Embracing a different outlook: Strengths and goals of individuals currently in treatment for anorexia nervosa.

PURPOSE: Developing personal goals beyond weight and shape, and promoting the agency to pursue those goals, could aid in treatment and recovery from anorexia nervosa (AN). This research explores the strengths, interests and goals of individuals currently receiving treatment for AN and evaluates how treatment services are supporting them to work towards personal goals across all areas of everyday life. METHOD: A total of 58 community-dwelling adults currently receiving treatment for anorexia nervosa at any stage of recovery completed the Client Assessment of Strengths, Interests and Goals Self-Report (CASIG-SR). Participants reported their goals for accommodation, work and study, interpersonal relationships, recreational activities, spirituality, religion or life purpose, physical health and mental health, and the personal strengths and supports needed to achieve those goals. Concordance scores were calculated between importance of personal goals and level of support from current services regarding these goals. RESULTS: Themes identified across goals, strengths and supports were Connection, Independence & Confidence, Meaning & Self: The Real Me, and Stability & Balance. Work and study goals and strengths were identified strongly. The key support needed was stability from the current treatment team to provide a stable base for change. Concordance scores indicate support provided for personal goals was less than the importance of the goal to the individual. CONCLUSION: Results suggest goals for everyday living are critical to recovery in anorexia nervosa. Specific clinical considerations to increase motivation and hope are increased access to peer support, a focus on increasing positive affect, supporting safe exercise and promoting outdoor experiences and connection with nature. LEVEL III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.

Psychometric properties of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in an Icelandic community sample.

PURPOSE: The current paper aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Icelandic translation of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, for both parent and teacher reports. SDQ is a widely used questionnaire for screening mental problems among youth. However, only a few studies have conducted a factor analysis on the youngest and oldest cohorts using an adequate sample size. This study aims not only to examine the traditional 5-factor model and alternative models suggested in prior research but also to establish norm data for the Icelandic population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total sample consists of 1653 youth aged 5-16 years, thereof 316 parent reports and 271 teacher reports for the 5-year-old sample. We used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the factor structure. Special attention was given to the models' performance across different age groups and between genders. This cross-demographic evaluation is vital to ensure that the SDQ's utility is not limited by developmental or gender-specific variations in symptom expression or reporting. RESULTS: We found an acceptable fit for both the original five-factor model and the more recent three-factor model with higher-order internalizing and externalizing factors. The fit for the factor structures seemed to be quite similar across ages. However, we observed goodness-of-fit below the acceptable range for girls on the parent ratings. We also found evidence for the convergent and divergent validity of both models. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides further evidence of the utility of the SDQ as a screening instrument, with an acceptable factor structure across ages.

German Parents and Educators of Two to Four-Year-Old Children as Informants for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Screeners are used in early intervention and early childhood education and care programs to identify children's potential need for further evaluation and diagnostics. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief behavioral screening instrument that can be completed by both parents and educators to assess the social and emotional traits of children. However, multiple informants' reports vary. In this study, the extent to which parents' (n = 241) and educators' (n = 157) differ and agree in their assessments of children aged 3.5 years on average, was examined. T-tests were used to examine differences between informants and correlations within a multitrait-multimethod matrix (MTMM) in their agreement. Results showed moderate to high levels of rater agreement ranging from r = .35 and r = .53 on the five subscales of the SDQ. We found that hyperactivity, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior vary due to meaningful reasons, e.g., the home vs. pre-school setting, and the informant's relationship towards the child. Hyperactivity seems to be relatively consistent across settings. Methodological variations might explain differences in emotional symptoms and conduct problems. Considering ratings from multiple informants outlines a more comprehensive view of children's behavior and should be preferred over single-informant research designs.

Assessing Callous-Unemotional Traits Across Early Adolescence: Further Evaluation of Short Versions.

Literature on the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional (ICU) traits has suggested different versions of the instrument for assessing these traits during development. However, consensus on the instrument version and the best factorial solution remains a matter of debate, with only a few studies having validated ICU versions from a longitudinal perspective. The current study aims to contribute to the literature by comparing ICU models in a longitudinal sample of early adolescents (N = 739; 70.6% of eligible subjects, 371 females and 368 males, in the 6th grade at baseline assessment and in the 8th grade at the second assessment). We tested the validity of various versions of the ICU scales and their respective dimensions by conducting a series of confirmatory factor analyses to verify the factor structure, alongside assessments of internal consistency. For the best-fitting structure, we then analyzed gender and longitudinal invariance in addition to construct and predictive validity, using internalizing and externalizing criteria as well as prosocial behavior. From the comparative analysis, it emerged that the abbreviated 11-item ICU scale version displayed overall better data fit than the full 24-item version. Moreover, its confirmed gender invariance underscores its applicability across genders within the studied age group. With regard to longitudinal invariance, our findings advise caution when comparing ICU scores across early adolescence. Practical implications are discussed.

Urban Family Physician Program after a Decade of Implementation from the Perspective of People: A Qualitative Study from Iran.

Background: A decade after the implementation of the Urban Family Physician Program (UFFP) in Fars province, southern Iran, we aimed to reveal people's opinions regarding the strengths and challenges of this program, which help policymakers for evidence-based improvement of this program. Methods: In this thematic content analysis qualitative study, which was performed in 2023, one adult individual of each family under the coverage of UFPP was selected using a purposeful sampling method. Then, an in-depth and semi-structured phone interview was conducted with each participant. Interviews were continued until the achievement of data saturation. The trustworthiness of data was checked according to Guba and Lincoln criteria. Data analysis was accomplished using MAXQDA software version 10. Results: A total of 25 participants with a mean age of 41 ± 12 years old were interviewed. Extracted strengths points of UFPP consisted of 390 meaning units, 41 open codes, 16 subcategories, 9 categories, and 3 themes, of which the main themes consisted of proper governance, adequate service provision, and promoting community health. In contrast, the challenges of this program comprised 127 meaning units, 54 open codes, 17 subcategories, 7 categories, and 3 themes, the main themes of which included weak governance, inefficient service provision, and limitation of resources. Conclusions: After a decade of implementation, people demonstrated contradictory opinions about many aspects of UFPP. Strength points should encourage policymakers to advocate more for this program and extend it to the other provinces of Iran, whereas weak points should be used for its revisions and improvement.

'Our culture makes us strong': Understanding and working with community strengths among Aboriginal people in western Sydney.

BACKGROUND: Strengths-based approaches to health care are often seen as an alternative to deficit-based approaches and are common in Aboriginal health settings. Despite this, there is little existing research that describes Aboriginal peoples' perspectives about the strengths of their communities. This paper describes cultural strengths and resources as understood by Aboriginal people living in western Sydney. METHODS: In-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data from two communities on Dharug and Dharrawal Country in western Sydney Australia. Data come from a larger study, which focused on how cultural strengths supported sexual well-being. Fifty-two interviews were conducted with Aboriginal young people (aged 16-24 years) by trained peer interviewers. Additionally, 16 interviews with Aboriginal adults (25 years and older) were conducted by members of the research team. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: While opinions varied, four key areas of cultural strength were identified: (1) strong kinship relationships; (2) knowledge sharing; (3) shared experiences, identities, and values; and (4) knowing Country. Throughout these four themes, the sense of connection and belonging is viewed as an important overarching theme. CONCLUSION: Communities are not homogenous with regard to what they view as cultural strengths. Knowing Country and practising culture meant different things to different individuals while providing a similar sense of belonging, connection, and identity. SO WHAT: Health service providers, policies, and programs can use this information to understand the continuing impacts of past policies and events whilst recognising that each community has strengths that can be drawn upon to improve service engagement, knowledge sharing, and health outcomes.

Which Psychosocial Strengths Could Combat the Adolescent Suicide Spectrum? Dissecting the Covitality Model.

Objective: Covitality is a meta-construct of positive intra/interpersonal self-schemas that organize and process life experiences. Its synergy favors psychosocial adjustment and prevents mental health problems during adolescence. At these ages, suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine which psychosocial strengths of the covitality model could combat adolescent suicide spectrum. Method: Participants were 5,528 Spanish adolescents aged 12-18 years, 50.74% females. The assessment protocol was completed in schools, under the supervision of the research staff. Statistical analyses were conducted using hurdle models, i.e., modeling zero-inflated count data. This process provided two sets of outcomes: the association - in probabilistic terms - between psychosocial strengths and the absence of suicide indicators (i.e., non-occurrence) and the association of these assets - via regression coefficients - with increased experimentation (i.e., duration/quantity). Results: All psychosocial strengths of the covitality model were related to the non-ocurrence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but not all to a shorter duration/quantity of their phenotypic manifestations. Covitality obtained greater association values on suicidal tendencies than its components analyzed independently. Belief in self and engaged living were the second-order factors with the higher estimating capacity. Specifically, emotional self-awareness, enthusiasm, gratitude, family support, and behavioral self-control were key first-order assets. Conclusions: These findings suggest that training adolescents in covitality assets could be an effective strategy for universal prevention against premature suicide. Moreover, this study provide evidence on which psychosocial strengths could counteract each phenotypic manifestation of suicide in order to customize selective and indicated preventive actions.

A dataset on multi-trait selection approach for the evaluation of F1 tomato hybrids along with their parents under hot and humid conditions in Bangladesh.

This dataset aims to evaluate the use of multiple trait-based selection methods with multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) models to identify superior summer F1 tomato hybrids suitable for the climatic conditions of countries like Bangladesh. The dataset was generated using 14 cross combinations from a Line × Tester mating design, along with seven parental lines and two tester parents of tomatoes with diverse genetic bases and heat tolerance qualities in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. The likelihood ratio (LR) test indicated highly significant genotype effects for most of the analyzed traits. A heatmap of correlation analyses between 16 traits identified a highly significant positive correlation (r > 0.8) between NFrPC and NFPC and between AFW and FW, preliminarily indicating a clear trace of multicollinearity among these traits. The traits NFPP, YPP, and Yield showed the highest predicted genetic gains, indicating their potential for substantial improvement through selection. Additionally, the heritability estimates ranged from 0.54 to 0.99, highlighting high heritability across the traits, which suggests favourable conditions for effective selection strategies. The strengths and weaknesses of hybrids AVTOV1002×C41 and AVTOV1010×C41 were evaluated based on their contributions to MGIDI across four major factors. These hybrids demonstrated strong performance, particularly excelling in traits associated with FA1, FA2, and FA4. The dataset of MGIDI can be universally applied to rank treatments based on desired values of multiple traits, with its potential for rapid expansion in evaluating various types of plant experiments.

Advancing Impactful Research for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing: Key Principles and Required Technical Investments.

PURPOSE: Substantial progress in adolescent health research has been made over recent decades, but important knowledge gaps remain. METHODS: Informed by targeted reviews of the literature, expert consultation, and authors' collective experiences, we propose future directions in adolescent health research. RESULTS: We identified five key principles on how future research must be approached alongside what technical investments are required to act on them. PRINCIPLES: 1. Research with adolescents must be decolonizing in practice, dismantling systems of oppression, exploitation, and cultural dominance; 2. Research must recognize socio-political, structural, and commercial determinants of adolescent health; 3. Research must be developmentally and contextually appropriate, reflecting adolescents' evolving capacities and increasingly complex and intersecting determinants of health; 4. Research must be strengths-based - moving away from problematizing adolescents and/or their behaviours toward focusing on their strengths as levers for change; and 5. Research must be built on a foundation of respectful partnershipsas a right, and because adolescents have unique knowledge and skills to contribute. Technical investments: 1. Sampling techniques and approaches that provide equity of opportunity for all to participate; 2. High-quality descriptive studies from all nations to understand adolescents' ever-evolving contexts, needs and assets; 3. Investment in what works within each context and for whom through trials and robust assessments/evaluations; and 4. Implementation science research strategies. DISCUSSION: Adolescent health research will require reorientation and innovation in both how we approach research and what technical investments are required to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents now and into the future.

Associations Among Family Strengths, Depression and Life Satisfaction Between Disabled Children and Their Parent Caregivers: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model.

AIM: To explore the actor-partner effect and mediating role of depression on family strength and life satisfaction among children with disabilities and their parent-caregiver dyads. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using secondary data collected from the 2020 (third) Korea Disability and Life Dynamics Panel. METHODS: This study included 434 Korean dyads of children with disabilities and their parent caregivers. A dyadic analysis was performed using the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. RESULTS: The findings showed significant indirect actor effects of family strength on life satisfaction through depression for children with disabilities and their parent caregivers. The direct partner effects of one's family strengths on a partner's life satisfaction were statistically significant only for children. Additionally, significant indirect partner effects were observed in the association between parents' family strengths and children's life satisfaction through their own and their children's depression. The findings indicated that the life satisfaction of children with disabilities was more likely to be affected by their parent caregivers' perceived family strengths and depression. CONCLUSION: It is significant for health professionals to acknowledge the mediating and cross-over pathways linking family strengths to life satisfaction through depression and, thus, focus on family-based strategies to enhance life satisfaction among children with disabilities and their parent caregivers. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: This study highlights the need for family-oriented mental health interventions and education to promote life satisfaction among children with disabilities and their parent caregivers. IMPACT: Basic data were provided for establishing efficient healthcare education and counselling protocols and integrated family intervention programmes that can contribute to improving life satisfaction through the reduction of depression by strengthening the family strengths of disabled children-parent caregivers dyads. In future, studies should explore dyadic interdependence among children with disabilities and their parent caregivers. REPORTING METHOD: STROBE guidelines were followed for this study. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No public or patient contribution was required for this study.

Assessing the Conceptualizations of Coping and Resilience in LGBTQ2S+ People with Cancer: Working towards Greater Awareness in Cancer Care.

People with cancer may suffer negative psychosocial outcomes due to the challenges of cancer. LGBTQ2S+ people routinely experience negative psychosocial outcomes in health care settings, but have showcased resilience in the face of discrimination; however, this has never been studied in a cancer context. Thus, this study aims to assess coping and resilience in LGBTQ2S+-identifying people diagnosed with cancer using a strengths-based approach. A qualitative exploratory design was used. Ten self-identified LGBTQ2S+ people who have completed their cancer treatment were recruited. Participants completed clinical, health, and demographic questionnaires and, subsequently, semi-structured qualitative interviews. Conceptualizations of coping and resilience in the semi-structured interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Participants were members of various gender identities and sexual orientations. In addition to identifying needed LGBTQ2S+-specific resources, four narratives emerged: support networks, regaining control in life, conflicting identities, and traditional coping methods. Most participants' cancer journeys were characterized by a 'Second Coming-Out' phenomenon, where LGBTQ2S+ people with cancer use coping strategies, similar to those used when coming out, to produce resilience throughout their cancer journey. This work provides exploratory insight into LGBTQ2S+ people with cancer, but more research is required with a larger sample.

Strengths-based practice in adult social care: Understanding implementation.

Background: There has been increasing emphasis towards adopting strengths-based practice (SBP) within adult social care in England. Whilst there is agreement that SBP is the right approach to discharge adult social care duties, there is limited evidence regarding the implementation of SBP. This paper presents findings from the evaluation of the implementation of SBP in fourteen local authorities in one region in England. Methods: We employed a mixed methods research design, drawing on data from a scoping review, 36 interviews with practice leaders and two surveys, one with wider adult social care staff and the other, with external organisations like independent care providers and community and voluntary organisations. Our data collection and analysis were guided by two well established implementation theories: the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Normalisation Process Theory (NPT). Interviews were analysed deductively, and surveys were analysed descriptively. Results: Local authorities are at different stages in their implementation journey. The Care Act 2014 and support for SBP demonstrated by key professional groups were seen as major drivers for implementing SBP. Whilst SBP resonated with the professional principles of social workers and occupational therapists, staff did not always have the confidence and skills to adapt to SBP. Changing paperwork and recording systems, providing training opportunities to develop staff competencies, establishing new care pathways, genuine co-production, and senior management buy-in were key enablers supporting implementation. Conclusions: To successfully implement SBP, a whole system approach that meaningfully collaborates with key professionals across sectors is essential. When implemented well, SBP has the potential to empower individuals by focusing on what matters to them.

A Second Proof of Concept Investigation of Strengths Using the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth Tool With Justice-Involved Youth: Item Level Risk-Based Effects and Interactions.

Despite efforts to incorporate protective factors or 'strengths' in applied risk assessments for criminal reoffending, there has been limited progress towards a consensus regarding what is meant by such terms, what effects predictors can exert, or how to describe such effects. This proof of concept study was undertaken to address those issues. A structured professional judgment tool was used to create lower and higher historical/static risk groups with a sample of 273 justice-involved male youth with sexual offenses followed over a fixed 3-year period. Using risk and protective poles to create pairs of dichotomous variables from trichotomously rated risk and protective items, risk-based exacerbation and risk-based protective effects were found. These varied in terms of whether the effect on the outcome of a new violent (including sexual) offense was larger, smaller, or absent for youth at higher or lower historical/static risk. Some of these potentially dynamic dichotomous variables were shown to have a protective (or risk) effect after controlling for both historical/static risk and that same item's risk (or protective) effect. Some moderated the association between historical/static risk and recidivism, strengthening or reducing it. Terms for these effects and implications of incorporating strengths in research and applied practice were considered.

The Gender-Equality Paradox in Intraindividual Academic Strengths: A Cross-Temporal Analysis.

Independent of overall achievement, girls' intraindividual academic strength is typically reading, whereas boys' strength is typically mathematics or science. Sex differences in intraindividual strengths are associated with educational and occupational sex disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Paradoxically, these sex differences are larger in more gender-equal countries, but the stability of this paradox is debated. We assessed the stability of the gender-equality paradox in intraindividual strengths, and its relation to wealth, by analyzing the academic achievement of nearly 2.5 million adolescents across 85 countries and regions in five waves (from 2006 to 2018) of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Girls' intraindividual strength in reading and boys' strength in mathematics and science were stable across countries and waves. Boys' advantage in science as an intraindividual strength was larger in more gender-equal countries, whereas girls' advantage in reading was larger in wealthier countries. The results have implications for reducing sex disparities in STEM fields.

The Skill of Positive Solitude Moderates the Relationship between 24 Character Strengths and Flourishing in the Second Half of Life.

OBJECTIVES: Aging may challenge life and even affect individuals' wellbeing and flourishing. This includes the challenges of diminished social connections and the experience of solitude in later life while seeking to leverage personal strengths. The current study examines two important personal resources, i.e., the skill of positive solitude and the 24 character strengths, which may be associated with flourishing in old age. METHODS: A convenience sample of 1085 community-dwelling adults (M = 57.20, SD = 6.24, range = 50-87) completed an online survey with demographic measures and scales measuring personal strengths, the skill of positive solitude, and flourishing. RESULTS: As hypothesized, the 24 character strengths and positive solitude were each associated with flourishing, and positive solitude moderated the relationships between the 24 character strengths and flourishing. The relationship between the 24 character strengths and flourishing was stronger among participants with lower levels of positive solitude. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the way in which, despite the decrease in social relations which often characterizes old age, the skill of positive solitude serves as a valuable resource for flourishing in the later stages of life.

The Relationship Between Character Strengths and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese Impoverished College Students: The Chain Mediating Roles of Perceived Social Support and Positive Emotions.

Background and Objective: The mental health of economically disadvantaged college students in China is notably inferior to that of their non-disadvantaged peers. As such, these students necessitate a broader spectrum of psychological support beyond mere financial assistance. Seligman's PERMA theory has established a compelling association between social support and positive emotions with subjective well-being. However, there is a scarcity of research focusing on character strengths within this framework, particularly the mechanisms that underlie their relationship. Hence, this study aims to examine the relationship between character strengths and subjective well-being among Chinese impoverished college students, while also delving into the chain mediating roles of perceived social support and positive emotions. Methods: A convenience sampling method was employed to collect cross-sectional data from impoverished college students. Participants (N=336, Mean age=20.67) were assessed using four instruments: the Chinese Virtues Questionnaire (CVQ-96), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results: Character strengths, perceived social support, positive emotions, and subjective well-being were all significantly positively correlated with each other (p<0.01). In addition, regression analysis indicated that character strengths positively predicted perceived social support (ß=0.71, p<0.001), positive emotions (ß=0.44, p<0.001), and subjective well-being (ß=0.52, p<0.001). Perceived social support positively predicted positive emotions (ß=0.34, p<0.001), and subjective well-being (ß=0.44, p<0.001). Positive emotions positively predicted subjective well-being (ß=0.88, p<0.001). Furthermore, chain mediation analysis revealed that character strengths influenced subjective well-being both directly and indirectly through perceived social support and positive emotions. Conclusion: Perceived social support and positive emotions play a chain mediating role between character strengths and subjective well-being among impoverished college students.

Client resources and the prediction of therapeutic change using an interview: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: Although psychotherapy research suggests that clients' resources are related to positive outcomes, there is a lack of clinical tools available to consider their integration into psychotherapy. In this exploratory research, we studied the feasibility of a semi-structured interview to identify resources reported by clients at the onset of therapy and the relationship between resources and therapy outcomes. METHODS: Data consisted of interviews with 30 clients from a clinical trial, in which elicitation of resources and their relationship with the outcomes were the main study objectives. RESULTS: This interview was content analyzed and both adaptative resources and maladaptive resources (dysfunctional coping strategies) were identified. The association between the adaptive resources and the evolution of outcomes throughout treatment was analyzed. Time (i.e. sessions) and resources were negatively correlated with psychological distress. Moreover, resources positively influenced the impact of time on distress. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should not take at face value resources that are self-reported, as they may reflect the maladaptive functioning of the client. The finding that clients with higher resources at onset have better outcomes points to the need to study how resources may be elicited effectively during therapy, and if this improves psychotherapy outcomes.

The Impact of Empowering Leadership on Taking Charge Behaviors: Mediating Strengths Use and Moderating Ambition.

Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study aims to explore the mediating role of employees' strengths use and the moderating role of employees' ambitions in the relationship between empowering leadership and employees' taking charge behaviors. A total of 333 Chinese employees from various organizations across China (including industries such as manufacturing, IT, and education) completed our survey at two time points, with a two-week lag. We used structural equation modeling and moderated mediation path analysis to test our hypotheses. The research revealed that strengths use partially mediated the relationship between empowering leadership and employees' taking charge behaviors, and ambition positively moderated the relationship between empowering leadership and strengths use, as well as the indirect relationship between empowering leadership and employees' taking charge behaviors through strengths use. It extends the application field of strengths use, providing a new theoretical perspective on behavioral mechanisms for understanding the empowering leadership-employees' taking charge behaviors relationship, and offers valuable strategies for organizations and leaders to promote employees' taking charge behaviors more effectively.

Internal Strengths for Adverse Life Events.

In this study, a brief measure of four internal attributes found to protect against the impact of adverse life events on mental health was developed and validated. In addition, profiles of internal strengths that significantly predict mental health outcomes in young Chinese adults were identified. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on data from 831 Chinese university students supported the proposed four-factor model of the ISALES. Participants in the current study fell into two clusters, with one cluster being higher than the other in all four internal strengths, with the former cluster demonstrating better overall mental health than those in the latter cluster. The ISALES is a promising instrument for use in clinical settings and may be used to identify individuals who are more 'at risk' of developing poor mental health in the aftermath of a negative life event. The use of the ISALES may permit tailored interventions and timely support to be provided to individuals within clinical settings.

Socio-demographic factors and mental health trajectories in Australian children and primary carers: Implications for policy and intervention using latent class analysis.

Children's mental health status (MHS) is frequently influenced by their primary carers (PCs), underscoring the significance of monitoring disparities longitudinally. This research investigated the association between socio-demographic clusters and mental health trajectories among children and their PCs over time. Data from waves 6-9c2 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) were analyzed using Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify four socio-demographic classes among children aged 10-11 years at wave 6. Multinomial logistic regression and predictive marginal analysis explored associations between classes and mental health outcomes. PCs in Class 4 (disadvantaged and separated families with indigenous children) exhibited higher odds of borderline and abnormal MHS compared to Class 1 (prosperous and stable working families) across all waves. However, while MHS of PCs' impacted children consistently, the association with socio-demographic classes was significant only in wave 6. Class 4 children had elevated risks of mental illness compared to Class 1, while Class 3, characterized by educated working mothers, had lower risks. Reducing mental health risks entails addressing socio-economic disparities, supporting stable family structures, and offering tailored interventions like counseling and co-parenting support. Longitudinal monitoring and culturally sensitive approaches are crucial for promoting mental well-being across diverse groups.