The impact of childhood adversity on parenting has long been a subject of research interest. This systematic review aimed to synthesize literature on parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and parenting outcomes, with a particular focus on parenting stress and its underlying mechanisms. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, 2,693 articles were identified through Boolean searches across ProQuest, MedLine via PubMed, PsycINFO via EBSCOhost, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The criteria were: quantitative studies, parents with ACEs, parenting stress as a primary or analyzed variable, published between 1997 and 2024, and full-text availability in English. Findings revealed strong evidence linking ACE exposure to increased parenting stress. Parenting stress functioned both as a direct outcome and as a mediator or moderator in broader parenting models, although evidence regarding these pathways was inconsistent. Diverse instruments were used to assess ACE and parenting stress, with variations in construct validity likely contributing to heterogeneity in findings. Future research should include diverse sociocultural groups, longitudinal designs, and greater inclusion of fathers. Implications for practice, research, and policy are discussed.
In personality psychology, questionnaires are an established tool for assessing psychological traits. In forensic risk assessment, however, their use is often met with skepticism. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate the role of self-report information for assessing the risk of sexual recidivism. Focusing on individuals convicted of sexual offending, about 500 publications were identified through a systematic, string-based search across three electronic databases. The final sample was constituted by 95 publications that met the inclusion criteria - empirical studies using or investigating self-report measures in sexual risk assessment, with a minimum of 50 participants. Various risk-relevant constructs assessed by self-reports were examined. The results predominantly support the validity of self-report measures, particularly for assessing sexuality-related constructs, offense-supportive cognitions, prior offenses, and aggression. Comparing self-reports to other instruments showed some unique variance to the prediction of recidivism. The association with desirable responding was found to have an overall small effect size. Additionally, social desirability often emerged not as a response bias but as a risk-relevant trait. However, contextual factors, such as confidentiality and incentives, may significantly influence response distortion, presenting limitation for their use in high-stakes forensic decision-making. Overall, self-reported information appears to be a valuable complement to other assessment methods, significantly contributing to the prediction of recidivism. Nevertheless, the relationship between self-reports, contextual factors, and offender characteristics should be carefully considered when selecting the most appropriate assessment method. The findings of this study, along with its limitations and implications for future research, are discussed.
Despite increasing research on gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education, a critical gap persists in understanding GBV prevention strategies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This scoping review aims to identify and synthesize existing evidence on GBV prevention interventions in higher education institutions within LMICs. A scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines, identifying 14 manuscripts across LMIC higher education contexts. The review included 14 manuscripts published between 2017 and 2023, detailing ten distinct interventions. Studies were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (n = 7), East Asia (n = 4), South Asia (n = 2), and South America (n = 1). Interventions focused on primary and secondary prevention. No study focused on tertiary prevention. Most of the studies aimed to pilot test and develop interventions, with only one study employing a randomized controlled trial. The scope of the interventions encompassed participants' education about gender inequalities, consent, healthy relationships, and bystander behavior. The most consistent findings included improved knowledge, attitudes, and bystander self-efficacy. Current GBV prevention interventions in higher education institutions within LMICs are still evolving, revealing significant gaps in long-term efficacy and survivor support. These findings highlight the necessity for future culturally grounded, sustainable interventions and rigorous evaluation of long-term impact.
Sexual violence (SV) is a significant concern in higher education. Regarding varsity athletes, between 29% and 45% have experienced SV, while nearly half report consequences that negatively impact their functioning, yet less than 10% formally report these incidents. This literature review aimed to identify risk factors and prevention recommendations for SV among varsity athletes. A literature review was conducted between May 2023 and July 2024 using keyword searches in academic databases (Ebsco, ProQuest, Érudit) and Google. Inclusion criteria included publications from 2012 onwards (reflecting post-#MeToo impact), English or French language, and a specific focus on varsity athletes. This literature review yielded 31 initial references (27 scientific, 4 grey literature), with an additional 20 articles later incorporated from key scientific references of this review. Results revealed risk factors across a four-level social-ecological model: individual (gender, sexual orientation, age), relational (social drinking situations, relationship dynamics), organizational (athletic subcultures), and societal (culture of silence, traditional masculine values). Prevention findings highlight the effectiveness of long-term interventions that incorporate peer/coach education, deconstructing myths, and bystander programmes, while avoiding single-session or online-only formats. Nine specific prevention programmes were examined and described, showing some promising results despite limited evaluation in higher education sports contexts. This review highlighted significant knowledge gaps, including limited research outside the United States, on diverse varsity athlete populations and regarding organizational risk factors.
Most if not all previous evidence focused primarily on psychological disorders of prisoners/ex-prisoners, whereas the secondary trauma symptoms across the whole family await clarification. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to family incarceration and psychiatric symptoms and moderators of the associations. This systemic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines (CRD42023495095). Studies on the mental health of family incarceration from inception to March 4th, 2024 were searched in PsycINFO, PubMed, and Medline. Methodological quality was assessed. Meta-analysis of correlation coefficients r with the random-effects model was performed using "metafor" package in R. Fifty-three studies (34 non-duplicate samples, 2005-2024) with 101,417 people experiencing family incarceration across eight countries were included in the final synthesis. Participants aged 2 to 99 years. Most (96.23%) were conducted in high-income countries (i.e., Australia, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, the US, and the UK), with 3.77% in Mexico and Poland. Over half were longitudinal studies with follow-up periods from 2 to 53 years. Exposure to family incarceration was positively associated with psychiatric symptoms. Stronger effect sizes were found between incarceration and substance abuse disorder and externalizing disorders. Incarceration relates to secondary trauma symptoms in the long run among the affected families especially for children, African Americans in the US, and middle-income countries. Family-based intervention should be made to target the whole family with priorities on substance abuse disorder and externalizing disorders.

