Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Among Salvadorian Youth: Anxiety, Depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders.

This study examined (1) adolescent mental health literacy (MHL) and stigma for depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs), and (2) demographic moderators. Participants were 383 high school students (50.9% boys) aged 11-18 years (M = 14.12, SD = 1.91) in El Salvador. Participants read vignettes of adolescents with mental health problems and reported on their beliefs about (1) what was wrong with the young person, (2) expected recovery time, (3) help-seeking beliefs and recommendations, and (4) stigma and preferred social distance associated with each condition. Results suggested that recognition of mental health conditions, especially anxiety disorders and OCRDs, was limited, although one third could recognize depression in a peer. Help-seeking attitudes were favorable. Adolescents were only somewhat willing to be affiliated with someone experiencing a mental health problem. Girls showed better MHL and lower stigma than boys. Stigma was lower among those with exposure to mental health problems.

Prevalence, severity, and clinical correlates of food neophobia in Salvadorian youth.

Food neophobia (FN) describes problematic fear-based avoidance/restriction of novel foods. Using the novel parent-reported Measure of Food Neophobia (MFN), the authors examined FN symptoms and impairment in 305 Salvadorian children and explored clinical correlates. Factor analysis supported the MFN's designed structure to inquire about FN symptoms and FN impairment. At least one FN symptom was observed in 91% of the sample; however, only 9% were rated as having moderate or greater impairment. Demographic variables were not associated with FN; however, FN was positively correlated with internalizing, externalizing, inattention, health anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Inattention symptoms and health anxiety emerged as significant predictors of FN symptoms, while FN symptoms were the only significant predictor of FN impairment. The present study supports the MFN and provides information about FN in a general population, including the prevalence of clinically significant symptoms and association with psychological domains. Continued investigation of FN is still needed.

Parents' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention in El Salvador.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA), a global public health problem, is often underreported especially in low-income countries such as El Salvador, and prevention efforts are needed. The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge, attitudes and experiences of CSA prevention and characteristics related to greater knowledge and openness to engaging in child abuse prevention among Salvadoran parents. Salvadoran parents (N = 478) completed questionnaires regarding demographics, definition and signs and symptoms of child abuse, personal experiences of CSA, CSA prevention training, and knowledge, attitudes and practices about preventing CSA. Most parents were knowledgeable about CSA, viewed CSA prevention as their responsibility, and had talked with their children about CSA, although 65.7% incorrectly believed that children are more likely to be abused by strangers. Parents with lower income were less knowledgeable and willing to participate in CSA prevention. CSA programing needs to involve parents and specifically target low-income parents.

Examination of the Phenomenology and Clinical Correlates of Emetophobia in a Sample of Salvadorian Youths.

Emetophobia is an under-researched disorder characterized by a specific fear of vomiting. There is a paucity of research on this impairing condition, with extant examinations being largely limited to adult samples and online communities. The present study examined the incidence, phenomenology, and correlates of emetophobia in 305 Salvadorian youths. Caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires regarding the youth's symptoms of emetophobia, internalizing/externalizing symptoms, health anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Approximately 7.5 % of the sample was elevated on emetophobia symptoms, and higher levels of emetophobia symptoms were correlated with higher levels of internalizing, externalizing, health anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and lower levels of adaptive functioning. Youths meeting the cutoff for elevated emetophobia symptoms versus those who did not demonstrated significantly higher levels of externalizing behaviors, as well as general obsessive-compulsive symptoms, especially doubting/checking and neutralizing behaviors. These findings are hoped to help improve the conceptualization and treatment of this poorly understood disorder.

Children's knowledge of sexual abuse prevention in El Salvador.

BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a global health problem that must be addressed. In a country with limited resources such as El Salvador, we sought an alternative way to disseminate CSA prevention information to elementary school children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention exhibit at a children's museum. METHODS: We asked 189 children to answer a questionnaire about CSA prevention before entering a museum exhibit on the subject and then asked 59 different children to answer the questionnaire after visiting the exhibit. FINDINGS: Children's knowledge scores on CSA prevention significantly improved after visiting the exhibit (P < .012). CONCLUSIONS: A museum exhibit that addresses CSA prevention is an effective way of communicating CSA prevention to children.

Teachers' knowledge, attitudes and experience in sexual abuse prevention education in El Salvador.

Research on how to prevent child sexual abuse (CSA) in developing nations is practically non-existent. We sought to determine Salvadoran teachers' knowledge, attitudes, experience and barriers to CSA detection and reporting to assess the need for a CSA prevention programme and to assess barriers in conducting such a programme. One hundred teachers completed a questionnaire while they visited the Tin Marin Children's Museum in San Salvador. Nineteen of these teachers also participated in a focus group. We found that 89% of teachers reported at least two signs and symptoms of child abuse. One hundred per cent of teachers agreed that it is their responsibility to teach students about sexual abuse. Unusual for a study of this kind, parental migration was mentioned as making children vulnerable to CSA, and fear of gang violence and retribution was identified as interfering with teachers' ability to protect children. We conclude that Salvadoran teachers were knowledgeable about CSA detection and reporting and would support a programme in which they are trained to speak to their students about this topic. Barriers to reporting child abuse, such as teachers' safety and fear, need to be addressed in future CSA prevention programmes.