Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies
An International Interdisciplinary Journal for Research, Policy and Care
Volume 9, Issue 3, 2014
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rvch20/current#.Uzg2bFcWNdc

Child and caregiver concordance of potentially traumatic events experienced by orphaned and abandoned children
Divya Guru Rajana*, Kristen Shireyb, Jan Ostermannc, Rachel Whettend, Karen O’Donnelle & Kathryn Whettenf
DOI: 10.1080/17450128.2013.855346
pages 220-233
Abstract
Exposure to trauma is associated with significant emotional and behavioral difficulties among children. Overall, reports of trauma and violence experienced by children are discrepant from those of their caregivers. Even less is known about the extent of concordance between orphans and their caregivers. This study examines the correlates of concordance in reported traumatic experiences between 1269 orphaned and abandoned children (OAC) and their caregivers. The OAC lived in family-settings in five low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and were part of a longitudinal study, “Positive Outcomes for Orphans” (POFO) that enrolled children aged 6 to 12 at baseline. By examining concordance with respect to specific types of trauma reported, this study expands the understanding of who reports which types of traumas experienced by OAC, thereby improving the potential to provide targeted interventions for children who have experienced such events. In this study, children and caregivers were asked separately if the child had experienced different types of potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Children were significantly more likely to report physical abuse, sexual abuse, and family violence than were caregivers. Caregivers were significantly more likely than children to report natural disasters and accidents. High levels of concordance were found in the reporting of wars, riots, killings, and deaths in the family.
The impacts of trauma on behavior and mental health are profound, and highly effective interventions targeting sequelae of childhood trauma are currently being developed for use in low-resource areas. Findings from this study demonstrate that it is feasible to conduct screening for PTEs utilizing child self-report in resource limited settings and that child self-report is crucial in evaluating trauma, particularly family violence and physical or sexual assault.

Indicative evaluation of psychological disturbance amongst young children affected by the January 2010 Haiti earthquake, in Port-au-Prince
Yoram Mouchenikab*, Alexandra Marty-Chevreuilc, Caroline Marquerd, Nephtalie Eva Josephe, Jean Weber Ducassee, Casseus Ryswicke, Alex Dejeane, Rogenette Georgese, Judith Blancf, Daniel Derivoisg, Thierry Baubeth & Marie Rose Moroi
DOI: 10.1080/17450128.2014.901589
pages 247-257
Abstract
The article presents a research for the indicative evaluation of psychological disturbance amongst young children following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. We used a new psychological evaluation questionnaire for young children, the PSYCa 3–6. It is a hetero-evaluation tool and is completed on site by the interviewer. The questionnaire was conducted in Port-au-Prince. The average age of the 166 children taking part in the study was 58 months. Psychological disturbance score appears to be high amongst our child population in Port-au-Prince. This corroborates other research into the psychological condition of natural disaster victims. A higher score of psychological disturbance was observed amongst boys and in the youngest group of children. This first application of the PSYCa 3–6, in a natural disaster area, highlights its capacity to identify children in great difficulties, the acceptability of the questionnaire and its appropriateness for use in humanitarian crisis areas.

Information needs for OVC program management and evaluation: a framework
J. Chapmana* & M. Cannonb
DOI: 10.1080/17450128.2014.923961
pages 270-278
Abstract
Programs serving orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) have become increasingly complex over the last decade, necessitating programs to collect more information to ensure adequate management. Programs are also facing greater pressure to demonstrate an interest in understanding impact and value for money, which is similarly leading to changes in the ways programs collect information and the types of information collected. In order to gather such information and contain costs, governments and programs are collecting increasing amounts of information at every interaction with program beneficiaries. This has led to a high burden on those providing, gathering, and inputting information and low data quality overall.
In this paper, we present a framework for categorizing different information needs for OVC program management and evaluation. The purpose of this framework is to support OVC program staff and donors to more clearly define information-collection strategies based on the information needed, why it is needed, and by whom it is needed. This will improve the efficiency of data-collection efforts, and improve the availability of the right (high-quality) data for various decision-making processes.