Individual and environmental factors in internalizing disorders in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Literature has emphasized the role of biopsychosocial factors in internalizing disorders; however, the role of developmental competencies of a child have not been explored much in this context. The current study aimed to understand the differences in developmental competencies, temperament, parenting practices and psychosocial adversities between children with and without internalizing disorders. METHOD: The sample consisted of 200 children and adolescents aged seven to 18 years, with equal number of those with and without an internalizing disorder; and one of their parents. Psychopathology, temperament, interpersonal competence, emotion regulation, executive function, self-concept, adaptive behaviour, parenting practices, life events, family environment and abnormal psychosocial situations were measured using standardized tools. FINDINGS: Discriminant analysis revealed that temperamental domains of sociability and rhythmicity, developmental competencies of adaptive behaviour and self-concept, parenting practices involving father's involvement and overall positive parenting differentiated the clinical and control groups better. Among psychosocial adversities, family environment domains of cohesion and organization, and subjective stress from life events and abnormal psychosocial situations were the most important discriminators. CONCLUSION: The current study reveals that specific individual factors involving temperament and developmental competencies and environmental factors involving parenting practices and psychosocial adversities are significantly associated with internalizing disorders. This has implications for the mental health care of children and adolescents with internalizing disorders.

Developmental competencies, temperament, parenting practices and psychosocial adversities in children with internalising disorders - A pilot study.

Research on the aetiology of internalising disorders has focussed on biological and environmental factors, however, the role of developmental competencies that a child acquires has not been explored much. The current report aimed to understand the association among the developmental competencies, temperament, parenting practices and psychosocial adversities in internalising disorders. The sample consisted of 30 children and adolescents with internalising disorders belonging to the age group of six to 18, and one of their parents. All the participants were assessed for functional impairment, temperament, interpersonal competence, emotion regulation, executive function, self-concept, adaptive behaviour, parenting practices, life events and family environment using standardised tools. The findings revealed that positive parenting shares a negative relationship with functional impairment(ρ=-0.62; p <.001). On comparison with non-clinical samples in previous studies, interpersonal competence and self-concept were found to be at lower levels in the current sample. In conclusion, the current study indicates that children with internalising disorders differ from control groups in specific developmental competences. These findings have specific implications for intervention and research in the area of internalising disorders in children and adolescents.

Lived Experiences of Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in India: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can impact the individual and their families. The impact on siblings is unique because they evolve from being another child in the family to a future adult who can be a potential resource to the family in supporting a member with ASD. Since the quality of care and support can be affected by the lived experiences of the carer and there are not many studies on siblings, this study examined the lived experiences of siblings of individuals with ASD. Methods: Fourteen siblings of individuals with ASD, aged 15-36 years, were recruited from a tertiary hospital, schools, and private institutes. A semistructured interview schedule was used to explore the lived experiences. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to identify the themes. Results: The themes based on IPA indicated that the siblings have very basic concerns like understanding the condition and complex issues such as coping, preparing for current and future roles, personal needs and expectations, need for a support system, and positive aspects of the sibling relationship. Nonetheless, the siblings minimized reporting their difficulties and focused more on the needs of the sibling with ASD. Conclusion: Siblings have diverse lived experiences, with a small element of positive experiences. Appropriate supports are needed to address the complexities of the lived experiences.