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Biomedical subjects

J Showers

Publications and source records attributed to J Showers.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

"Don't shake the baby": the effectiveness of a prevention program.

The suggestion has been made that a systematic approach to informing all parents of newborns about the dangers of shaking a baby is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an educational campaign about the dangers of shaking a baby could influence parental knowledge, and would be perceived as helpful by new parents. A total of 15,708 parents of newborns in one urban county received a "Don't Shake the Baby" packet over a one year period. Moms ranged in age from 14 to 44 years, and 90% were white. A response postcard in the educational packet was returned by 3,293 parents (21%). More than three-fourths of respondents said the information was helpful to them, and 49% indicated that subsequent to reading the materials, they were less likely to shake their babies. Ninety-one percent said they thought other parents of newborns should read the material.

Brain Damage, Chronic↗
PubMed1991

Improving knowledge of emergency physicians about child physical and sexual abuse.

The purpose of this project was to study the effect of self-instructional programs regarding physical and sexual abuse on the knowledge and case recognition of physicians. Data from a total of 191 emergency physicians revealed significant improvements from pre- to posttests, as well as increases in case recognition skills. More than 90% of physicians using each kit reported that the information had been valuable and that they would recommend the program to a colleague. The finding that knowledge mastery was high, combined with the recommendations of participating physicians, suggests that the programs tested are promising tools for educating emergency physicians about child physical and sexual abuse.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Burn abuse: a four-year study.

Data are presented for 139 children assessed for abuse by burning, and findings are contrasted with previous reports in the literature. The results support assertions that burn abuse is most prevalent among children under 3 years of age, and is usually perpetrated by a caretaker who is young, single and poorly educated. The data do not support findings from other studies that boys outnumber girls as victims. Previous reports that immersion burns constitute the major burn type are also contradicted by the present study and results are examined in terms of sampling techniques. A disproportionate number of alleged abusers in this study are female, a finding which is discussed relative to the average age of the victim and the events reported as precipitating abuse. This study indicates that burn abuse is most common in families of two or more children, and that the youngest child is at highest risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Child firesetters: a study of three populations.

Child firesetting constitutes a serious and widespread problem, yet little definitive evidence exists distinguishing child firesetters from their nonfiresetting peers. The authors studied the characteristics of 186 firesetters and 165 age- and sex-matched controls at two state psychiatric hospitals for children, six community mental health centers, and a children's medical hospital. Their findings failed to corroborate results of other studies that have suggested correlations between firesetting and enuresis, sexual conflicts, low intelligence, large family size, economic deprivation, adoption, and a diagnosis of psychosis. However, the study did support the finding, reported in other studies, that firesetters tend to have conduct problems, such as disobedience and aggressiveness, and it also found that firesetters experienced significantly more emotional neglect and physical abuse. The results underscore the importance of parental nurturing and early intervention for children who are abused and neglected.

Child↗
PubMed1986

Scarring for life: abuse with electric cords.

The authors studied 78 cases of child abuse in which electric cords were used to discipline children. Abuse was usually chronic, and body scars and/or lacerations, usually linear or looped in shape, were found on 95% of these children. Black children over age 5 years were most often the victims. The most commonly injured and/or scarred body sites were the arms, thighs, and back. The majority of perpetrators were single female heads of household raising more than one child, who did not perceive their use of electric cords to discipline children as inappropriate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Injury variables in child abuse.

The child abuse reporting records of 616 children seen by the child abuse team in a metropolitan children's hospital were analyzed. Boys were referred for abuse more often than girls, and black children were reported disproportionately more often than were white children. Mothers were the most frequent perpetrators of abuse, although males constituted more than half of the abusers. Bruises were the most frequent manifestation of abuse. The types of injury, injury site and types of instruments used varied with the age and race, but not the sex of the child. The wide variety of instruments used to perpetrate child abuse resulted in a broad spectrum of injury types. If professionals are to recognize common and early manifestations of child abuse, they must be aware of the influence of regional socioeconomic and cultural factors on the spectrum of child abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Fatal child abuse: a two-decade review.

The purpose of the present study was to identify demographic variables and medical causes of death associated with child deaths, secondary to abuse, at one pediatric hospital. Abuse and neglect reporting forms, social service records, and autopsy reports were reviewed. A total of 72 known deaths occurred between 1965 and 1984. The majority of children were under two years of age, and the most common cause of death was head trauma. Less than one half of the children who died presented to the emergency department with visible signs of injury. Male abusers outnumbered females; boyfriends of the victims' mothers were the most frequent perpetrators. Emergency department personnel should have a high index of suspicion about abuse in cases of inadequately explained conditions in children. All cases of children who die unexpectedly, or from inadequately explained conditions, should be referred to the coroner, and autopsies should be performed.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed1984

Students' knowledge of child health and development: effects on approaches to discipline.

Unrealistic developmental and behavioral expectations of children, which are associated with child abuse, are related to a lack of knowledge about child development and child rearing. The Iowa Child Development Test (ICDT) was administered to college students to determine their knowledge of child health and development and effects on disciplinary approaches. The results indicated that college students had inadequate knowledge and those who most frequently chose harsh disciplinary methods in simulated child management situations were least knowledgeable. This finding is similar to that reported in an earlier study of high school seniors. College men knew less than college women about child development and health, and more frequently selected harsh punishment. Although noneducation and education majors did not differ with regard to level of knowledge on the ICDT, noneducation majors more frequently chose punish and abuse responses. The findings suggest a need to provide broad-based programs in child rearing education prior to parenthood to reduce the potentiating effects of inadequate knowledge of child health and development on the incidence of child abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Research on twins: implications for parenting.

A review of the literature on twins is provided regarding bonding, parent preference, temperament and personality, the separation-individuation process, cognitive development, and child abuse. practical suggestions are given for successfully parenting twins toward optimal growth and development.

Child Abuse↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Behaviour management cards as a method of anticipatory guidance for parents.

The purpose of this research project was to determine whether reading informational cards about appropriate developmental and behavioural expectations of children and non-violent approaches to child behaviour management would result in significant changes in parental knowledge and/or behaviour. Pre- and post-test data are compared and self-reports from parents about changes in feelings and behaviour subsequent to reading the cards are reported.

Adult↗