Immigrant parents’ beliefs about the U.S. child welfare system may shape whether families seek support, disclose family needs, or avoid formal systems. Yet limited research has examined how these beliefs are organized or how they are associated with information sources and perceived familiarity with the system. Guided by cognitive schema and institutional trust frameworks, this study examined beliefs about the U.S. child welfare system among 295 foreign-born parents whose immigration status could be classified as permanent or temporary/other documented. Exploratory factor analysis of 11 investigator-developed belief items suggested two related dimensions: Perceived Child Welfare System Reach and Activity and Mistrustful and Stigmatizing Beliefs. Hierarchical ordinary least squares regression models examined associations between these belief dimensions and sociodemographic characteristics, immigration-related factors, psychosocial covariates, information sources, and self-reported familiarity. Information-source indicators explained additional variance in both belief dimensions. Internet searches and television or radio were associated with higher Perceived Child Welfare System Reach and Activity. The most notable finding was that parents who reported being unfamiliar with the child welfare system expressed stronger agreement across both dimensions. This association became stronger when unfamiliarity was defined as selecting no other information source. Findings suggest that unfamiliarity should not be understood as the absence of beliefs. Instead, immigrant parents with limited direct knowledge may still hold strong views shaped by indirect information, community narratives, and broader experiences with public institutions. Child welfare agencies and immigrant-serving organizations should provide clear, culturally responsive, and multilingual information about mandated reporting, parental rights, poverty-related need, neglect, and the range of child welfare responses.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have substantially impacted child protection systems. Previous research points to decreased reports to child protection services (CPS) during the pandemic, but generalizability across countries, sectors, and time periods remains unclear. This systematic review synthesizes publications utilizing administrative data to examine changes in system responses to child maltreatment (CM) during the pandemic and explores factors underlying observed trends. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of ten databases identified studies published between January 2020 and July 2025. Eligible studies analyzed pandemic-related changes in outcomes reflecting child protection system responses, including detection, reporting, and interventions across child welfare, health, justice, and helpline sectors. We synthesized study designs, quality, and periods and examined trends across world regions. The 121 included studies spanned 29 countries, with the majority conducted in North America (59
We mapped the care-educational technologies that nurses use to promote parenting, with a focus on child protection and violence prevention. We conducted a scoping review following JBI Brazilian Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care guidelines and reported it according to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. We searched Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, PsycINFO. The research question was developed using the PCC framework, focusing on nurses, care-educational technologies, and parenting promotion aimed at child protection and violence prevention. We selected studies, extracted data, and synthesized the findings systematically following JBI recommendations. We registered the review protocol in the Open Science Framework. We included 31 studies, with a noticeable increase in publications after 2010. Care-educational technologies were organized into two main categories: process-based technologies, including home visits, group interventions, workshops, counseling, and follow-up strategies; and product-based technologies, including educational materials, media, digital resources, and standardized instruments. These technologies were mainly used to support parenting practices, promote parent–child bonding, facilitate access to information, and contribute to child protection and violence prevention. Future research should further examine their implementation, feasibility, sustainability, and long-term outcomes across different contexts.
Child sex trafficking in India is shaped by caste, poverty, gender inequality, and entrenched sociocultural practices, yet evidence remains fragmented across disciplines. To map existing literature on the experiences, vulnerabilities, and service needs of child victims of sex trafficking in India. A PRISMA-ScR–guided scoping review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. Studies were included on sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation in India and reported on their experiences, vulnerabilities or service needs. Studies focusing exclusively on adults or conducted outside India were excluded. Of 363 records screened, 32 full texts were assessed, and 16 studies were included. Data were charted using a standardised form and synthesised thematically. Trafficking pathways included caste-based intergenerational systems, religious dedication, deceptive recruitment, and brothel-based exploitation. Children experienced early entry, repeated violence, psychological trauma, restricted autonomy, and heightened HIV risk. Key vulnerabilities were poverty, caste and gender marginalisation, early age, and weak protection systems. Identified service needs included trauma-informed care, child-friendly healthcare, educational and livelihood support, survivor-centred legal responses, and community-based prevention. Child sex trafficking in India is structurally embedded, requiring strengthened child-centred and context-responsive interventions.
Online child sexual abuse (OCSA) is increasingly recognized as a major global challenge. OCSA may have many short- and long-term consequences, including psychological, emotional, and interpersonal difficulties, as well as severe outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among some individuals. Although research has predominantly focused on documenting these adverse effects, comparatively less attention has been directed toward understanding the processes that support survivors’ adaptation, recovery, and growth. The present study investigated the well-being of individuals who experienced OCSA during childhood, with a focus on the roles of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and personal agency. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires from 1,243 participants, among whom 245 reported experiences of OCSA. Analyses examined whether PTG mediated the relationship between OCSA victimization and well-being, and whether personal agency moderated the association between OCSA victimization and PTG. Results indicated that PTG significantly mediated the relationship between OCSA victimization and well-being, suggesting that survivors who achieved growth following trauma demonstrated higher levels of well-being. However, personal agency did not significantly moderate the association between OCSA and PTG. These findings emphasize the importance of interventions that extend beyond harm reduction and actively cultivate PTG as a pathway to enhanced psychological outcomes. Therapeutic, community-based, and educational initiatives that foster meaning-making and resilience may be particularly valuable in supporting the recovery from OCSA.
There is a body of research on the impacts of child sexual abuse and the value of therapeutic support for children in its aftermath. Yet literature suggests that children with these experiences are not always getting the support they are entitled to in the pre-trial period of associated legal proceedings. This is a period where support needs can often be heightened. This article presents the findings of a scoping review of the literature which explored pre-trial therapy guidelines and experiences in this context. Analysis of 70 resources indicate that misconceptions about pre-trial therapy – coupled with a lack of training and support for professionals – has led to variable practice in if and how pre-trial therapy is delivered. Attention is paid to the negative implications of this, given what is already known about the difficulties of criminal justice processes in England and Wales, and wider pressures on children’s services. The publication of updated pre-trial therapy guidance during the period of this review signals the relevance and timeliness of exploring this topic. The relative absence of children’s voices on pre-trial therapy also points to a need for further research in this area to better understand children’s needs and experiences of pre-trial therapy, as well as those of the professionals who play a role in its provision.
Spanking is a common but controversial disciplinary practice associated with adverse developmental outcomes in children. Although prior research has examined links between spanking and child behavior, less is known about whether caregivers report using spanking differently among children with neurodevelopmental conditions. This brief report examined whether caregiver-reported spanking frequency differed for children with and without reported neurodevelopmental conditions at age 6. Data were drawn from the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). The sample included 1,065 children assessed at age 6. Caregivers reported whether the child had been diagnosed with attention or hyperactivity problems, learning problems, or intellectual disability. Spanking frequency over the past year was assessed using the Conflict Tactics Scale. Independent samples t-tests compared spanking frequency between children with and without caregiver-reported neurodevelopmental conditions. Children with caregiver-reported attention or hyperactivity problems were spanked more frequently on average (M = 1.99, SD = 1.58) than children without those concerns (M = 1.76, SD = 1.53). This difference reached statistical significance, t(1065) = 1.64, p = .05, but represented a small effect (d = 0.15). Given the marginal statistical significance and small effect size, the practical magnitude of this difference is limited. No significant differences in spanking frequency were observed for children with reported learning problems or intellectual disability. Findings suggest that children with attention and hyperactivity concerns may be modestly more likely to be exposed to corporal punishment; however, the observed differences were small and should be interpreted cautiously. Results are descriptive and non-causal. Identifying groups with differential exposure to spanking may inform prevention and early intervention efforts, particularly for families managing behavioral regulation challenges.
Residential out-of-home care (OoHC) delivers a wide range of programs and practices intended to support the emotional, social and developmental needs of children and young people (CYP). Yet many CYP continue to experience inequitable life outcomes, indicating implementation gaps. Implementation science offers systematic approaches to strengthen delivery of practices, including identifying the barriers and enablers that influence successful implementation. A scoping review was undertaken to identify the barriers and enablers influencing successful implementation of practices in residential OoHC. Eight electronic databases were searched from 1 January 2010 to 3 November 2025. Peer-reviewed primary studies reporting barriers and enablers to implementing practices in residential OoHC were included. Data charting and analysis were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) using a framework analysis approach. CFIR was selected because it supports the systematic identification of barriers and enablers across systemic, organisational, individual, practice and process factors. Thirteen studies were included following screening of titles and abstracts (n = 7,225) and full texts (n = 349). Most studies were published between 2022 and 2025 (n = 10) and conducted in Australia (n = 6). Almost all studies (n = 12) reported determinants within the Characteristics of Individuals (e.g., capability), Inner Setting (e.g., relational connections), and Innovation (e.g., relative advantage) domains. Seven studies reported Implementation Process determinants (e.g., engaging CYP) and five reported Outer Setting determinants (e.g., policies and laws). Findings can inform implementation planning, capability-building and organisational and system supports to strengthen delivery of innovations in residential OoHC.
Child trafficking and the worst forms of child labor are pervasive yet difficult to measure. In three hotspot districts in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province (Kailahun, Kenema, and Kono), a baseline mixed-methods study estimated that approximately one-third of children aged 5–17 had experienced child trafficking, underscoring the need to understand how exploitation varies across children’s experiences. This study uses latent class analysis to identify profiles of trafficking-related experiences among children who met the study’s operational criteria for child trafficking, supplementing a binary “trafficked/not trafficked” classification with a profile-based characterization of heterogeneity in exploitation experiences. We analyzed caregiver-reported data from a baseline household survey of 2,025 children aged 5–17 in Kailahun, Kenema, and Kono who met an operational definition of child trafficking experience. Models were estimated using all available manifest-indicator data across 19 indicators spanning six trafficking-related labor sectors, five hazardous tasks performed away from home, and eight force, fraud, and coercion experiences. A five-class model was retained based on fit, stability, parsimony, and interpretability. The classes were: Class 1, moderate coercion with minimal hazards (25.8
Neighborhood environments play a critical role in shaping youth development. Although prior research has focused on individual and family-level factors, there remains a gap in understanding neighborhood-level protective mechanisms for adolescents exposed to child maltreatment. This study examined two forms of Neighborhood Informal Social Control of Child Maltreatment (ISC_CM) – protective and punitive ISC_CM – as potential moderators of the relationship between child maltreatment and adolescent depression, aggressive behavior, and suicidal risk among middle and high school students in South Korea utilizing a cross-sectional survey design. Structural equation modeling results indicated that punitive ISC_CM, such as taking firm action to address punitive parenting, marginally moderated the association between child maltreatment and aggressive behavior, but not depression or suicidal risk. Protective ISC_CM, defined as offering supportive resources in instances of harmful parenting, demonstrated a main effect on all outcomes, but no significant moderation effect was observed. These findings suggest that protective neighborhood interventions are generally beneficial for youth mental health, even if they do not specifically buffer the effects of maltreatment. Community-based programs addressing adolescent mental and emotional health may benefit from encouraging neighbors to establish shared social norms regarding child maltreatment and to intervene in cases of paternal maltreating behaviors. Major keywords. Neighborhood protective factors, collective efficacy, informal social control, suicidal risk, child maltreatment, ISC_CM.
Shaking young children can contribute to morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the epidemiology of shaking outside of high-income countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of reported shaking across Pakistan, and whether certain child, parental, and household characteristics were associated with shaking. Representative samples of households with children between 12 and 23 months from four provinces in Pakistan from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys from 2017 to 2020 were used. A total of 13,062 households were available across the provinces. Reported shaking was based on a yes/no response by an adult caregiver in the household to a question as to whether the child had been shaken in the last month. Binary logistic regression was used to identify what child, parental, and household characteristics were independently associated with reported shaking, and to determine the best-fitting models, with and without the inclusion of paternal variables. The prevalence of reported shaking varied across provinces from 17.9
Deinstitutionalization (DI) of residential homes for children in Ghana has become central to child protection reforms, yet its implementation for child trafficking survivors remains uneven and contested. This study explores how structural, socio-cultural, and economic factors have constrained effective DI and shaped reintegration outcomes. A review of the literature (n = 45) was conducted to examine the evidence on DI, family-based care, and survivor rehabilitation. Findings reveal that although policy frameworks have promoted family-based alternatives, entrenched poverty, fragile kinship systems, limited psychosocial services, and weak state oversight have undermined safe and sustainable reintegration, often heightening re-trafficking risks. Evidence supports a gradual, well-resourced transition away from institutional care toward strengthened community-based protection, long-term family support, and trauma-informed services. The review concludes that DI in Ghana can be effective only when guided by the best interests of the child and embedded within broader reforms that address economic insecurity, enhance social services, and ensure continuous monitoring of trafficking survivors.
Child abuse and neglect (CAN) represent a significant global public health challenge influenced by socioeconomic disadvantages and the built environment. While existing research has examined the social determinants of CAN, fewer studies have examined how environmental factors interact with social vulnerabilities to affect risk levels. This study aims to fill that gap by utilizing an environmental justice framework and Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) to categorize neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California, based on social, environmental, and health-related characteristics. We examined child physical abuse (CPA) and child neglect (CN) from 2020 to 2023 at the census block group level. Sixteen georeferenced indicators of the social, physical, and natural environment were used to identify clusters of neighborhoods with similar socio-environmental profiles. Negative binomial regression was used to predict CPA and CN rates within clusters. Seven clusters describe socio-environmental neighborhood profiles in Los Angeles. The most disadvantaged cluster was defined by high poverty rates, limited green space equity, and poor mental health, with CPA and CN rates more than double those of the most advantaged cluster. Risk levels were significantly higher in areas with intersecting social and environmental challenges. These findings highlight that structural inequities, including restricted access to green infrastructure, are associated with CAN risk. Our results indicate that neighborhoods with limited park access, low tree equity, and other environmental burdens are the same areas where CPA and CN rates are most concentrated. This pattern suggests that efforts to improve environmental conditions may be most relevant when prioritizing resource allocation in comprehensive, place-based approaches to supporting children and families.
Child abuse constitutes a persistent global public health and human rights challenge, with preschool-aged children facing heightened vulnerability due to developmental immaturity and dependence on adult caregivers. Although school-based abuse prevention education has demonstrated effectiveness among school-aged populations, evidence focusing specifically on preschool-aged children remains fragmented. This scoping review aimed to systematically map and characterize existing school-based abuse prevention education programs designed for preschool-aged children. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and was reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five electronic databases (EBSCOhost, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to May 2024. Eligible studies involved preschool-aged children (approximately 3–6 years), implemented school-based educational interventions addressing multiple forms of child maltreatment, and reported child-focused outcomes. Data were synthesized narratively using the Population–Concept–Context (PCC) framework. Twelve primary studies met the inclusion criteria. Most programs were conducted in the United States, with additional evidence from Australia and Jamaica. Interventions varied in structure and duration, ranging from single-session programs to year-long curricula integrated into classroom routines. Common components included safety rule instruction, recognition of unsafe situations, self-protection skill practice, and identification of trusted adults, delivered through interactive and developmentally appropriate methods. Overall, programs demonstrated favorable short-term outcomes, particularly improvements in children’s safety knowledge and disclosure confidence. However, evidence regarding sustained behavioral outcomes and long-term effectiveness remains limited. Future research should prioritize standardized outcome measures, longer follow-up, and culturally responsive program adaptation.
Background. Medical professionals, key mandated reporters, play a critical role in identifying first-time child maltreatment victims, yet little is known about the characteristics and recurrence patterns of maltreatment first detected by this group. Objective. To examine trends in child maltreatment and the racial and geographic disparities in recurrence among young children with the first victimization reported by medical professionals. Methods. Children aged 0–3 from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (2012–2021) were included in the analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess racial and geographical disparities in the recurrence of child maltreatment. Results. Despite fluctuations in the incidence of first maltreatment reported by medical personnel, the proportion of first maltreatment cases reported by medical professionals increased steadily from 20
Child maltreatment constitutes a major public health concern in Australia and internationally. Despite its widespread prevalence and consequences, empirical guidance on how best to assess maltreatment risk within families is significantly lacking. This study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of two Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) tools designed for the child maltreatment context: the Child Abuse Risk and Resilience Assessment (CARRA) and the Child Protection Removal Assessment (Chi-PRA). The sample included 40 parent–child dyads (25 children, 40 parents), randomly selected to represent 10
Background: Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with a range of negative cognitive outcomes. However, significant gaps remain in knowledge of CM in Latin American samples and the potential role of education in reducing its negative effects. Objective: We tested the effects of CM on cognitive functioning to investigate whether years of formal education mediate this relationship. Participants and Setting: One hundred Colombian children and adolescents aged 6–14 years (M = 9.21, SD = 2.21; 46 female and 54 male; 50
Childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) and attachment disruptions are frequently associated with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) outcomes. However, the multidimensional pathways linking CEM to disturbances in self-organization (DSO) remain insufficiently understood. This study examined indirect associations between CEM and DSO through adolescent parental attachment (APA). Participants were clinically referred adolescents (N = 333), aged 16–19 years, who completed measures of CEM, APA, and DSO. Significant positive associations were observed among CEM, APA dimensions, and DSO dimensions. APA demonstrated significant indirect pathways linking CEM with DSO, particularly through angry distress and goal-corrected partnership. Emotional neglect showed a significant direct association with affective dysregulation. Overall, the findings underscore the relevance of parental attachment processes in understanding the association between emotional maltreatment and DSO among clinically referred adolescents, highlighting implications for assessment and intervention in trauma-focused clinical settings. Future research should examine whether strengthening relational and emotional supports mitigates DSO-related difficulties in similar clinical populations.
Previous research has indicated that child maltreatment (CM) is a significant risk factor for substance use (SU) among adolescents in the general population. This risk is particularly heightened for youth in foster care (YIFC), who engage in SU at a disproportionately higher rate and at an earlier onset than youth within the general population. Despite this increased risk, research investigating the association between CM and SU among YIFC remains limited. This commentary highlights findings from previous literature assessing the relation between CM and SU among YIFC in the U.S. Further, we highlight limitations of current research (e.g., methodological inconsistencies), provide recommendations for future studies, and suggest strategies for conducting research with youth in foster care.
This meta-analysis aims to uncover which protective factors reveal the greatest effect sizes on resilience among CSA survivors (i.e., symptoms, well-being, and competence) based on the Resilience Portfolio Model. This perspective shifts the focus from deficit-based models to a strengths-based approach that focuses on CSA survivors' resources and assets. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a total of 50 reports were included in the meta-analysis, involving 12,345 participants (children and adults) from different contexts (community, clinical, and forensic) and 335 effect sizes. Our findings revealed that while meaning-making strengths (e.g., spirituality) were associated with both well-being and symptoms, regulatory strengths (e.g., emotional regulation, self-control) and supportive relationships (e.g., caregiver emotional support) were associated with symptoms but not with well-being, and environmental strengths (e.g., extracurricular activities) were associated with well-being but not with symptoms. Coping was not significantly associated with symptoms or well-being. Clinical interventions based on narrative, mindfulness, and trauma-focused therapy could be particularly useful for fostering psychological health in CSA victims.
