Summary of IRDS research in volume 36, issue 2 (2007) of Revue de Psychoéducation
The Institut de recherche pour le développement social des jeunes (IRDS), established in 1995 by the Centre Jeunesse de Montréal - Institut universitaire in collaboration with the University of Montreal and the University of Quebec at Montreal, is a research institute for youth social development specifically mandated to conduct research in the field of violence experienced or perpetuated by young people.
Bigras, M. (2007). Dix années de recherche à l'IRDS pour contrer les méfaits de la violence chez les jeunes des Centres jeunesse. Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 263-272.
The concept of violence formulated by the IRDS includes both violence experienced and violence perpetrated. Solutions proposed to counter its damaging consequences are based on the following research strategies: 1) be more aware of the harm inflicted on children and where it is rooted in order to, in part, inform the public and promote effective prevention programs; 2) better identify the perpetrators of violence and the risk factors within the family such as marital conflicts and mental health issues; 3) identify the factors for prevention such as stable family relationships.
Chagnon, F. (2007). Le suicide chez les jeunes en Centre jeunesse: où en sommes-nous et quels sont les défis pour la prévention? Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 273-278.
This article profiles advances made in the last 10 years on suicide prevention among young people in youth centres. It begins with a compilation of research data on the issue of suicide within this age group. Statistics reveal an exceptionally high incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviour among this group of young people, with variations linked to gender (boys versus girls) and the simultaneous presence of one or more risk factors. It outlines the main suicide risk factors present in young people in youth centres with a focus on issues such as mental health problems and alcohol and drug abuse. Life issues and factors for suicide prevention are also addressed, as well as innovative collaborative programs developed to better treat these young people and prevent suicide. Finally, the article describes the major challenges in suicide prevention and the impact on young people in youth centres, notably the need to focus on new programs that better reflect their unique situation.
Paquette, D. (2007). Perspectives nouvelles sur l'attachement à partir d'études sur les problèmes extériorisés des enfants. Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 279-288.
This article focuses on how, in the past 10 years, personal research on physical abuse and problems displayed by children under the age of six has contributed to the issue of attachment. A longitudinal study of a group of children born to teenage mothers indicated that the mother-child bond is linked to the antisocial behaviour of girls but not of boys. Research led to a project undertaken to explore the role of the father-child conflict in externalized aggressive behaviour in children, particularly in boys. As a result, the theory of activated attachment behaviour was formulated in order to better understand the influence of the father on child attachment and development. The article concludes by underlining the importance now given to the issue of attachment by the Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire in the treatment of children in need of help.
Turcotte, G. (2007). Le projet MAP à Montréal. Pour favoriser l'insertion socioprofessionnelle de femmes chefs de familles monoparentales. Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 289-304.
The aim of this article is to report on a research-practice project which led to the founding of a community organization devoted to the social and employment integration of single-parent, low income mothers with preschool age children: the MAP (Mères avec pouvoir), an acronym for mothers with power, project in Montreal. The global approach project has fostered an increase in the power to take action and partnership action through its implementation in two city locations, Longueuil and the South-Central district of Montreal. The comprehensive project took shape with the creation of a residential resource centre providing various self-help plans: subsidized housing, access to daycare in close proximity to home and support by a team of workers and partners. The initial project was launched by an IRDS interest group and can now rely on the support of 20 partners from various sectors of the community.
Hélie, S. (2007). Surveillance en protection de la jeunesse: le tango des chiffres. Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 305-316.
Providing an estimate of the recurrence of child maltreatment poses numerous conceptual, methodological and technical challenges. What constitutes child maltreatment and how to measure frequency will affect estimates, which will ultimately influence what preventive services are offered, notably in youth protection. In turn, the services must be documented and their effectiveness assessed, which presents more challenges. For example, let us consider the "performance" indicators, the rate of recurrence, the average length of time devoted to intervention and the rate of discontinued services. The aim of this article is to pause and reflect on how to interpret numbers in youth protection, which will reveal the urgency to establish reliable indicators in addressing the phenomenon of child maltreatment and practices. Suggestions include courses of action to adopt in order to improve our understanding, knowledge and monitoring of child maltreatment.
Lavergne, C. (2007). Violence conjugale et mauvais traitements envers les enfants: phénomènes reliés mais envisagés dans des paradigmes distincts. Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 317-328.
Data currently available indicate that the presence of domestic abuse is relatively frequent in family situations where children are victims of maltreatment, and that these family situations are generally more serious and complex. Although family violence has been viewed as a major social issue for years, it is still essentially addressed in a fragmented way both in terms of intervention and research. This article is a compilation of recent research findings on the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment in terms of the scope and consequences of the phenomenon for young victims and of the parental role. It also addresses the complex nature of incidents of violence and the wide-ranging needs of various family members involved in issues of this nature. The article outlines the factors that are currently an obstacle to establishing effective, coherent and concerted methods of intervention, and discusses the conditions needed to find solutions.
Malo, C. (2007). Y a-t-il un lien entre le décrochage scolaire et le décrochage social chez les jeunes présentant des troubles de comportement? Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 329-340.
The province of Quebec, as in many other western-world communities, is concerned by the rate of young people dropping out of school. We now have increased knowledge of the risk factors for dropping out of school that can be related to achievement in school, the current school climate, family issues or the personal characteristics of the young people and their families. It is also acknowledged that dropping out of school is at the root of the eventual process of being socially marginalized. Recently, researchers have turned their attention to the more global concept of social exclusion among young people, defined as a process of disaffiliation made worse by the increased breakdown in relationships, not only in terms of school life but of other institutions and of existing societal values as well. Few studies have documented the possible link between dropping out of school and the more global exclusion from society. The link can be identified in young people with behavioural problems that often reflect a type of social exclusion. This article reports on an ongoing exploratory, qualitative and prospective study of 30 young people from Montreal enrolled in a special school due to their behavioural issues. The aim of the study is to better understand the paths that may lead some young people to social exclusion, while others finally find their place within society. The article also aims to focus on the effects of dropping out of school for those experiencing it, and their possible path in the ominous process of social exclusion.
Malo, C. (2007). Les mauvais traitements psychologiques envers les enfants, pourquoi et comment en tenir compte dans la pratique en centre jeunesse. Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 341-352.
It is only since July 2007, when Bill 125, the Quebec Youth Protection Act, was amended, that psychological maltreatment in children has been distinctly recognized as an incident to be reported and investigated by child welfare services. For decades, the issue has been of concern to both researchers and practitioners in the province of Quebec and elsewhere throughout North America. The delay is due in part to controversy surrounding the issue of psychological maltreatment that has made knowledge acquisition a complex issue, and to the nature of psychological maltreatment that is undisputedly more difficult to identify than other forms of child abuse. Identifying psychological abuse is all the more challenging in that the negative impact is not always obvious in the short term. This article provides an update of the controversy surrounding psychological maltreatment, of the emerging consensus on the scope of the issue in Quebec and Canada, and on identified forms of impact. It will be followed with the presentation of the Guide de soutien à l'évaluation du risque de mauvais traitements psychologiques envers les enfants (Malo & Gagné, 2002) recently put together at the IRDS, as well as the related training session. Finally, a discussion will take place on the intricacies of distributing the guide and of the prospects for advancement in this area.
Reference
Malo C., & Gagné, M.-H. (2002). Guide de soutien à l'évaluation du risque de mauvais traitements psychologiques envers les enfants. Montreal: Institut de recherche pour le développement social des jeunes et Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire.
Mayer, M. (2007). La pauvreté comme facteur de risque de négligence. Revue de Psychoéducation, 36(2), 353-362.
Initial research on the phenomenon of child neglect concluded that families identified were the poorest of the poor, a finding that has systematically been repeated. However, this aspect of child neglect has received little attention in research and in intervention guides. The reasons for the link between poverty and neglect and the tangible impact of this inter-connection are rarely addressed in terms of intervention and ongoing work. The aim of this article is to merge research data and opinions on the issue. The focus is on a concept of poverty as it is identified in research and examines what aspects of the concept have a particular influence on the risk of neglect. It also outlines the various possible interpretations of the link between poverty and the risk of neglect and their implication in terms of programs and forms of intervention. In view of the impact of poverty on the issue of neglect, it can be concluded that the need for either direct or indirect intervention for this factor is undeniable if there is to be, at very least, the ability to reduce the ever-increasing rates of child neglect.