{"title":"Care for children with cerebral palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: South African family caregiver perspectives","authors":"S. Adams, S. Moi","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2224975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2224975","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The SARS-CoV−2 (COVID−19) virus severely impacted children around the globe; however, the impact on children with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy (CP) has been exacerbated due to the significant changes to their daily routines, and access to services and supports. During the spread of COVID−19, the country imposed restrictions and subsequent lockdown. The care demands may be compounded for children with CP and their families living in South Africa due to existing inequalities, and economic and access barriers. The study explored the access and support experiences of caregivers caring for children with CP during the COVID−19 pandemic in South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed. Eighteen caregivers consisting of 16 mothers and 2 fathers participated in the current study using semi-structured interviews on access and support needs for their children with CP. Thematic analysis of the data yielded themes related to: (1) fear of the unknown, (2) navigating changing caregiver roles, (3) financial stressors, and (4) opportunity despite adversity. While the lockdown measures continue to change and ease, it is important that provisions are made for children and their families both during and after the pandemic such as financial, social, family, and environmental support. In addition, recommendations for healthcare professionals working with vulnerable children and their families have been provided.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":"18 1","pages":"445 - 457"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45100381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Examining the effectiveness of a group hope intervention program in Syrian refugee children: A pilot study","authors":"Aslihan Ataman, Burcu Uysal","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2216476","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2216476","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 6-session hope-based intervention program on the levels of hope and psychological resilience of Syrian refugee children. The pre-test post-test control group design was implemented. A total of 42 Syrian refugee students in 5th grade participated in the study. 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA, independent sample t-test, and dependent sample t-test were conducted for data analysis. Mixed ANOVA revealed that the intervention group had more improvement in hope and psychological resilience scores compared to the control group. Dependent sample t-test revealed that while the hope and resilience scores of the intervention group were maintained, the hope scores of the control group significantly decreased. Independent sample t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the post-test hope scores of the groups. Research findings supported that hope-oriented approaches can be effective in improving the resilience of Syrian refugee children in the long term.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":"61 11","pages":"501 - 515"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41308440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vulnerability to drug use and risky sexual behaviours: youth and adolescents coping with trauma and stress in protracted displacement in Abuja","authors":"P. Ekoh, U. Okoye, Okwukwe Faith Ekoh","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2217385","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2217385","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Internally displaced youth and adolescents may continue to suffer from displacement-associated trauma and stress many years after initial displacement. Hence, our study initially aimed to qualitatively explore how displaced youth and adolescents in Nigeria are coping with the trauma and stress associated with protracted displacement. However, through serendipity, results from the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews from 22 displaced youths and nine professionals in Abuja revealed that in addition to some positive coping mechanisms, some displaced young males turn to drugs, while some young women turn to transactional sex and multiple sexual partners to deal with the impact of protracted displacement. This may lead to increased crime, morbidity, and mortality, thus requiring immediate intervention. This paper concluded by recommending that social workers help displaced youth and adolescents deal with their current stressors by advocating for the improvement of their living situation while also working with other professionals to intervene on the issue of drug misuse and unhealthy sexual behaviours through continuous education.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43290860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Supporting HIV self-management in adolescents to be resilient and thrive: an intervention development study","authors":"Talitha Crowley, Frances De Lange-Cloete","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2206172","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2206172","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Self-management programs or interventions focus on self-empowerment to improve skills, abilities and behaviors needed to control a chronic condition and may be of great value for adolescents living with HIV (ALWH). The aim of this study was to develop a self-management intervention called Self-Management in Adolescents to be Resilient and Thrive (S-SMART), for ALWH aged 15 to 19 years using the principles of intervention mapping (IM). We conducted a needs assessment and developed a logic model for change based on factors influencing self-management amongst ALWH on the level of the individual and environment. Program outcomes and objectives were identified based on formative qualitative and quantitative research, a systematic review and theory. We then selected theory-based models and practical strategies and developed a 12-week program consisting of individual activities completed in a workbook or smartphone application, five peer-group sessions and three individual coaching sessions. Content validity was determined by consulting nine local and international experts and 18 key stakeholders (11 ALWH and seven healthcare workers) through four focus groups in the Cape Metropole of the Western Cape, South Africa. The intervention will now be pilot tested for feasibility and acceptability.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43739889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Waki, Takuya Suzuki, Y. Minakawa, Naruto Yoshida, S. Miyazaki, T. Hisajima
{"title":"Effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on daytime sleepiness, depression, and study engagement in college students: a randomized controlled trial","authors":"H. Waki, Takuya Suzuki, Y. Minakawa, Naruto Yoshida, S. Miyazaki, T. Hisajima","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2196097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2196097","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Many college students experience daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness is reportedly associated with poor academic performance, suicide, depression, and traffic accidents. This parallel-group randomized controlled trial study aimed to examine the effect of self-care using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in college students with sleepiness and depression. Thirty-four college students (age 21.5 ± 0.1 years, 21 men and 13 women) were assigned to a control or taVNS group. For taVNS, an electro-stimulator was used to deliver 100 Hz pulses at an intensity below each participant’s pain threshold (3.0–8.0 mV) for 30 min. taVNS was performed 30 min before bedtime every day for 28 days. Daytime sleepiness, depression, study engagement, and sleep quality were measured using the Japanese version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS-J), Japanese version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II-J), Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students (UWES-S-J), Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-J), and Silmee™ Bar Type Lite. Autonomic nervous system activities were measured using high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components of heart rate variability. Parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activities were indicated by the HF value and LF/HF ratio, respectively. The change in each group from day 28 to day 1 was calculated and analysed. The ESS-J, BDI-II-J, UWES-S-J, and PSQI-J (sleep quality and daytime dysfunction) scores improved, and the LF/HF ratio decreased in the taVNS group compared with the control group. Self-care using taVNS suppresses the sympathetic nervous system during sleep, which may improve sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depression, and study engagement.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43086008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. du Toit, K. Haag, M. Tomlinson, L. Sherr, Marguerite Marlow, J. Stewart, S. Skeen
{"title":"Effect of caregiver depression on adolescent internalising and externalising behaviour: findings from a longitudinal study in a high-risk South African environment","authors":"S. du Toit, K. Haag, M. Tomlinson, L. Sherr, Marguerite Marlow, J. Stewart, S. Skeen","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2192994","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2192994","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Adolescents living in low- and-middle incomeand middle-income countries are at a particular risk of poor mental health. Caregiver mental health plays a crucial role in a child’s emotional and behavioural development and may directly impact a child’s risk for future development of mental health problems. Data collected as part of a two-decade longitudinal multiphase research project were used. Participants, originally women in their third trimester of pregnancy (n = 449), were recruited from a peri-urban impoverished community outside of Cape Town, South Africa, and assessed at several time-points over subsequent years. Data collected during the three phases of the research were used to assess the effects of early and current caregiver depression on adolescent internalising and externalising behaviour. Analyses of Covariance models were used to explore the effect of caregiver depression on adolescent internalising and externalising behaviour, while controlling for multiple covariates. We analysed data for 313 adolescent participants and their primary caregivers. Caregiver depression patterns had a significant main effect on externalising behaviour, F(3,305) = 4.10 (p = 0.007), but not on internalising behaviour, F(3,305) = 2.71 (p = 0.09). Post-hoc analysis showed that those adolescents exposed to early and current caregiver depression scored on average 3.83 points (95% CI [0.99; 6.66]) higher in externalising behaviour than those exposed to no caregiver depression. Also, adolescents who experienced a change in caregiver, compared to those whose biological mother were still their primary caregiver, reported significantly higher levels of externalising behaviour F(1,305) = 5.10, p = 0.03. The study findings provide crucial insight into critical periods of risk, as well as opportunities for prevention. Preventive interventions should ideally target caregivers and adolescents to prevent or reduce behavioural problems and disrupt intergenerational cycles of mental disorders or behavioural problems.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":"18 1","pages":"330 - 345"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48700647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. B. Purnama, Insani Arrafi, I. Ikhwan, Liliek Pratiwi, Tri Suci Rahmayani, Ayu Sajida Da’ad Arini
{"title":"A cross-sectional online survey of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among adolescents in Medan, Indonesia","authors":"T. B. Purnama, Insani Arrafi, I. Ikhwan, Liliek Pratiwi, Tri Suci Rahmayani, Ayu Sajida Da’ad Arini","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2188337","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2188337","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The COVID-19 vaccination can help to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Low vaccine acceptance among adolescents could exacerbate the risk of COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and risk factors among adolescents. This study used cross-sectional with adolescents who are domiciled in Medan City. The sample was gathered through an online survey, and the data was analysed using bivariate and multivariate statistics (Multiple Logistic Regression). According to the findings, 96.2% of respondents are aware of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, and 47.9% are willing to be vaccinated. Social media was predominantly a source of information on COVID-19 vaccination among respondents. The results revealed that economic status, social media information, and knowing the vaccination program had an influence on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Health education and promotion amongst the targeted group is needed to increase future COVID-19 vaccine coverage.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":"18 1","pages":"422 - 430"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46828443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Untangling the ‘health paradox’ among adolescent girls: the role of immigration status, depression, and decision-making","authors":"Anastasiia Timmer, Cathrine Jacobsen","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2182931","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2182931","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The ‘health paradox’ is a phenomenon in which immigrants report better health than their native-born counterparts despite experiencing numerous adversities. This study examines the ‘health paradox’ among adolescent girls in the U.S. and evaluates the understudied pathways and conditions in the immigration status-health link, including the role of emotional (i.e. depressive symptoms) and cognitive (i.e. decision-making) domains. Drawing on Wave I (1994–1995) and Wave II (1996) of a nationally representative longitudinal study of adolescents (Add Health), a series of regression models was conducted to explore the relationship between girls’ immigration status and health (N = 6,543). Further, mean centered multiplicative terms and the KHB decomposition procedure were used to assess the moderating and mediating effects of depressive symptoms and decision-making. Results reveal that, in general, foreign-born girls enjoy better health as compared to their native-born counterparts, which is partially explained by their fewer depressive symptoms. Importantly, however, the experience of higher levels of depressive symptoms appears to decrease immigrant girls’ resilience. The ability to be thoughtful and reflective when making choices serves as a health protective factor among girls overall, suggesting the need to foster adolescent girls’ decision-making skills to improve their health. Policy recommendation based on our findings are discussed.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46722938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring childhood experiences and family contexts as risk factors for drug use in the lives of young drug users in the Western Cape, South Africa","authors":"E. Rich, M. Londt, L. Holtman","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2179149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2179149","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The use of drugs amongst adolescents and youth has become a global phenomenon and South Africa is no exception. This paper aims to explore the familial contexts and childhood experiences leading up to the drug-taking pathways of young drug users. A qualitative approach was utilized to gather demographic from a purposive sample of 41 young (14–19 years) drug users, at five drug treatment centres in the Western Cape of South Africa. Additionally, participants could agree to participate in an in-depth interview or to provide a written life history account. A thematic data analysis was applied, and the results uncovered a range of family-related risk factors such as family structure (single motherhood and absent fatherhood), and other negative family functioning and practices such as troubled parent-child relationships, poor family communication/interactions, parental/family substance abuse, and conflict-ridden, stressful and often violent and abusive family situations. The findings suggest that prevention initiatives should focus on strengthening family functioning by reducing high conflict, stress, violent and abusive family situations, as well as aim to enhance the caregiver-child relationship. Prevention strategies should encourage live-in and non-live-in fathers to be actively involved in the lives of their children and should aim to reduce parental/caregiver substance abuse.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"59913099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The relationship between social media use and collective identity among the HIV/AIDS-affected adolescents: from the online social support perspective","authors":"Lin Zhang","doi":"10.1080/17450128.2023.2182932","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2023.2182932","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Research has suggested social media use plays an important role in forming collective identity among marginalized groups. From the online social support perspective, this study aims to explore the relationship between social media use and collective identity of HIV/AIDS-affected adolescents. A field survey was conducted in Wen Lou village (a famous Chinese ‘AIDS Village’) and valid questionnaires were completed by the HIV/AIDS-affected adolescents. A linear regression analysis was conducted to detect how demographic variables, social media use and online social support predict the collective identity of the HIV/AIDS-affected adolescents. For social media use, △R2 = 0.157, p < .05; and for online social support, △R2 = 0.358, p < .001, specifically for instrumental support, β = .281, p < .05. Preference for social media use and online social support positively predict their collective identity, but social media use intensity negatively predicts their collective identity. There are no significant differences in the levels of social media use intensity, preference for social media use, online social support and collective identity between different genders of the HIV/AIDS-affected adolescents. The level of ‘ideology’ is quite low, many participants did not show negative emotions for being a member of the ‘AIDS Village’ adolescents, or show hatred to people outside the ‘AIDS Village’.","PeriodicalId":46101,"journal":{"name":"Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies","volume":"18 1","pages":"359 - 366"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41518381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}