Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP
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J Dev Behav Pediatr · Feb 2008
ReviewPhysical punishment, culture, and rights: current issues for professionals.
Once considered a legitimate parenting tool, physical punishment is increasingly being redefined as a developmental risk factor by health professionals. Three forces that have contributed to this significant social change are the evolution of pediatric psychology, increasing understanding of the dynamics of parental violence, and growing recognition of children as rights bearers. However, despite the consistency of research findings demonstrating the risks of physical punishment, some practitioners still struggle with the question of whether physical punishment is an appropriate practice among some cultural or ethnic groups. ⋯ Despite practitioners' awareness of the prevalence and impact of parental violence, some still struggle with deciding where to "draw the line" in advising parents about spanking. This issue is addressed through an examination of the role that physical punishment plays in child maltreatment. Finally, the human rights perspective on physical punishment is offered as a new lens through which practitioners may view physical punishment to clarify the fuzzy issues of cultural relativity and the punishment-abuse dichotomy.
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J Dev Behav Pediatr · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyRacial differences in parental reports of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder behaviors.
Accurate assessment of racial disparities in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) depends on measurement that is equally valid for all groups. This study examines differences among African American and white children in ADHD measurement with a widely used parental report instrument, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC). ⋯ Perceptions of ADHD-related symptoms among parents of African American children appear to differ in important ways from those of parents of white children, and screening instruments relying on parent report may yield different results for African American and white children with similar underlying treatment needs. Gathering information from additional sources including teachers and school counselors can provide a more complete picture of the behavioral functioning and therapeutic needs of children in all race/ethnic groups.
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J Dev Behav Pediatr · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialInteractive music as a treatment for pain and stress in children during venipuncture: a randomized prospective study.
The experience of venipuncture is seen by children as one of the most fearful experiences during hospitalization. Children experience anxiety both before and during the procedure. Therefore, any intervention aiming to prevent or reduce distress should focus on the entire experience of the procedure, including waiting, actual preparation, and conclusion. This study was designed to determine whether the presence of musicians, who had attended specific training to work in medical settings, could reduce distress and pain in children undergoing blood tests. ⋯ This controlled study demonstrates that songs and music, performed by "professional" musicians, have a beneficial effect in reducing distress before, during, and after blood tests. This study shows, moreover, that the presence of musicians has a minor, but yet significant, effect on pain due to needle insertion.
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J Dev Behav Pediatr · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyFamiliarity breeds content? Soothing effect of a familiar odor on full-term newborns.
This study tested the effects of familiar and unfamiliar odors during a heel stick in full-term newborns. ⋯ A familiar odor is effective in significantly reducing crying and grimacing during a minor painful procedure. Olfactory support is a useful intervention that may potentially help minimize deleterious effects of neonatal pain.
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J Dev Behav Pediatr · Apr 2007
Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder following traumatic brain injury in children.
We investigated changes in inattentive and hyperactive symptoms over 2 years following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in relation to preinjury attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), injury, and socioeconomic status (SES) variables. Postinjury stimulant medication treatment was also documented. Of 175 consecutive patients of ages 5 to 15 years with acute TBI, 148 consented, including 114 without preinjury ADHD (mean age, 10.0 years, SD = 2.76) and 34 with preinjury ADHD (mean age 10.36 years, SD = 2.75). The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Present and Lifetime Version, was administered at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months post-injury to assess the presence of nine core inattentive and nine hyperactive symptoms and associated impairment. The baseline assessment was performed within 1 month post-injury to establish preinjury diagnosis. ⋯ Change in ADHD symptoms after TBI varies with preinjury diagnosis, reflects injury severity in children without preinjury ADHD, and is treated with stimulant medication mainly in those patients with preinjury ADHD.