COVID-19 and violence against children: A review of early studies

Cappa, Claudia; Jijón, Isabel

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105053

Cited by 120 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 44 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Our findings converge towards a similar theme, as indicated by the increased number of reported cases of abuse by both parents. They are consistent with the globally reported increased risk of intrafamilial psychosocial risk ( Cappa & Jijon, 2021 ). These include an increased risk of parental stress and intimate family violence in a confined family environment in which children are increasingly vulnerable.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reporting of maltreatment cases to the National Family Safety Program in Saudi Arabia

Alenezi

Alnamnakani

Temsah

et al. 2021

Child Abuse & Neglect

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic represents a global and nationwide public health crisis. Although protective, socially restrictive measures may cause social isolation, which amounts to an increased ecological risk for mental health disturbance in vulnerable populations. Previous reports have suggested a significant association between the occurrence of public health crises and increased rates of multiple risk factors related to child mental health disturbances, domestic violence, and child-maltreatment. Methodology We conducted a retrospective data review of reported child maltreatment cases from the National Family Safety Program during the period of September 2019 to September 2020. A descriptive analysis approach was used to compare rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results During COVID-19, abuse was significantly more reported by a family member than by the victims themselves or by a healthcare worker. However, before COVID-19, the offender was less often reported to be known to the victim; was both parents or the mother but was more often described as male, older, single, less educated; and currently unemployed with no significant change observed in their health status ( p < 0.001). Interestingly, the predicted type of abuse also significantly differed and was more emotional or sexual than other types (p < 0.001). Conclusion The types of abuse and the characteristics of both abused children and offenders saw significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sexual and emotional abuses were reported more frequently, and the male gender is considered to feature more commonly in reports prior to the pandemic era than during the pandemic.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reporting of maltreatment cases to the National Family Safety Program in Saudi Arabia

Alenezi

Alnamnakani

Temsah

et al. 2021

Child Abuse & Neglect

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Among 11-to 16-year-olds in the United Kingdom, reported incidence of loneliness increased after COVID-related contact restrictions, but there was no observed increase in mental health disorders [16]. A survey of global data on the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence against children found conflicting results but no firm evidence of an increase [17]. In a study of more than 2500 adults in Germany, Sachser et al even reported a decreased frequency of mental health problems during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic [18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Associated Contact Restrictions in Germany: Marked Decline in Children’s Outpatient Visits for Infectious Diseases without Increasing Visits for Mental Health Disorders

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Children have a low risk for severe COVID-19 infections, but indirect consequences of the pandemic may affect their health. We evaluated nationwide data on children’s outpatient visits before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Data from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for all children with statutory health insurance and at least one physician’s office visit between January 2019 and June 2020 were evaluated for total visits and selected diagnoses for the 2nd quarter of 2019 (8.29 million children, controls) and the 2nd quarter of 2020 (8.5 million, pandemic). Outpatient visits per child fell by 18% during the first wave of the pandemic. Outpatient visits associated with diagnosed infections fell markedly by 51%, particularly for children up to age 5 years for gastroenteritis (73%), otitis media (71%), and streptococcal angina (78%). Outpatient visits for diagnosed chronic physical disorders (diabetes, celiac disease, and hay fever) and mental and behavioral disorders showed little change. Reduced contact between children appears to markedly reduce infection transmission. Infection risks in educational settings should be attenuated after the pandemic through targeted education and counseling and appropriate relationship prevention measures to improve quality of life and opportunities for children and to reduce stress and lost work time for parents.

show abstract

“…Finally, studies that can answer questions about processes and mechanisms impacting child development are greatly needed. We need to know if the pandemic has led to increases in adversities for some children (e.g., increases in child maltreatment), 30 or if others have seen a reprieve under pandemic conditions (e.g., reduced bullying victimization). 31 Importantly, an increase or decrease in mental health symptoms and the occurrence of a pandemic does not necessitate causality; the impact of specific moderators (which influence the strength of relations) or mediators (which explain the relation) on development must also be assessed.…”

Section: Processes and Mechanisms: Understanding Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the quality of research examining change in children’s mental health in the context of COVID-19

Vaillancourt

Brittain

Krygsman

et al. 2021

UOJM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In their policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on children and youth, the United Nations identified the need for “a rapid accumulation of data on the scale and nature of impacts among children.”1(p14) Although an important goal, this call to action defies how research typically unfolds. Science is a slow, methodical process that requires careful consideration of prior evidence, ethics, measurement, sampling, analysis, and implications, to name a few. Still, we appreciate the call to shift priorities and allocate resources to conduct research about this global event. The stakes are high and information is needed to guide us on how children and youth are faring during this unprecedented time. One problem is that sub-standard studies, often released as non-peer reviewed preprints, are being promoted on social media and in news outlets, and this attention can influence the public’s perception of risk, the credibility of scientists, and policy makers’ decisions related to funding and programming. Some scholars and medical professionals see preprints as a necessity during the pandemic to circumvent the lengthy review process and to arm professionals with the most up-to-date data.2 Others see this growing trend as facilitating the spread of misinformation because, unlike scientists who approach non-peer reviewed research with caution, popular news outlets and the public may take preprints at face value.3,4 Our goal is thus to remind readers of what constitutes good science in the field of child and youth mental health.

show abstract

COVID-19 and violence against children: A review of early studies

Cited by 120 publications

References 44 publications

Evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reporting of maltreatment cases to the National Family Safety Program in Saudi Arabia

Evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reporting of maltreatment cases to the National Family Safety Program in Saudi Arabia

COVID-19 Associated Contact Restrictions in Germany: Marked Decline in Children’s Outpatient Visits for Infectious Diseases without Increasing Visits for Mental Health Disorders

Assessing the quality of research examining change in children’s mental health in the context of COVID-19

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About