This study presents the results of a systematic review on the prevalence of sexual abuse experienced in adulthood by individuals with intellectual disability. An electronic and manual search of academic journals was performed on four databases via EBSCO Host: Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL Full-Text. In addition, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science (core collection) were searched. After an initial selection of 1037 documents, 25 articles remained for quantitative synthesis. The combined prevalence of sexual abuse in adults with intellectual disability was 32.9% (95% CI: 22.7–43.0) and sensitivity analysis revealed that the prevalence was not outweighed by a single study. Overall, the United Kingdom had the highest prevalence (r = 34.1%), and the USA had the lowest (r = 15.2%). The overall prevalence in females was lower (r = 31.8%) than that in males (r = 39.9%). Subgroup analyses revealed that prevalence of sexual abuse was higher in institutionalized individuals. The most prevalent profile of abuser is of a peer with intellectual disability. Prevalence increases from mild to severe levels of intellectual disability and decreases in profound levels. It is also more prevalent when the informant is the individual with intellectual disability than when someone else reports abuse. In sum, one in three adults with intellectual disability suffers sexual abuse in adulthood. Special attention should be paid for early detection and intervention in high risk situations.

Children left behind while their parents immigrate or travel for employment are becoming a widespread phenomenon for economic reasons, creating potentially stressful and inadequate developmental support for a substantial portion of some countries' working class populations. This study assessed the emotional status and coping skills of two matched samples of 163 Romanian children left behind and 163 comparable children living with their parents. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, the Anger Expression Scale for Children, the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, and the Children's Coping Strategies Checklist were utilized. Higher anxiety and depression were observed in left-behind children compared to the control group living with parents. Hierarchical multiple regression supported the relevance of coping strategies, controlled for sociodemographic characteristics, to help explain anxiety in left-behind children. Strategies to promote psychological health and general well being are discussed.

El trabajo que se presenta tiene como objetivo analizar las semejanzas y diferencias en la salud y en la calidad de vida de los cuidadores familiares y profesionales que atienden a personas mayores en situación de dependencia. Concretamente se presentan los resultados obtenidos tras la evaluación de 600 cuidadores de los cuales un 33,83% son familiares y un 66,17% son profesionales, a quienes se evaluó la carga o estrés experimentado, la salud física y psicológica y la calidad de vida general, laboral, familiar y social. Los resultados obtenidos indican que existen diferencias entre ambos grupos de cuidadores. Los familiares dedicados al cuidado presentan mayores niveles de sobrecarga y tienen una peor salud física y psicológica como consecuencia de la atención prestada al dependiente. Los cuidadores profesionales experimentan una mayor satisfacción con la vida en general y con otros factores como el trabajo, la familia y las relaciones sociales. Finalmente se justifica la necesidad de poner en marcha intervenciones de mejora de la salud de los cuidadores.Palabras clave: Cuidadores, sobrecarga, salud, calidad de vida, dependencia.Health and quality of life of family and professional caregivers of dependent elderly: a comparative study. The work presented aims to analyze the similarities and differences in health and quality of life of family caregivers and professionals serving seniors in a position of dependency. Specifically, the results presented were obtained from the evaluation of 600 caregivers, of which 33.83% are family and 66.17% are professionals, to determine their burden or stress experienced, as well as their physical and psychological health and their overall, work, family and social quality of life. The results indicate that there are differences between the two groups of caregivers. The family caregivers have higher levels of overload and have poorer physical and psychological health as a result of their tasks. Professional caregivers experience greater satisfaction with life in general and in other factors such as work, family and social relationships. Finally, this justifies the need to implement interventions to improve the health of caregivers.

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Aim: To present a protocol study directed at tackling gender discrimination against Roma girls by empowering their mattering so they can envision their own futures and choose motherhood only if—and when—they are ready. Background: Motherhood among Roma girls (RGM) in Europe impoverishes their lives, puts them at risk of poor physical and mental health and precipitates school dropouts. Overwhelming evidence affirms that the conditions of poverty and the social exclusionary processes they suffer have a very important explanatory weight in their sexual and reproductive decisions. Methods: Through a Community-based Participatory Action Research design, 20–25 Roma girls will be recruited in each one of the four impoverished communities in Bulgaria, Romania and Spain. Data collection and analysis: Desk review about scientific evidences and policies will be carried out to frame the problem. Narratives of Roma women as well as baseline and end line interviews of girl participants will be collected through both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Quantitative data will be gathered through reliable scales of mattering, socio–political agency, satisfaction with life and self. A narrative analysis of the qualitative information generated in the interviews will be carried out. Expected results: (1) uncover contextual and psychosocial patterns of girl-motherhood among Roma women; (2) build critical thinking among Roma girls to actively participate in all decisions affecting them and advocate for their own gender rights within their communities; and (3) empower Roma girls and their significant adults to critically evaluate their own initiatives and provide feedback to their relevant stakeholders. Conclusions: Roma girls will improve their educational aspirations and achievements and their social status while respecting and enhancing Roma values.