TY - JOUR
T1 - The prevalence and impact of maltreatment of child laborers in the context of four South Asian countries
T2 - A scoping review
AU - Ahad, Md Abdul
AU - Parry, Yvonne K.
AU - Willis, Eileen
PY - 2021/7
Y1 - 2021/7
N2 - Background: Child maltreatment is a global health concern, which adversely affects millions of children. Among them, child laborers are highly susceptible to maltreatment due to their economic vulnerability and workplace practices. Objectives: This review seeks to identify the extent, risk factors and psychological impairments associated with the maltreatment of child laborers in four South East Asian countries. Methods: A scoping review was adopted, in accordance with the PRISMA framework. Scopus, Medline, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Web of Sciences, and grey literature from relevant institutional websites were searched. Search date parameters were 1960–2020. A thematic synthesis and a proportion test were adopted to analyse data. Results: A total of 9 studies were retrieved. The physical maltreatment against child laborers (15.14 %) was found across all studies with high heterogeneity (from 2.3%–73.27%). The prevalence of emotional maltreatment was more than three times that of physical abuse. Sexual abuse rate was measured (16.82 %) followed by neglect against child laborers (12.9 %). Witness victimization, financial exploitation, forced work, and work intensification were also observed as notable forms of maltreatment. A thematic analysis suggests that the victims and caregivers’ characteristics and socio-cultural practices are strong predictors of maltreatment. Parental dysfunctions were also associated with rates of child labor victimization followed by poverty. The review found maltreated children were often traumatized and manifest specific phobias (38.79 %), social phobias (30.2 %), conduct disorders (20.6 %), and obsessions (18.21 %), which are significantly associated (p < 0.05) across studies. Conclusions: While the methodical study base is limited, the results of this review can inform further research on violence against child laborers.
AB - Background: Child maltreatment is a global health concern, which adversely affects millions of children. Among them, child laborers are highly susceptible to maltreatment due to their economic vulnerability and workplace practices. Objectives: This review seeks to identify the extent, risk factors and psychological impairments associated with the maltreatment of child laborers in four South East Asian countries. Methods: A scoping review was adopted, in accordance with the PRISMA framework. Scopus, Medline, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Web of Sciences, and grey literature from relevant institutional websites were searched. Search date parameters were 1960–2020. A thematic synthesis and a proportion test were adopted to analyse data. Results: A total of 9 studies were retrieved. The physical maltreatment against child laborers (15.14 %) was found across all studies with high heterogeneity (from 2.3%–73.27%). The prevalence of emotional maltreatment was more than three times that of physical abuse. Sexual abuse rate was measured (16.82 %) followed by neglect against child laborers (12.9 %). Witness victimization, financial exploitation, forced work, and work intensification were also observed as notable forms of maltreatment. A thematic analysis suggests that the victims and caregivers’ characteristics and socio-cultural practices are strong predictors of maltreatment. Parental dysfunctions were also associated with rates of child labor victimization followed by poverty. The review found maltreated children were often traumatized and manifest specific phobias (38.79 %), social phobias (30.2 %), conduct disorders (20.6 %), and obsessions (18.21 %), which are significantly associated (p < 0.05) across studies. Conclusions: While the methodical study base is limited, the results of this review can inform further research on violence against child laborers.
KW - Child laborers
KW - Childhood trauma
KW - Maltreatment
KW - Poverty
KW - Scoping review
KW - South Asia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85104680529&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105052
DO - 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105052
M3 - Review article
C2 - 33831788
AN - SCOPUS:85104680529
SN - 0145-2134
VL - 117
JO - Child Abuse and Neglect
JF - Child Abuse and Neglect
M1 - 105052
ER -