Difficulties of familes in caring for children and adolescents with mental disorders: an integrative review

Objective To identify the difficulties of families with children and/or adolescents with mental disorder. Method This is an integrative review. In December 2013, an electronic search was performed on Latin American Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences databases (LILACS) and on Electronic Medicus Index of the National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE) indexed in the Health Virtual Library (BVS) using a combination of descriptors and boolean operators as follows: mental disorders and child or adolescent and caregivers and/not health staff. Results 557 studies were identified, of which 15 were selected for this study. The findings indicated difficulties related to the care for or to interaction with children/adolescents with mental disorder. Conclusion The studies revealed difficulties related to everyday practices of care and feelings expressed during care practices, as well as in relationships with children or adolescents with mental disorder

A qualitative analysis of parental loss and family separation among youth in post-conflict Liberia

Between 1989 and 2003, the Republic of Liberia experienced a brutal civil war. In 2008, the population was approximately 3.5 million people, and there were an estimated 340,000 orphans. Nearly 6000 more children were orphaned by the Ebola epidemic from 2014–2015. The goal of this research was to explore the impact of parental loss, identify moderating factors, and consider interventions that could help vulnerable youth in post-conflict societies following the loss of a parent. Seventy-five young people (age 13–18 years) in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, were recruited in 2012. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and demographic data were collected. Interviews were then transcribed and coded thematically. The loss of a parent or other primary caregiver had a significant impact on psychosocial and emotional health. The timing of the loss, strength of connection with the deceased parent, and relationship with surviving parent or substitute caregiver were all relevant factors. Children separated from living parents were functioning better than those whose parents were deceased. The case of Liberian children underscores the importance of early caregiver relationships and the difficulties children face when such relationships are disrupted. Children who did not experience stable early relationships suffered disconnection from their families and communities

The impact of transactional sex with teachers on public school students in Monrovia, Liberia – a brief report

Access to education has been shown to strongly influence adolescent health across the world, and strong relationships with teachers has been found to lead to better academic and psychosocial outcomes for students. In many low-income countries where adolescents have less access to education and are more likely to experience poor health outcomes, risky sexual behaviors can exacerbate these challenges by increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This study sought to examine risky behaviors, such as substance use and risky sexual practices, of in-school youth in Liberia, a country in West Africa. Nine focus groups were conducted with public school students in Monrovia, Liberia in April 2012 using a semi-structured guide. The sessions took place in three public schools with n = 72 participants aged 12–20 years old. Following thematic content analysis, a pattern emerged of transactional sex between female students and male teachers, which often led to contrived and coercive relationships for the students. Conversely, participants reported that educators were not disciplined for having sex with students. Interventions to reduce the prevalence of transactional sex within the academic environment would likely protect the well being of school-going youth, particularly female youth, and support students’ academic pursuits in Liberia

The impact of transactional sex with teachers on public school students in Monrovia, Liberia – a brief report

Access to education has been shown to strongly influence adolescent health across the world, and strong relationships with teachers has been found to lead to better academic and psychosocial outcomes for students. In many low-income countries where adolescents have less access to education and are more likely to experience poor health outcomes, risky sexual behaviors can exacerbate these challenges by increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This study sought to examine risky behaviors, such as substance use and risky sexual practices, of in-school youth in Liberia, a country in West Africa. Nine focus groups were conducted with public school students in Monrovia, Liberia in April 2012 using a semi-structured guide. The sessions took place in three public schools with n = 72 participants aged 12–20 years old. Following thematic content analysis, a pattern emerged of transactional sex between female students and male teachers, which often led to contrived and coercive relationships for the students. Conversely, participants reported that educators were not disciplined for having sex with students. Interventions to reduce the prevalence of transactional sex within the academic environment would likely protect the well being of school-going youth, particularly female youth, and support students’ academic pursuits in Liberia

Percepções de familiares de adolescentes sobre oficinas terapêuticas em um centro de atenção psicossocial infantil

Objetivo: Conhecer as percepções de familiares de adolescentes sobre oficinas terapêuticas em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantil. Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva, desenvolvida em 2013, em Santa Catarina, com 18 familiares de adolescentes em acompanhamento no CAPSi. As entrevistas realizadas foram interpretadas a partir da análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Identificaram-se duas categorias: o desconhecimento sobre as oficinas terapêuticas e o reconhecimento da ação terapêutica das oficinas. Nove familiares desconheciam as atividades realizadas nas oficinas, enquanto os outros nove referiram as conhecerem. Destacaram-se aspectos terapêuticos, como a melhora da autoestima dos adolescentes, dos comportamentos e da convivência. Todavia, alguns familiares não perceberam mudanças. Conclusões: As oficinas terapêuticas oportunizam espaço de convivência, educação em saúde e suporte social, psicológico e pedagógico. Ressalta-se a importância da inclusão dos familiares no serviço para o cuidado efetivo. Este estudo pode contribuir para a reflexão sobre as práticas das oficinas terapêuticas na Enfermagem, em serviços de saúde mental. Palavras-chave: Família. Adolescente. Saúde mental. Serviços comunitários de saúde mental