Evolución del riesgo y protección en la infancia y la adolescencia / Evolution of risk and vulnerability in childhood and adolescence

(analítico) Los factores de riesgo y protección pueden ser utilizados para evaluar, prevenir e intervenir en el maltrato infantil. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar longitudinalmente el riesgo en la infancia y la adolescencia, para determinar qué factores pueden ser empleados como indicadores de evolución. Se empleó una muestra de 102 niños, niñas y adolescentes que participaban en el sistema de bienestar infantil español, en tres momentos temporales. Los resultados indicaron que existe una evolución del riesgo, con una tendencia general de disminución de riesgos e incremento de elementos protectores. Nuestros hallazgos identificaron la existencia de factores dinámicos y estáticos. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la relevancia de la atención e intervención continuada y a largo plazo para fortalecer los factores de protección y disminuir los de riesgo en niños, niñas y adolescentes.

(analytical) Risk and protective factors can be used for risk and needs assessments, prevention, and intervention in cases involving mistreatment of children. The aim of this study is to provide a longitudinal analysis of risks and vulnerabilities in childhood and adolescence, with the goal of determining which factors can be used as indicators for progress with cases. A sample of 102 children and adolescents supported by the child welfare system in Spain was used along with measurements based on three different points in time. The study's results indicated that there is a change in risk levels, with a general trend of decreasing risk and increasing protective elements. The study's findings identified the existence of a group of dynamic factors and another group of static factors. This study highlighted the relevance of continuous and long-term care and intervention in order to strengthen protection and decrease risks for children.

(analítico) Os factores de risco e protecção podem ser utilizados para avaliar, prevenir e intervir em casos de maustratos a crianças. O objectivo deste estudo é analisar o risco na infância e adolescência longitudinalmente, a fim de determinar que factores podem ser utilizados como indicadores de evolução. Uma amostra de 102 crianças e adolescentes participantes no sistema espanhol de bem-estar infantil foi utilizada em três pontos no tempo. Os resultados indicaram que existe uma evolução do risco, com uma tendência geral de diminuição do risco e aumento dos elementos protectores. Os nossos resultados identificaram a existência de factores dinâmicos e estáticos. Este estudo destaca a relevância dos cuidados e intervenções contínuos e a longo prazo para reforçar os factores de protecção e diminuir os factores de risco nas crianças.

Structural Validity and Internal Consistency of the Adolescents and Children Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment Parental Scale (ACRAM-PS).

There is a clear need for developing a comprehensive, unbiased, and psychometrically sound tool to assess child maltreatment. The aim of this study is to examine the structural validity, internal consistency, and convergent validity of a newly developed child maltreatment assessment instrument. A total of 286 professionals of the child protection system participated in the study, completing a total of 645 cases of children and adolescents. The Adolescents and Children Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment Parental Scale (ACRAM-PS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form (CTQ-SF) and other demographic variables were measured. Structural validity, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the ACRAM-PS were tested. This scale obtained good structural validity, internal consistency, and convergent validity as hypothesized patterns of correlations occurred as expected. This instrument implies a considerable improvement as it is comprehensive, psychometrically sound and, it has been articulated by its own users. It can significantly contribute to establish a common language among professionals, improve multidisciplinary communication, and optimize prevention, detection, and early intervention in child maltreatment.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Academic Life of Social Work Students: Resilience as a Mediating Variable.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between emotions and concerns stemming from COVID-19 and the academic engagement of social work students, taking into account the mediating role played by resilience. METHOD: We carried out a cross-cutting quantitative study by means of an online questionnaire. The participants comprised a total of 474 students currently enrolled on the Degree in Social Work at the University of Valencia (Spain). RESULTS: The results show that the effects of emotions and concerns stemming from COVID-19 on student engagement were fully mediated by resilience. Indeed, positive emotions and concerns about the future had a positive impact on student engagement through resilience. DISCUSSION: Resilience stands as a potential protective factor against the social and academic challenges generated by COVID-19. The pandemic could therefore be seen as a real opportunity for sweeping change in the teaching and practice of social work.

From Social Rejection to Welfare Oblivion: Health and Mental Health in Juvenile Justice in Brazil, Colombia and Spain.

(1) Background: This study aims to examine and describe the policies of three Latin American countries: Colombia, Brazil, and Spain, and identify how they implement their support systems for health, mental health, mental health for children and adolescents, and juvenile justice systems that support judicial measures with treatment and/or therapeutic approaches specialized in mental health. (2) Methods: Google Scholar, Medline, and Scopus databases were searched to identify and synthesize of the literature. (3) Results: Three shared categories were extracted to construct the defining features of public policies on mental health care in juvenile justice: (i.) models of health and mental health care, (ii.) community-based child and adolescent mental health care, and (iii.) mental health care and treatment in juvenile justice. (4) Conclusions: Juvenile justice in these three countries lacks a specialized system to deal with this problem, nor have procedures been designed to specifically address these situations within the framework of children's rights.

Development and Validation of the Adolescent and Children in Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment Protective Factors Scale (ACRAM-PFS).

Background: Child maltreatment is a significant global problem concerning over 25% of children around the world. Traditionally, the assessment of children's welfare was characterized by the creation of instruments and models from the deficit-based theoretical framework. Purpose: This study aims to develop an instrument to measure protective factors (the Adolescent and Children Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment Protective Factors Scale, ACRAM-PFS) and gather evidence on its psychometric properties. ACRAM-PFS is an 18-items scale for the assessment of protective factors of child maltreatment developed from the socioecological framework. Method: Structural validity, reliability and convergent-related validity were studied for this measure in a sample of 616 children and adolescents, with age ranging from 0 to 18 years old (M = 12.14; SD = 5.22). Cases were informed by 286 child welfare workers. The sample was split in two subsamples, one to perform an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the second to perform a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results: The CFA corroborate the three-factor structure that includes the children and adolescents' resources, the family/caregiver's resources and the community resources (χ2 = 278.005, df = 132, p < .001, CFI = 0.955, SRMR = .084, RMSEA = .061, [90% CI: .051-.071]). Results of convergent-related validity indicated significant correlation with CTQ-SF and protective factors dimension of C-CAPS. Discussion: The results support that ACRAM-PFS is a rigorous measure for assessing protective factors for child maltreatment. The scale can serve as a key tool for designing strengths-based intervention strategies tailored to the actual needs of children and adolescents. The present study provides the implications for the development of protective factor scales in the field of child welfare.

Systematic review and critical appraisal of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF).

BACKGROUND: Child maltreatment is a complex and multidimensional construct that encompasses a great number of risk factors. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form, one of the most widely used and validated instruments to assess childhood maltreatment in the past ten years, is a retrospective instrument that assesses several types of childhood abuse and maltreatment which is divided into five dimensions. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this systematic review are to critically appraise, compare, and summarize the methodological quality and psychometric properties of published research articles validating the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form utilizing the COSMIN checklist. METHOD: Articles published in English or Spanish, in the past ten years in the databases of Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest, and which, directly or indirectly analyzed psychometric properties of the CTQ-SF were screened, examined, and assessed utilizing the COSMIN checklist. RESULTS: Main results indicate that there is a general pattern of assessing the same three psychometric properties (internal consistency, structural validity, and hypothesis testing) in a variety of samples, but leaving unassessed the rest of properties examined by the COSMIN checklist. Additionally, there are some problems with the internal consistency of several factors. IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: While replicability and internal consistency are good psychometric indicators of the CTQ-SF, there is a big scientific gap of information regarding some psychometric properties. It is suggested that future research should address the remaining psychometric properties, reliability, measurement error, content validity, cross cultural and criterion validity, as well as re-examining internal consistency of some dimensions, in order to advance in the knowledge on childhood maltreatment assessment.

Prevención de riesgo psicosocial en adolescentes: el rol de los Centros de Día de Menores en España / Prevention of psychosocial risk in adolescents: The role of Community Youth Centers in communities in Spain / Prevenção do risco psicossocial em adolescentes: O papel dos Centros de Dia Juvenis em Espanha

Resumen (analítico) El artículo analiza la función de los Centros de Día de Menores (CDM) como recursos especializados en la intervención socioeducativa con adolescentes en riesgo. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, en la que se han integrado diferentes técnicas con el fin de triangular evidencias objetivas. En el plano metodológico participó una muestra de 30 profesionales, implementando diferentes técnicas: entrevistas y grupos de discusión. Los datos obtenidos se codificaron y categorizaron. Los resultados destacan la especificidad de los CDM como recurso de proximidad en el proceso de socialización y de acompañamiento progresivo, individualizado y flexible de adolescentes en riesgo. Las conclusiones inciden en la especialización del recurso en la atención a adolescentes que atraviesan procesos vitales complejos y en la consolidación del recurso como alternativa socioeducativa a la educación formal, utilizando en el territorio como generador de oportunidades.

Abstract (analytical) The article analyzes the role of Community Youth Centers (CDMs for their initials in Spanish) as a specialized resource for socio-educational interventions with at-risk adolescents. This is a qualitative investigation in which different techniques have been integrated in order to triangulate objective evidence. At the methodological level, 30 staff participated in different data collection processes (two discussion groups as well as semi-structured interviews). The data obtained was codified and categorized. The results highlight the specificity of the CDMs as an available resource for the process of socialization and the provision of gradual, progressive, individualized and flexible accompaniment to at-risk adolescents. The conclusions of the study recommend the specialization of the CDMs to support adolescents who are experiencing complex life processes and the consolidation of these centers as a socio-educational alternative that generates opportunities.

Resumo (analítico) O artigo analisa o papel desenvolvido pelos Centros de Dia de Menores (CDM) na intervenção socioeducativa com adolescentes em risco. Tratase de uma investigação qualitativa, na qual diferentes técnicas foram implementadas para triangular evidências objetivas. Ao nível metodológico, 30 profissionais participaram em grupos de discussão e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados destacam a especificidade do CDM como um recurso de proximidade no acompanhamento gradual, progressivo, individualizado e flexível de adolescentes em risco. As conclusões incidem sobre a especialização deste recurso na educação de adolescentes nos seus processos de vida complexos e na sua consolidação como alternativa socioeducativa à educação formal.

Challenges and barriers in mental healthcare systems and their impact on the family: A systematic integrative review.

The aim of this systematic integrative review is to analyse the challenges and barriers found in mental healthcare systems and the impact they have on the family. Searches were made of the Web of Science, Scopus, Medline and Cochrane databases using terms relating to mental health, family care and healthcare systems. We included and critically evaluated studies published in English between 2015 and 2019 that directly or indirectly analysed public mental health policies and the consequences they have for the family. We analysed our findings following the inductive content analysis approach. A total of 32 articles that met quality indicators were identified. Very closely related structural, cultural, economic and healthcare barriers were found that contribute to the treatment gap in mental health. The family covers the care systems' deficiencies and weaknesses, and this leads to overload and a diminishing quality of life for caregivers. It is acknowledged that people with mental illness and their families should be able to participate in the development of policies and thus contribute to strengthening mental healthcare systems worldwide.

Beneficios de un programa grupal de tratamiento no farmacológico en el afrontamiento del cáncer en mujeres españolas. Una síntesis cualitativa / Benefits of a non-pharmacological treatment group program in coping with cancer in Spanish women. A qualitative synthesis

Resumen En el presente trabajo se analizan los beneficios de un programa grupal de tratamiento no farmacológico realizado por la Asociación Española contra el Cáncer en Galicia (España). Se analizaron 14 ediciones del programa en las que participaron 361 mujeres con cáncer de edades comprendidas entre los 33 y los 82 años. Se adoptó un diseño descriptivo de carácter etnográfico triangulando las técnicas de análisis y las fuentes de recogida de datos por medio de un cuestionario de satisfacción, 32 entrevistas en profundidad y un grupo de discusión con profesionales. Los resultados apoyan la idea de que el programa grupal analizado ha conseguido un elevado grado de satisfacción entre las mujeres participantes en todas las ediciones, ha favorecido la aceptación y el afrontamiento positivo de la enfermedad, aumentado los conocimientos y las habilidades para resolver los problemas relacionados con el proceso, así como promovido las relaciones sociales, la participación en la comunidad y el apoyo social. Desde el punto de vista práctico y profesional, nuestro estudio evidencia la importancia de diseñar e implementar programas grupales desde el ámbito psicosocial y con carácter interdisciplinar que permitan mejorar las estrategias de afrontamiento y el apoyo en poblaciones de mujeres diagnosticadas de cáncer.

Abstract The study aims to determine the benefits of a non-pharmacological treatment and communitarian program carried out by the Spanish Association against Cancer in Galicia (Spain). The total of 14 editions of the program were analyzed in which 361 women with cancer between the ages of 32 and 84 participated. A descriptive ethnographic design was adopted, triangulating the analysis techniques and data collection sources using a satisfaction questionnaire, 32 in-depth interviews and a discussion group with professionals. The results support the idea that the group program analyzed has achieved a high degree of satisfaction among women participating in all editions, has favored the acceptance and positive coping with disease, increased knowledge and skills to solve related problems with the process, as well as promoted social relations, participation in the community and social support. From the practical and professional point of view, our research shows the importance of designing and implementing group programs from the psychosocial and interdisciplinary field that allow improving coping strategies and support in populations of women diagnosed with cancer.

Risk factors associated with the family care of people with serious mental illness

Background: The aim of the present study is to analyse the variables associated with the family care of people diagnosed with serious mental illness. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving caregivers of people with serious men-tal illness (SMI) who were known to the mental health services in Valencia (España) and associations for those with SMI. The sample comprised 417 caregivers who completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Zarit Burden Interview. Bivariate analyses (t-test, analysis of variance and Pearson correlation) were performed, as was a multiple linear regression model. Values of p < .05 were considered significant. The study was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the ethics committees of the participating institutions. Results: The statistical analyses showed significant associations between the sociodemographic and clinical variables of the caregivers and patients and the burden felt by caregivers of people with SMI. The importance of both formal and informal social support stands out as a protective factor against the consequences of the illness's impact on the main caregiver. Conclusions: The role of spaces of mutual support is crucial. The results suggest that family psychoeducational programmes should be created, applied and evaluated in all mental healthcare services so as to reinforce training in mental health matters and provide support and assessment to caregivers in order to ease their burden

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Factores dinámicos en el comportamiento de delincuentes juveniles con perfil de ajuste social. Un estudio de reincidencia / Dynamic factors in the behavior of young offenders with social adjustment. A study of recidivism

Este estudio tiene por objeto evaluar el riesgo de reincidencia, analizando el impacto de los factores dinámicos en adolescentes en conflicto con la ley (ACL). Para ello, se evalúa una muestra de 157 ACL con perfil de ajuste social mediante el instrumento para la evaluación del riesgo de violencia de adolescentes Structured Assesment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY), además de otras técnicas de análisis cualitativo que triangulan el proceso empírico. Por un lado, destaca que la amplia estructura relacional y la vinculación intermitente con redes formales e informales de aprendizaje y empleo de que disponen los ACL con perfil de ajuste estiman un buen nivel de ajuste futuro y una baja reincidencia delictiva. Por otro lado, la escasa autonomía para resolver problemas y la impulsividad en la gestión de dificultades amplían el riesgo de reincidencia delictiva. Un foco de interés reside en las relaciones e influencias que el ACL establece con su entorno, para evitar prácticas de riesgo o someterse a ellas. Se incide en las actividades cotidianas del ACL, pudiendo estas condicionar su ajuste social

The aim of this paper is to assess the risk of recidivism by analysing the impact of dynamic factors on adolescents in conflict with the law (ACLs). To this end we evaluate the social adjustment of a sample of 157 ACLs, using the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth tool (SAVRY) along with other qualitative analysis techniques to triangulate the empirical process. The extensive structure of relationships and occasional links that these ACLs have with formal and informal learning and employment networks point to a good level of adjustment in the future and a low level of recidivism. However, the risk of recidivism is increased by their limited ability to solve problems and their impulsiveness in dealing with difficulties. A special area of interest lies in the relationships and influences that ACLs form with their surroundings in order to avoid or indulge in high-risk practices. These have an effect on their everyday activities and can determine their level of social adjustment