An Examination of the Contextual Environment of Families with Sexually Abused Adolescents

This study examined the impact of the contextual environment of the family on post abuse adjustment of sexually abused adolescents. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory was used to investigate how the external influences of the family impact the capacity of families to foster the recovery of sexually abused adolescents. The results from this secondary analysis of data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being Wave I (NSCAW, Dowd et al., 2002) support contextually sensitive treatment planning for sexually abused adolescents and their families

Conselheiros de Proteção à s Famílias em Situação de Violação:: A Importância das Funções Críticas do Trabalho

Child advocacy centers across the United States intervened in more than 250,000 child abuse cases in 2011(National Children’s Alliance, 2012). Understanding the work of family victim advocates is imperative to helping children and families in child abuse cases. In this exploratory study, we surveyed advocates and program directors from child advocacy centers (CACs) across the United States to compare their perceptions of the critical job duties of family victim advocates. Data analysis revealed that CAC directors rated the importance of these duties significantly higher than family victim advocates. Results suggest the need for additional training to ensure that family victim advocates understand the importance of critical job duties to meet the needs of children and families in child abuse casesOs centros de proteção e defesa da criança interviram em mais de 250 mil casos de abuso infantil em todos os Estados Unidos em 2011 (National Children’s Alliance, 2012). Compreender o trabalho de profissionais de proteção e defesa de famílias em situação de violação é imprescindível para ajudar crianças e famílias em casos de abuso infantil. Neste estudo exploratório, realizamos uma pesquisa com os profissionais de proteção e defesa e com os diretores de programa dos centros de proteção e defesa da criança (CPDC) nos Estados Unidos para comparar suas percepções sobre as atividades fundamentais dos profissionais que realizam ações de proteção e defesa de famílias em situação de violação. A análise dos dados revelou que os diretores dos CPDC avaliaram de forma significativamente mais alta a importância do trabalho do que os próprios profissionais de defesa e proteção das famílias em situação de violência. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade melhorar a formação para garantir que os profissionais de defesa e proteção das famílias em situação de violência possam compreender a importância das funções de trabalho que são críticas e essenciais para atender às necessidades de crianças e famílias em casos de abuso infantil

Family victim advocates: the importance of critical job duties

Child advocacy centers across the United States intervened in more than 250,000 child abuse cases in 2011(National Children's Alliance, 2012). Understanding the work of family victim advocates is imperative to helping children and families in child abuse cases. In this exploratory study, we surveyed advocates and program directors from child advocacy centers (CACs) across the United States to compare their perceptions of the critical job duties of family victim advocates. Data analysis revealed that CAC directors rated the importance of these duties significantly higher than family victim advocates. Results suggest the need for additional training to ensure that family victim advocates understand the importance of critical job duties to meet the needs of children and families in child abuse cases

The effect of complex trauma on children in the child welfare system: exploring the relationship between complex trauma, placement, and behavior using secondary data analysis

This study used secondary data analysis to both identify and evaluate children with complex trauma who have interacted with the child protective services system. The study addressed a current gap in the literature by conducting secondary data analysis with this specific population. By using the NSCAW I dataset, two groups of children, one defined as complex-trauma likely and the other as not likely as complex trauma, were established. There was a significant difference between the average CBCL scores of externalizing behavior between the two groups. Additionally, for the complex trauma-likely specific population, disruptions in foster care placement had a statistically significant effect on externalizing behavior. Finally, a better understanding of the interaction of the variables of complex trauma, number of placements, and behavior was explored by using linear regression analysis. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

A constructivist grounded theory study of collaboration in multidisciplinary teams responsible for child abuse investigations

The multidisciplinary team response to child abuse emerged during the 1980's in response to increasing numbers of child abuse reports and the need to coordinate existing community resources more efficiently. This study investigates how multidisciplinary team members perceived collaboration and its effects upon team functioning in child abuse investigations. Using a grounded theory approach, a diverse sample of child protective service workers, law enforcement investigators, medical and mental health professionals, and prosecuting attorneys from four states were interviewed face-to-face about their perceptions of collaborating with different agencies responsible for child abuse investigations. The study revealed that effective multidisciplinary teams rely upon collaborative relationships. The ability of team members to work together affects not only how teams function but also informs investigative outcomes and hence services to children and families. The findings indicated that study participants face challenges such as dealing with differing agency policies and procedures and how the development of collaborative relationships mitigate these circumstances. Study findings hold implications for professionals responsible for responding to reports of suspected child abuse, as well as social work educators in preparing students to practice in a multidisciplinary team environment through understanding the development of collaborative relationships. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

An examination of social capital as a delinquency protective factor for youth living in impoverished neighborhoods

This research utilized the Mobile Youth Study (MYS), a community-based multiple cohort longitudinal study of at-risk behaviors of youth living in the Mobile, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The extent that social capital serves as a protective factor in deterring juvenile delinquency for youth living in impoverished neighborhood was examined. Social capital included neighborhood connectedness, routine activities, attachment to school, hope, caring, attachment to friends, and warmth toward mother. Juvenile delinquency included gun carrying, knife carrying, weapon brandishment, and weapon use. Using multiple linear regression, within the Granger Causality framework, this study explored social capital as a protective factor in deterring juvenile delinquency. Results indicate a juvenile was more likely to carry a knife or gun depending on their age and if they identified their birth mother as the person most like a mother to them. Social capital factors of attachment to school and hours spent weekly hanging out with friends serve as a protective factor in deterring juveniles to brandish a weapon. Social capital factors of caring about others, hours spent working at a paid job, and attachment to school serve as protective factors in deterring juveniles from using a weapon. Implications for social work practice in schools, families, and communities are discussed in light of social capital factors deterring juvenile delinquency. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries