Analysis of disputed single-parent/child and sibling relationships using 16 STR loci

This study describes the validation of short tandem repeat (STR) systems for the resolution of cases of disputed parentage where only a single parent is available for testing or where the claimed relationship of both parents is in doubt and also cases where sibship must be tested. Three separate multiplex systems the Second Generation Multiplex, Powerplex 1.2 and FFFL have been employed, giving a total of 16 STR loci. Both empirical and theoretical approaches to the validation have been adopted. Appropriate equations have been derived to calculate likelihood ratios for different relationships, incorporating a correction for subpopulation effects. An F(ST) point estimate of 1% has been applied throughout. Empirically, 101 cases of alleged father, alleged mother and child where analysed using six SLP systems and also using the three multiplex STR systems. Of the 202 relationships tested, 197 were independently resolved by both systems, providing either clear evidence of non-parentage or strong support for the relationship.

Doll Play narratives about starting school in children of socially anxious mothers, and their relation to subsequent child school-based anxiety

Background: Child social anxiety is common, and predicts later emotional and academic impairment. Offspring of socially anxious mothers are at increased risk. It is important to establish whether individual vulnerability to disorder can be identified in young children. Method: The responses of 4.5 year-old children of mothers with social phobia (N = 62) and non-anxious mothers (N = 60) were compared, two months before school entry, using a Doll Play (DP) procedure focused on the social challenge of starting school. DP responses were examined in relation to teacher reports of anxious-depressed symptoms and social worries at the end of the child’s first school term. The role of earlier child behavioral inhibition and attachment, assessed at 14 months, was also considered. Results: Compared to children of non-anxious mothers, children of mothers with social phobia were significantly more likely to give anxiously negative responses in their school DP (OR = 2.57). In turn, negative DP predicted teacher reported anxious-depressed and social worry problems. There were no effects of infant behavioral inhibition or attachment. Conclusion: Vulnerability in young children at risk of anxiety can be identified using Doll Play narratives.

The relationship between parent and child dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and child sleep

Cognitive theories emphasise the role of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep in the development and maintenance of sleep-related problems (SRPs). The present research examines how parents' dysfunctional beliefs about children's sleep and child dysfunctional beliefs about sleep are related to each other and to children's subjective and objective sleep. Participants were 45 children aged 11 -12 years and their parents. Self-report measures of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and child sleep were completed by children, mothers and fathers. Objective measures of child sleep were taken using actigraphy. The results showed that child dysfunctional beliefs about sleep were correlated with father (r=.43, p<.05) and mother (r=.43, p<.05) reported child SRPs, and with Sleep Onset Latency (r=.34, p<.05). Maternal dysfunctional beliefs about child sleep were related to child SRPs as reported by mothers (r=.44, p<.05), and to child dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (r=.37, p<.05). Some initial evidence was found for a mediation pathway in which child dyfunctional beliefs mediate the relationship between parent dysfunctional beliefs and child sleep. The results support the cognitive model of SRPs and contribute to the literature by providing the first evidence of familial aggregation of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.

A longitudinal investigation of maternal influences on the development of child hostile attributions and aggression

Aggression in children is associated with an enhanced tendency to attribute hostile intentions to others. However, limited information is available regarding the factors that contribute to the development of such hostile attribution tendencies. We examined factors that contribute to individual differences in child hostile attributions and aggression, focusing on potential pathways from maternal hostile attributions via negative parenting behavior. We conducted a longitudinal study of 98 mothers and children (47 male, 51 female), recruited from groups experiencing high and low levels of psychosocial adversity. Maternal hostile attributions, observed parenting, and child behaviour were assessed at 18 months and 5 years child age, and child hostile attributions were also examined at 5 years. Independent assessments of maternal and child processes were utilized where possible. Analyses provided support for a direct influence of maternal hostile attributions on the development of child hostile attributions and aggressive behaviour. Maternal hostile attributions were also associated with negative parenting behaviour, which in turn influenced child adjustment. Even taking account of possible parenting influences and preexisting child difficulties, hostile attributions in the mother showed a direct link with child aggression at 5 years. Maternal hostile attributions were themselves related to psychosocial adversity. We conclude that maternal hostile attributions are prevalent in high-risk samples and are related to less optimal parenting behaviour, child hostile attributions, and child aggression. Targeting hostile maternal cognitions may be a useful adjunct to parenting programs

Socially anxious mothers’ narratives to their children, and their relation to child representations and adjustment

Anxious mothers’ parenting, particularly transfer of threat information, has been considered important in their children’s risk for social anxiety disorder (SAnxD), and maternal narratives concerning potential social threat could elucidate this contribution. Maternal narratives to their pre-school 4-5 year-old children, via a picture book about starting school, were assessed in socially anxious (N=73), and non-anxious (N=63) mothers. Child representations of school were assessed via Doll Play (DP). After one school term, mothers (CBCL) and teachers (TRF) reported on child internalizing problems, and child SAnxD was assessed via maternal interview. Relations between these variables, infant behavioral inhibition, and attachment, were examined. Socially anxious mothers showed more negative (higher threat attribution), and less supportive (lower encouragement) narratives, than controls, and their children’s DP representations, SAnxD and CBCL scores were more adverse. High narrative threat predicted child SAnxD; lower encouragement predicted negative child CBCL scores and, particularly for behaviorally inhibited children, TRF scores and DP representations. In securely attached children, CBCL scores and risk for SAnxD were affected by maternal anxiety and threat attributions, respectively. Low encouragement mediated the effects of maternal anxiety on child DP representations, and CBCL scores. Maternal narratives are affected by social anxiety, and contribute to adverse child outcome.

Insecure attachment during infancy predicts greater amygdala volumes in early adulthood

Background The quality of the early environment is hypothesized to be an influence on morphological development in key neural areas related to affective responding, but direct evidence to support this possibility is limited. In a 22-year longitudinal study, we examined hippocampal and amygdala volumes in adulthood in relation to early infant attachment status, an important indicator of the quality of the early caregiving environment. Methods Participants (N = 59) were derived from a prospective longitudinal study of the impact of maternal postnatal depression on child development. Infant attachment status (24 Secure; 35 Insecure) was observed at 18 months of age, and MRI assessments were completed at 22 years. Results In line with hypotheses, insecure versus secure infant attachment status was associated with larger amygdala volumes in young adults, an effect that was not accounted for by maternal depression history. We did not find early infant attachment status to predict hippocampal volumes. Conclusions Common variations in the quality of early environment are associated with gross alterations in amygdala morphology in the adult brain. Further research is required to establish the neural changes that underpin the volumetric differences reported here, and any functional implications.

Aspectos psicológicos do adoecer da criança na creche

O desenvolvimento sócio-politico-econômico e social de nosso século, vem contribuindo enormemente à inserção da força de trabalho feminina, principalmente nas últimas três décadas. A necessidade econômica aliada ao desejo, cada vez mais manifesto, de desenvolver potenciais profissionais, vem modificando certos hábitos e costumes que, tradicionalmente, estavam enraizados em nossa cultura. O desejo de "ir a luta" tem transformado o papel da mulher dentro do contexto familiar. Cada vez mais, nos deparamos com mulheres que conseguem, mesmo que de forma incipiente, dividir seu "papel-rótulo", de dona de casa, com seu marido ou companheiro. E aí, surge a questão: com quem ficarão os filhos? As creches vem se revelando como uma boa alternativa, na medida que, em sua própria definição, ela é um local destinado a favorecer o desenvolvimento da criança pequena. A criança deve ser atendida em suas necessidadse básicas, propiciando a sua socialização, estabelecendo relações afetivas e ampliando experiências. Paralelamente, resta analisar que toda decisão implica em um processo muitas vezes doloroso. A decisão de deixar o bebê na creche, se reflete, diretamente, nos sentimentos maternos, que se tornam ambíguos. A necessidade dá as mãos a culpa, que se instala fortemente. Quanto ao bebê, entrar em um mundo novo é tarefa árdua, que exige um estágio de maturação e um processo de ajustamento que não corresponde, muitas vezes, ao desenvolvimento físico, intelectual e emocional. Para se adaptar ao novo ambiente, entram em jogo mecanismos múltiplos que alteram desde a fisiologia do bebê até o seu desenvolvimento como um todo. Essas mudanças fazem com que as crianças emitam respostas e tenham comportamentos de reação, os mais complexos e diversos, a essa adaptação. É um mundo novo, como pessoas novas e, estabelecer relações, não é tão simples. Afetivamente, ir a creche, implica na separação do meio familiar e, mais especificamente, separa-se da mãe. Dentre muitas formas de expressar o sentimento em relação a essa separação, encontram-se os distúrbios emocionais do bebê - o adoecer da criança, as manifestações psicossomáticas que são diretamente ligadas a relação mãe-filho. Procurar-se-á analisar os aspectos pscicológicos do adoecer, adoecer entendido como forma de protesto, como reclamação a angústia frente à separação.

A influência da atitude materna frente a creche na adaptação da criança a instituição

As teorias psicológicas reconhecem a importância da relação mãe X filho, observando-a como primordial para o desenvolvimento da criança. Esta relação implica, na maioria das propostas teóricas, na permanência da mãe junto à seu filho e de como os sentimentos maternos podem influir ou mesmo determinar as reações infantis. No entanto, pesquisadores têm ressaltado o momento de transformação pelo qual a família passa, já que tanto o homem quanto a mulher buscam novos valores e papéis sociais. Nos tempos modernos a creche surgiu como a grande solução para aquelas mulheres que necessitam trabalhar, na busca de novos papéis na sociedade. Contudo, tal solução parece gerar mais sentimentos de culpa e inadequação à medida que a mulher, na maioria das vezes, se sente pressionada e cobrada no que diz respeito ao seu papel de mãe, cabendo à ela a exclusividade dos cuidados infantis, conforme abordagens teóricas acima citadas. Desta forma, há a influência da atitude da mãe frente à creche na adaptação de seu filho à instituição? Esta correlação foi constada no estudo que aqui se apresenta, porém verificou-se a possível participação de outros fatores no processo adaptativo da criança à creche como: a estrutura da personalidade materna; a dinâmica familiar da mãe e da criança; a estrutura da instituição (creche); as condições de desenvolvimento da criança e as condições inerentes à própria criança. Conclui-se, portanto, que os tempos atuais urgem por uma redefinição e reestruturação da família, implicando numa nova leitura das teorias psicológicas infantis, quem sabe à luz da teoria sistêmica, levando-se em conta o novo papel social feminino. A reflexão crítica sobre o desenvolvimento da criança é papel de todos.

Poverty, hunger and food security in Central America and Panama

Includes bibliography

Human rights and the child

Includes bibliography

Saúde bucal do binômio mãe-filho: aspectos clínicos, sócio-comportamentais e qualidade de vida

Pós-graduação em Odontologia Preventiva e Social - FOA

Condyloma acuminata in the tongue and palate of a sexually abused child: a case report

Condyloma acuminata caused by human papilloma viruses, (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) appearing most frequently as soft, pink cauliflower like growths in moist areas, such as the genitalia, mouth and other places. The disease is highly contagious, can appear singly or in groups, small or large. In children, the isolation of a sexually transmitted organism may be the first indication that an abuse has occurred. Although the presence of a sexually transmissible agent from a child beyond the neonatal period is suggestive of sexual abuse, exceptions do exist. The authors report the clinical case of a five-year-old Caucasian male with lesions located in the dorsal surfaces of the posterior tongue and palate. Both lesions had a firm consistency, reddish appearance and presence of whitish areas and regions of ulceration. During the interview, the mother reported that the boy had been sexually abused. Sexually transmitted disease may occur during sexual abuse. Dentists as well as pediatricians have a role to play in identifying and treating these children. The diagnosis is essentially clinical (anamnesis and physical examination), but also the use of cytology eventually resorts to biopsy of the suspicious lesions for histological examination. The therapeutic option was the excision of the lesions.

Criança dependente de tecnologia: a experiência do cuidado materno

Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender a experiência materna no cuidado ao filho dependente de tecnologia. Utilizamos a abordagem do estudo de caso etnográfico tendo como instrumentos de coleta de dados os genograma e ecomapa, entrevista aberta e observação. Os dados foram organizados em três unidades de significados: a busca pelas causas e por culpados; a alta hospitalar e as demandas para o cuidado e as redes de apoio. O estudo permitiu conhecer a experiência materna em busca por explicações, bem como os sentimentos de desconfiança, insegurança e insatisfação relacionados ao serviço de saúde. Ainda a apropriação da mãe em relação aos cuidados à criança e no que se refere à organização do ambiente domiciliar para recebê-la, a utilização das redes de apoio, destacando a carência de vínculos com familiares e vizinhos e a busca formal e informal para garantir a subsistência da criança doente e dos demais filhos.