Research Digests
April 26, 2004
Topics:
Protecting Young Children
from Injury
U.S.
Child Abuse Trends Show Slight Improvements
Child protective service agencies nationwide received reports of possible maltreatment involving more than 3 million children in 2002, just less than one-third of which were substantiated, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Data also show that the national rate of abuse/neglect per 1,000 children was down from 13.4 in 1990 to 12.3 in 2002. The youngest children, from birth to age 3, continue to have the highest rates of abuse/neglect, at 16 per 1,000. In the United States, about 1,400 children died of abuse or neglect in 2002, about 76 percent of whom were children under age 4.
Promoting
Emotional & Behavioral Health in Preteens
New
Findings on Preteen Bullying and Related Emotional Problems
A UCLA study of 1,900 sixth graders found that over 20 percent, and more boys than girls, are bullies, victims, or both. Bullies were likely to be viewed as popular and "cool" by peers, according to the study, and victims were more likely than bullies to show signs of depression, social anxiety, or loneliness. However, bully-victims -- that is, students who both bully and get bullied -- showed the most behavioral and emotional problems.
Information on a new national anti-bullying campaign: http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov Middle School Tougher for U.S. Kids
U.S. students in grades six through eight reported physical and emotional problems -- including headaches, nervousness, and sad feelings -- more often than their peers in 11 other industrialized nations, according to a RAND study. American students also were among the most likely to say schoolmates were not helpful and accepting of them.
Sixth Graders More Receptive to Smoking by End of School Year
The number of sixth-grade students who smoke, experimented with cigarettes, or say they intend to smoke at a later date (such as high school) climbed from 16 percent at the start of sixth grade to 36 percent by the end of the school year, in a study of 973 Maryland students. The study also found that girls were in more danger than boys of picking up smoking. However, students with greater social and coping skills, clear parental expectations, and closer monitoring by parents were less likely to progress toward smoking, according to the study.
Understanding Unsupervised After-School Time
In the United States, approximately 26 percent of 10- to 12-year-olds and 7 percent of 6- to 9-year-olds regularly spend time unsupervised after school. These findings are part of an Urban Institute report that reviews the prevalence and importance of 'latchkey' care, or self-care, noting that it is linked with an increase in injuries and behavior problems, as well as lower school performance. This in-depth report includes an analysis of child and family characteristics associated with self-supervision.
New
Report Reviews Out-Of-School-Time Programming
An American Youth Policy Forum report on out-of-school-time (OST) details findings from school-based, community-based, and voluntary activities for youth. The report discusses challenges in OST program implementation, funding and sustainability, the role of intermediaries, and the relationship between OST programming and academic achievement. Suggestions on how to improve OST programs also are included.
Harvard Family Research Project Report on Evaluating OST Programs: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/afterschool/resources/snapshot3.html
Report
Focuses on Middle School Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy
With a reported one in five children engaging in sexual intercourse before
age 15, a new publication from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
provides descriptions of middle school programs that have a positive impact
on changing adolescent sexual behavior. The report, "No Time to Waste,"
provides detailed descriptions of program curriculum, costs, and evaluation
results.
Other Important
Readings
Family Hunger, Homelessness on the Rise in 2003
Unemployment, low-paying jobs, and high housing costs exacerbated problems for families in 2003, according to an annual U.S. Conference of Mayors survey on hunger and homelessness. Almost six out of 10 (59 percent) people who requested food assistance were members of families with children. Among families with children, requests for emergency food assistance increased by about 18 percent over a one-year period, and emergency shelter requests increased by about 15 percent. Among those who experienced homelessness during the year, 40 percent were families with children and 5 percent were unaccompanied youth.
New Child Well-Being Index Shows Slight Gains Since 1975
A new Duke University index of child well being shows that children overall fared only slightly better in 2002 than they did in 1975 and that an increase in childhood obesity has slowed progress since the mid-1970s. The Child Well-Being Index includes data from vital statistics and sample surveys on 28 indicators.
School Violence on the Decline
Crime against U.S. school children ages 12-18 is dropping, according to a new report from the U.S. Justice and Education departments. The report, "Indicators of School Crime & Safety: 2003," shows that between 1994 and 2002, the rate of violent crimes declined from 51.2 to 22.8 per 1,000 youth, reaching its lowest recorded level ever.
Report Examines Suicide Among U.S. Children
A new report, "Juvenile Suicides, 1981-1998," examines trends and characteristics of suicides committed by U.S. children, ages 7-17. The data, drawn from the National Vital Statistics System and the FBI, include information on suicide rates by state, gender, race/ethnicity, and age, as well as information about firearm- and non-firearm-related suicides.
How
Does Foster Care Fare?
At any given time, over half a million U.S. children are in foster care,
and more than 250,000 kids enter the foster care system every year. Although
foster care is a necessary lifeline for children who cannot safely remain
with family, the system too often fails those it serves, according to
a recent issue of The Future of Children.
More information on how children in foster care are faring:
http://www.childtrends.org/files/FosterHomesRB.pdf
Web Resources
San Mateo County Network of Care
Provides comprehensive information about mental health services in the county, as well as news articles, a mental health library, and chat rooms.
Child Trends:
Guide
to Effective Programs for All Ages
Child Trends charts programs that show significant results for a range
of desired outcomes and youth ages, and those that don't.
DataBank
Provides national and state data on a wide variety of topics
related to children's health and well being.
Research
and Publications
Summaries of various issues that affect children.
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