To examine the association between language use - predominantly English, English and Spanish equally and predominantly Spanish - and food insecurity among Hispanic adults residing in the USA, ...1999-2018.
Pooled cross-sectional study design.
United States.
15 073 Hispanic adults.
Compared with Hispanic adults who predominantly spoke English and after adjusting for age, sex, family income-to-poverty ratio, education level and employment status, Hispanic adults who spoke English and Spanish equally (OR = 1·28, 95 % CI = 1·05, 1·56) or predominantly Spanish (OR = 1·25, 95 % CI = 1·04, 1·49) had higher odds of food insecurity. After stratifying by country of birth, language use was associated with higher odds of food insecurity only for Hispanic adults born outside of the USA, but not for Hispanic adults born in the USA. Hispanic adults born outside of the USA who spoke English and Spanish equally (OR = 1·27, 95 % CI = 1·04, 1·55) or spoke predominantly Spanish (OR = 1·24, 95 % CI = 1·04, 1·48) had higher odds of food insecurity when compared with those who predominantly spoke English.
Foreign-born Hispanic adults who speak predominantly Spanish, or English and Spanish equally, have higher odds of food insecurity. Food and nutrition assistance programmes that serve Hispanic immigrants should make sure to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate services to this population.
Zika virus (ZIKV) can be sexually transmitted and can lead to severe neonatal and child health issues. The current study examines whether ZIKV-related ideational factors, including awareness of ZIKV ...and associated birth defects, are related to modern contraceptive use among women and men with sexual partners in four Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Data used are from cross-sectional household surveys conducted in 2018 in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with representative samples of men and women aged 18-49 (N = 1,100). The association between self-reported use of modern contraception and measures of Zika knowledge, risk perceptions and social norms, and contraceptive self-efficacy was examined via sex disaggregated multivariate logistic regression models. Both men (OR 3.70, 95% CI 1.36-10.06, P < 0.05) and women (OR 3.71, 95% CI 2.30-5.99, P < 0.0001), who reported discussing family planning with their partner in the last year were more likely to use modern contraception compared with those who did not. Contrary to our hypothesis, knowledge that ZIKV can affect a fetus was negatively associated with modern contraceptive use for women (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.85, P < 0.05). Given the cross-sectional nature of the survey, women not using contraception may be more likely to remember that ZIKV can affect a fetus. In the event of a related outbreak, future health promotion and communication efforts in LAC should focus on known determinants of modern contraceptive use, such as knowledge and partner communication, and knowledge of the health effects of ZIKV if pregnant, to influence family planning decision-making behavior.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been shown to have positive benefits for children. Families may face fewer barriers to accessing food they can purchase with their benefits if ...more stores in their neighborhoods accept SNAP benefits. We examine whether proximity to stores accepting SNAP benefits is related to child maltreatment (abuse and neglect) reports, particularly those potentially related to food insecurity. We combine geographically identified child maltreatment report data from the state of Connecticut from 2011 through 2015 with state SNAP-authorized retailer data. Using within-Census block group changes in the presence of a SNAP-authorized store, we find that in large, rural areas, one additional SNAP store is associated with a 4.4 percent decrease in the child maltreatment report rate (p < 0.05), and an 11.3 percent decrease in substantiated cases of maltreatment (p < 0.10), even net of changing zip code level factors and time-invariant neighborhood characteristics. The relationship between a neighborhood SNAP store and child maltreatment reports in these rural areas is largely driven by neglect, concentrated among young and school-aged children (ages 0–9), and primarily due to fewer reports by medical personnel. We find no effects of a neighborhood SNAP store on child maltreatment reports in smaller, more densely populated neighborhoods. Sensitivity checks affirm these results. Results indicate the benefits of access to SNAP retailers on the child welfare system and child well-being more broadly, especially in rural areas.
The use of corporal punishment (CP) is a strong risk factor for many poor outcomes for children including child maltreatment. The use of CP occurs within social contexts which are important to ...understand. Although it is known that perceived social norms regarding CP are related to its use, the specific role that a mother’s primary support person plays in influencing attitudes toward and use of CP remains unknown. The current study assessed linkages between maternal perceived social support in parenting and perceived injunctive norms of CP from her primary source of support, with maternal attitudes toward and use of CP. Survey data were collected from female primary caregivers (N = 436) of children age 2 to 7 years (mean age = 3.7) enrolled in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics in Southeastern Louisiana. Most frequently, the biological father of the child (37.9%) and the maternal grandmother of the child (24.2%) were identified as the participant’s primary source of social support in parenting. Perceived injunctive norms of this support person toward CP use were significantly and positively associated with attitudes toward, AOR = 5.97, 95% CI = 4.04, 8.82, and use of CP, AOR = 3.77, 95% CI = 2.55, 5.59. However, perceived social support was not associated with these outcomes and also did not moderate these associations. Findings suggest that efforts to reduce maternal risk for child physical abuse and use of CP must include the mother’s primary source of social support if they are to be successful.
•Neighborhood violent crime is associated with positive child social emotional development.•Parental perceived neighborhood safety is also associated with child attachment.•Collective efficacy may ...play a significant role in these relationships, promoting positive attachment for pre-school aged children.
Exposure to community violence has been associated with a range of negative behavioral outcomes among school-age children and adolescents; yet there is limited evidence in the preschool setting. In the current study we examined the association between objective and parent-perceived neighborhood safety, and perceived collective efficacy, on behavioral concerns of children aged 3–5 enrolled at an early childhood school in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 2014 to 19 (n = 165). Teachers collected data on outcome measures of child social emotional well-being in the classroom setting. A parent survey included data on residential address, how safe they felt in their neighborhood, and perceived collective efficacy. Addresses were geocoded and linked by Census tract number to data on violent crime rates (per 1,000 tract residents). Associations between neighborhood violent crime, perceived safety, perceived collective efficacy, and child social emotional development were assessed with generalized estimating equations. After mutually adjusting for perceived neighborhood safety and violent crime rate, children of parents with the lowest perceived neighborhood collective efficacy had similar findings: children of parents that perceive the neighborhood as unsafe had a lower attachment (β = −6.55, 95 % CI 1.44, 11.66) and protective score (β = −4.51, 95 % CI 0.89–8.13) and a 10-unit increase in violent crime was associated with a decrease in attachment score (β = −2.77, 95 % CI −4.22, −1.32). Overall, child attachment and protective scores were significantly associated with perceived unsafe neighborhoods and violent crime, and the relationship was moderated by perceived neighborhood efficacy. These findings suggest a negative impact of perceived neighborhood safety and protective impact of collective efficacy on early childhood social emotional development.
The majority of children living in the USA have experienced at least one adverse experience. Long term, negative psychological, behavioral, and physical health consequences for students are ...associated with exposure to traumatic experiences. What is less well understood is how students’ exposure to traumatic events may impact the lives and work of educators who serve them. Educators receive little training or support to cope with the stressors associated with their direct work with youth exposed to trauma. There is a critical need to understand the psychological and emotional consequences of working with students who have experienced trauma as teachers’ own emotional well-being influences the quality of education they provide to students. Although research with other helping professionals has identified both positive and negative effects of working with individuals exposed to trauma for other helping professionals, such research with teachers is rare. The current study design includes both concurrent and sequential mixed method processes to examine how teachers experience compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and burnout. Additionally, we examine whether the most common measurement model needs to be expanded to include additional salient constructs for educators. Mixed methods analyses demonstrate that the most common measurement model does not fit well for the samples of educators, and educators have unique experiences with the constructs of STS, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and emotional well-being. Understanding the strengths and vulnerabilities for teachers working with students exposed to trauma will inform the accurate and efficient measurement of constructs unique to this population.
Abstract Hitting children for disciplinary purposes (i.e., spanking or corporal punishment CP) is a strong risk factor for child physical abuse and is highly prevalent in the U.S. Yet, little is ...currently known about the relevant attitudes, beliefs, or training needs of key professionals who often advise parents regarding child discipline strategies. A survey of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) membership, comprised of mental health professionals, physicians, child welfare professionals, and other professionals in the child maltreatment field, was conducted to assess attitudes, beliefs, perceived norms, training needs, and motivations to change norms regarding CP ( N = 571, response rate = 51%). Most respondents agreed that spanking is a bad disciplinary technique (82%), is harmful for children (74%), and leads to negative outcomes (M = 3.0, SD = 0.6) more frequently than positive outcomes (M = 2.1, SD = 0.6; t = 20.8; p < 0.0001) for children. Professionals reported perceiving that their colleagues’ level of endorsement of CP (M = 2.4, SD = 1.0) was higher than their own (M = 1.9, SD = 1.0; t (568) = −10.7, p < 0.0001) though still below the midpoint. Professionals reported high levels of preparedness to effectively advise parents on non-physical child discipline strategies, but reported perceiving lower levels of preparedness amongst their colleagues. They reported highly valuing giving such advice to parents and being very motivated to participate in activities designed to change social norms regarding CP. Most APSAC members are poised to change these norms and, in doing so, to help reduce rates of child physical abuse in the U.S.
To assess US pediatricians' preparedness, motivation, and barriers related to educating parents about corporal punishment (CP) and effective child discipline.
A random sample of 1500 pediatricians ...was drawn from a nationwide database in the United States. A self-administered questionnaire was sent via mail in 2016. The response rate (53%; n = 787) was maximized via repeated survey mailings and use of cash incentives.
The majority of respondents were White (69%), female (59%) and were members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (85%). Most pediatricians felt somewhat prepared to advise parents about child discipline, particularly CP, and perceived their colleagues to be slightly less prepared than themselves. Although most (72%) respondents believed it was "extremely/very" likely that parents valued their advice about child discipline, only 36% believed parents were "extremely/very" likely to follow their advice. Most respondents were highly motivated to participate in activities designed to change norms regarding CP. The most common strategy pediatricians identified for improving child behavior was being consistent with rules (71%). Perceived barriers to providing child discipline advice to parents included lack of time (90%), lack of insurance reimbursement (48%), and lack of training and educational resources (47%).
Pediatricians are a key source of professional advice for parents about how to discipline children safely. Given this, along with strong approval and use of CP in the United States and its harm for children, the current findings suggest a strong need for pediatricians to receive additional training on how to advise parents about child discipline along with removal of barriers to providing such advice.
The objective of this study was to examine the association between externalizing behaviors and indirect violence exposure, assessed both within the household and at the community level, as well as ...the interaction effect of indirect and direct violence exposure. A sample of parents of children ages 4–15 who have not been referred or enrolled in child welfare (
n
= 82) were recruited from the greater New Orleans community. Externalizing behavior was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The child’s indirect exposure to violence included witnessing community violence, witnessing physical assault, and witnessing fighting or domestic violence at home. Direct exposure to violence included the child experiencing physical aggression from a caregiver. All assessments were based on caregiver reports. To decrease potential for confounding, children were matched for analysis based on age, Hurricane Katrina exposure, and their propensity to be exposed to high indirect violence. Cumulative indirect exposure to violence was significantly positively correlated with CBCL scores. After controlling for key covariates, CBCL externalizing T score increased significantly by approximately 1.25 points for each level increase in indirect violence exposure (
β
= 1.25, SE = 0.57,
p
= 0.027). There also was a significant interaction between indirect and direct exposure to violence in the association with CBCL score (
β
= −0.08, SE = 0.03,
p
= 0.002). These findings extend previous research by demonstrating that exposure to both direct and cross-contextual indirect violence influences externalizing behaviors in children. Additionally, the findings suggest that community and household social environments are both important targets for interventions designed to decrease externalizing behaviors and improve long-term outcomes for youth at risk of exposure to violence.
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