Assessing Temperament Risk Factors in Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: Development and Validation of the Integrative Late Childhood Temperament Inventory.

Childhood temperament has a well-documented influence on later life outcomes, notably behavior problems, quality of interpersonal relationships, and academic achievement. However, there is at present a lack of brief measures that assess temperament characteristics which are represented across models of temperament in the late childhood and early adolescence period. To redress this gap, the aim of the current study was to develop and validate a short questionnaire that extends an earlier integrative measure of temperament, the Integrative Child Temperament Inventory (ICTI) to the late childhood period. The new measure (named Integrative Late Childhood Temperament Inventory, ILCTI) includes all five components of the ICTI (frustration, behavioral inhibition, attention/persistence, activity level, sensory sensitivity), plus affiliation. German- or English-speaking parents rated a total of 525 children, aged 8 to 14 years. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the predicted structure of the new measure. Examination of fit indices and psychometric analyses showed that 24 items are sufficient to capture all six dimensions reliably. Next to convergent validity with established measures of temperament and personality, we also present analyses of associations with measures of externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and school failure all of which support the instrument's clinical utility. Thus, despite its brevity, the ILCTI is a reliable and valid measure of late childhood temperament that can be helpful in assessing risk of developing behavior problems or school failure.

Interviewing young offenders about child-on-child sexual abuse.

This study compared two versions of the NICHD Protocol for interviewing young suspected sexual offenders: the Revised Suspect Protocol (RSP) and the Standard Suspect Protocol (SSP). The RSP incorporated relevant evidence-based practices informed by research on the value of (a) effectively explaining the suspects' rights, (b) rapport building and support, and (c) appropriate questioning strategies. Interviewers using the RSP communicated the children's rights more effectively (reading them more often, checking, verifying, and correcting understanding) and provided more support. In the substantive phase, they remained supportive while recall prompts dominated the questioning. Compared to children in the SSP group, children in the RSP condition understood their rights better, were more responsive during rapport-building, and reacted to interviewer support in the substantive phase with increased responsiveness, which in turn, predicted reduced reluctance, increased emotional expression, and greater informativeness. They were also more likely to make full rather than partial confessions than children in the SSP group. Full confessions were positively predicted by the appropriate communication of legal rights, interviewer support, and reliance on open-ended prompts, thereby confirming the superiority of the RSP relative to the SSP.

The role of parental stress on emotional and behavioral problems in offspring: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Empirical evidence underscores an association between parental stress and emotional and behavioral problems in offspring. However, a comprehensive systematic review or meta-analysis on this topic is lacking. Thus, this study aims to address the scientific inquiry: Is there a relationship between parental stress and emotional/behavioral problems in children? SOURCES: This systematic review with a meta-analysis surveyed PubMed, PsycINFO, and the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde between August and September 2021. The present search combined terms (school-age children) AND (parental stress OR parenting stress OR family stress) AND (emotional and behavioral problems OR internalizing and externalizing problems). Eligibility criteria encompassed cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies published within the last five years, exploring the association between parental stress (stressful life events and parenthood-related stress disorders) and emotional/behavioral problems in school-age children. PROSPERO ID CRD42022274034. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Of the 24 studies meeting all inclusion criteria (n = 31,183) for the systematic review, nine were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed an association between parental stress and emotional problems (COR: 0.46 [95 % CI: 0.27 - 0.61], p < 0.001, Heterogeneity = 89 %) as well as behavioral problems (COR: 0.37 [95 % CI: 0.27 - 0.46], p < 0.001, Heterogeneity = 76 %). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that parental stress predicts emotional/behavioral problems in school-age children. Since these problems are related to long-term negative effects in adulthood, these results are crucial for preventing mental health problems in offspring and for screening and managing parental stress.

Child behavior problems and parental psychological distress in Chinese families of children with autism: The putative moderating role of parental social support and cultural values.

The wellbeing of parents of children with autism residing in mainland China remains understudied. We aimed to examine whether and how parental perceived social support, individualism, and collectivism acted together to moderate the relationships between child behavior problems and parental psychological distress in Chinese parents of children with autism. With convenience and snowball sampling, data on 268 primary caregiver parents of children with autism were collected from an online cross-sectional survey. Linear regression analysis indicated that child behavior problems were significantly associated with increased psychological distress in Chinese parents of children with autism. There was no evidence to support the stress-buffering model of social support in moderation analysis of the association between child behavior problems and parental psychological distress. Nonetheless, increased social support was associated with lower levels of parental psychological distress. Moderated moderation analyses did not support a role for individualism or collectivism as a moderator of the putative buffering role of social support. However, there was evidence that parental individualism was associated with increased parental psychological distress. Our findings highlight that child behavior problems are a robust correlate of parental psychological distress, and parental social support may act as a compensatory factor promoting less psychological distress rather than having a protective role. The role of social support and cultural values in the wellbeing of parents of children with autism in China requires additional exploration, including longitudinal research designs.

Measurement bias in caregiver-report of early childhood behavior problems across demographic factors in an ECHO-wide diverse sample.

Background: Research and clinical practice rely heavily on caregiver-report measures, such as the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL/1.5-5), to gather information about early childhood behavior problems and to screen for child psychopathology. While studies have shown that demographic variables influence caregiver ratings of behavior problems, the extent to which the CBCL/1.5-5 functions equivalently at the item level across diverse samples is unknown. Methods: Item-level data of CBCL/1.5-5 from a large sample of young children (N = 9087) were drawn from 26 cohorts in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes program. Factor analyses and the alignment method were applied to examine measurement invariance (MI) and differential item functioning (DIF) across child (age, sex, bilingual status, and neurodevelopmental disorders), and caregiver (sex, education level, household income level, depression, and language version administered) characteristics. Child race was examined in sensitivity analyses. Results: Items with the most impactful DIF across child and caregiver groupings were identified for Internalizing, Externalizing, and Total Problems. The robust item sets, excluding the high DIF items, showed good reliability and high correlation with the original Internalizing and Total Problems scales, with lower reliability for Externalizing. Language version of CBCL administration, education level and sex of the caregiver respondent showed the most significant impact on MI, followed by child age. Sensitivity analyses revealed that child race has a unique impact on DIF over and above socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The CBCL/1.5-5, a caregiver-report measure of early childhood behavior problems, showed bias across demographic groups. Robust item sets with less DIF can measure Internalizing and Total Problems equally as well as the full item sets, with slightly lower reliability for Externalizing, and can be crosswalked to the metric of the full item set, enabling calculation of normed T scores based on more robust item sets.

Association of behaviors and asthma control in a sample of Lebanese adolescents with asthma

Background: The relationship between behavioral problems and asthma is bidirectional; while the presence of a chronic disease such as asthma might predispose the person to stress, anxiety, and other behavioral issues, behavioral problems might in turn cause uncontrolled asthma through nonadherence to asthma management strategies. In Lebanon, behavioral problems and uncontrolled asthma could be of significant concern for adolescents. Consequently, we found it necessary to evaluate association between behavioral problems and uncontrolled asthma in a sample of Lebanese adolescents. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected using the snowball sampling technique in July 2023. The questionnaire was developed with Google Forms and distributed to participants via social media platforms and messaging applications. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used to check for uncontrolled asthma, and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale was used to assess behavioral problems. It yields nine subscales (anxious–depressed, withdrawn–depressed, somatic complaints, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, rule-breaking behavior, aggressive behavior, and other problems) and a total score. Results: When taking each behavior score as an independent variable, older age was associated with lower ACT scores (more controlled asthma); F(15, 186) = 3.66, P = 0.014, and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [-0.85, -0.10]. Living in a rural area, compared to urban was associated with higher ACT scores, P = 0.018, and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.28, 2.94]. The intake of the COVID-19 vaccine, P = 0.003 and 95% CI [0.73, 3.55]; waterpipe smoking, P = 0.017 and 95% CI [0.38, 3.85]; and having more somatic complaints, P = 0.005 and 95% CI [0.04, 0.25], also were significantly associated with higher ACT scores (more uncontrolled asthma)...(AU)

Association of behaviors and asthma control in a sample of Lebanese adolescents with asthma.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between behavioral problems and asthma is bidirectional; while the presence of a chronic disease such as asthma might predispose the person to stress, anxiety, and other behavioral issues, behavioral problems might in turn cause uncontrolled asthma through nonadherence to asthma management strategies. In Lebanon, behavioral problems and uncontrolled asthma could be of significant concern for adolescents. Consequently, we found it necessary to evaluate association between behavioral problems and uncontrolled asthma in a sample of Lebanese adolescents. METHODS: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected using the snowball sampling technique in July 2023. The questionnaire was developed with Google Forms and distributed to participants via social media platforms and messaging applications. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used to check for uncontrolled asthma, and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale was used to assess behavioral problems. It yields nine subscales (anxious-depressed, withdrawn-depressed, somatic complaints, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, rule-breaking behavior, aggressive behavior, and other problems) and a total score. RESULTS: When taking each behavior score as an independent variable, older age was associated with lower ACT scores (more controlled asthma); F(15, 186) = 3.66, P = 0.014, and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [-0.85, -0.10]. Living in a rural area, compared to urban was associated with higher ACT scores, P = 0.018, and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.28, 2.94]. The intake of the COVID-19 vaccine, P = 0.003 and 95% CI [0.73, 3.55]; waterpipe smoking, P = 0.017 and 95% CI [0.38, 3.85]; and having more somatic complaints, P = 0.005 and 95% CI [0.04, 0.25], also were significantly associated with higher ACT scores (more uncontrolled asthma). When taking the total behavior score as an independent variable, higher YSR scores were associated with higher ACT scores (more uncontrolled asthma), F(10, 191) = 4.30, P = 0.038, and 95% CI [0.003, 0.10]. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the inclusion of mental health treatments for better asthma control and point to a link between behavioral issues and uncontrolled asthma. In a developing nation without a clear established strategy for asthma prevention, the findings of this study could help develop potentially beneficial public health treatments.

Correlation between aggression at the veterinary clinic and problem behaviors at home for cats in the USA.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether cats that exhibit aggression during veterinary visits are more likely to have behavior problems at home. METHODS: An online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed to residents in the USA who were aged over 18 years and who were the primary owners of at least one cat. The survey collected information about cat and household factors, and utilized a validated questionnaire instrument for obtaining behavioral information of pet cats. RESULTS: Aggression at the veterinary clinic was reported in 42.6% of the cats. The frequency of aggression exhibited at the veterinary clinic was lower in cats that lived in multi-cat households. Most cats did not receive medications intended to reduce fear, anxiety and/or pain before veterinary visits. Aggression at the veterinary clinic was positively associated with behavior problems at home, including stranger-directed aggression, owner-directed aggression, resistance to restraint, familiar cat aggression, dog-directed aggression, house-soiling, separation-related behaviors and scratching claws on inappropriate surfaces indoors. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cats that exhibit aggression at the veterinary clinic are more likely to exhibit aggression and anxiety-related behaviors at home. Veterinarians should screen cats that exhibit aggression at the veterinary clinic for behavior problems at home to institute prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Pathways from prenatal cocaine exposure to adult substance use and behavior.

This is a report from the most recent adult follow-up of the longest running cohort study of prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE), in which women were enrolled prenatally and offspring were assessed in infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. In previous studies, PCE was linked to offspring behavior problems such as early substance use and externalizing behavior problems. The current analyses examine pathways from PCE to behavioral outcomes in offspring at the 25-year assessment. Prenatal cocaine exposure was moderate in this cohort; most women decreased or discontinued use after the first trimester. During the first and third trimesters, 38% and 11% used cocaine, respectively. This represents the most common pattern of PCE in non-treatment samples. At this phase, the adult offspring were, on average, 27.3 years old (range = 25-30), had 13.4 years of education, 83% were employed, 55% were Black, and 55% were female. Offspring who were exposed to cocaine during the first trimester were significantly more likely to use marijuana in the past year, report more arrests, and have poorer scores on a decision-making task, controlling for other prenatal substance exposure, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. In mediation analyses, there were indirect pathways from PCE to current marijuana use through early initiation of marijuana use and 21-year marijuana use, and through 15-year status offenses and 21-year marijuana use. There was also an indirect pathway from PCE to lifetime arrests through early initiation of marijuana use and 21-year Conduct Disorder, although the direct pathway from PCE to arrests also remained significant. These findings are consistent with those from previous phases and are an indication that there are detrimental associations with PCE that persist across developmental stages and into adulthood.

Association of Magnesium, Iron, Copper, and Zinc Levels with the Prevalence of Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents.

Magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are indispensable elements in children's growth and development. However, epidemiological evidence regarding essential elements and their mixed exposure to behavior problems remains in its infancy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between essential elements and the manifestation of behavior problems, with an additional focus on the implications of their mixture. An electronic medical records review was performed among 4122 subjects aged 6-18 years who underwent examinations at Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, between January 2019 and July 2022. The concentrations of essential elements were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, and behavior problems were assessed by using the Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS). A total of 895 (21.7%) children and adolescents were identified as having behavior problems. For single exposure, inversely linear dose-response relationships were identified between continuous Mg and Zn levels and the prevalence of behavior problems, and the prevalence ratios (PRs) in the categorical lowest tertile were 1.28 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.07-1.54) for Mg and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.05-1.63) for Zn compared to the highest tertile. For mixture exposure, an inverse association between essential elements and behavior problems was also found, mainly contributed by Mg (posterior inclusion probability, PIP = 0.854). Whole blood levels of Mg and Zn were significantly inversely associated with behavior problems. The findings highlight the pivotal role of essential elements in behavior problems and emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate levels of essential elements during children's maturation.

Corrigendum: Confirmatory factor analysis and gender invariance of the Persian version of psychological control scale: association with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1128264.].

Between- and within-child level associations between externalizing and internalizing behavior problems in a nationally representative sample of US elementary school children.

BACKGROUND: Both transactional and common etiological models have been proposed as explanations of why externalizing behavior problems (EBP) and internalizing behavior problems (IBP) co-occur in children. Yet little research has empirically evaluated these competing theoretical explanations. We examined whether EBP and IBP are transactionally related at the within-child level while also identifying antecedents commonly associated with between-child differences in underlying stability of both EBP and IBP across elementary school. METHODS: We analyzed a nationally representative and longitudinal sample of US schoolchildren (N = 7,326; 51% male) using random-intercept cross-lagged panel modeling (RI-CLPM). We used teacher ratings of EBP and IBP as annually assessed from the spring of kindergarten (Mage = 6.12 years) through the spring of 5th grade (Mage = 11.09 years). Early childhood antecedents included child internal (i.e. inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and language/literacy) and external factors (i.e. parental warmth, harsh parenting, parenting stress, and maternal depressive symptoms). RESULTS: We found little evidence for within-child, transactional relations between EBP and IBP. Both types of behavior problems instead were substantially associated at the between-child level. Inhibitory control was the strongest common antecedent that explained this longitudinal overlap. Cognitive flexibility, working memory, language/literacy skills, and maternal depression contributed specifically to the stability of IBP. Measures of parenting were specific to the stability of EBP. CONCLUSIONS: Common etiological factors rather than transactional relations better explain the co-occurrence of EBP and IBP during elementary school. Inhibitory control is a promising target of early intervention efforts for schoolchildren at risk of displaying both EBP and IBP.

Collateral effects of Coping Power on caregiver symptoms of depression and long-term changes in child behavior.

A large body of research demonstrates positive impacts of the Coping Power Program as a preventive intervention for youth behavioral outcomes, but potential collateral effects for caregivers is less known. The current study examined whether the youth-focused Coping Power Program can have a secondary impact on caregiver self-reported symptoms of depression and in turn result in longer-term impacts on child disruptive behavior problems including aggression, conduct problems and hyperactivity. Data from 360 youth/caregiver pairs across 8 waves of data (grades 4 through 10) were analyzed. We used two methodological approaches to (a) assess indirect effects in the presence of potential bidirectionality using timepoint-to-timepoint dynamic effects under Autoregressive Latent Trajectory modeling and (b) estimate scale scores in the presence of measurement non-invariance. Results showed that individually delivered Coping Power (ICP) produced greater direct effects on conduct problems and indirect effects on general externalizing and hyperactivity (through reductions in caregiver self-reported symptoms of depression), compared to group Coping Power (GCP). In comparison to GCP, ICP produced similar direct effects on reductions in caregiver depression. Child-focused prevention interventions can have an indirect impact on caregiver depression, which later shows improvements in longer-term reductions for child disruptive problems.

Associations between externalizing behavior problems and risky sexual behaviors in adolescence: Attachment as a mediator.

INTRODUCTION: Risky sexual behaviors in adolescence are associated with negative health and psychological functioning outcomes. Although the association between behavior problems and risky sexual behaviors is well established, addressing these problems requires understanding the mechanisms that help explain this association. Adolescent attachment, while related to risky sexual behavior, has not been extensively explored as an outcome of childhood externalizing problems. The two objectives of this study were to explore the links between parental and peer attachment and risky sexual behaviors and to examine the mediating effect of attachment on the links between behavior problems and risky sexual behaviors. METHODS: Five hundred and ninety-eight French-Canadian adolescents (46.2% girls), Mage at T1 = 13.23; Mage at T2 = 14.28; Mage at T3 = 17.35) participated in this longitudinal study. RESULTS: The quality of parental attachment at T2 was significantly and negatively associated with risky sexual behaviors 3 years later, at T3. More specifically, a lower quality parental attachment relationship was associated with having nonexclusive partners as well as with inconsistent condom use. Finally, parental attachment (T2) was a significant mediator between behavior problems (T1) and risky sexual behaviors (T3), but only for younger adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that in addition to behavior problems in adolescence, the quality of parental attachment relationships may help in understanding risky sexual behaviors in adolescence.

Developmental, sensory and behavioral outcomes among infants and toddlers with prenatal alcohol exposure.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can disrupt children's neurodevelopment and exert lasting influences on overall child well-being and family functioning. A comprehensive exploration of developmental outcomes in infants/toddlers with PAE seen for a diagnosis on the fetal alcohol spectrum can inform early identification and intervention. AIMS: To describe the prevalence and patterns of neurodevelopment, sensory processing, and emotional and behavioral functioning in a clinical sample of infants/toddlers with PAE. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, clinical data from 125 infants/toddlers with PAE, aged 2-42 months, assessed at the University of Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network clinic were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-four to 87% of infants/toddlers demonstrated delayed development in one or more domains of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (n = 125). Adverse developmental outcomes were significantly correlated with PAE and/or postnatal risk factors. All 93 infants/toddlers with a complete Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile obtained definite difference scores in at least one quadrant/section. Over half of infant/toddlers with a completed Child Behavior Checklist/1½- 5 had total problem scores in the borderline or clinical range. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that several domains of child functioning may be vulnerable to the teratogenic impact of PAE, and that these delays are evident in the first years of life. Early screening, ongoing monitoring and comprehensive assessment is needed to facilitate earlier identification and guide clinical intervention.

Severe behavior problems in SYNGAP1-related disorder: A summary of 11 consecutive patients in a tertiary care specialty clinic.

SYNGAP1-related disorder (SYNGAP1-RD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is commonly associated with epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and disruptive behaviors. In this study, behavior problems in 11 consecutive patients with SYNGAP1-RD are described and quantified based on a behavioral screening conducted within the context of a multi-disciplinary tertiary care specialty clinic visit. The behavioral phenotype was then compared to published samples of behavior problems in ASD and other genetic cause of epilepsy occurring in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders using results from the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C), an empirically derived outcome measure. We report common antecedent and consequent events surrounding problem behavior across individuals. Additionally, we report on the management approach of caregivers and the impact of problem behaviors on the family. Our results suggest a number of commonalities between behavioral profiles in SYNGAP1-RD with ASD and other genetic causes of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, and also highlight severe behavior problems as a specific behavioral phenotype of SYNGAP1-RD.

Prospective Association of Parenting Stress with Later Child Behavior Problems in Early Childhood Autism.

PURPOSE: Autistic children are reported to display higher levels of externalizing and internalizing behaviors than neurotypical children, and their parents report more stress than parents of neurotypical children. It is unclear whether child behavior difficulties contribute to increased parenting stress, whether parenting stress contributes to child behavior difficulties, or whether the relationship may be bidirectional. METHODS: We investigated prospective bidirectional associations between parenting stress and child externalizing and internalizing behaviors when autistic children were aged on average 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 years. Data collected at these three timepoints were examined across two panels: Time 1 to Time 2 (n = 38 parent-child dyads) and Time 2 to Time 3 (n = 27 dyads). RESULTS: Across Time 1 to Time 2, early parenting stress was significantly associated with later child externalizing behavior, and cross-lagged panel analysis supported a uni- rather than a bidirectional association between these factors. There was some evidence of a bidirectional association between parenting stress and child internalizing behavior, though this was non-significant when the strong stability of child internalizing behavior was statistically controlled. In contrast, across Time 2 to Time 3, there were no significant prospective associations found between variables, highlighting the importance of considering the impact of parenting stress early in the course of childhood autism. CONCLUSION: Our results add to research indicating that support targeting parent characteristics, especially parenting stress, could ameliorate subsequent outcomes for both parents and children.

Neighborhood disadvantage and adolescent behavior problems: how do inferences differ across definitions of disadvantage?

BACKGROUND: Various definitions of neighborhood disadvantage (ND) exist, yet evidence is lacking on how ND operationalization may impact scientific inference. METHODS: We used data from wave 6 of the Fragile Families study, excluding those without census tract or behavior problem data (n = 2363). Outcomes included five scales from the caregiver-reported Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and a self-reported delinquency scale. ND was defined in four ways: (1) a modified Sampson definition which included four neighborhood poverty variables; (2) a poverty-only definition which only included percent households below poverty; (3) an overextended definition which added a mediator between the ND-behavior relationship, and (4) an expanded definition which added six additional ND variables to the modified Sampson definition. Using effect estimates from generalized linear models, differences were calculated using percent change-in-estimate, with the modified Sampson as the referent. RESULTS: Effect estimates were similar for the modified Sampson and expanded definitions (< 5% difference). The poverty-only definition differed from the modified Sampson unsystematically. Estimates for the overextended definition were consistently larger compared to modified Sampson (10-37% greater). The expanded and modified Sampson definitions produced similar results. CONCLUSION: Poverty-only and overextended ND definitions should be interpreted with caution.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pet behavior and human-animal interaction: a longitudinal survey-based study in the United States.

Introduction: Although multiple studies have explored behavioral changes in pets during the strict lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic between May and July 2020, this longitudinal study uniquely investigated the phases beyond strict lockdown. The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the pandemic's impact on pet behavior. Methods: To achieve this goal, we conducted an online survey, completed by pet owners residing in the United States between June 2020 (including retrospective data for February and April 2020) and December 2021. The study encompassed four distinct pandemic phases: Pre-pandemic (data collected retrospectively), Strict lockdown, Prolonged lockdown, and Re-opening. Results and discussion: The data collected from surveys completed by 3,278 pet owners across one to six time points revealed declining trends in all investigated behavior problems of both dogs and cats. Concurrently, human-animal interaction activities also showed variations across different COVID-19 phases. The association between human-animal interactions and the occurrence of behavior problems underscored the importance of not only exercise quantity but also adherence to consistent schedules, particularly for dogs, in mitigating behavior problems. Interestingly, among cats, sleeping outside the bedroom was associated with a reduced occurrence of aggression, anxiety, fear, and physiological behavior changes. However, sleep location displayed limited or no association with behavior problems in dogs. In summary, this study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to the unique needs of each species through human-animal interactions to mitigate the occurrence of behavioral problems and enhance human-animal relationships.

Co-occurring trajectory of housing stability and parenting stress with child behavior problems: A randomized trial of a housing intervention for young mothers experiencing homelessness.

This study examined the effects of an integrative housing intervention (Ecologically Based Treatment, EBT - independent housing and supportive services) on the co-occurring pattern of housing stability and parenting stress among a sample of substance-using mothers who experience homelessness and have young children in their care. The association between the co-occurring patterns of housing stability and parenting stress and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors was also examined. Mothers were randomized to one of the three conditions: EBT (n = 80), Housing-only (HOU; n = 80), or Services as Usual (SAU; n = 80). Follow-up assessments were completed at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months post-baseline. The dual-trajectory latent class growth analyses identified five subgroups of co-occurring patterns: low-greatly improved housing paired with moderate-improved parenting stress, low-greatly improved housing paired with high-improved parenting stress, low-moderately improved housing paired with moderate-static parenting stress, low-worse housing paired with moderate-improved parenting stress, and low-worse housing paired with high-static parenting stress. Findings showed that EBT was more effective in improving housing stability and reducing parenting stress compared to HOU and SAU conditions, and further, HOU was more effective than SAU. Additionally, children whose mothers reported increased housing stability together with improved parenting stress had lower levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. The findings provide support to the efficacy of EBT in increasing housing stability and reducing parenting stress. The observed improvements subsequently benefited children's behavioral outcomes.