Mary Joseph Marret

Victimization Experiences of Adolescents in Malaysia

PURPOSE There has been little community-based research regarding multiple-type victimization experiences of young people in Asia, and none in Malaysia. This study aimed to estimate prevalence, explore gender differences, as well as describe typical perpetrators and family and social risk factors among Malaysian adolescents. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 1,870 students was conducted in 20 randomly selected secondary schools in Selangor state (mean age: 16 years; 58.8% female). The questionnaire included items on individual, family, and social background and different types of victimization experiences in childhood. RESULTS Emotional and physical types of victimization were most common. A significant proportion of adolescents (22.1%) were exposed to more than one type, with 3% reporting all four types. Compared with females, males reported more physical, emotional, and sexual victimization. The excess of sexual victimization among boys was due to higher exposure to noncontact events, whereas prevalence of forced intercourse was equal for both genders (3.0%). Although adult male perpetrators predominate, female adults and peers of both genders also contribute substantially. Low quality of parent-child relationships and poor school and neighborhood environments had the strongest associations with victimization. Family structure (parental divorce, presence of step-parent or single parent, or household size), parental drug use, and rural/urban location were not influential in this sample. CONCLUSION This study extends the analysis of multiple-type victimization to a Malaysian population. Although some personal, familial, and social factors correlate with those found in western nations, there are cross-cultural differences, especially with regard to the nature of sexual violence based on gender and the influence of family structure.

Child Maltreatment Experience among Primary School Children: A Large Scale Survey in Selangor State, Malaysia

Official reports of child maltreatment in Malaysia have persistently increased throughout the last decade. However there is a lack of population surveys evaluating the actual burden of child maltreatment, its correlates and its consequences in the country. This cross sectional study employed 2 stage stratified cluster random sampling of public primary schools, to survey 3509 ten to twelve year old school children in Selangor state. It aimed to estimate the prevalence of parental physical and emotional maltreatment, parental neglect and teacher- inflicted physical maltreatment. It further aimed to examine the associations between child maltreatment and important socio-demographic factors; family functioning and symptoms of depression among children. Logistic regression on weighted samples was used to extend results to a population level. Three quarters of 10–12 year olds reported at least one form of maltreatment, with parental physical maltreatment being most common. Males had higher odds of maltreatment in general except for emotional maltreatment. Ethnicity and parental conflict were key factors associated with maltreatment. The study contributes important evidence towards improving public health interventions for child maltreatment prevention in the country.

Parent‐reported pain in non‐verbal children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

This cross‐sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence, frequency, and intensity of parent‐reported pain among non‐verbal children with cerebral palsy (CP) and explore associations with medical, demographic, and parental psychosocial factors.

Victimization After Meeting With Online Acquaintances A Cross-Sectional Survey of Adolescents in Malaysia

This study aimed to determine contact and privacy risks encountered by Malaysian adolescents with access to the Internet and mobile phones and factors associated with face-to-face meetings with online acquaintances as well as to estimate the prevalence of subsequent victimization. Secondary school students from randomly selected public schools in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur responded to an anonymous self-administered questionnaire (78% response rate). Out of 3,349 Internet or mobile phone users, 51% had been invited to meet offline with an online-meeting acquaintance and 30% complied. Of the 1,005 respondents who went to offline meetings, 55% had meetings with more than six people. Male gender, Malay ethnicity, online access at an Internet café, viewing pornography on the Internet, the absence of parental restrictions on visiting certain website and chat rooms, not being explicitly forbidden to meet strangers encountered online, and disclosure of personal information were significantly associated with increased odds of face-to-face meetings with online acquaintances. Verbal, physical, or sexual assaults were reported by 5.5% of the 1,005 including 13 males and five females who reported forced sexual intercourse. Similarities as well as differences in factors associated with risk-taking behavior compared with adolescents in Western countries have important implications on policy and intervention.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Malay Version of the Short Sensory Profile

ABSTRACT Aims: To translate, culturally adapt, and examine psychometric properties of the Malay version Short Sensory Profile (SSP-M). Methods: Pretesting (n = 30) of the original English SSP established its applicability for use with Malaysian children aged 3–10 years. This was followed by the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the SSP-M. Two forward and two back translations were compared and reviewed by a committee of 10 experts who validated the content of the SSP-M, before pilot testing (n = 30). The final SSP-M questionnaire was completed by 419 parents of typically developing children aged 3–10 years. Results: Cronbachs alpha of each section of the SSP-M ranged from 0.73 to 0.93 and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) indicated good reliability (0.62–0.93). The seven factor model of the SSP-M had an adequate fit with evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusions: We conclude that the SSP-M is a valid and reliable screening tool for use in Malaysia with Malay-speaking parents of children aged 3–10 years. The SSP-M enables Malay-speaking parents to answer the questionnaire with better reliability, and provides occupational therapists with a valid tool to screen for sensory processing difficulties.

Factors associated with online victimisation among Malaysian adolescents who use social networking sites: a cross-sectional study

Objective To determine the prevalence of online interpersonal victimisation and its association with patterns of social networking site (SNS) use, offline victimisation, offline perpetration and parental conflict among Malaysian adolescents using SNS. Methods A cross-sectional study of students from randomly selected public secondary schools in the state of Negeri Sembilan was conducted using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire examined patterns of SNS use and included measures of online victimisation, online perpetration, offline victimisation and parental conflict. A response rate of 91% from a total of 1634 yielded a sample of 1487 students between 15 years and 16 years of age. Results Ninety-two per cent of respondents had used at least one SNS. More than half of SNS users (52.2%) reported experiences of online victimisation over the past 12 months. Boys were significantly more likely to experience online harassment compared with girls (52.2% vs 43.3%, p<0.001). There were no significant gender differences in experiences of unwanted sexual solicitation. Adolescents who engaged in perpetration behaviours online had almost six times higher odds of reporting frequent online victimisation compared with online behaviours involving personal disclosure. There was a significant dose-response relationship between engagement in multiple types of online behaviour and the risk of frequent online victimisation. Both online and offline perpetrations were associated with an increased risk of victimisation. Those who were victimised offline or experienced parental conflict were twice as likely to report online victimisation. Conclusion Interventions to prevent online electronic aggression should target perpetration behaviour both online and offline. Youth should be equipped with skills in communication and decision-making in relationships that can be applied across a spectrum of contexts both online and offline.

PO-0840 Parent-reported Pain In Non-verbal Children And Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy

Background and aims This study aimed to (i) determine the prevalence of parent-reported pain among non-verbal children with cerebral palsy (CP), (ii) determine the frequency and intensity of pain and (iii) explore associations with medical, parental and socioeconomic factors. Methods The study was cross-sectional. Participants were parents of non-verbal CP outpatients at University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur and two centres in the surrounding area. Patients were aged 2–19 years. Written informed consent was obtained. The Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD©) Questionnaire and a separate proforma were utilised for assessment of frequency and intensity of pain during the preceeding 4 weeks. Parental psychosocial well being was assessed via the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results The response rate was 94%, including 104 children (54 boys, 50 girls). The majority (51%) had GMFCS level V and 65% had spastic quadriplegia. Reported pain was 65%. The most frequent and intense pain was during physiotherapy. Nineteen (18%) reported that their children experienced pain >1 time per day and 10% reported daily pain. Severe pain was reported by 17%. There were no significant factors associated with frequency of pain. Older children (p < 0.05), those with spastic quadriplegia (p < 0.05) and poorer quality of life (p < 0.05) had more intense pain. GMFCS level, gender, co-morbidities, parental psychosocial scores, parental education and income were not significant modifying factors of intensity of pain. Conclusion Recognition of pain in non-verbal CP patients is crucial for holistic management.