Digital Commons Network^™

Sex Differences In Grip Strength From Birth To Age 16: A Meta-Analysis, James L. Nuzzo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In 1985, Thomas and French published results of a meta-analysis that examined sex differences in grip strength in children 5 years of age and older. Their analysis included results from only four studies, and no update has been published. The purpose of the current study was to use meta-analysis to examine sex differences in grip strength from birth to age 16. The analysis included 808 effects from 169 studies conducted in 45 countries between 1961 and 2023. The total sample was 353,676 (178,588 boys, 175,088 girls). From birth to 16 years of age, grip strength was consistently greater in boys …

Experiences Among Parents Caring For Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis At A Tertiary Referral Hospital In Kenya, Hassan Silim, Susan Wamithi, Roselyter Riang’A, Angela Migowa

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in childhood. Despite the availability of effective treatment strategies such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), JIA is reported to have a negative impact on the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. Ascertaining the perceptions of the parents will help facilitate more effective management strategies and improve outcomes for these patients. This study aimed to ascertain parental experiences and perceptions of caring for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: This was a single-center facility-based qualitative study. An in-depth interview guide was used to collect …

Poder Familiar: A Culturally Tailored Health Intervention For Latino Families Of Children With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Amy Pei-Lung Yu, Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, Vanessa L. Errisuriz, Deborah Parra-Medina, Mansha Mirza, Minyu Zhang, Pei-Chiang Lee, Weiwen Zeng, Jasmine P. Brown-Hollie, Nazanin M. Heydarian

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Background: This two-site pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcomes of PODER Familiar, a culturally tailored intervention to promote the health and well-being of Latina family caregivers and their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Method: Using the Promotora de Salud model and mixed-methods design, we co-developed PODER Familiar with Latina caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and community stakeholders. Thirty Latina caregivers and their children with disabilities were recruited to participate in the intervention, which included 10 individual sessions and 3 group sessions.

Results: Twenty-six Latina caregivers completed all 10 individual sessions, with high intervention …

Post-Traumatic Growth And Influencing Factors Of Parents With Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study, Li Xu, Meili Liu, Yuewei Chen, Liwen Wu, Siyi Gan, Jianhui Xie, Jos M. Latour

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background: The aim of the study was to identify the post-traumatic growth status and influencing factors of parents with children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Methods: We adopted a cross-section survey study. Between February and December 2022, 181 parents responded to the survey including a participants’ characteristics section, post-traumatic growth assessment scale, caregiver burden scale, and social support assessment scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate influencing factors of post-traumatic growth. Results: The mean score of post-traumatic growth of parents was 56.66 (SD ± 18.67). Post-traumatic growth was positively correlated with social support (r = 0.452, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with care burden (r = -0.207, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression showed that the child’s age, course of disease, self-care ability, parent’s working condition, residence, education, number of children, and health status were the main influencing factors for the post-traumatic growth of parents (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The post-traumatic growth of parents with children with DMD was at a moderate level. Healthcare professionals should pay attention to the psychological state of parents with children with this rare disease and promote post-traumatic growth through psychological mindfulness interventions, strengthening family and social support, and providing care knowledge and skills.

Characteristics Of The Home Environment In Children With Developmental Concerns And Delays: Insights From A Cross-Sectional Study In Türkiye, Emel Ömerci̇oğlu, Ebru Ci̇han Çam, Ömer Nazim Gülçek, Eli̇f N. Özmert

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: A stimulating home environment in early childhood plays a crucial role in fostering child development. This study aimed to evaluate the home environment of children who were referred due to developmental delays or concerns and had not received any intervention at the child or family level.Materials and methods: The study comprised of 50 atypically developing preschool children monitored at the Developmental Pediatrics Department of *** and 70 typically developing preschool children from the General Pediatrics Department at ***. Physicians and experienced child development professionals employed the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to perform developmental assessments on each child. The …

School Counselors’ Experiences With Transitioning Military-Dependent Students, Diane K. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examined Asia-Pacific military school counselors’ lived social-emotional experiences. The study aimed to provide a qualitative transcendental phenomenological perspective of Asia-Pacific school counselors. Furthermore, this study focused on the counselors’ reported lived experiences with military-dependent students newly transitioned from the United States to Asia-Pacific. This study investigated a phenomenon to understand human experience and how the events are perceived and experienced by school counselors in the phenomena. The theoretical framework was informed by the invitational theory, Bronfenbrenner’s theory, and the contextual model of family stress. Three research questions were answered: (a) What are the lived experiences of Asia-Pacific …

Parental Emotional, Social And Transitional Health In The First 6 Months After Childhood Critical Illness: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study, Pei Fen Poh, Matthew C. Carey, Joseph C. Manning, Jan Hau Lee, Jos M. Latour

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Aim: To explore the experiences and support needs of parents in the first 6 months after paediatric critical care. Design: Longitudinal qualitative design. Methods: Sequential semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 28 parents in succession at 1 month and at 6 months (n = 22) after their child's discharge from paediatric critical care using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using the adapted five-stage framework analysis. Results: Data were developed into eight synthesized themes, three domains and an overarching theme: Regaining Normalcy. Families of children requiring medical treatment at 6 months showed signs of adaption to daily care …

Development Of 'Me And You' Model For Emotional And Behavioral Disorders In Children: A Joyful Approach, Siti Nuraini Purnamawati, Hartini Nara, Rohmah Ageng Mursita, Lintang Al Mar’Atus Sholihah

Journal of ICSAR

This research focuses on the development of the "Me and You" learning model for children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), especially those from socioeconomically disadvantaged environments, such as the Rusunawa Jatinegara Kaum area in East Jakarta. Using the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), the study employed a systematic, evidence-based approach to create and refine an effective educational intervention. The model, organized around five core themes addressing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and social interaction, aims to reduce misunderstandings and foster positive peer relationships. The intervention was tested in a community setting, and expert validation was conducted. Findings suggest that …

Bone And Growth Status In Children With Epilepsy: A Hospital Bases Study, Mokhtar Yousef, Nebal Saadi, Eman Alobeidy

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Background: Children with epilepsy have a high burden of physical comorbidity, and they experience poor long-term medical outcomes even after remission of their epilepsy. Little is known about types of these comorbidities and their occurrence in children epilepsy in Iraq.Objectives: the aim of this study to assess bone and growth status in children with epilepsy.Patients and methods: a cross sectional case-control study was conducted in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital, in the period from November 2018 to October 2019. The study included 40 children diagnosed with epilepsy and another 40 healthy children, age- and sex-matched. The following parameters were measured in …

An Inclusive Learning Metaverse: A Virtual Reality Approach To Supporting Dyslexic Children, Reem Salem Mohammed Salem

Theses

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning difficulties worldwide, often requiring tailored interventions targeting phonological awareness, reading comprehension, and cognitive support. This study explores the design and evaluation of a metaverse-based virtual reality (VR) application to support dyslexic children in the UAE. Using a usercentered, explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, the research involved three phases: a stakeholder survey with therapists, educators, and parents (N = 151), development of a multi-featured VR prototype, and evaluation by six dyslexia experts. The survey identified key priorities such as progress tracking, adaptive learning, accessibility, working memory, and attention, along with concerns about VR unfamiliarity, …

Cyberbullying As A Contemporary Human Rights Violation Of Youth In Digital Media: A Study Of India, Brazil, And South Africa, Laura Ferla Tuma

American University International Law Review

The COVID-19 pandemic facilitated a technological migration not only among adults but also among children and adolescents. Digital media became the alternative for young individuals to maintain their activities, especially school-related ones. They shared virtual classrooms, used the internet for entertainment, and were forced to socialize exclusively in digital environments for months. Connected time increased, and the world witnessed a new phenomenon: hyperconnectivity.

Intersection Between Individual, Household, Environmental And System Level Factors In Defining Risk And Resilience For Children In Kenya’S Asal: A Qualitative Study, Esther Chongwo, Barack Aoko, Martha Kaniala, Moses Wesala, Phillis Magoma, Eunice Njoroge, Susan Nyamanya, Joyce Marangu, Anil Khamis, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Introduction: Children growing up in arid and semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face heightened risks, often resulting in poor developmental outcomes. In Kenya, the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) exhibit the lowest health and developmental indicators among children. Despite these risks, some children grow up successfully and overcome the challenges. However, there is limited comprehensive data on sources of risks and resilience in these children, particularly research that incorporates community perspectives and indigenous knowledge. Systematic documentation of factors influencing child outcomes is crucial for understanding the overall burden, informing policy and implementing targeted interventions. This study aimed at …

National Training Manual For Para Social Workers, Ministry Of Gender Labour And Social Development, Republic Of Uganda

Humanitarian Task Force

Para social workers have become an integral part of Uganda’s social support system. Operating at the grassroots level, often in remote and underserved communities, these individuals provide critical services to vulnerable children, youth, families, and communities in need of support. In the face of limited professional human resources in the social welfare sector, Para Social Workers fill a vital gap, extending the reach of formal systems and ensuring that no one is left behind. This revised edition of the manual reflects the evolving nature of community and social work practice in Uganda. It incorporates new practical tools, and evidence-based approaches …

Academic Proficiency In Ugandan Children With Sickle Cell Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Robert Opoka, Shubaya Kasule Naggayi, Paul Bangirana, Simple Ouma, Betty Nyangoma, Annet Birabwa, Grace Nambatya, Maxencia Kabatabaazi, Ann Jacqueline Nakitende, Dennis Kalibbala

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Introduction: Academic proficiency is crucial for advancing learning goals, school advancement, and future economic security. Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) may be at risk of disease-associated learning difficulties. Limited data exist on this topic among school-age children in the region. We aimed to assess academic proficiency in a sample of children with SCA in Uganda compared with unaffected controls.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda. Participants were school-going children with SCA, aged 6–12 years, attending Mulago Hospital SCA Clinic, and age-matched sibling controls without SCA. Academic proficiency was assessed by the Wide …

The Impact Of Parental Presence On Pediatric Recovery Outcomes Following Invasive Procedures Or Surgery, Jaymie Riza Torres, Franchesca Isabelle Andaya Lazaro

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Pediatric patients are severely affected by preoperative anxiety which can lead to postoperative complications and delayed recovery. This could be attributed to their developmental stage which determines their response to stress and fear. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate postoperative recovery outcomes in pediatric patients following the implementation of parental presence at the induction of anesthesia and upon first waking up. Method: This proposed research utilizes a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods through a quasi-experimental study. The target population consists of pediatric patients between the ages of three and eight years …

Moral Panic Or Public Health Crisis? Lessons From Drugs And Gambling For “Addictive” Design, Matthew B. Lawrence, Haomin (Kevin) Yan

Faculty Articles

In her important book, Unwired: Gaining Control Over Addictive Technologies, Gaia Bernstein illustrates the value of a comparative approach, drawing lessons from fights around the regulation of tobacco and ultra-processed food for the regulation of social media. Building on Bernstein’s work, this symposium contribution aims to draw additional insight from experience with drug and gambling regulation for the regulation of social media, video games, AI, and other potentially-addictive technologies.

Specifically, after introducing Bernstein’s book and the foundation it lays, we draw six lessons from the study of psychoactive drugs and gambling. As we elaborate below: Lesson one is that …

Budget Recommendations Fy2025-26, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

The Functional Characterization Of Venous Thromboembolic Disease (Fuvid) Study: Rationale, Design, And Methods Of A Prospective, Observational, Multicenter Study To Evaluate Mechanisms Of Exercise Intolerance And Dyspnea Following Pediatric Pulmonary Embolism., Ayesha Zia, Michael D. Nelson, Jimin Ren, Song Zhang, Robert F. Mattrey, Brian L. Han, Tarique Hussain, Joshua S. Greer, Manal Al-Qahtani, Kendra Malone, Sonja E. Stutzman, Deseray V. Sida, Sharon Primeaux, Marcela D. Torres, Clay T. Cohen, Shelley Crary, Jonathan Bernstein, Hilary B. Whitworth, Riten Kumar, Kisha A. Beg, Osman Khan, Madhvi Rajpurkar, Kerry Hege, Beverly A. Schaefer, Gary M. Woods, Lauren Amos Md, Marisol Betensky, Rukhmi V. Bhat, Sarah O' Brien, Julie Jaffray, Rohit Jesudas, Martha M. Pacheco, Cristina Tarango, Angela C. Weyand, Hope P. Wilson, Jessica Garcia, Mary P. Dang, Ruchika Sharma, Neil A. Goldenberg, Frederikus A. Klok, Christoph Male, Benjamin Levine, Bryce N. Balmain, Tony G. Babb, Fuvid Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: To date, the focus of investigation in pediatric pulmonary embolism (PE) has been on PE recurrence and anticoagulant-related bleeding. While highly relevant, these outcomes do not fully capture functional limitations and the psychological impact that comprises post-PE syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the Functional Characterization of Venous Thromboembolic Disease (FUVID) study was to investigate mechanisms of post-PE syndrome in children.

METHODS: The ongoing FUVID study will prospectively enroll and systematically follow, over 12 months and with standardized pulmonary, cardiac, and muscle testing, a multicenter prospective cohort of 80 pediatric patients with first-episode PE without comorbidities. FUVID has 2 …

Autism And The Delay Of Diagnosis In African American Communities, Kiara Loud

Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability accompanied by a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. ASD can affect anyone regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity (CDC, 2025). Individuals with ASD tend to have issues with various challenges and strengths regarding how they learn, think, and solve problems. Some children with ASD have repetitive patterns of behavior, restricted interest in activities, and difficulty in communication and social interaction.

According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of ASD 1 in 100 children diagnosed with Autism. Additional data supplied by the CDC states that the number of children with …

Evaluating The Credibility Of Online Websites: A Digital Information Literacy Program, Emily C. Wood, Kim P. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The plethora of information currently available via the internet is greater than ever before. Given this, finding credible information is an exceedingly complex task for any information consumer, but especially so for children. Research shows that children have difficulty evaluating the credibility of online information and are more susceptible to believing misinformation compared to adolescents. While a growing body of research addresses children’s internet use, most research focuses on technology safety rather than the evaluation of online information. Several studies have found digital information literacy (DIL) interventions to be successful at increasing critical thinking and awareness of the criteria to …

National Para Social Workers Handbook, Ministry Of Gender Labour And Social Development, Republic Of Uganda

Humanitarian Task Force

A resource guide for supporting para social workers in delivery of child protection and well-being services at community level in Uganda. This revised handbook integrates the Baobab project's sexual violence screening intervention.

A Systematic Review Of The Outcomes And Efficacy Of Complementary And Alternative Non-Pharmacological Interventions In Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Kelly M. Kohler

Theses and Dissertations

A number of behavioral and pharmacological treatments have been widely accepted as evidenced-based approaches to treating symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. While pharmacological approaches are safe and effective at managing symptoms, a large subset of caregivers do not have access to medication, refuse it, or find it ineffective, necessitating the need for non-pharmacological treatments. Such behavioral interventions are also generally effective approaches to symptom management and reducing the functional impairment of ADHD and may even demonstrate better parent satisfaction than medication alone. However, these interventions are often difficult to access and burdensome to implement, especially …

Improving Hospital Discharge Readiness Among Caregivers Of Children With Complex Medical Needs, Megan M. Bruce

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Advancements in medicine and technologies have led to an increase in the population of children living with complex and chronic health conditions. Children with medical complexities (CMCs) and their caregivers frequently have challenges navigating home life after transitioning from hospital to home-based care. A 14-week doctoral capstone project was conducted at Dayton Children’s Hospital to improve caregiver readiness for hospital discharge. Project participants included caregivers of CMCs (n = 6) admitted to the hospital and pediatric acute care occupational therapists (n = 4). The Pediatric Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale – Long Form (Peds-RHDS) was used as a pre-and post-intervention …

Exploring The Synergy Of Executive Functions And Sensory Processing In Shaping Occupational Participation, Isabella Aguirre, Kaitlin Mulvaney, Sophia Zertuche

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

This study adds to the available literature on the relationship between executive functions (EF) and sensory processing (SP), and their combined effect on occupational participation (OP) in children aged 5-12 years. Understanding the nature of this relationship holds the key to identifying factors shaping a child's ability to engage effectively in daily life activities. The research team hypothesized that children with stronger EF and more efficient SP will demonstrate higher levels of OP, while those with challenges in either or both domains may experience limitations to effectively engage in daily activities. Participants consisted of parents of 26 children aged 5 …

Children's Interpretation Of Others' Faces Covered With Medical Masks, Sevval Cinar

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

How we recognize and regulate emotions is fundamental to overall health and wellbeing. Emotional recognition and understanding are key to proper communication and emotion regulation. Barriers, such as masks, might have an impact on the way children recognize and interpret others' emotions, and therefore the way they learn, communicate, and regulate their own. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread mask-wearing, raising questions about its impact on children’s emotional development. Using a sample of children with varying levels of exposure to mask wearing adults (N= 13, ages 4 to 6), we investigated how prolonged mask wearing predicts emotion recognition, particularly …

A Pilot Study Examining Children’S Evaluations And Reasoning About Concealment And Instrumental Forms Of Antisocial Lying, Noah Battaglia

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Children as young as 4 years of age judge self-benefitting lies (i.e., antisocial lying) as wrong. Although this has traditionally been interpreted as evidence that young children view honesty as a moral obligation, contemporary moral development theory and research suggests that right/wrong judgments fail to capture important aspects of children’s social cognition. Research from a perspective known as social domain theory (Smetana et al., 2014; Turiel, 1983) has shown that children’s understanding of morality (i.e., norms concerning others’ rights and wellbeing) is distinct from their understanding of other types of socially unacceptable behaviour. While children judge many social events as …

Co-Parents With Benefits, Jessica Feinberg

Faculty Publications

The relationshipbetween individuals who share a common child merits significant legal and societal attention. An increasingly high percentageofchildren are being raisedby parents who are not married to each other, and modern social science research demonstrates that the quality of the relationship between co-parents has serious implications for children's well-being. When co-parentage is unaccompanied by marriage, however, the law historically has attachedfew, if any, rights and obligations to the relationship. This historical disregard for the relationship between non-marital co- parents fails to promote children's best interests. Children whose parents are not marriedto each other should not be excludedfrom the benefits that …

Gamified Mhealth System For Evaluating Upper Limb Motor Performance In Children: Cross-Sectional Feasibility Study, Md Raihan Mia, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, Samuel Nemanich

Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Approximately 17% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with a developmental or neurological disorder that affects upper limb (UL) movements needed for completing activities of daily living. Gold-standard laboratory assessments of the UL are objective and precise but may not be portable, while clinical assessments can be time-intensive. We developed MoEvGame, a mobile health (mHealth) gamification software system for the iPad, as a potential advanced technology to assess UL motor functions.

Objective: This feasibility study examines whether MoEvGame can assess children’s whole-limb movement, fine motor skills, manual dexterity, and bimanual coordination. The specific aims were to …

Childhood Prosocial Behavior And Body Mass Index: Longitudinal Findings In The Millennium Cohort Study, Farah Qureshi, Krista Woodward, Laura D. Kubzansky, Julia K. Boehm

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective: Childhood obesity affects millions worldwide but is challenging to treat. Prosocial or helping behavior may help mitigate childhood obesity. We investigated whether prosocial behavior at ages 5–11 was associated with body mass index (BMI) and reduced obesity risk through age 17. Method: Data were from 8,894 participants in the Millennium Cohort Study. Parents reported children’s prosocial behavior using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at ages 5, 7, and 11. BMI scores (kg/m2) were calculated from children’s height and weight at ages 5, 7, 11, 14, and 17, which were then standardized by sex (M = 0, SD = 1) …

What About The Children? An Exploration Of Family Counselors' Play Therapy Training And Preparedness To Integrate Children Into Family Counseling, Patricia J. Walker Monical

Dissertations

Children are an important part of families, yet family counselor education programs often do not incorporate training for including children in family counseling. At some point in their careers, family counselors and therapists will encounter clients who have children 3–12 years old. The problem is that since these professionals often receive little to no training in play therapy and thus do not typically include young children in family therapy, these younger family members are often overlooked. Research has confirmed that, due to a lack of sufficient training and supervision in play therapy, many family therapists report feeling unprepared to work …