Study of the Differential Consequences of Neglect and Poverty on Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior in Children

Abstract

The consequences of physical neglect on retardation in the development of adaptive behaviors and the increased risk of poor physical and mental health are well documented. As physical neglect is a phenomenon found almost exclusively among socially deprived people, it is important to distinguish the health effects caused by neglect from those caused by poverty. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of poverty and physical neglect on the development of problematic externalizing and internalizing behaviors, adaptive skills, and school problems among school children between the ages of 3 and 12. A group of 157 children were chosen from 28 Andalusian schools and classified in three homogeneous groups. Children in group 1 (n = 53) had two target conditions: living in slums (poverty) and suffering from neglect. Children in group 2 (n = 52) had one target condition: living in the same slums as the children in group 1, but not suffering from neglect. Group 3 (n = 52) consisted of children from other (non-slum) neighborhoods who did not suffer from neglect. Adaptive and maladaptive behaviors were evaluated with the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Significant differences were found between group 1 and group 2, but there were no important differences between group 2 and group 3. The conclusion was that externalizing and internalizing problems, school problems, and low adaptive skills found in neglected children were associated with neglect rather than with poverty or socially deprived environments.

Child-Rearing in African Christian Marriages: A Case of Isongole Ward, Ileje District, Songwe Region in Tanzania

“…Food is a basic requirement in the life of all living things. Failure to have adequate food causes many problems to occur to human beings, such as diseases, because most diseases can easily be treated by just eating enough and adequate food [19]- [22]. Reference [20], for example, assert that "Child development theory suggests that children have specific stage-salient developmental needs that, if unmet, hinder successful adaptation within and between developmental stages."…”

Prevalence and factors associated child neglect in a Brazilian state

“…Neglected children are more likely to present deficits in their brain development, difficulties in relating to the external environment, aggressive and antisocial behavior, anxiety, and depression problems, learning difficulties and violent and delinquent behavior in adulthood. 3,[8][9][10][11][12] Poverty is pointed out as the main factor associated with neglect, affecting the families' access to basic social rights such as health, education, transportation, and adequate housing, which end up influencing the parents' ability to provide the necessary care to the child. 3,6,8,[13][14][15] Other associated factors related to parental characteristics are low self-esteem, difficulty in socializing and the use of social support resources, passivity, use of illicit substances, mental health problems, and difficulties related to planning their lives.…”

Prevalência e fatores associados à negligência contra crianças em um estado brasileiro

“…Crianças negligenciadas têm maiores de chance de apresentarem déficits em seu desenvolvimento cerebral, dificuldades em se relacionar com o meio externo, comportamento agressivo e antissocial, problemas de ansiedade e depressão, dificuldades de aprendizados e comportamento violento e delinquente na vida adulta. 3,[8][9][10][11][12] A pobreza é apontada como o principal fator associado à negligência, afetando o acesso das famílias à direitos sociais básicos como saúde, educação, transporte e moradia adequada, que acabam por influenciar na capacidade dos pais fornecerem os cuidados necessários à criança. 3,6,8,[13][14][15] Outros fatores associados relacionados às características parentais são a baixa autoestima, dificuldade de socialização e de utilização de recursos de apoio social, passividade, uso de substâncias ilícitas, problemas mentais e dificuldades relacionadas ao planejamento de sua vida.…”