Bergeron, M., & Hébert, M. (2006). Évaluation d'une intervention de groupe d'approche féministe auprès de femmes victimes d'agression sexuelle. Child Abuse & Neglect, 30(10), 1143-1159.
This study rated the effectiveness of a feminist- based group intervention on 26 women who had experienced sexual abuse in childhood or adulthood. The test rated psychological distress, depression symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms and feelings of guilt and helplessness. Results showed a significant difference in pre-test and post-test scores obtained one week after the intervention, with gains maintained 3 months after the completion of the intervention.
Bourassa, C., Lavergne, C., Damant, D., Lessard, G., & Turcotte, P. (2006). Awareness and detection of the co-occurrence of interparental violence and child abuse: Child welfare worker's perspective. Children and Youth Services Review, 28(11), 1312-1328.
Using data generated from qualitative research on child welfare workers' awareness of the co-occurrence of interparental violence and child abuse, this study showed that although social workers have a generally good awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence, only slightly more than half say they have systematically tried to detect marital violence in the cases assigned to them. The study is broached in the context of a large body of research showing that domestic violence and child abuse often coexist in the same household.
Brown, J.D., & Bednar, L.M. (2006). Foster parent perceptions of placement breakdown. Children and Youth Services Review, 28(12), 1497-1511.
Survey data from 63 foster parents indicated that they would consider ending a placement if: (1) there was a danger to their families, (2) the foster child did not adapt to the home, (3) they could not handle the foster child's behaviour, (4) their own health deteriorated, (5) the foster child had complex health needs, (6) there was a problem dealing with the foster agency, (7) there were several unsuccessful attempts to make the placement work (8) their personal circumstances changed; (9) there was a lack of external support.
Cyr, M., Mcduff, P., & Wright, J. (2006). Prevalence and Predictors of Dating Violence Among Adolescent Female Victims of Child Sexual Abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21(8), 1000-1017.
The purpose of this study was to (a) describe the amount of psychological and physical dating violence experienced by a sample of adolescents who were sexually abused as children and the reciprocity of the violence; and (b) to investigate the specific contribution of certain child sexual abuse characteristics as risk markers for interpartner abuse. Participants were female (n=126) adolescent victims of child sexual abuse who had been involved in an intimate relationship within a year of the study. Questionnaire data were collected to assess psychological violence in dating relationships. Results indicated that 84.1% reported perpetuating psychological violence and 81.7% reported receiving it, with 90% of teenagers who received psychological violence also perpetuating it. More than 45.2% reported being the victim of physical violence, with 20.6% reporting being victims of at least one form of severe violence. Duration and severity of the childhood sexual abuse and the presence were associated with increased risk of dating violence in adolescence.
Hébert, M., Parent, N., Daignault, I., & Tourigny, M. (2006). A Typological Analysis of Behavioral Profiles of Sexually Abused Children. Child Maltreatment, 11(3), 203-216.
A sample of 123 children and their families who had reported sexual abuse were compared to a control group of 123 non-abused children and their families. Children completed questionnaires evaluating coping strategies, perceived social support, and self-esteem. Mothers completed questionnaires evaluating children's behavioural problems and quality of family relationships. Results showed four clusters: an anxiety group in which children displayed some behaviour problems, a severe distress group in which children showed more highly elevated behaviour problems, and two clusters in which children functioned within normal levels. The greatest number of sexually abused children were in the anxiety group. The severe distress group had the greatest percentage of children reporting severe sexual abuse. Findings show that there are significant psychosocial differences between children who have reported sexual abuse, ranging from severe distress to resilience. A range of treatment options are required to meet the ranges of individual needs of children and their families having to cope with the aftermath of sexual abuse.
Rodger, S., Cummings, A., & Leschied, A. (2006). Who is caring for our most vulnerable children? The motivation to foster in child welfare. Child Abuse & Neglect, 30(10), 1129-1142.
This study surveyed the characteristics of 652 foster parents. Results showed that foster parents were motivated by wanting to be loving parents to children and wanting to save children from harm. They derived satisfaction from positive working relationships with child welfare agencies. Negative relations with professional staff from child welfare agencies were linked to foster parents' considering whether or not they should leave fostering.
Saint-Jacques, M.-C., Cloutier R., Pauzé, R., Simard, M. et al. (2006). The Impact of Serial Transitions on Behavioral and Psychological Problems Among Children in Child Protection Services. Child Welfare, 85(6), 941- 964.
In Quebec, 20-30% of children in protection services are from blended families. Conjugal unions tend to be unstable in stepfamilies and single parent families that receive child protection services. The children in these families often experience serial transitions with several episodes of family blending. This study analyzed data from 741 children in child protection services to look at the impact of serial transitions on behaviour disorders, anxiety and depression. Results showed that the number of times a family is blended is a stronger predictive factor for difficulties in a child's adjustment than family type. The accumulation of stress factors associated with family transitions increases the likelihood that children will develop behaviour problems. The study also showed that adjustment is more difficult if children experience a large number of transitions in a short period of time.