Madhu Sudhan Atteraya

The effects of child maltreatment on childhood behaviour problems in South Korea: findings from the fifth Korea Child and Youth Panel Survey (the 2014 KCYPS)

Abstract The study examines the effects of child maltreatment on children behavioural problems in South Korea. We found that 11.5% of children experienced physical abuse, 28.7% experienced emotional abuse and about 35% experienced neglect. After controlling for all socio-demographic factors, children who experienced physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect were more likely to develop internalised as well as externalised behavioural problems such as depression, aggression, underage smoking, underage drinking and engaging in cyber delinquency. The results point towards a need to develop social welfare interventions to mitigate physical/emotional abuse and neglect so as to prevent behavioural problems in South Korean children.

Structural correlates of modern contraceptive use among Ethiopian women

ABSTRACT We examined structural determinants of modern contraceptive use among Ethiopian women from the 2011 Ethiopias Demographic and Health Survey. We selected a representative sample of 7490 non-pregnant and sexually active women between 15 and 49 years of age. Multivariate logistic regressions were fitted and effects of relevant demographic variables controlled. Only one-in-three women were current users of modern contraceptives. Modern contraceptive use enabling and inhibiting (barrier) environments were significant predictors of use. Exposure to family planning information regardless of the delivery method significantly associated with improved use. Women who visited a health clinic in the last 12 months increased their odds of using modern contraceptives by 54%. Distance and transportation constraints were identified as major barriers.

Women’s Decision-Making Autonomy and their Attitude towards Wife-Beating: Findings from the 2011 Ethiopia’s Demographic and Health Survey

The study examined the extent of wife-beating acceptance and factors that influence women’s attitude towards wife-beating in Ethiopia from a nationally representative sample of 11,658 participants in the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Multivariate logistic regressions were fitted to investigate the relationships between women’s attitude towards wife-beating and women’s decision-making autonomy after controlling for socio-demographic factors. The majority (56%) of women agreed that wife-beating is justified when wife neglects children, 53% when wife burns the food, 50% when wife argues with husband, 48% when wife goes out without telling husband, and nearly 45% when wife refuses to have sex with husband. Overall, 51% of women had shown highly favorable attitude towards wife-beating. Women’s place of residence, household wealth quintiles, educational levels, marital status, and husband/partner’s employment status have shown significant association with women’s attitude towards wife-beating. Women’s decision-making autonomy was also a significant predictor of women’s attitude towards wife-beating. The odds of having highly favorable attitude towards wife-beating deceased significantly as the level of decision-making autonomy of women improved. Given the widespread acceptance of wife-beating among Ethiopian women, social policies that empower women could serve as a positive force in changing attitudes towards wife-beating and violence against women.

Factors Associated with North Korean Refugees’ Intention to Resettle Permanently in South Korea

Issues for North Korean refugee integration and resettlement have, in recent times, been a subject of great attention in South Korea. Previous studies documented that North Korean refugees faced significant obstacles in resettlement because of maladjustment and marginalisation, socioeconomic status differences between the North and the South, prejudice, suspicion, national identity, and strong nationalism. This study attempts to fill the research gap by examining factors that impede or facilitate the successful resettlement of North Korean refugees in South Korea using a holistic approach (i.e. market and means, social connections, facilitators, and foundations). To this end, we analysed a sample of 405 North Korean refugees. Univariate comparison of descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were performed. Factors such as foundations (i.e. citizenship and other rights) were found to have strong positive associations with successful resettlement after controlling for sociodemographics and other characteristics. The study concludes that citizenship and rights need to be considered for the successful resettlement of North Korean refugees in South Korea.

Women’s agency freedom through empowerment against domestic violence: Evidence from Nepal

Agency freedom is the process through which women can obtain power and control over making decisions about their own life choices. In this study, women’s agency freedom was measured based on women’s ability to make decisions and their help-seeking practices against domestic violence. We examined how women’s higher agency freedom prevented them from being victims of domestic violence. The study analyzed 3373 women from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The results revealed that women’s decision-making participation and help-seeking practices had a negative relationship with domestic violence. Women’s help-seeking practice had moderating effects on the relationship between women’s decision-making participation and domestic violence.

Depression, Poverty, and Abuse Experience in Suicide Ideation Among Older Koreans:

We examined to what extent the depression, poverty, and elder abuse experience affect suicide ideation among older Koreans. The data from the Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons were used. A sample of 10,279 members was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis revealed that younger old (65–69 years) were more likely to have suicide ideation that oldest old (80 years and older). After including all predicting variables such as depression, poverty, and abuse experience, results showed that depression, poverty, and abuse experience remained predictors for suicide ideation. Higher level of depression (OR = 1.19) was positively associated with suicide ideation. Poor older person (OR = 1.59) and those who experienced abuse (OR = 2.37) were more likely to have suicide ideation than their counterparts. We conclude that suicide prevention policy needs to take a holistic approach, which integrates the mental health of the older people, family welfare, and economic well-being.

Determinants of child maltreatment in Nepal: Results from the 2014 Nepal multiple indicator cluster survey (the 2014 NMICS)

We examined the prevalence of child maltreatment as measured by the level of physical (moderate to severe) and emotional abuse and child labor, and the associated household level determinants of child maltreatment in Nepal. We used a nationally representative data set from the fifth round of the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (the 2014 NMICS). The main independent variables were household level characteristics. Dependent variables included child experience of moderate to severe physical abuse, emotional abuse, and child labor (domestic work and economic activities). Bivariate analyses and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between independent and dependent variables. The results showed that nearly half of the children (49.8%) had experienced moderate physical abuse, 21.5% experienced severe physical abuse, and 77.3% experienced emotional abuse. About 27% of the children had engaged in domestic work and 46.7% in various economic activities. At bivariate level, educational level of households head and household wealth status had shown significant statistical association with child maltreatment (p<0.001). Results from multivariate logistic regressions showed that higher education levels and higher household wealth status protected children from moderate to severe physical abuse, emotional abuse and child labor. In general, child maltreatment is a neglected social issue in Nepal and the high rates of child maltreatment calls for mass awareness programs focusing on parents, and involving all stakeholders including governments, local, and international organizations.