References

McDowell H, Barriault S, Afifi TO, Romano E, Racine N Child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for child and adolescent mental health. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024; 3 https://doi.org/10.3389/frcha.2024.1415497

Mears R, Searle A, Sharp D, Jago R, Shield JP Feasibility of engaging parents attending an adult weight management programme with child weight management support: a mixed methods study. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2025; 9:(1) https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002975

Nicolas J, Nicolas J, Nicolas A, Safieddine M, Gannage Yared MH Retrospective and longitudinal study of blood pressure in school-aged children. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2025; 66:76-82 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.01.030

Valentić M, Karin T, Šimetin L, Petković L, Šimetin F, Kujundžić Tiljak M Alcohol use among Croatian adolescents: the alignment of 13-year-old and 15-year-old girls with boys, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Croat Med J. 2024; 65:(6)483-492 https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2024.65.483

Zhang XN, Zhang S, Liu CY, Ni ZH, Lv HT Caregivers' experience of having a child with Down syndrome: a meta-synthesis. BMC Nurs. 2025; 24:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02652-y

Research roundup

02 January 2025
Volume 2 · Issue 1

Abstract

In this section, a range of brief synopses of recently published articles are presented. The aim is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary, of the research papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.

This review, conducted in Canada, aimed to contribute to the understanding of the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to child maltreatment, and inform effective interventions in child welfare (McDowell et al, 2024).

During COVID-19 lockdowns, parents and caregivers faced challenges in receiving support from friends and family. Caregivers perceiving a diminished emotional or social support system may have been more prone to child abuse. For children, the inability to attend school or daycare meant they lacked supervision and were cut off from basic necessities, posing a specific risk factor for neglect.

The pandemic created additional challenges for families, including loss of income, and reduced social support, all of which were found to be associated with risk factors for child maltreatment. The likelihood of experiencing violence and abuse increased significantly for groups that were already vulnerable. The authors say, ‘During the pandemic, Reddit saw a 94% increase in posts related to children and adolescents experiencing maltreatment. Since March 2020, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network in the US has reported a surge of calls from minors experiencing maltreatment.’

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