Computerized adaptive testing to screen pre-school children for emotional and behavioral problems.

Questionnaires to detect emotional and behavioral (EB) problems in preventive child healthcare (PCH) should be short; this potentially affects their validity and reliability. Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) could overcome this weakness. The aim of this study was to (1) develop a CAT to measure EB problems among pre-school children and (2) assess the efficiency and validity of this CAT. We used a Dutch national dataset obtained from parents of pre-school children undergoing a well-child care assessment by PCH (n = 2192, response 70%). Data regarded 197 items on EB problems, based on four questionnaires, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ:SE), and the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA). Using 80% of the sample, we calculated item parameters necessary for a CAT and defined a cutoff for EB problems. With the remaining part of the sample, we used simulation techniques to determine the validity and efficiency of this CAT, using as criterion a total clinical score on the CBCL. Item criteria were met by 193 items. This CAT needed, on average, 16 items to identify children with EB problems. Sensitivity and specificity compared to a clinical score on the CBCL were 0.89 and 0.91, respectively, for total problems; 0.80 and 0.93 for emotional problems; and 0.94 and 0.91 for behavioral problems.    Conclusion: A CAT is very promising for the identification of EB problems in pre-school children, as it seems to yield an efficient, yet high-quality identification. This conclusion should be confirmed by real-life administration of this CAT. What is Known: • Studies indicate the validity of using computerized adaptive test (CAT) applications to identify emotional and behavioral problems in school-aged children. • Evidence is as yet limited on whether CAT applications can also be used with pre-school children. What is New: • The results of this study show that a computerized adaptive test is very promising for the identification of emotional and behavior problems in pre-school children, as it appears to yield an efficient and high-quality identification.

Effect of parenting style on the emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents: the mediating effect of resilience.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have found that parenting style significantly predicts emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among Chinese adolescents, the mechanism between different parenting styles and EBPs requires in-depth investigation. In our study, we aimed to investigate the mediating effect of resilience, a positive psychological characteristic, between parenting style and EBPs among Chinese adolescents. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we used a multistage stratified cluster random sampling method to collect data in Shenyang, Liaoning Province from November to December 2019. Self-developed questionnaires were distributed to 1028 adolescents aged 10-18. Finally, the study consisted of 895 participants. The bootstrap method was used to investigate the role of resilience as a mediator in the relationship between different parenting styles and EBPs from a positive psychology perspective. RESULTS: The mean score of EBPs was 12.71 (SD = 5.77). After controlling for variables such as gender, age, left-behind children, family type and family income, resilience partially played a mediating role in the associations of paternal rejection (a × b = 0.051 BCa95%CI:0.023,0.080), maternal rejection (a × b = 0.055 BCa95%CI: 0.024, 0.086), paternal emotional warmth (a × b = -0.139 BCa95%CI: -0.182, -0.099) and maternal emotional warmth (a × b = -0.140 BCa95%CI: -0.182, -0.102), with EBPs. The effect sizes were11.28%, 11.51%, 40.76%, and 38.78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Resilience could partially mediate the relationship between parenting style and EBPs, highlighting that parents should adopt a positive parenting style and that resilience improvement could be effective in reducing EBPs among Chinese adolescents.

Associations of 24-hour movement behaviors with emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents.

PURPOSE: The role of adherence to the recommendations for 24-hour movement behaviors (24-HMB), including physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep duration (SLP), in relation to emotional and behavioral problems in Chinese adolescents remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate these associations and explore potential sex differences. METHODS: This school-based cross-sectional study included 15,071 Chinese adolescents with a mean age of 14.53 (SD: 1.65) years. Data on emotional and behavioral problems and 24-HMB (including PA, ST, and SLP) were collected. Analysis was performed using general linear mixed models, with additional sex-stratified analyses conducted. RESULTS: The number of 24-HMB recommendations met was negatively associated with total difficulties (ß estimate=-0.96, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.85) and positively related to prosocial behavior (ß estimate = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.46) among adolescents. Compared with none of the recommendations met, meeting all recommendations (total difficulties: ß estimate=-2.98, 95% CI: -3.41 to -2.55; prosocial behaviors: ß estimate = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.87 to 1.24) demonstrated the strongest association with both difficulties and prosocial behaviors, followed by meeting recommendations for PA + ST (total difficulties: ß estimate=-2.15, 95% CI: -2.41 to -1.90; prosocial behaviors: ß estimate = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.09). These associations were consistently significant in both boys and girls. CONCLUSION: Adherence to more 24-HMB recommendations, particularly meeting all recommendations or combined PA + ST recommendations, could improve emotional and behavioral well-being among adolescent girls and boys. The significance of balanced movement behaviors for promoting adolescent mental health merits increased attention.

Longitudinal association of nighttime sleep duration with emotional and behavioral problems among rural preschool children.

This study aimed to examine the association between nighttime sleep duration and emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among rural preschool children. This longitudinal study including 1595 preschool children aged 3-6 years from 26 kindergartens in four counties was conducted in Anhui Province rural areas. Cross-lagged panel models and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine the bidirectional association between nighttime sleep duration and EBPs and further explore the predictive effect of nighttime sleep duration on EBPs. Compared to baseline, preschool children at follow-up had significantly more nighttime sleep duration (10.01 ± 0.68 vs. 10.15 ± 0.69) and lower EBPs (total difficulties: 15.8% vs. 11.2%; prosocial behavior problems: 12.4% vs. 7.0%). Results of cross-lagged panel models indicated that nighttime sleep duration was a predictor for EBPs, but not vice versa. Results of logistic regression analysis showed that each 1-h increase in nighttime sleep duration at T1 was associated with a 0.77-fold reduction in the risk of total difficulties at T2 (the most adjusted OR = 0.774, 95% CI 0.607-0.988, P = 0.040), but not with the prosocial behavior. Interestingly, the predictive effect of nighttime sleep duration at T1 on EBPs at T2 was only found in girls, children aged 3 years and children with lower maternal education. The decreased nighttime sleep duration may predict future EBPs, especially in girls, younger preschool children and children with lower maternal education. Extending sleep duration may improve EBPs in preschool children.

Family-centered profiles of mindful parenting: Longitudinal associations with negative parenting and youth emotional and behavioral problems.

There has been great interest in analyzing the potential of mindful parenting in promoting family well-being. Studies indicated that there is a lack of research on the predictive relationship between parenting practice and youth emotional and behavioral problems analyzed from a multi-informant perspective. This study evaluates the family-centered profiles of mothers and fathers' mindful parenting and negative parenting and youth problems associated with those profiles. A total of 441 youths (aged 9-14 years), along with their parents, answered self-report questionnaires in a three-wave longitudinal study conducted over 1 year. A latent profile analysis was performed to examine the mindful parenting profiles and to identify their associations with youth emotional and behavioral problems and negative parenting as outcomes. The results of latent profile analyses supported a three-profile solution: low mindful parenting family (35%), high maternal mindful parenting family (24%), and average mindful parenting family (41%). The low mindful parenting family profile showed the highest scores on negative parenting and youth emotional and behavioral problems. The high maternal mindful parenting family profile had the lowest scores on youth negative outcomes but demonstrated similar levels to those of the average mindful parenting family profile regarding negative parenting. Our findings highlight the importance of analyzing specific family profiles that help to develop personalized interventions with optimized treatments regarding family cohesion and environment.

[Indicative prevention programs for mental health promotion in preschool and primary school age: Willingness of pediatricians and families to participate in an innovative care chain]. / Indikative Präventionsprogramme zur Förderung der seelischen Gesundheit im Vor- und Grundschulalter: Teilnahmebereitschaft von Kinderärzt*innen und Familien an einer innovativen Versorgungskette.

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems usually have their onset in childhood. Undiagnosed, they may progress into mental disorders. Despite their effectiveness, existing preventive programs have been rarely used. We aimed to examine to what extent the establishment of a care chain can identify children at high risk at an early stage and assign them to preventive interventions. In addition, prevention program participation was assessed. METHODS: In a prospective implementation study, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was administered as a screening instrument to families during regular pediatric health examinations (U9-U11, child age 5-10 years). Families received feedback directly from the pediatrician, and in the case of borderline abnormal emotional or behavioral problems, a recommendation for an indicative prevention program. Program indication was additionally determined in an entry examination prior to program participation. RESULTS: In the area of Dresden (Germany), n = 46 (38.7%) pediatricians participated in the project. In n = 28 pediatric practices, n = 3231 (86.4%) families participated in the screening and n = 864 (26.7%) children received a prevention recommendation. Of the families, n = 118/864 (13.7%) self-registered for the prevention programs, n = 215/624 (35.5%) showed interest after being contacted by the study teamn. Through other pathways, n = 139 families requested participation. Clinical evaluation interviews to assess prevention indication were conducted in n = 337 children (n = 461; via all entry pathways). Finally, n = 237 (n = 337) children participated in an indicated prevention program. CONCLUSION: Expanding screening to mental health problems during regular health checkups is feasible, useful, and widely accepted. In order to implement a care chain, a supply structure should be established to enable referral to and uptake of preventive interventions.

The link between unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents: a latent class analysis.

Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (ULBs) in children and adolescents are relatively common. Previous studies have shown an association between a single ULBs and emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs); however, few studies have explored the connection between multiple behavioral patterns and EBPs in children and adolescents. Hence, we aimed to investigate the link between ULBs clusters and EBPs among Chinese children and adolescents. From April to May 2019, we used cluster sampling to investigate children and adolescents in grades 1-12 from 14 schools located across six streets of Bao'an District in the city of Shenzhen. We measured emotional and behavioral problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). ULBs included the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, takeaway and fast food consumption, lack of sleep, low outdoor activity, and excessive screen time. We performed clustering of ULBs using the regression hybrid modeling method of latent class analysis (LCA). We analyzed the association between ULBs and EBPs using logistic regression. In total, 30188 children and adolescents remained for analysis, with an average age of 12.44 ± 3.47 years. The LCA revealed four distinct patterns of ULBs: (1) lowest risk; (2) high-risk unhealthy lifestyle behaviors; (3) high-risk dietary unhealthy lifestyle behaviors; and (4) highest risk. Compared to ULBs with the lowest risk, high-risk ULBs, high-risk dietary ULBs, and highest risk ULBs were positively correlated with EBPs, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 1.27, 1.34 and 2.05, respectively. Children and adolescents who reported engaging in multiple ULBs were also more likely to have poorer EBPs status. This implies that school administrations should pay more attention to the management of dietary and lifestyle behaviors to prevent EBPs in children and adolescents. Our findings highlight the need to focus on multiple clusters of ULBs among adolescents in a preventive care system and to validate EBP that may occur in children who are exposed to ULBs.

Adverse childhood experiences of emotional and physical abuse and emotional and behavioral problems: the mediating effects of family function and resilience.

Adverse childhood experiences are a widespread phenomenon that can have a variety of negative effects on children. Emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) in children have been gaining interest in recent years. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between emotional and physical abuse (EPA) and preschool children's EBP, as well as to assess the mediating effects of family function and resilience in this association. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and we recruited 3,636 participants from 26 kindergartens in three cities. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to test the relationships between EPA, mediators (family function and resilience), and EBP. Structural equation modeling was used to perform the mediation analyses. The results of this study showed that EPA predicted EBP in preschool children, family function, and resilience independently and in combination to mediate the relationship. Therefore, improving family function and increasing children's level of resilience are beneficial methods for the prevention and intervention of EBP in preschool children who experience EPA, but most fundamentally to avoid or reduce the occurrence of abuse. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings and explore possible mediating mechanisms.

Infant inflammation predicts childhood emotional and behavioral problems and partially mediates socioeconomic disadvantage.

BACKGROUND: Emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) are common in children. Environmental factors like socioeconomic disadvantage influence EBP pathogenesis and can trigger inflammation. However, the link between early inflammation-EBP in children is unclear. We investigated the associations between i) infant inflammatory biomarkers and subsequent EBP and ii) early life environmental factors and EBP and assessed whether infant inflammation mediated these associations. METHODS: Inflammatory biomarkers glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were quantified at birth and 12 months in a population-derived birth cohort, the Barwon Infant Study. Early life factors including demographic, prenatal, and perinatal factors were collected from antenatal to the two-year period. Internalizing and externalizing problems at age two were measured by the Child Behavior Checklist. Prospective associations were examined by multivariable regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders. Indirect effects of early life factors on EBP through inflammation were identified using mediation analyses. RESULTS: Elevated GlycA levels at birth (GlycAbirth) were associated with greater internalizing problems at age two (ß = 1.32 per SD increase in GlycA; P = 0.001). Inflammation at birth had a stronger magnitude of effect with later EBP than at 12 months. GlycAbirth partially mediated the associations between lower household income (6%), multiparity (12%) and greater number of older siblings (13%) and EBP. Patterns were less evident for hsCRP or externalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS: GlycAbirth was positively associated with EBP at age two and partially mediated the association between several indicators of socioeconomic disadvantage and EBP. Prenatal and perinatal inflammation may be relevant to early neurodevelopment and emotional health.

Prevalence of disordered eating behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Results of multicenter Italian nationwide study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in a large sample of Italian adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to explore potential demographic, clinical, and psychological differences (understood as emotional and behavioral problems) among adolescents with and without DEBs. METHOD: Adolescents (11-19 years) with type 1 diabetes completed the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-revised (DEPS-r) and the Youth Self Report (YSR). Demographic and clinical data were also collected. RESULTS: Of 690 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (mean age 14.97 ± 1.81, n = 337 girls) assessed in this study, 28.1% (21% boys, 35% girls) were DEPS-r positive (score ≥ 20). Girls had higher DEPS-r total scores (p < .0001, d = .42) than boys, although no age differences were found in mean DEPS-r total scores (p = .961). In both genders, adolescents with DEBs had significantly higher zBMI (p < .0001, d = .52) and HbA1c values (p < .0001, d = .54) and showed more emotional and behavioral problems (both as internalizing and externalizing problems) than those without DEBs (all p < .0001). These differences were largely confirmed in all age groups. Adolescents reporting insulin misuse had higher HbA1c values (p = .001, d = .26), higher DEPS-r mean scores (p < .0001, d = 1.07), and greater psychological problems (all p < .001) than those who did not. DISCUSSION: DEBs are prevalent among adolescents with type 1 diabetes, and those with eating problems showed adverse clinical and psychological conditions. Routine screening for DEBs and of general psychological condition should be a fundamental part of diabetes care, especially during adolescence. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This nationwide study indicated that DEBs are common in adolescents with T1D, and those suffering from them show poorer clinical conditions and higher emotional and behavioral problems. As such, it offers important contributions for those working with EDs and in the T1D field, as it provides a deeper understanding of the co-occurring DEBs-emotional/behavioral problems in youths with T1D and highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of their psychological condition by a multidisciplinary team.

Emotional and behavioral problems in Japanese preschool children with subthreshold autistic traits: findings from a community-based sample.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been a growing recognition that autistic traits exist along a continuum beyond diagnostic categories and that even subclinical symptoms may be associated with an increased risk for the psychosocial well-being and mental health of children. However, as yet, there has been little research on whether preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD, are more likely to experience difficulties. To address this deficit this study examined whether young children with subthreshold autistic traits have an increased risk for emotional/behavioral difficulties. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 1057 Japanese preschool children aged 5-years old collected during the first wave of the Tama Children's Survey (TCS) cohort study. Parent-reported autistic traits were assessed with the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), while they provided information on their child's emotional/behavioral problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations. RESULTS: Preschool children with mild-to-moderate autistic traits, corresponding to subclinical autism were significantly more likely to score above the clinical thresholds for emotional/behavioral problems compared to children with fewer autistic traits. Follow-up diagnostic assessments and analyses of 72 children from the cohort confirmed these findings and showed that these children with subthreshold autistic traits also had a significantly lower intelligence quotient (IQ) as measured by the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). CONCLUSIONS: Although subthreshold autistic traits are difficult to define due to the sometimes vague border between typical and atypical development, there may be a large number of preschool children with subthreshold autistic traits, who may have an increased risk for a variety of different emotional/behavioral difficulties as well as lower cognitive functioning.

Teacher reports of emotional and behavioral problems in Nepali schoolchildren: to what extent do they agree with parent reports?

BACKGROUND: Teacher reports of child emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) are sparse in many low- and middle-income countries, especially when compared to reports from parents. Cross-informant information is pivotal to clinicians when dealing with mentally ill children. In this study from Nepal, we examined teacher reports of child EBPs, the agreement between teacher and parent reports, and how this agreement varied by type of EBP and child gender. METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study included 3808 schoolchildren aged 6-18 years from 16 districts of Nepal. Teacher and parent reports of EBPs were measured by the Nepali versions of the Teacher Report Form (TRF) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), respectively. Linear mixed model analysis was used for group comparisons and intraclass correlations. Agreement between TRF and CBCL scale scores were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The prevalence of EBPs according to teacher reports was 15.4%, whereas the previous parent reported prevalence was 19.1%. Also, the mean TRF score was significantly lower than mean CBCL score for the 90 common items. Mean TRF scores for Total Problems, Externalizing Problems, and Internalizing Problems were 26.9 (standard deviation, SD 24.5), 6.1 (SD 7.2), and 7.9 (SD 7.3), respectively. Consistent with parent reports, mean TRF scores for Total Problems and Externalizing Problems were higher among boys than girls, whereas no significant gender differences were found for Internalizing Problems. Teacher-parent agreement was moderate (r = .38), and slightly higher for Externalizing Problems than for Internalizing Problems (r = .37 versus r = .34). Moderate to low correlations were found for all syndrome scales, with coefficients ranging from r = .26 (Social Problems) to r = .37 (Attention Problems). The effect of child gender on the teacher-parent agreement was significant for Internalizing Problems only, with a higher agreement for girls than for boys. CONCLUSION: Nepali teachers reported fewer child EBPs than parents. Teacher-parent agreement was moderate and varied by type of EBP and child gender. Our findings underscore the importance of obtaining information on child EBPs from both parents and teachers when evaluating and treating children in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal.

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Parent Form: Dutch norms and validity.

OBJECTIVE: This study provides Dutch national norms for the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for children aged 3-14 years, and assesses the test performance of the SDQ Total Difficulties Scale (TDS) and impairment Scale. We further compared Dutch SDQ norms with those of the United Kingdom (UK), to determine potential variation in country-specific norms. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data of 3384 children aged 3 to 14 years. The data were obtained in schools, and in the context of Preventive Child Healthcare. Parents completed the SDQ parent form and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). We determined clinical (10% elevated scores) and borderline (20% elevated scores) SDQ TDS norms. We assessed the test performance (validity) of the SDQ TDS and Impairment Score using the CBCL as criterion. RESULTS: The clinical SDQ TDS norms varied between > 10 and > 14 depending on the age group. The SDQ TDS discriminated between children with and without problems, as measured by the CBCL, for all age groups (AUCs varied from 0.92 to 0.96). The SDQ Impairment Score had added value (beyond the SDQ TDS) only for the age group 12-14 years. For the Netherlands we found lower clinical SDQ TDS norms than those previously reported for the UK (i.e. > 16). CONCLUSION: The clinical SDQ TDS norms varied between > 10 and > 14 depending on the age groups. We found good test performance at these proposed norms. Dutch norms differed somewhat from UK norms. In the Netherlands, the SDQ performed better with Dutch-specific norms than with UK-specific norms.

Hair cortisol-a stress marker in children and adolescents with chronic tic disorders? A large European cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There is clear evidence that tic disorders (TDs) are associated with psychosocial stress as well as emotional and behavioral problems. Studies have shown that individuals with TDs have higher acute physiological stress responses to external, single stressors (as reflected by saliva cortisol). The aim of the present study was to examine a physiological marker of longer-term stress (as reflected by hair cortisol concentration) in children and adolescents with TDs and unaffected siblings of individuals with TDs. METHODS: Two samples of a European cohort were included in this study. In the COURSE sample, 412 children and adolescents aged 3-16 years with a chronic TD including Tourette syndrome according to DSM IV-TR criteria were included. The ONSET sample included 131 3-10 years old siblings of individuals with TDs, who themselves had no tics. Differences in hair cortisol concentration (HCC) between the two samples were examined. Within the COURSE sample, relations of HCC with tic severity and perceived psychosocial stress as well as potential effects and interaction effects of comorbid emotional and behavioral problems and psychotropic medication on HCC were investigated. RESULTS: There were no differences in HCC between the two samples. In participants with TDs, there were no associations between HCC and tic severity or perceived psychosocial stress. No main effects of sex, psychotropic medication status and comorbid emotional and behavioral problems on HCC were found in participants with TDs. CONCLUSION: A link between HCC and TDs is not supported by the present results.

Emotional and behavioral problems in Japanese preschool children with motor coordination difficulties: the role of autistic traits.

There has been little research on whether younger children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) symptoms have an increased risk for emotional and behavioral problems. This study examined whether coordination difficulties are associated with emotional and behavioral problems (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, reduced prosocial behavior) in preschool children and the role of autistic traits in this association. Data (N = 1042, age 58-71 months) were analyzed from the Tama Children's Survey (TCS). The Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ) was used to measure coordination difficulty symptoms. Information was obtained on emotional/behavioral problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and on autistic traits with the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Higher autistic traits were based on SRS cutoff scores (53.5 for boys and 52.5 for girls). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between the variables. In adjusted models, children with probable DCD (pDCD) were significantly more likely to score above the clinical thresholds on all SDQ emotional/behavioral domains. However, nearly all of these associations became nonsignificant after including autistic traits in the analysis. Additional analyses showed that children with pDCD with higher autistic traits had significantly increased odds for emotional problems (odds ratio [OR]: 4.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-13.19), hyperactivity/inattention (OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.45-9.64), peer problems (OR: 15.81, 95% CI: 5.96-41.99), and total difficulties (OR: 28.78, 95% CI: 7.23-114.57), compared to children with pDCD alone. These results indicate that the increased risk of emotional/behavioral difficulties in preschool children with pDCD might be mediated by autistic traits.

[The Mental Health Problems of Unaccompanied and Accompanied Refugees in Childhood and Adolescence in Germany]. / Psychische Belastung bei unbegleiteten und begleiteten Flüchtlingen im Kindes- und Jugendalter in Deutschland.

The Mental Health Problems of Unaccompanied and Accompanied Refugees in Childhood and Adolescence in Germany Abstract. Abstracts: Objective: This articles investigates the psychological distress and stressful life events in unaccompanied minor refugees (UMR) in adolescence and accompanied minor refugees (AMR) in childhood and adolescence living in Germany. Additionally, it analyzes the predictors of psychological distress in the adolescents. Method: We assessed 170 children and adolescents (adolescents: n = 56 UMR, n = 72 AMR; children: n = 42 AMR) using questionnaires on emotional and behavioral problems and stressful life events. In addition, we questioned the adolescents on PTSS (adolescents: self-report; children: caregiver report). Results: 45.8 % UMR (adolescents), 42.4 % AMR (adolescents), and 56.1 % AMR (children) showed emotional and behavioral problems. On average, we identified 7 stressful life events in UMR (adolescents) and 4 in AMR (adolescents, children). UMR (adolescents) reported more emotional problems, more PTSS, and more stressful life events than did AMR (adolescents). 43.8 % UMR (adolescents) and 27.9 % AMR (adolescents) reported PTSS. The number of stressful life events was found to be the most robust predictor for emotional and behavioral problems as well as PTSS in adolescents. Conclusions: The results indicate the need for psychological interventions of refugee minors in Germany.

Families in quarantine for COVID-19 in Italy. Resilience as a buffer of parental distress and problematic children's emotions and behaviors.

The pandemic of Covid-19 has had a high impact on people's lives and especially on families. In Italy, in 2020, the several forced closures led families to live indoors to manage anxiety and distress. It was considered appropriate to investigate which protective factors, like parental resilience, can mitigate the negative impact of pandemic-related distress on family life. We have conducted two online surveys during different national lockdowns for Covid-19. The first survey was conducted immediately after the disruption of the virus and the second one after nine months. We measured parental resilience and distress, anxiety, problematic behaviors, and somatization of their children (as assessed by the parents). The aim was to investigate the protective role of parental resilience in mitigating parental distress and in turn problematic emotional states and behavior of their children. Mediation analyses confirmed the hypothesis that parental resilience lowers parental distress and consequently the anxiety and behavioral disorders of their children in both acute distress (first study) and chronic distress (second study) situations. Such results suggest that the improvement of parents' resilience can buffer the negative impact of pandemic-related parental distress and children's behavioral problems on both occasions. The need for focused interventions and treatments aimed to reinforce parental resilience is discussed. Targeted prevention and support strategies are needed now, and early in case of future health crises.

Early childhood screen time as a predictor of emotional and behavioral problems in children at 4 years: a birth cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that screen time (ST) has a negative effect on children's emotional and behavioral health, but there are few longitudinal studies that have been conducted with infants and toddlers. This study sought to examine the effect of ST in early childhood on emotional and behavioral problems in children aged 4 years, based on a birth cohort study in China. METHODS: A total of 2492 children aged 4 years were enrolled in this study. The parents and guardians of each child completed a questionnaire that included items eliciting information on children's birth information, socio-demographic information at baseline, and ST at each follow-up. Emotional and behavioral problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at 4 years of age. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to explore the effects of ST on emotional and behavioral problems. RESULTS: The percentages of children with ST > 0 h/day at age 0.5 years, ST > 2 h/day at age 2.5 years, and ST > 2 h/day at age 4 years were 45.7, 55.5, and 34.5% respectively. The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems was 10.8%. ST at 6 months was a risk factor for emotional symptoms and hyperactivity at the age of 4 years. ST at age 2.5 years was a risk factor for hyperactivity at the age of 4 years. However, ST at age 4 years was a risk factor for total difficulties, conduct problems, peer problems, hyperactivity, and prosocial behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Higher ST exposure at early childhood is associated with later emotional and behavioral problems. In particular, sustained high ST exposure is a risk factor for behavioral problems. These findings suggested the importance of controlling ST to prevent the occurrence of emotional and behavioral problems in the early years.

'Too many BeEPs in our teens!' Behavioral and emotional problems in a large group of Italian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: One in six adolescents suffers from mental health problems. Despite the presence of general information on Italian adolescents' mental health, researches conducted with standardized assessment tools are scarce in the literature. We evaluated the prevalence of self-reported behavioral and emotional problems in a group of Italian adolescents and examined their relation to socio-demographical variables. METHODS: This population-based sampling survey was conducted on high school students aged 14-18 from urban areas of Rome and Latina. Participants completed Youth Self-Report (YSR) and a socio-demographic schedule to collect information on age, gender, type of school attended, socio-economic status, urbanicity. RESULTS: Final sample consisted of 1400 adolescents (38.61% male, mean age 16 years, s.d. 1.42). Prevalence of Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems and Total Problems was 29.55%, 18.34% and 24.13%. In our multivariable model, Internalizing Symptoms were not explained by sociodemographic variables while Externalizing Symptoms were explained by Male Gender [OR = 1.53 (1.14-2.06)], older age [OR = 2.06 (1.52-2.79)] and attending a Technical and Professional Institute [OR = 2.15 (1.53-3.02)], with an adjusted R2 = 4.32%. Total Problems were explained by School Type [Technical and Professional Institutes and Art and Humanities v. Grammar and Science School; OR respectively 1.93 (1.40-2.67) and 1.64 (1.08-2.47)], adjusted R2 = 1.94. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides, for the first time, evidence of a great prevalence of self-reported behavioral and emotional problems in a large sample of Italian adolescents, highlighting the role of different socio-demographic variables as risk factors for externalizing behaviors. Our results emphasize the urgent need for implementing prevention programs on mental health in adolescence.

Development of an After-School Day Treatment Program for Children with Severe Emotional/Behavioral Disturbances.

This article introduces Aizone, an after-school day treatment program for children with emotional/behavioral disturbances, and examines its effectiveness. Aizone targets children whose problems require intensive care, but are not severe enough to warrant hospitalization, and prioritizes those from low-income families. Based on the bio-psycho-social model, this program provides a variety of therapeutic interventions for both children and their parents, including individual and group therapy integrated under the concept of milieu therapy, as well as community linkage services. This study uses a prospective comparative method to examine the effectiveness of Aizone by comparing and validating the treatment outcomes of seven Aizone programs across Seoul. The Korean Child Behavior Checklist was administered by caregivers before and after intervention and the data was used in a repeated measures analysis. The effectiveness of the program in terms of reduction in emotional, behavioral symptoms, as well as the implications of the results are discussed.