The Forgotten Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse: Disclosure And Resilience Features In Male Youth
Presenter: Martine Hébert Co - Presenters: Christine Wekerle, Isabelle Daigneault, Delphine Collin-Vézina
Abstract:
Child sexual abuse is now recognized as an important public health issue. Prevalence estimates reveal that 1 out of five women and 1 out of ten men report experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 18. Yet, sexual abuse and sexual violence against male youth often remains hidden, as male youth are less likely to disclose to anyone and less likely to seek services. Consequently, there are significant gaps in the scholarly literature as to the outcomes and possible resilience of male youth with sexual abuse experiences. Discussants in this panel will highlight findings from their recent studies as to the specific obstacles in disclosing sexual abuse experiences identified by male victims as well as the features associated with resilience in school-aged boys victims of sexual abuse. In addition, resilience characteristics of high school male adolescents experiencing sexual abuse and of child-welfare involved male adolescents experiencing sexual violence in the context of dating relationships will be summarized. This facilitated discussion will offer a unique opportunity to exchange as to the specific challenges in this area of investigation and the design of future investigations and tailored intervention addressing the needs of male youth victims of sexual abuse.
A Systematic Review Of Studies On Ethnic Minority Students In Hong Kong: A Strident Call For Policy Makers Regarding Youth-Friendly Social Policy
Presenter: Gizem Arat
A systematic review of studies on ethnic minority students in Hong Kong: A strident call for policy makers regarding youth-friendly social policy Ethnic minorities are more likely to be trapped in school disengagement, academic failure, and social exclusion under the current Hong Kong education system. Therefore, this systematic review aims to reveal research gaps which may help scholars focus on ethnic minority students' protective resources which may be useful for policy makers to design programs targeting academic integrity and social inclusion. A systematic review of available literature was carried out based on peer-reviewed articles published in English using PubMed, Ovid, EBSCO HOST, ERIC, ProQuest databases, Google scholar, and hand searching. Sixty-four thousand and eight hundred and eleven articles were retrieved of which 32 met the inclusion criteria. Results demonstrate that the majority of existing studies (mostly compromised qualitative) solely examines the link between school sphere (teachers, Chinese language efficiency) and ethnic minority students based on problem-driven approach. However, it barely discusses the socio-ecological factors which may be beneficial for EM students to overcome school disengagement, perceived discrimination, and social exclusion regarding strength-based approach (resilience). Ultimately, findings highlight the potential importance of resilience approach which will benefit not only school staff and mental health professionals but also social policy makers to design youth-friendly programs in the long run.
How War Changes Parenting Ideas And Practices: The Views Of Elders Living In Post-Conflict Northern Uganda
Presenter: Leen De Nutte
Studies on resilience and adversity have indicated the importance of parenting as a protective process for children in a context of (past) collective violence. However, little is known regarding the way parenting potentially changes following such violence. Therefore, this study explored parental beliefs and parenting practices through interviews (n=9) and focus groups (n=12 groups of 8 participants) with elders in Kitgum district, Northern Uganda. This area has been affected by collective violence which resulted out of the conflict between the Lord’s Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. Using a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach, it appeared that parenting has changed in divergent ways. First, particular parenting practices, such as fireplace teachings, were difficult to uphold during the war, since there was no time, space or opportunity to do so. Second, parenting is now much more seen as an individual responsibility which is juxtaposed to its collective responsibility in the past. Third, this study revealed a shift in traditional gender roles of parents. Practice and policy should take into account these changes in parenting with regard to the provision of context-sensitive interventions to support the process of resilience for both children and parents in the aftermath of collective violence.
Abstract #263
Shared Adversities of Disadvantaged Children and Comic Superheroes as Resources for Promoting Resilience
Presenter: Maria Angela Mattar Yunes Co - Presenters: Chris Fradkin, Gelson Weschenfelder
Abstract:
Studies indicate that disadvantaged children are at higher risk for behavioral problems and psychosocial issues, in relation to their non-disadvantaged peers. If these issues are not addressed in childhood, these children frequently mature into adults at higher risk for substance dependence, depression, and incarceration, in relation to societal norms. This study examined possible relationships and associations between the real-life adversities of disadvantaged children and the fictional adversities of popular comic superheroes, in their pre-cloak, pre-costume stage of life. An indexing of comic superheroes was conducted. In the process, it was found that the most relevant superheroes, in terms of pop culture visibility (e.g., Spiderman, Batman, Superman) had a high commonality of shared adversities (e.g., abandonment by family, domestic violence and abuse) with several subgroups of disadvantaged children: orphaned and abandoned children. This untapped resource has potential among clinicians, social workers, and public policy designers for building resilience and promoting empowerment among this hi-risk child and adolescent group.
