A Cohort Study of the Diversity in Animated Films From 1937 to 2021: In a World Less Enchanted Can We Be More Encanto?

Background Exposure to gender stereotypes in the media can develop and reinforce these attitudes in children. Individuals who are overweight, have health conditions, or are from a minority ethnic group (IMEG) are both underrepresented and poorly portrayed in the media. Role models can raise the aspirations of young children both professionally and in taking ownership of their health. We aimed to assess how the portrayal and diversity of characters in Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks animated films have changed over time. Method A cohort study of all main characters in Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks feature-length, theatrical, animated films from 1937 to 2021 was conducted. The portrayal of characters (R-score divided into negative, neutral, and positive -1, 0, and 1, respectively) was scored. The proportion of individuals with certain protected characteristics (sex, increased body mass index, physical or mental health conditions, being from an IMEG or part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, and queer community) was also recorded. Results In total, 116 films and 1,275 characters were included. From the 1930s to 2020s, the proportion of women in films increased (16.7% to 47.3%, p=0.008) and their representation was more positive (mean R-score = -0.10 (SD:0.692) versus 0.49 (SD:0.837), p<0.001, respectively). The portrayal of overweight individuals has improved to a neutral position (mean R-score: -0.67 to 0.0). Both physical and mental illnesses are better portrayed (mean R-score: -0.18 to 0.34, p=0.004 and 0.5 to 1.0, p= 0.019, respectively). IMEGs introduced in 1953 now play more than just negative roles (mean R-score = -1 to 0.76, p=0.008). There is only one explicitly stated homosexual character. The most diverse film is Encanto. Conclusion This is the first study to comprehensively assess the diversity of animated film characters. We have identified an improvement in diversity and the way diverse individuals are portrayed which we hope continues.

Neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodiversity: definition of terms from Scotland's National Autism Implementation Team.

Adults with neurodevelopmental disorders frequently present to, but fit uneasily into, adult mental health services. We offer definitions of important terms related to neurodevelopmental disorders through unifying research data, medical and other viewpoints. This may improve understanding, clinical practice and development of neurodevelopmental disorder pathways within adult mental health services.

Adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder--diagnosis or normality?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults evokes extreme responses within British psychiatrists, because its diagnostic validity and pharmacological treatments are heavily contested. We propose a model that accommodates apparently divergent evidence, and provides a clinical framework for clinicians and patients, allowing safe, responsible and ethically balanced clinical practice.

Reflux and irritable bowel syndrome are negative predictors of quality of life in coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: An increased prevalence of reflux and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms is associated with coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to determine the prevalence of reflux and IBS symptoms in a cohort of patients with coeliac disease and IBD and their relationship with quality of life (QoL) and psychological distress. METHODS: Histologically proven coeliac disease (n=225), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n=228), Crohn's disease (CD) (n=230) patients and age/sex-matched controls (n=348) completed the Short-Form 36 (SF-36)-Item Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), reflux screen and Rome II criteria. RESULTS: UC patients report higher SF-36 (QoL) scores than coeliac disease; CD fairing worse overall (P≤0.0001). Reflux prevalence: coeliac disease 66%; UC 62%; CD 72%; controls 50%. Patients report reflux of a greater severity: coeliac disease odds ratio=6.8, 95% confidence interval=3.6-12.7, P≤0.001; IBD odds ratio=2.2, 95% confidence interval=1.6-3.2, P≤0.0001. Stepwise reductions in SF-36 scores in association with increasing reflux severity were found (P≤0.0001). IBS prevalence: coeliac disease 22%; UC 16%; CD 24%; controls 6%. Concomitant IBS was associated with reduced SF-36 scores in patients (P≤0.0001). CONCLUSION: Reflux and IBS are more prevalent in coeliac disease and IBD in comparison with age-matched and sex-matched controls. These additional symptoms are associated with reduced QoL and increasing likelihood of anxiety and depression. QoL may be improved if coeliac disease and IBD patients were assessed for reflux and IBS.