma única pessoa. Essa compreensão facilita entender o cuidado realizado por mulheres com seus filhos, a partir das heranças transgeracionais que compõe a história de vida familiar. Em casos extremos no cuidado, a criança pode parar em uma instituição de acolhimento infantil. A presente pesquisa investigou a relação entre crianças institucionalizadas e a dinâmica de suas famílias num serviço de acolhimento para crianças de zero a seis anos. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com duas famílias e com os seguintes instrumentos: entrevistas semiestruturadas e o genograma. A discussão dos resultados evidenciou que a herança de abandono foi atualizada em até três gerações, a partir de uma história que se construiu a base de perdas emocionais e financeiras. Tais perdas foram somadas as dificuldades do núcleo, ao exteriorizarem conflitos que resultaram na posterior desagregação familiar e acolhimento infantil.

The understanding of families like systems allows defocus problems and sufferings on one single person. When this logic is used do compreheend female care, it is perceptive that the way women deal with their children is influenced bytransgenarational heritage whose shape the story of the group - which may be enriched or dreadful. In extreme cases, the child goes to a shelther care. This research aimed investigate how family system dynamic contributed to the stay of one of their children in a institutionalized space. The multiple case study was used as the method, whereby semi-estructured interview and genogram were the following instruments. As results' discussion, it was evidenced the abandonment's inheritance refreshed in three generations, based on a story of financial and emotional losses. These losses were added to the difficulties of the nucleus, when externalizing conflicts that resulted in the subsequent family disaggregation and child care.

El estudio de familias como un sistema, permite desfocalizar sufrimientos y problemáticas en una única persona. Esta visión, facilita entender el cuidado realizado por mujeres con sus hijos, el cual es influenciado por las herencias transgeneracionales que componen la historia de vida -las cuales pueden ser enriquecedoras o conflictivas. En casos extremos en el cuidado, el niño puede ir a parar a una institución de acogida infantil. La presente investigación indagó la relación entre niños institucionalizados y la dinámica de sus familias. Se trata de un estudio de casos múltiples desarrollada con entrevistas semiestructuradas y genograma. La discusión de los resultados evidenció que la herencia del abandono influyó en hasta tres generaciones, a partir de una historia que se construyó en pérdidas emocionales y financieras. Tales pérdidas se sumaron a las dificultades del núcleo, al exteriorizar conflictos que resultaron en la posterior disgregación familiar y en la institucionalización infantil.

Emotional Distress in the Relationship of Caregivers and Institutionalized Babies.

Institutionalization is an exceptional and temporary measure that occurs when there is a violation of rights; lasting until the family reintegration or, in the impossibility of this, the placement in a substitute family through adoption. Among the main reasons for institutionalization in Brazil are the financial difficulties, abandonment, domestic violence, drug addiction, homelessness of the responsible for the child, sexual abuse, and the loss of parents by death or imprisonment. Although children and adolescents have their rights assured when they are institutionalized, the care provided in these spaces does not include all their needs and demands, which may damage their affective-relational development. Maternal deprivation in the first years of life can be detrimental to the development of these children, if not provided by adequate substitute care. Therefore, to understand which place the institutionalized baby occupies in the imaginary of the social caregivers and, from this, how is established the relationship regarding the care, is of fundamental importance to assess and address the risk factors in child development at this stage of life and in situation of institutionalization. This is an exploratory and descriptive study, developed in a childcare institution, located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, capable of accommodating up to 20 babies between 0 and 2 years old. Data collection was performed with nine employees, eight social caregivers and one general service assistant who work directly in the care of the institutionalized babies. Drawing-Story with Theme (DS-T) procedures were used. Qualitative analysis was based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The appreciation of the nine applied Drawing-Story procedures allowed the establishment of three discussion axes representations of baby, baby care, and early separation process. This study concluded that the difficulties that permeate the context of caregivers' work are the high turnover of institutionalized children, as well as employees, the difficulty of dealing with processes of bonding and breaking bonds and no recognition of the profession. We highlight that the place that these babies occupy in the imaginary of these caregivers influences the bond they establish with the children hence the care offered to the babies. It is also noteworthy that these caregivers exhibited anguish and suffering from the reasons they believed led the children to be institutionalized.

Prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioral problems among institutionalized children in Kandy District, Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Child care institutions (CCIs) in Sri Lanka (SL) provide residence to over 14,000 children. These children have a high risk of developing psychological problems. However, there has been no prior scientific inquiry into mental health issues of institutionalized children in SL. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the emotional and behavioral problems of children living in CCIs in Kandy District, and to explore associated factors. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Ten CCIs in Kandy District were selected and all children aged 6-18 years were recruited. METHODS: Child Behavior Checklist (6-18) -Sinhala version (CBCL-S) was filled by the caregivers, and pertinent problem scores were derived. Relevant socio-demographic data were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 259 children participated. Of them, 66.8 % were female. The mean age was 13.9 years. The average duration in care was 4.3 years. Clinical levels of behavioral problems were found in 14 % of children, whereas 7% were borderline. Externalizing problems like rule-breaking and aggression were more common (23.3 %) than internalizing problems (6.6 %). Male children exhibited more behavioral problems (p = 0.034). Present age, age on admission, duration in care, history of sexual abuse, institutional transfers and frequency of family contact were not associated with behavioral problems. CONCLUSIONS: Institutionalized children showing high levels of externalizing problems may be a reflection of disturbed psychosocial development. However, internalizing problems may not be readily recognized, partly due to the shortage of trained caregivers in SL. Educating caregivers to detect and refer children with behavioral problems to psychiatric services is recommended.

Association between parental visitation and depressive symptoms among institutionalized children in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are an important issue among institutionalized children. Although positive communication with parents is essential for children's well-being, it has not been sufficiently verified how interactions with parents affect mental health among institutionalized children, who have experienced childhood adversity and likely lack secure attachment formation with their parents. The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between parental visitation and depressive symptoms among institutionalized children in Japan, and to explore whether the established security of attachment interacts with that association. METHODS: A cross-sectional data from 399 institutionalized children aged 9 to 18 in Japan was used for the analysis. A mixed effects regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations. RESULTS: Institutionalized children who had parental visitation showed higher depressive symptoms than those who did not. In particular, father's visitations were significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms. There was a significant interaction with score of secure attachment; children with low scores on secure attachment showed higher levels of depression with their father's visitation, whereas children with high scores on secure attachment did not. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggested that parental visitation and the frequency of visitation were not actually associated with better psychological status, but that instead, father's visitations were associated with higher depressive symptoms among institutionalized children. It should be noted that our cross-sectional results cannot infer any causal relationship and do not emphasize that parental visitation should be avoided. However, it may be important to conduct careful assessment before starting parental visitation, especially when children seem to have problems with attachment formation.