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Biomedical subjects

H M Connell

Publications and source records attributed to H M Connell.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Grasping the nettle: forensic child psychiatry.

Child psychiatry is becoming increasingly involved with the law. Other professionals have expertise in interpreting children's needs and behaviours to the courts, but child psychiatrists have unique skills and lawyers should be helped to understand what they have to offer. Difficulties in the dialogue between child psychiatry and the law are discussed. Training child psychiatrists to function efficiently in the legal system must be given priority by the newly established Faculty of Child Psychiatry.

Adolescent

Effect of family break-up and parent divorce on children.

Family break-up is a common experience in childhood today, yet reports of its effects on children vary considerably. Variables to be considered are the age, sex and previous experiences of the child as well as the observer's viewpoint (clinician compared with social scientist): the need for well founded research is obvious. Divorce is a process affecting all family members: parent disharmony and quarrels prior to the divorce appear to be more detrimental to a child's adjustment than the separation itself which may represent a relief of tension. Behaviour and emotional problems following divorce relate to litigation regarding custody and access (accusations of sexual abuse during access are not uncommon), and a diminution of living standards. Feelings of rejection, depression, anger and guilt are frequent in the immediate post-divorce period, but settle during the ensuing year. Family counselling, individual work with children (especially explanations for younger ones) and social support in the post-divorce period are suggested as a means of combating long-term, sometimes lifelong, sequelae.

Adolescent

The wider spectrum of child abuse.

Child abuse encompasses many facets aside from the acts of physical violence which have generally attracted attention. Sexual misuse of children often goes unrecognized, yet its effect on the mental health of the victim may be considerable; it may or may not be accompanied by violence, and it generally occurs within a setting of serious disturbance in the family. Clinical details of nine sexually abused children are described, and they serve to illustrate how this form of abuse may prevent. The management of these cases is discussed. Sexual abuse of children is a family problem and therefore must be the concern of the family doctor.

Australia