Potential sources of support for children who have been emotionally abused by parents

Abstract

The aim of the research was to explore potential sources of support for children who are emotionally abused by their parent figures. Twelve children, aged 7-15 years, reflecting diversity within the UK population, acted as consultants. A questionnaire based on a vignette was developed with the advice of these 12 children and was sanctioned by ethics advisors. The questionnaire was distributed to 15 different schools and was completed by 2220 children aged 9-13 years. The respondents identified the extended family as the most important source of support, with grandparents achieving the highest scores. Two other prominent potential helpers were "a friend" and "ChildLine", a UK telephone helpline for children. Teachers, social workers, health professionals, religious figures and pets were also deemed important sources of assistance by the participants. The prominence of the extended family as a major support was consistent across the various pupil groups. This was an unanticipated finding because some schools were based in communities experiencing considerable dislocation or serving new migrant populations where extended families were no longer close to hand. The findings have implications for the management of cases of child emotional abuse.

Peer paradox: the tensions that peer relationships raise for vulnerable youth

“…Anya explained her need for intense friendships with a deviant peer group as a substitute for the care and attention of her father. Data from the interviews support findings in the literature (Browne 2002;Doyle et al 2010;Emond 2014;Farineau et al 2013;French & Dishion 2003;Hussong 2002;McMahon & Curtin 2013;Müller & Minger 2013;Wilkinson 2004). Friends provided emotional protection and substituted for the emotional resources missing from their families for vulnerable group youths.…”

“…Data from the interviews support findings in the literature (Browne ; Doyle et al . ; Emond ; Farineau et al . ; French & Dishion ; Hussong ; McMahon & Curtin ; Müller & Minger ; Wilkinson ).…”

“…Youth with strong friendships, experience less depression (La Greca & Harrison ), have enhanced self‐esteem, reduced anxiety and better overall psychological health (Buhrmester ), while isolated or lonely youth risk compromised mental health (Browne ; Doyle et al . ; Farineau et al . ).…”

“…While relationships with risk-taking peers may endanger a vulnerable child, friendships among youth do have an important role to play in positive development (Compas et al 1986;Buhrmester 1990;Rubin et al 2006).Youth with strong friendships, experience less depression (La Greca & Harrison 2005), have enhanced self-esteem, reduced anxiety and better overall psychological health (Buhrmester 1990), while isolated or lonely youth risk compromised mental health (Browne 2002;Doyle et al 2010;Farineau et al 2013).…”

From research ‘on’ to research ‘with’ children about their family lives: A scoping review of ethical and methodological challenges

“…All selected publications focused on children and adolescents, ranging from 5 to 17 years. Out of the 17 articles included in our selection, 4 were original studies (Buchwald et al, 2012;Bussell et al, 1995;Doyle et al, 2010;Young, 1980), and 13 presented theoretical reflections based on their authors' own previous work (Campbell, 2008;Dockett & Perry, 2007;Dockett et al, 2009;Gabb, 2010;Gorin et al, 2008;Hordyk, 2017;Martins et al, 2018;MacDonald & Greggans, 2008;Neill, 2007;Notko et al, 2013;Pirskanen et al, 2015;Yee & Andrews, 2006;Zartler, 2010). Thus, the F I G U R E 1 PRISMA flow diagram illustrating the search process 13 theoretical reflections are based on 14 original studies.…”