Emmanuel Janagan Johnson

Competing Meanings of Childhood and the Social Construction of Child Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean.

This article examines the dynamic interplay between competing meanings of childhood and the social construction of sexual abuse in the Caribbean. Drawing on qualitative data from a study undertaken in six Caribbean countries, the article suggests that Caribbean childhoods are neither wholly global nor local but hybrid creations of the region’s complex historical, social and cultural specificities, real or imagined. As childhood is a concept that lies at the intersection of multiple frames of reference, context-specific definitions of childhood – what it means to be a child – have a direct impact on the way in which the issue of child sexual abuse is constructed and understood.

Social work intervention in adolescent-to-parent abuse

ABSTRACT This article is exploratory qualitative research which highlights the importance of interventions in families when the elders in the family are abused. The findings suggest there is a misinterpretation of this form of abuse occurring in homes. Responses from participants clearly shows the nature of the abuse parents were experiencing. Dissemination of information through workshops and literature would benefit first respondents identifying cases of adolescent-to-parent abuse. Information shared would also benefit parents and the wider society in recognizing this form of abuse. The authors recommend mechanisms for coping strategies that can be implemented for families in crisis.

An Exploratory Study on the Impact of Domestic Violence on the Families in Trinidad and Tobago, the West Indies

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of domestic violence on the economic condition of the families. This cross-sectional study utilized a non-probability sampling procedure (purposive sampling) that included 30 women who have sought services from the Coalition Against Domestic Violence Agency. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which was comprised of 21 questions. The questions sought information on socioeconomic conditions and impact on domestic violence on the financial position. The study revealed that more of domestic violence victims were at an early age. Recommendations for future research include identifying the major causes for family disorganization and break down in the families arise out of domestic violence and other associated factors where explored while emphasizing the importance of family-based programs that minimize the impact.

How mothers perceive their own domestic violence victimization and how it impacts their children

ABSTRACT Children’s exposure to domestic violence has been associated with various negative outcomes. This study explores the effects of children’s exposure to domestic violence through the lenses of the primary victims of abuse. Specifically, the consequences associated with their children’s exposure to domestic violence, the coping mechanisms employed, and identified preventative measures to address this social problem. Semistructured interviews were conducted to obtain the mother’s perspective. Participants for this study were randomly obtained from the database of the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority. Findings revealed that children are used as a bargaining tool by both mothers (to prevent DV) and perpetrators (to exert control). The coping mechanisms that mothers believed their children used included listening to music, adopting care taking roles, and positioning themselves away from the violence.

Parental influence on academic achievement among the primary school students in Trinidad

ABSTRACT The present study examined the level of parental influence on academic achievement in primary school students who prepare for the National-level test at standard five (grade 6), Secondary Entrance Examinations in Trinidad. A sample of 128 students studying standard five from primary schools was randomly selected. The data were analysed using SPSS. The findings of the study revealed that regardless of parental educational status, all parents try to influence their children to study well. The results showed that there was a positive influence on academic achievement in students. The findings of the study were discussed and implications for future research have been proposed. The study highlighted several recommendations to mitigate the effects of academic anxiety and suggested some measures to be taken by the parents, teachers, peers and social workers to successfully navigate this phase of life marked by transition and search for identity.

Exploring parenting practices of Guyanese parents based on their upbringing: the connections to their children’s wayward and wandering behaviors

ABSTRACT Effective parenting experiences of individuals during the childhood years within micro-ecological environments are pivotal to cultivating good parenting practices in later adulthood. This study explored the parenting practices based on upbringing and the connections these practices had on children’s proclivity to wayward and wandering behaviours. The study employed a qualitative exploratory design through a phenomenological approach. It utilized semi-structured interviews to gather data from 10 Guyanese parents of juveniles who had wandered away from home or reported as wayward to the social services in Guyana. The findings suggest that authoritarian parenting style is predominant among this cohort of parents. However, a combined authoritarian and permissive style materialized as an unanticipated outcome. Lack of knowledge of child developmental stages and computer illiteracy emerged as key themes which have implications for appropriate parenting interventions. The findings offer credibility to a strong link between ineffective parenting practices and negative juvenile behavioural outcomes.

Sexual behavior of female adolescents on the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs in Carriacou.

AbstractThis article explores information relating to female adolescents knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Carriacou. The authors aimed at finding out whether adolescent females in Carriacou receive adequate information about HIV and other STDs. Where did students receive most of their information about HIV/STDs and whether the knowledge has influenced their sexual behaviors? Furthermore, this study focused on how female adolescents feel toward people living with HIV/STDs.Focus group method was employed with 2 age groups of female adolescent students. Content analysis was carried out by the researcher to analyze the data. Themes were developed using coding and thematic analysis.The findings revealed that female adolescents were highly aware of HIV/STDs-related facts. They were knowledgeable and have received adequate information about HIV/STDs.

Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Adult Survivors.

ABSTRACT Child abuse has profound immediate and long-term effects on a childs development. The long-term impact of abuse of a child can be seen in higher rates of psychiatric disorders, increased rates of substance abuse and relationship difficulties [Springer, K. W., Sheridan, J., Kuo, D., & Carnes, M. (2003). The long-term health outcomes of childhood abuse: An overview and a call to action. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18(10), 864–870. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003.20918]. Child abuse is an intergenerational problem. Most frequently, the perpetrators of abuse are profoundly damaged people who have been abused and neglected themselves. This article attempts to bring out the psychosocial aspects of a case through Systems Theory and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Furthermore, it focuses on the psychological implications of an abused adult in early childhood and its impact on his development. Social work intervention plans highlight the importance of treatment and evaluation. The article suggests the role of social work profession to deal with this issue.

Care-giving Coping Strategies Among Mothers with Chronically Ill Children

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study is to identify the types of stresses experienced and the coping strategies used by mothers who are responsible for providing care to their chronically ill and disabled children. A qualitative approach was selected to systematically document the experiences and highlight individual coping strategies. Purposive sampling was used in this qualitative pilot study, fifteen (15) mothers who were known to the researcher as well as two schools that specifically cater for children with disabilities were selected to participate in the study. Thirty questionnaires were handed out of which fifteen were returned. Data was collected using the coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) to measure the extent to which parents perceived a number of coping strategies to be helpful in coping with the chronic illness of their child (ren). The scale comprised 45 items with 3 subscales. The results highlighted the types of stresses that were experienced by the mothers and the coping strategies practiced by these mothers when caring for their disabled children. Mothers who care for chronically ill children are faced with daily stress that relates to care as well as their personal life.

Qualitative study on the experiences of married couples

ABSTRACT This phenomenological study explored the subjective marital experiences of Trinidadian couples married for more than twenty years. The purpose of this study is to understand the phenomenon of satisfying, enduring marriages. The data was collected using semi-structured, conversational interviews that were digitally recorded and later transcribed verbatim. The couples were interviewed together by the researcher within their respective homes. The factors they highlighted that contributed to their satisfying, enduring marriages included friendship, commitment, religion, forgiveness, communication, children, role sharing, acceptance, and contentment. The data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Five major themes emerged from the couples’ descriptions of their marriages: “Attitude”, “Action”, “Children”, “Approach to Challenges” and “Religion”. Religion emerged as a factor/theme woven throughout their experiences. This study has implications for Policy Research Analysts at the Ministry of Gender and Child Affairs, the implementers of marriage programs and seminars, premarital education providers and counselors working with married couples.