‘<i>It was sort of like a globe of abuse’</i>. A psychosocial exploration of child protection social work with emotional abuse

North, Gemma

doi:10.1177/1473325018775493

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The analysis further reveals that eight studies include descriptions of EA. North (2019) describes EA as a complex concept, which includes cumulative elements. One element may be restricting a child's psychological autonomy.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A narrow focus in research on emotional abuse: A scoping review of definitions and descriptions on emotional abuse in research on child welfare and social work

Ness

2022

Child & Family Social Work

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Previous research argues that emotional abuse (EA) is not as well understood as other forms of abuse and that it poses a challenge to professionals concerned with the well-being of children. The aim of this scoping review is to explore how EA is defined and described in peer-reviewed studies in the context of child welfare and social work. The electronic databases PsycINFO, Web of Science, Social services abstract, Scopus and Medline were searched to identify studies. Twenty-six recently published studies that provided a sufficient definition or description of EA were included in the review. Findings were analysed using thematic synthesis. The results indicate a varying and somewhat inconsistent terminology when labelling EA and that definitions and descriptions of EA mainly are gathered from quantitative research. Moreover, the results reveal a lack of research from the perspective of children and youth in contact with CWS and from child welfare workers. Such research may expand current knowledge of the definitions and descriptions on EA by providing a more nuanced understanding of how children and youth experience EA, and elaborate on their susceptibility and resilience in relation to their experiences of EA.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only two of the included studies in the review have a qualitative design. These are focusing on social workers subjectivity and reflexivity when intervening with EA in families (North, 2019, 2022). Thus, this review exposes a need for supplemental research exploring how child welfare workers describe and understand EA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A narrow focus in research on emotional abuse: A scoping review of definitions and descriptions on emotional abuse in research on child welfare and social work

Ness

2022

Child & Family Social Work

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“…Close attention was paid to the unacknowledged anxieties social workers may experience whilst working to identify and evidence the experiences of children who are suffering emotional abuse. In using this approach the social workers shared their unconscious thought processes, and the analysis explored the deeper motivations for their everyday decision making (North, 2018).…”

Section: Research Sample and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing for bruises on the soul: identifying and evidencing childhood emotional abuse

North

2019

Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law

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The term 'emotional abuse' is acknowledged by law in the Children Act 1989 and refers to the wider social concept of harm that occurs in the psychosocial domain. Emotional abuse is a contested notion and a form of harm that statutory child protection social workers find difficult to recognise and gather evidence of. Early preventative intervention approaches, which occur outside of the legal system, are the preferred course of action in work with emotional abuse. However, child protection social workers may use their statutory powers and duties to implement interventions when cases are deemed to require attention within legal frameworks. Professionals routinely fear legal work in cases of emotional abuse, feeling inadequately equipped to engage effectively with the law. This article draws on rich research data, gathered for an Economic and Social Research Council funded doctoral project. The data offers an original perspective on the interaction between social work and law, adding to existing literature on the frictions that exists. Using psychosocial methods, the research explores social worker experiences of identifying and evidencing emotional abuse, with particular attention to the application of 'attachment theory'. The article shines a light on some practice complexities of identifying and evidencing emotional abuse.

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“…Emotional abuse has a wide de nition in the context of social work and is often a major contributing factor for children becoming looked after (Trickett et al, 2009). It can be attributed to a variety of factors such as maltreatment, neglect, harmful or destructive social conditioning, poor socioeconomic environment or parental mental health (123)(124)(125)(126). This could contribute to the ndings presented in the González et al, (2019) study where emotional abuse had robust association with having an ADHD diagnosis.…”

Section: Adverse Outcomes For the Lac With A Nddmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in looked after children (Lac) versus children that are not looked after (non-Lac) and adverse outcomes: A systematic review and Meta-analysis

Heady,

Watkins,

John

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background Looked after children (Lac) continue to attain suboptimal health and social outcomes and have a high prevalence of mental, developmental and behavioural disorders. Limited in research is the exploration of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in this vulnerable population. This review aims to compare prevalence rates of NDDs in children who are looked after (Lac) versus children not looked after (non-Lac) and identify any impacts on Lac diagnosed with a NDD. Methods Articles were identified in PubMed, ASSIA, IBSS, Web of Science, PsychINFO, Scopus, Psych articles, Social Care Online. Studies that provided primary data on the prevalence of a ND for both Lac and non-Lac under the age of < 25 years were included. Two reviewers appraised the articles using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Risks ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model were used to express and estimate the mean effect, Results Of a total 5,611 records, 12 studies met eligibility. Six studies that met inclusion criteria for a meta-analysis highlight how Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) RR = 2.69 [1.44, 5.01] and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) RR = 2.23 [1.63, 3.05] have a higher prevalence in Lac compared to non-Lac. The remaining six studies that compared prevalence of NDDs but were not eligible for the meta-analysis are described as a narrative and highlight the adverse outcomes that effect the Lac with a NDD. Findings related to foster care placement, mental health service usage and medication, physical, emotional abuse and criminal justice involvement are discussed. Conclusion Results show that the prevalence of NDDs is higher in Lac versus non-Lac and propose that Lac with a NDD experience more adverse outcomes compared to their non-Lac peers with a NDD. More research is needed to explore the prevalence of NDDs in both populations and further investigate the adverse outcomes that may affect the Lac with a NDD.

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‘It was sort of like a globe of abuse’. A psychosocial exploration of child protection social work with emotional abuse

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

A narrow focus in research on emotional abuse: A scoping review of definitions and descriptions on emotional abuse in research on child welfare and social work

A narrow focus in research on emotional abuse: A scoping review of definitions and descriptions on emotional abuse in research on child welfare and social work

Assessing for bruises on the soul: identifying and evidencing childhood emotional abuse

Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in looked after children (Lac) versus children that are not looked after (non-Lac) and adverse outcomes: A systematic review and Meta-analysis

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