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Physical and verbal punishments of children are common in high-, middle-, and low-income communities around the world. The forms and rates of punishment vary among countries and among communities within countries. A median of 16% of children experienced harsh or potentially abusive physical discipline in the previous year.

The objective of this case-control study was to investigate the determinants of maternal stress in mothers of children with autism. Mothers of 31 children with autism from mental health clinics were matched by child age/gender and mother age to 31 mothers of children without mental health problems, drawn from public schools and a primary care unit. Logistic regression models showed that the presence of stress in mothers was primarily associated with having a child with autism. However, poor expression of affect, little interest in people, being an older mother, and having a younger child also contributed to increased stress levels. Although having a child with autism was the main factor responsible for stress, the presence of the other factors further increased maternal stress. The implication is that a subgroup of mothers of children with autism is more prone to experience stress, thus requiring special attention from mental health professionals.

Objective To examine the relationship between specific types of child mental health problems and severe physical punishment, in combination with other important known risk factors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in Embu, São Paulo, Brazil, as the Brazilian component of a multicountry survey on abuse in the family environment. From a probabilistic sample of clusters that included all eligible households (women aged 15-49 years with a son or daughter < 18 years of age), we randomly selected one mother-child pair per household (n = 813; attrition rate: 17.6%). This study focused on children aged 6-17 years (n = 480). Child Behaviour Checklist CBCL/6-18 was used to identify children with internalizing problems only, externalizing problems only, and both internalizing and externalizing problems (comorbidity). Severe physical punishment was defined as being hit with an object, being kicked, choked, smothered, burnt, scalded, branded, beaten or threatened with a weapon. We examined other potential correlates from four domains: child (gender, age, ever witnessing marital violence); mother (education, unemployment, anxiety or depression, marital violence); father (absence, drunkenness); and family (socioeconomic status). The WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to identify maternal anxiety or depression (score > 7). Backward logistic regression analysis identified independent correlates and significant interactions. Findings Multivariate modelling showed that severe punishment was an independent correlate of comorbid internalizing and externalizing problems but was not associated with internalizing problems only. It increased the risk of externalizing problems alone only for children and adolescents not exposed to maternal anxiety or depression. Maternal anxiety or depression increased the risk only for children or adolescents not exposed to severe punishment. Conclusion Severe punishment may be related to child mental health problems, with the mechanism depending on the type of problem. Its influence persists in the presence of family stressors such as the father's absence and maternal anxiety or depression.Une traduction en français de ce résumé figure à la fin de l'article. Al final del artículo se facilita una traducción al español. ‫املقالة.‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫الكامل‬ ‫النص‬ ‫نهاية‬ ‫يف‬ ‫الخالصة‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫العربية‬ ‫الرتجمة‬

objetivo de identificar fatores associados a problemas de saúde mental em crianças/adolescentes (PSMCA) em amostra probabilística (N=67, faixa etária 4-17 anos). Foram aplicados instrumentos estruturados às mães: Child Behavior Checklist (PSMCA); WorldSAFE Core Questionnaire (dados sociodemográficos; violência doméstica; embriaguez do pai/padrasto); Self-Report Questionnaire (problemas de saúde mental maternos, ideação suicida materna). Os resultados do estudo apontaram fatores estatisticamente associados aos PSMCA: criança/adolescente ser do sexo masculino e sofrer punição física grave; ideação suicida da mãe e violência conjugal física grave contra a mãe; embriaguez do pai/padrasto. Concluindo, grupos vulneráveis com características individuais/familiares identificadas neste estudo devem ser considerados prioritários em propostas de prevenção/tratamento. Palavras-chave: saúde mental; fatores de risco; criança; adolescente; estudos transversais. Risk Factors for Mental Health Problems in Childhood/Adolescence.ABSTRACT -A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban low-income community in the municipality of Embu-SP with the objective of identifying factors associated with mental health problems of children and adolescents (MHPCA) in a probabilistic sample (N=67, aged 4-17 years). Standardized instruments were applied to mothers: Child Behavior Checklist; WorldSAFE Core Questionnaire (demographics, domestic violence, father/stepfather drunkenness); Self-Report Questionnaire (maternal mental health problems and suicide ideation). The results of this study identified factors statistically related to MPHCA: child/adolescent of male gender and severe physical punishment; maternal suicide ideation and severe physical marital violence; father/stepfather drunkenness. As a result, vulnerable groups with individual/family characteristics identified in this study should have priority in prevention/treatment programs.

The frequency of DVAW is high in the studied community and produces immediate impacts on the victim's health, work, and family life. These impacts decrease the victim's ability to look for help and hinder the breaking of the cycle of violence.

A violência doméstica é um dos temas mais difíceis de serem tratados pelos profissionais de saúde. Buscou-se compreender, na pesquisa realizada, a experiência dos profissionais de saúde sobre a violência doméstica contra crianças e adolescentes, descrevendo a identificação dos casos e a assistência prestada às vítimas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde. As técnicas utilizadas foram observação participante, entrevistas semi-estruturadas e grupos focais conduzidos em duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Embu/SP, considerada uma das regiões mais violentas do país. Dentre os resultados obtidos, os profissionais ressaltaram inúmeras dificuldades para lidar com a questão da violência, como o medo de se envolver com pessoas criminosas, a falta de resguardo nas unidades de saúde e a falta de comprometimento dos familiares. Um dos motivos da dificuldade de denúncia seria a reprodução de padrões culturais da população em que se aceita a punição física como uma prática educativa. Além disso, não se sentiam responsáveis ou capacitados para lidar com o problema. Os profissionais do Embu, de certa forma, acabam por reproduzir os mesmos valores e atitudes da comunidade em relação à violência, mantendo-se coniventes com o silêncio das famílias, evitando o comprometimento com os casos e desacreditando nas instituições responsáveis pela proteção ao menor. Ficou evidente que o problema da violência doméstica contra crianças e adolescentes não é de fácil manejo. A assistência oferecida às vítimas é restrita, principalmente pelas dificuldades dos profissionais em lidar com as características socioculturais da população atendida e pelo pouco diálogo com as instituições responsáveis pelo encaminhamento dos casos. A abordagem, o encaminhamento e o tratamento de crianças e adolescentes vítimas de violência física podem adquirir maior eficácia quando se estabelece essa aproximação dos serviços de saúde com o cotidiano vivido pela população.