Exploring risk for abuse of children with chronic conditions or disabilities – parent's perceptions of stressors and the role of professionals

Abstract

In the light of parent's perceptions of stressors and the role of professionals the findings indicate that abuse against children with chronic conditions or disability is not only a family matter, but also depending on qualities in service, professional support and social norms. The result pinpoints three challenges for preventive measures, all with emotional implications, parental strategies, organizational efforts and cultural awareness.

Victimization and depression among youth with disabilities in the US child welfare system

“…For example, the more detached parent-child relationships reported by YWD in our study could be addressed by interventions that promote dyadic communication skills and positive parenting techniques. Likewise, parental clinical depression and poor physical Victimization and depression among YWD 995 health, also associated with youth disability status in our study, signals that supplementary family supports may be needed to enhance parental access to health services, respite care and other resources (Murphy et al 2007;Svensson et al 2013).…”

“…Needed initiatives could include the development of standardized victimization screening tools specific to YWD, the coordination of mental health services to support the unique needs of families of YWD and, more generally, awareness campaigns about the unique risk factors for and sequelae of victimization among YWD (Murphy et al 2007;American Academy of Pediatrics 2009;Svensson et al 2013). Needed initiatives could include the development of standardized victimization screening tools specific to YWD, the coordination of mental health services to support the unique needs of families of YWD and, more generally, awareness campaigns about the unique risk factors for and sequelae of victimization among YWD (Murphy et al 2007;American Academy of Pediatrics 2009;Svensson et al 2013).…”

“…Although medical professionals in the United States have made a concerted effort to respond to the victimization of youth through the promotion of a medical home and comprehensive primary care, it would be beneficial to target certain prevention initiatives to YWD, especially those in contact with the CWS (American Academy of Pediatrics 2009). Needed initiatives could include the development of standardized victimization screening tools specific to YWD, the coordination of mental health services to support the unique needs of families of YWD and, more generally, awareness campaigns about the unique risk factors for and sequelae of victimization among YWD (Murphy et al 2007;American Academy of Pediatrics 2009;Svensson et al 2013).…”

A violência familiar e a criança e o adolescente com deficiências

“…Neste trabalho, entretanto, encontrou-se uma forte associação entre punição corporal e maus-tratos físicos graves com agressão psicológica, em que praticamente todas as crianças que sofreram os dois tipos de maus-tratos físi-cos também sofreram agressão psicológica. As questões que podem estar relacionadas a essa maior vulnerabilidade seriam: a dificuldade em se comunicar; não ser dado crédito ao seu relato; a insegurança emocional; a frustração dos responsáveis por não obterem o comportamento esperado pelo fato de o(a) filho(a)/neto(a) apresentar problemas cognitivos 4,8,11,27,28 .…”

Parentage determination: a medical responsibility?

“…Therefore, we believe that the emphasis on potential harm from abandonment is misplaced. Furthermore, children with disability are at a high risk of parental abuse and neglect,5 regardless of whether their parentage has been questioned.…”