Longitudinal relations of prematurity and fetal growth restrictions with hyperactivity/inattention and aggression/delinquency.

BACKGROUND: It is the aim of this study to analyze the longitudinal relationship between premature birth and low birth weight and the reciprocal influence between hyperactive/inattentive behavior and aggressive/delinquent behavior problems in children from early to late childhood. METHODS: This study contains data from the German Erlangen-Nuremberg Development and Prevention Study. It applies prospective longitudinal path analyses on data obtained from postnatal pediatric assessments as well as later psychosocial behavior assessments by teachers and parents on N = 667 children, out of which n = 83 children (12.44%) were born preterm/small for gestational age. RESULTS: The results show direct effects of birth complications at the beginning of preschool on hyperactivity/inattentiveness (teacher rating: ß = 0.28; p = 0.017; parent rating: ß = 0.32; p = 0.005), but not on aggression/delinquency (teacher rating: ß = 0.002; p = 0.427; parent rating: ß = 0.12; p = 0.324). Reciprocal effects between aggression/delinquency and hyperactivity/inattentiveness were stable at the end of elementary school, but not at the end of preschool across informants. CONCLUSION: Our results support a differentiated view on the potential development of behavior problems after birth complications and the demand for early prevention measures. IMPACT STATEMENT: Our results extend to the existing body of research by providing insight into the longitudinal effects of prematurity and fetal growth restrictions on hyperactive and aggressive/delinquent behavioral problems throughout a rather long period of development in childhood. The results show direct effects of birth complications on the development of hyperactivity for boys, but not for girls across informants. No direct effects of birth complications on aggression/delinquency are found. Our findings speak against too simple views on behavioral consequences of birth complications and thus can relieve too anxious parents, however close monitoring of the behavioral development of respective children is indicated.

The association between moral identity and moral decisions in adolescents.

The present study explores moral identity, moral emotion attribution, moral responsibility, acceptability, and moral decisions in adolescents. We hypothesized that moral identity predicts moral decisions in adolescents. Furthermore, we hypothesized that moral emotions mediate the relationship between moral identity and moral decisions and moral identity and moral responsibility/acceptability. A total of 749 adolescents were recruited. Questions regarding moral identity, moral emotion attribution, moral responsibility, acceptability, and moral decisions were answered by the participants. SPSS and AMOS wereused to analyze the data obtained.The results showed that moral identity was related positively to moral decisions and negatively to moral emotion attribution in adolescents. Mediation analysis showed that moral emotions were a significant mediator between moral identity and moral decisions. The findings indicate that moral identity plays an essential role in the moral decision-making processes in adolescents.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Life Satisfaction in a Representative Adolescent and Adult Sample.

Although it is well documented that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with reduced life satisfaction, the mechanisms that might explain this co-occurrence are unclear. We examined the correlation of ADHD symptoms with life satisfaction and whether this association is mediated by (lacking) social support and depressive symptoms. Self-reported ADHD symptoms, life satisfaction, social support, and depressive symptoms were assessed in a representative, predominantly adult sample from the general population (14-91 years, N = 2517). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms correlated negatively with life satisfaction (r = -0.41, p < 0.01), even after demographic factors (gender, age, income) and common risk factors (not being in a relationship, being unemployed) were controlled for (r = -0.39, p < 0.01). Social support mediated up to 23% and depressive symptoms up to 44% in the association between ADHD symptoms and life satisfaction. Counteracting problems with social relationships and treating depressive symptoms may help to increase life satisfaction in adults with ADHD symptoms.

Associations of attention-deficit/hyperactivity and other childhood disorders with psychotic experiences and disorders in adolescence.

Prodromal symptoms of psychosis are associated with an increased risk of transition, functional impairment, poor mental health, and unfavorable developmental prospects. Existing interventions targeting the prodrome are non-satisfactory. It may thus be more promising to attempt to identify risk factors in the premorbid phase preceding the prodrome to increase the chances of successful preventive approaches. Here, we investigate whether childhood mental disorders in general and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) specifically indicate a risk for subsequent psychotic experiences and disorders. We used a sample from the prospective Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (N = 5528). When the participants were 7 years old, mental disorders were assigned according to the DSM-IV. In standardized interviews, psychotic experiences were assessed at age 12 and psychotic disorders at age 18. We examined the associations of each of the childhood mental disorders alone and in combination with psychotic experiences at age 12 and psychotic disorders at age 18 using logistic regression. Compared to participants without a disorder, participants with a mental disorder had a higher risk of psychotic experiences at age 12 (OR 1.70, 95 % CI 1.28-2.27) and of psychotic disorders at age 18 (OR 2.31, 95 % CI 1.03-5.15). Particularly, the ADHD combined subtype at age 7 was strongly associated with psychotic experiences at age 12 (OR 3.26, 95 % CI 1.74-6.10). As expected, childhood mental disorders are risk indicators of psychotic experiences and disorders. To improve prevention, health care professionals need to screen for psychotic experiences in children with non-psychotic disorders.

[Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in family law proceedings. Empirical analyses from psychological expert assessment]. / Psychische Auffälligkeiten von Kindern und Jugendlichen in familienrechtlichen Verfahren. Empirische Analysen aus psychologischen Sachverständigengutachten

Objective: This study examined the frequency and distribution of mental health problems in children and adolescents who had previously been psychologically evaluated in family law proceedings. Method: The data stem from psychological evaluations (N=298) conducted between 2008 and 2012 at an evaluation institute in Bremen, Germany. The reports included were analyzed for indications of mental health problems by means of a content analysis. The total sample consisted of 496 children and adolescents. Results: At least one mental health problem (according to ICD-F) was found in 39.5% of the children and adolescents. The comorbidity rate was 38.7%. Developmental deficits appeared in 12.3%, emotional or conduct problems in 22.8% of the sample. Furthermore, 11.5% were reported as having been victims of violence. Frequency distributions of mental health problems with respect to the juridical issues in question are given. Conclusions: These results provide a first empirical overview of mental health problems in psychologically evaluated children and adolescents. Our findings highlight the need for future studies to further examine mental health problems of children and adolescents in family court proceedings with respect to the juridical issues in question.

[Knowledge of Emotion Regulation Strategies, Problem Behavior, and Prosocial Behavior in Preschool Age]. / Wissen über Emotionsregulationsstrategien, Verhaltensauffälligkeiten und prosoziales Verhalten im Vorschulalter.

The present study examines the relation between knowledge of emotion regulation strategies and social behavior in preschoolers. Knowledge of emotion regulation strategies of 210 children (mean age 55 months) was assessed. Teachers rated children's social behavior with SDQ. Linear regression analysis examined how knowledge of emotion regulation strategies influenced social behavior of children. Significant effects of gender on SDQ scales "prosocial behavior", "hyperactivity", "behavior problems", and SDQ total problem scale were identified. Age was a significant predictor of SDQ scales "prosocial behavior", "hyperactivity", "problems with peers" and SDQ total problem scale. Knowledge of emotion regulation strategies predicted SDQ total problem scores. Results suggest that deficits in knowledge of emotion regulation strategies are linked with increased problem behavior.

Emotional and behavioral problems in migrant children and adolescents in Europe: a systematic review.

Based on findings of Stevens and Vollebergh [69], who analyzed cross-cultural topics, this review considers the current prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems of native children and adolescents in comparison with children with a migration background in European countries. 36 studies published from 2007 up to 2013 chosen from a systematic literature research were included and analyzed in their perspective design in detail. Previous studies showed great differences in their results: Especially in Germany, many studies compare the heterogeneous group of immigrant children with native children to analyze an ethnic minority or migration process effect. Only a British and Turkish study demonstrates the selection effect in migration. Most Dutch or British studies examined different ethnic groups, e.g. Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, Pakistani, Indian or Black migrant children and adolescents. Migrant childhood in Europe could be declared a risk in increasing internalizing problem behavior while the prevalent rate in externalizing problem behavior was comparable between native and migrant children. A migration status itself can often be postulated as a risk factor for children's mental condition, in particular migration in first generation. Furthermore, several major influence factors in migrant children's mental health could be pointed out, such as a low socio-economic status, a Non-European origin, an uncertain cultural identity of the parents, maternal harsh parenting or inadequate parental occupation, a minority status, the younger age, gender effects or a specific culture declaration in diseases.

[Knowledge of emotion-regulation strategies in preschool children from German and immigrant families]. / Wissen über Emotionsregulationsstrategien bei Vorschulkindern mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated whether children with and without migration background differed in their assessment of the effectiveness of presented behavioral and mental strategies, and in the generation of effective behavioral and mental emotion-regulation strategies (knowledge of emotion regulation strategies). METHOD: A sample of N = 210 children (age 36-72 months) with and without migration background was compared in their knowledge of emotion-regulation strategies. RESULTS: RESULTS show that the age has the greatest influence on the knowledge of emotion-regulation strategies in preschoolers. After statistical controlling for language skills, we show that immigrant background explained a significant part of the variance of effective presented by behavioral strategies. The effect of migration background on other strategies, however, is not significant. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that other factors besides migration background plays a role in the development of parts of knowledge of emotion-regulation strategies.

[Interethnic analyses of distributions in children and adolescents mental disorders in a health care utilization]. / Interethnische Analysen der Verteilungen psychischer Störungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in einer Inanspruchnahmepopulation.

The study examines ethnic differences in mental disorders in a child and adolescent psychiatry population in a major German city from 2007 to 2011 (N = 5,680). Risks of developing specific mental disorders were calculated. African migrant children and adolescents showed higher risk in traumatic stress and adjustment disorders (F 43 in ICD-10), the Asiatic group in dissociative disorders (F 44-45). Compared to other European migrants the German children and adolescents without migration background had a higher risk of affective disorders (F 3). Adolescents (N = 3,556) with Russian and Polish background had a higher risk of disorders induced by psychotropic substances (F 1). Turkish and Arabic adolescents had a 4- to 5-times increasing risk in schizophrenia as well as schizotypal or delusional disorders (F 2). In addition, mental disorders were influenced by gender and nationality. These study results suggest that a different vulnerability to specific mental disorders is associated to ethnicity.

Interethnische Analysen der Verteilungen psychischer Störungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in einer Inanspruchnahmepopulation.

Interethnic Analyses of Distributions in Children and Adolescents Mental Disorders in a Health Care Utilization The study examines ethnic differences in mental disorders in a child and adolescent psychiatry population in a major German city from 2007 to 2011 (N = 5,680). Risks of developing specific mental disorders were calculated. African migrant children and adolescents showed higher risk in traumatic stress and adjustment disorders (F 43 in ICD-10), the Asiatic group in dissociative disorders (F 44-45). Compared to other European migrants the German children and adolescents without migration background had a higher risk of affective disorders (F 3). Adolescents (N = 3,556) with Russian and Polish background had a higher risk of disorders induced by psychotropic substances (F 1). Turkish and Arabic adolescents had a 4- to 5-times increasing risk in schizophrenia as well as schizotypal or delusional disorders (F 2). In addition, mental disorders were influenced by gender and nationality. These study results suggest that a different vulnerability to specific mental disorders is associated to ethnicity.

Emotion regulation and aggressive behavior in preschoolers: the mediating role of social information processing.

This study examined whether the relation between maladaptive emotion regulation and aggression was mediated by deviant social information processing (SIP). Participants were 193 preschool children. Emotion regulation and aggression were rated by teachers. Deviant SIP (i.e., attribution of hostile intent, aggressive response generation, aggressive response evaluation and decision) was measured from children's responses to hypothetical social conflicts. Findings revealed that the relation between maladaptive emotion regulation and aggression was direct and not mediated by SIP biases (i.e., aggressive response generation, aggressive response evaluation and decision). Results are discussed from a theoretical and methodological perspective.

Emotion regulation and childhood aggression: longitudinal associations.

Accumulating evidence suggests that emotion dysregulation is associated with psychopathology. This paper provides a review of recent longitudinal studies that investigate the relationship between emotion regulation and aggressive behavior in childhood age. While there is substantial evidence for assuming a close relation of emotion regulation and aggressive behavior, moderating and mediating factors like gender and peer rejection have been established. Furthermore, results suggest emotion dysregulation as an important risk factor of aggressive behavior. Several directions for future research are pointed out to further validate and refine the reviewed relationships.

Conceptualizing callous-unemotional traits in preschoolers: Associations with social-emotional competencies and aggressive behavior.

BACKGROUND: Extensive empirical evidence suggests that high Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits in childhood and adolescence can reliably identify individuals at risk for antisocial outcomes. The present study addresses research gaps by investigating the factor structure of CU traits in children at preschool age. METHODS: The sample includes 371 children (49.6% female, M age = 4.7, SD = 0.69). Using the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional-Traits (ICU), six alternative confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to find the best fitting model for our preschool sample. Children's level of emotional competence and aggressive behavior was assed using a German questionnaire, the Behavior Rating Scales for Preschoolers (Verhaltensskalen für das Kindergartenalter, VSK) in a preschool teachers' rating. Post hoc cluster analytic strategies and ANOVA were applied to identify groups of children with regard to their combination of social-emotional competences and CU traits, and to examine associations with aggressive behavior. RESULTS: Results indicate that a two-factor model revealed the best fit to our data, including a callous and an uncaring factor using 12 of the original 24 ICU items. Cluster analytic strategies reveal a risk group of children demonstrating high rates of callousness and uncaring combined with weak emotion knowledge/empathy and social competence. ANOVA shows that children in the risk group demonstrate the highest levels of aggressive behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Group characteristics indicate that the construct of CU traits in early childhood may be nothing other than a social-emotional developmental deficit.

[Relationship between phonological awareness and behavioral problems in preschool children]. / Zusammenhang zwischen phonologischer Bewusstheit und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Kindern im Vorschulalter.

OBJECTIVE: Phonological awareness is a key precursor of reading and writing skills in preschool children. Many children with reading and spelling problems have comorbid disorders that have a negative impact on their development. Research to date has rarely focused on the interaction between behavioral problems and phonological awareness. METHOD: The study investigates whether preschool children with difficulties in phonological awareness already show behavioral problems. Children (N = 188) were interviewed to assess their level of phonological awareness and teachers used the SDQ to rate their behavioral strengths and difficulties. RESULTS: Children with low levels of phonological awareness have more emotional problems, are more hyperactive, and have more problems with peers than children with higher levels of phonological awareness. No gender differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that already at preschool age children with low levels of phonological awareness show more behavioral problems than children with higher levels of phonological awareness. The results are comparable to those of school children who have writing and reading difficulties and behavioral problems.

The relationship between attachment and somatoform symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Problems in childhood and adolescence are often present with recurring physical signs of illness, called somatoform symptoms. These symptoms are a common reason for consultation at both paediatric care and psychotherapeutic/psychiatric praxis. We propose that attachment is a possible predictive factor. This article provides a systematic overview of the existing research literature concerning the relationship between attachment and somatoform symptoms in children and adolescents. METHODS: A systematic search for empirical articles from 1990 up to August 2018 focusing on this association was conducted. Out of six databases, 4994 studies were detected by using defined keywords. One study was added identified by checking reference lists. Finally, 15 studies were selected, which were the bases for the narrative review. Ten studies were included in meta-analysis. RESULTS: Combining study results, we found that attachment cannot solely predict somatoform symptoms. Mixed results are shown. The quantitative analysis substantiated these narrative results, revealing a small but significant combined effect size of Δ ≈ .12 (95% CI .04 - .19). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a relationship exists, but further investigations need to demonstrate that these are not only superficial. There are many developmental factors that affect the relationship between attachment and somatoform symptoms in children and adolescents. Further research should explore this interplay in order to gain a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms that lead to these correlations and to discover possible predicting factors.

Predictors of psychological recommendations in child protection evaluation.

Child protection matters from an important social and legal challenge, in which psychologists may be called upon to address a series of questions relevant for judicial decision-making. In an explorative manner, the current study investigates variables that influence psychological evaluators' recommendations in child protection cases. The data is based on a quantitative content review of 103 psychological evaluation reports, conducted at an institute of forensic psychology in Germany. Using bivariate and logistic regression analyses, the following predictors were analyzed in this study: Child-related factors, familial risk factors, and general custody criteria. The outcome measure was the evaluator's recommendation regarding long-term placement of the child and long-term custody arrangements. Evaluators were more likely to recommend permanent foster placement if the child showed insecure or disorganized attachment patterns, especially when combined with developmental delays, or if the child was temporarily in institutional or foster placement at the time of evaluation. The results support the conclusion that the most important factors for psychological expert recommendations refer to the "harm of the child" criterion in terms of developmental and psychological maladaptation.

Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Migrant Children and Adolescents in American Countries: A Systematic Review.

The present review postulates the current mental health status in migrant children and adolescents in the North American continent. 35 studies published from 2009 to 2013 chosen from a systematic literature research were included. Almost all studies were conducted in the United States and Canada. From the perspective of selection effect, migration as a risk factor was not proven. The migration process perspective could have underestimated a higher danger of problem behavior in second-generation migrant children. Comparing native and migrant children, balanced results in problem behavior were reported, but the Asian migrant group was at higher risk of developing mental disorders. Family-based risk factors were offered: high acculturation stress, low English language competence, language brokering, discrepancies in children's and parent's cultural orientation, the non-Western cultural orientation, e.g., collectivistic, acceptance feelings of parents, or harsh parenting. However, the importance to support migrant families in the acculturation process becomes apparent.