Efficacy of the parenting support program on child behavior problems.

The study aimed to examine the efficacy of the Parenting Support Program (PSP) for reducing problem behaviors and increasing adaptive behaviors in young children aged 3 to 6. The PSP focuses on effective parenting skills and building positive interactions between parents and their children. Parents of children (n = 18 mothers and 11 fathers) were randomly assigned to an experiment group (EG) and a wait-list (WL) group. The EG attended a total of 12 individually delivered sessions. Data was gathered via parent and teacher report measures, observation and semi-structured interviews. The PSP was effective in increasing adaptive behaviors and decreasing behavior problems in children. The change in the children's score which fulfills the Reliable Change Index criteria in the EG was found to be higher than the WL group. However, fathers reported fewer improvements than mothers in the EG. Qualitative data supported the experimental study results demonstrating the efficacy of the PSP, and met the expectations of parents. Consequently, the PSP could be used as an intervention tool to decrease behavior problems and increase adaptive behaviors in young children.

The effects of temperament and behaviour problems on sedation failure in anxious children after midazolam premedication.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Midazolam is one of the most frequently used agents for sedation in paediatric dentistry. It is unclear how temperament traits and behaviour problems are related to sedation failure in children. We investigated whether sedation failure after premedication with oral midazolam can be predicted by behaviour problems and temperament traits. METHODS: Sixty children (aged 4-8 years) referred for dental treatment under sedation (40/60% N2O/O2), who had a Frankl Behaviour Scale score of at least 3, were premedicated with oral midazolam (0.75 mg kg(-1)). The level of sedation was assessed at defined time intervals, according to the Houpt Sedation Rating Scale. Children's sedation success during dental treatment was classified as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Heart rate and oxygen saturation were evaluated by an oxygen saturation monitor in the sedation period. On the treatment day, parents completed 'The Revised Conners' Parent Rating Scale' and 'Short Temperament Scale for Children' to assess their child's behaviour problems and temperament, respectively. RESULTS: The rates of sedation success were found to be satisfactory in 78.4% and unsatisfactory in 21.6%. Student's t-test demonstrated that in addition to the Short Temperament Scale for Children Inflexibility subscale being significant the Revised Conners' Parent Rating Scale: Long Form Psychosomatic subscale was also found to be a significant predictor of sedation failure. CONCLUSION: Psychosomatic behaviour problems and an inflexible temperament trait might contribute to sedation failure in children undergoing dental treatment under midazolam premedication and N2O/O2 sedation. Appropriate patient selection based on the evaluation of childhood behavioural problems and temperament characteristics might increase midazolam sedation success in children.

Beck Depression Inventory II: evaluation of the psychometric properties and cut-off points in a Turkish adult population.

Numerous studies have been previously conducted to assess the Beck Depression Inventory-II's [BDI II; Beck et al., 1996] psychometric properties. However, none of these studies has examined whether the original cut-off scores were applicable to other cultures. Thus, in addition to evaluating its psychometric properties, we also determined the cut-off scores of the BDI II for the Turkish population. Data from nonclinical (n = 362) and clinical psychiatric outpatients diagnosed as depressive disorder according to DSM-IV criteria (n = 176) were gathered. Analyses for internal consistency and test-retest reliabilities and for convergent and discriminant validities were computed. Two confirmatory factor analyses, one derived from the present exploratory factor analyses and the other proposed in the original study were conducted for both groups. A receiver operating characteristics curve was utilized to determine the cut-off scores for the Turkish population revealing 0-12 for minimal, 13-18 for mild, 19-28 for moderate and 29-63 for severe depression. The internal consistency for the nonclinical and clinical groups were .90 and .89, respectively; test-retest stability was also high (r = .94). Convergent and discriminant validity results were satisfactory. Findings confirmed the present model for the clinical group and equally confirmed both models for the nonclinical group. Furthermore, the cut-off scores to classify minimal, mild, moderate, and severe depression were quite akin to the cut-off points previously suggested for the American population. Taken as a whole our findings revealed that BDI II has sound psychometric properties and comparable cut-off scores for the Turkish population.

Neurological soft signs in comorbid learning and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

The present study aimed to examine whether neurological soft signs identified in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders (LD), comorbid ADHD-LD and children with no known disorders could be grouped and whether these groups of soft signs would differentiate between the clinical groups and the non-clinical group. A total of 148 children (114 boys, 34 girls) participated in the study, with a mean age of 8.84. The exploratory factor analysis for Neurological Examination for Subtle Signs (NESS) items revealed five factors, explaining 81.7% of the variation. Multivariate analysis of variance showed that these factors of NESS were significantly different between the clinical groups and the non-clinical group. The discriminant functional analysis also yielded significant canonical discriminant functions, correctly classifying 85% of the clinical and non-clinical groups of children. Certain factors of NESS such as speed of movement, dysrhythmia and overflow with timed movements, provide important information that may enhance our understanding of the neurobiological bases of ADHD and LD and the clinical implications of neurological soft signs.

Psychoeducation and expressed emotion by parents of children with learning disorders.

The present study assessed use of a psychoeducation group program on expressed emotion, family functioning, and child behavior by parents of children with learning disorders. 81 parents of children with learning disorders were randomly assigned to a psychoeducation group program (n=46) or to a regular treatment group (n=35). A semistructured interview for parental expressed emotion, self-reports of family functioning, and child behavior were utilized at baseline and after an 8-session psychoeducation group program. Parents who attended the program differed significantly from parents in the regular treatment group on measures of criticism, warmth, and positive remarks, and overall expressed emotion, but not on measures of perceived family functioning and child behavior. Findings indicate a psychoeducation group program could be effective in helping parents to establish a more positive emotional climate in their relationships with their children who have learning disorders.

[The parental bonding instrument: evaluation of psychometric properties with Turkish university students]. / Ana Babaya Baglanma Olçegi: Türk Universite Ogrencilerinde Psikometrik Ozelliklerinin Degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) for Turkish university students. METHOD: A total of 336 (% 61.5) female and 211 (%38.5) male students attending Ankara and Pamukkale Universities participated in the study. The mean age of the participants is 21.55 (SD=1.65) with a range of 18-26. The construct validity is examined by exploratory factor analysis; the criterion related validity is assessed by examining the correlation of the PBI with two instruments namely "The Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI)" and "The Parenting Style Inventory (PSI)". The reliability of the PBI was assessed by Cronbach's Alpha, test-retest and split-half reliability statistics. RESULTS: The factor analysis for Turkish university students yielded two factor solutions for both parents as original PBI. Nevertheless the items related to the controlling behaviors are loaded on the care factor instead of the overprotection as found by Parker et. al. (1979). Thus these two factors are named as care/control and overprotection subscales. Additionaly, PBI is found to demonstrate generally a high level of correlations with PARI and PSI supporting criterion-related validity. Finally, the reliability studies of the PBI demonstrated that it is a highly reliable scale and showed stability for a period of three weeks interval. CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of the PBI is found to be satisfactory and could be used to assess parental attachment. It is suggested that further studies may illuminate the clinical value of the PBI and quantify parental contribution to psychopathology.

Sociodemographic characteristics of Turkish parents in relation to their recognition of emotional maltreatment.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an instrument which could assess the extent to which emotionally maltreating parental behavior was recognized by Turkish parents (Study 1) and to evaluate a group of parental and family characteristics that were related with their recognition of emotional maltreatment (Study 2). METHODS: Self-administered instruments were used in both studies. In Study 1, a representative sample consisting of a total of 498 parents of children attending public and private preschools, elementary, and high schools in Ankara, were recruited. A 21-item Recognition of Emotional Maltreatment Scale (REMS) was developed. In addition to exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed and convergent validity was examined by utilizing the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) and the Parental Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ). Its test-retest reliability and internal consistency were also investigated. In Study 2, a total of 296 parents who were various public and private sector office workers and maintenance employees were recruited. Parents completed a socio-demographic form and the REMS. RESULTS: In Study 1, exploratory factor analyses revealed four factors. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the four-factor model met the criteria standards for adequacy of fit. A moderate correlation of the REMS with CAPI and PARQ (r=.40 and .44, respectively) supported its convergent validity. Its test-retest stability was .73 and internal consistency was .70. In Study 2, a three-way analysis of variance showed that gender of the parent, family income and parent education were significant. Correlation analyses showed that there were significant negative correlations of mean REMS scores with parental age (r=-.27; p<.0001) and positive correlations with number of children in the family (r=.20; p<.007). Mothers who were housewives had higher mean REMS scores than employed mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The REMS had acceptable validity and reliability properties. Fathers, parents with lower income and lower education levels showed lesser recognition of child emotional maltreatment. Maternal unemployment, younger parent age and more children in the family were related with lower levels of recognition. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This is the initial effort in developing an instrument that may guide professionals in the selection and assessment of at-risk parent groups which need educational programs regarding child emotional maltreatment.