[Gender-specific Differences in the Degree of Burden on Children and Adolescents Taken into Custody]. / Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede im Belastungsausmaß bei in Obhut genommenen Kindern und Jugendlichen (§42, SGB VIII).

Gender-specific Differences in the Degree of Burden on Children and Adolescents Taken into Custody Children and adolescents who were taken into care are a high-risk group for mental disorders such as externalizing problems or conduct disorders. 95 children and adolescents who were taken into care were tested with the Screening Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument 2 (MAYSI-2). In a large proportion of those children and adolescents emotional and physical neglect and abuse was identified. There were sex differences in suicidal thoughts, somatoform disorders, and emotional abuse. The knowledge of mental disorders as well as the gender-specific characteristics is important for specialists of inhospital institutions, in order to optimize their quality of care.

[Leisure activities, resilience and mental stress in adolescents]. / Freizeitaktivitäten, Resilienz und psychische Gesundheit von Jugendlichen.

Objective: To date, the factors contributing to emergence of resilience in different stages of adolescence have yet to be sufficiently examined. This study looks at the influence of extracurricular activities on resilience. Method: The sample consists of 413 adolescents (f = 14.8) reporting personal problems (mood, concentration problems, behavior). The effect of extracurricular activities on resilience (gathered by the RS25) was analyzed by linear regression models. Predictor variables in these models were extracurricular activities (sport, hobbies, club memberships, household duties) and the subscales of the SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). Because of the lack of homoscedasticity, two different regression models (model A: Realschule and Grammar School. Model B: Hauptschule) were specified. Results: The explained variance of both models (model A: R = .516; model B: R = .643) is satisfactory. In both models "prosocial behavior" (SDQ) turns out to be a significant positive predictor for resilience (model A: b = 2.815; model B; b = 3.577) and emotional symptoms (model A: b = -1.697; model B: b = -2.596) are significant negative predictors for resilience. In addition, model A presents significant positive influences of sport (b = 16,314) and significant negative influences of "hyperactivity" (SDQ). In contrast, in model B "club memberships" (b = 15.775) and" peer relationship problems" (b = 1.508) are additional positive predictors. Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate the important role of prosocial behavior and emotional competence in the manifestation of resilience. The effect of extracurricular activities proves to depend on the social environment (type of school). Thus, these results could form the basis for further more specific developmental programs.

[Resilient or Risk Group? Psychological Burden at Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) in Germany]. / Resilient oder Risikogruppe?

Resilient or Risk Group? Psychological Burden at Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) in Germany Unaccompanied minors (umA in German) are considered as a risk group for psychological disorders. In international studies a high prevalence for trauma, anxiety, and depression were reported. A sample of N = 52 unaccompanied minors living in Germany was questioned on symptom severity as well as stress experience with the Refugee Health Screening-15. More than each second unaccompanied minor shows clinically relevant symptom severity and stress experience. In age-specific analyses the highest stress levels were found among the youngest unaccompanied minors. Therefore, specifically adapted settings for care should be applied for this high-risk group.