by Tripp Underwood on February 24, 2012
The journal Pediatrics released two studies this week that focused on the mental and physical wellbeing of children who don’t conform to typical gender roles.
The first study, led by Children’s Hospital Boston researcher S. Bryn Austin, ScD, indicates that kids who fail to adapt traditional gender stereotypes as children are at a significantly greater risk for physical, sexual and psychological abuse during childhood. These children are also more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in young adulthood.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Health and compiled data from almost 9,000 young adults. Participants were asked to recall their childhood experiences, including their favorite toys and games growing up. The types of charters they related to as children, which roles they adopted during pretend play and their earliest understanding of masculinity and femininity where all reported on as well. Researchers also asked participants to disclose information about any physical, sexual or emotional abuse they experienced at the hands of parents, other adults or older children. Finally, participants were screened for PSTD. Full story »
by Childrens Hospital Boston staff on December 9, 2009
by Childrens Hospital Boston staff on August 5, 2009
by Allison Scobie, LICSW, MBA
How many times have we heard the old adage that parenting is the toughest job? The reality is that parenting, while quite rewarding, can at times also be extremely challenging. In fact, caregiver stress is virtually universal. What many parents don’t know, however, is that their private experiences of frustration, guilt and exhaustion in response to the demands of parenting are extremely common. Full story »
by Childrens Hospital Boston staff on July 15, 2009
Another sad side effect of the economic downturn is an increase in child abuse. Here, the mother of a Children’s patient shares the story of how her husband shook their 2-month-old daughter – and how they’ve spent the last few years trying to put their lives back together.
Your life can change in the blink of an eye. I wouldn’t have believed that until it happened to me. Our daughter was almost 2 months old and I was going out for an afternoon with a friend. I was taking my older daughter, Tessa*, while my husband stayed home with our newborn, Erin. When Tessa and I arrived home I was reassured to see Erin sleeping on my husband’s shoulder. I asked how things were and he said that it had been a good day. I was happy to see the two of them sharing an intimate moment.
Over the next two days, Erin was throwing up her bottles and not sleeping well. Full story »
