Positive childhood experiences as predictors of anxiety and depression in a large sample from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Positive childhood experiences positively influence one's adult life, while the absence of such positive experiences can potentially yield mental health problems throughout the lifespan. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role of positive childhood experiences on depression and anxiety levels. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 3090 (2059 women) young adults participated in this research. They ranged in age between 18 and 68 years (M = 28.78, SD = 9.44) and completed the self-report measures including the Positive Childhood Experiences Scale, Beck Depression and Anxiety Scales and Personal Information Forms. METHOD: A cross-sectional research design was used to collect the data through social media platforms. We conducted a regression analysis to examine how positive childhood experiences contribute to depression and anxiety. RESULTS: The results of correlation analysis indicated that positive childhood experiences were significantly negatively related to depression and anxiety. Regression analysis revealed that positive childhood experiences explained a significant amount of variance in the prediction of depression (10 %) and anxiety (8 %) after controlling for demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the frequency of positive experiences lived during childhood might significantly reduce anxiety and depression, and positive childhood experiences might positively affect them.

Did the mental health and well-being of young people increase after the COVID-19 vaccination campaign period? A cross-sectional multicentre study in Austria and Turkey.

In 2019, the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and associated prevention measures affected the mental health and psychological well-being of young people with and without a migratory background. The present study aimed to compare the mental health and psychological well-being of migrant and non-migrant young people before and after the COVID-19 vaccination campaign period in two countries which had different policies to deal with the pandemic. The "Psychological General Well-being" of young people and their experiences during the pandemic were investigated using an anonymous online survey during two pandemic waves before the vaccination campaign and 6 months after its start. A majority of the 6154 participants (aged between 15 and 25 years in all study groups) reported a decrease of mental health from the time period before the vaccination (BV) to after the vaccination (AV) campaign (b = 0.27, p < .001). This association was higher in females (b = 0.04, p = 0.008) and in youth with financial problems (b = 0.13, p < .001). Furthermore, this decrease was more pronounced in people ≤17 years old (40% to 62%) than in those >17 years (59% to 67%). Contrary to expectation, vulnerable groups such as the economically disadvantaged, younger, and female participants did not experience a significant easing of the pandemic's psychological burden AV. Vaccination campaigns should continue emphasizing the beneficial effects of COVID-19 vaccination on general well-being, but with an acknowledgement that the road to recovery is still a long one. Concurrently, free access to psychological treatment and financial support should be offered, especially for vulnerable groups. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04366-x.

Comparison of cognitive and behavioural problems and psychiatric diagnoses in preterm born children between 6-13 years old / Comparación de problemas cognitivos y conductuales y diagnósticos psiquiátricos en niños prematuros entre 6 y 13 años

Introduction: Despite the increased survival rates follow up studies of preterm born children have documented increased prevalence of neurodevelopmental disabilities and cognitive deficits. By using psychiatric assessment, we aimed to evaluate cognitive functions by comparing preterm born babies according to the week of gestation by comparing the scores of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised Form (WISC-R) in childhood. Material and methods: Children with a history of birth as preterm babies between 1998-2004 were included in the study. The children born between 27-36 weeks, currently 6-13 years old were admitted to the study. The controls consisted of healthy children chosen from the nearest primary school. The WISC-R test was administered to all children. Classification was made according to gestational age. The comparison of cognitive functions was performed by comparing the WISC-R scores of the preterm group and the control group. Results: 238 children were included in our prospective study. (case group: 175 children, control group: 63 children). Because of the comparison of the WISC-R scores of the preterm and control groups, the WISC-R verbal score and WISC-R total score were found to be statistically significant between the preterm and control groups. In the analysis made according to the gestation age, no statistical significance was found between the WISC-R Verbal, WISC-R performance, and WISC-R total scores according to the week of gestation. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of previous and current psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusions: While the WISC-R score was, found to be statistically significantly higher in the case group compared to controls. Our results differed from those in the literature that preterm children had a lower WISC-R score and it indicates the need to investigate this situation by further studies, even by different tests (AU)

Introducción: A pesar del aumento de las tasas de supervivencia, los estudios de seguimiento de niños prematuros han documentado una mayor prevalencia de discapacidades del neurodesarrollo y déficits cognitivos. Mediante el uso de la evaluación psiquiátrica, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar las funciones cognitivas comparando los bebés prematuros según la semana de gestación comparando los puntajes de la Escala de inteligencia de Wechsler para niños-Forma revisada (WISC-R) en la infancia. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio niños con antecedentes de parto prematuro entre 1998-2004. Los niños nacidos entre 27 y 36 semanas, actualmente de 6 a 13 años, fueron admitidos en el estudio. Los controles consistieron en niños sanos elegidos de la escuela primaria más cercana. La prueba WISC-R se administró a todos los niños. La clasificación se hizo de acuerdo a la edad gestacional. La comparación de las funciones cognitivas se realizó comparando las puntuaciones WISC-R del grupo de prematuros y el grupo control. Resultados: 238 niños fueron incluidos en nuestro estudio prospectivo. (grupo de casos: 175 niños, grupo de control: 63 niños). Debido a la comparación de las puntuaciones de WISC-R de los grupos de control y de prematuros, se encontró que la puntuación verbal de WISC-R y la puntuación total de WISC-R eran estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos de control y de prematuros. En el análisis realizado según la edad de gestación, no se encontró significancia estadística entre las puntuaciones del WISC-R Verbal, WISC-R de rendimiento y WISC-R total según la semana de gestación. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en términos de diagnósticos psiquiátricos previos y actuales. Conclusiones: Si bien la puntuación WISC-R fue estadísticamente significativamente mayor en el grupo de casos en comparación con los controles (AU)

Does the Progression of the COVID-19 Pandemic Have an Influence on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Young People? A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have impaired the mental health and well-being of young people. This study, for the first time, explores these aspects in young people with and without a migratory background during the extended course of the pandemic and restrictive measures, comparing two countries with a high COVID-19 prevalence: Austria and Turkey. METHODS: The authors used the "Psychological General Well-being" index as part of an anonymous online survey with 3665 participants (ages 15-25), recruited from both countries during the first and the second waves of the pandemic, collecting data on individual experiences and problems encountered during the pandemic. RESULTS: Mental health (b = 0.06, p < 0.023) and general psychological well-being worsened with the progression of the pandemic. Participants with financial problems had the most severe negative effect on mental health (b = 0.12, p < 0.001). Furthermore, females living in Turkey, both natives (b = -0.21, p < 0.001) and migrants (b = 0.25, p < 0.001), reported a more deteriorated mental health status over time. CONCLUSIONS: The extended pandemic duration and resultant "lockdown" restrictions have negatively affected the mental health of young people to varying degrees, depending on country of residence and migration background. A strong "recovery plan" that considers group-specific needs and vulnerabilities is urgently needed.

An overview of the mental and physical health status and post-migration psychosocial stressors of refugee toddlers and preschoolers.

PURPOSE: Although thousands of refugee children are being born in resettlement areas, few studies have described the mental and physical status in early childhood. We aimed to study the mental, physical status, and post-migration psychosocial stressors of refugee toddlers and preschoolers. DESIGN AND METHODS: The Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood was used to assess psychiatric disorders, parent-child relational context, physical health conditions, psychosocial and environmental stressors, and developmental competencies of children who were evaluated at the clinic site. This study was a retrospective examination of these health records. Seventy participants were divided into two groups: children born during resettlement in Turkey and children born in Syria. The Syria group consisted of 33 participants aged 66.73 ± 13.05 months. The Turkey group consisted of 37 participants aged 38.78 ± 16.82 months. FINDINGS: In both groups, children suffered from a wide range of mental and physical disorders and a variety of psychosocial stressors. Monthly income and resettlement time in the Turkey group were more statistically significant (χ2 = 10.611, p = 0.014; χ2 = 5.976, p = 0.050). Also in the Turkey group, parents and siblings had significantly more mental health problems (χ2 = 4.39, p = 0.04; χ2 = 5.38, p = 0.02). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Child and adolescent mental health workers need to be aware of the specific needs of this particular age group of refugees. Social, economic, and policy efforts are needed to improve the living conditions of refugee children.

Psychological Well-Being, Depression and Stress During COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey: A Comparative Study of Healthcare Professionals and Non-Healthcare Professionals.

In this study, we aimed to investigate psychological well-being, depression, and stress among healthcare professionals and non-healthcare professionals in Turkey. An online questionnaire was prepared and shared with participants using social networking sites. Participants were 546 healthcare professionals (females = 313) and 445 non-healthcare professionals (females = 333), aged between 20 and 67 years. All participants completed measures of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and Psychological Well-Being Scale. The results showed no significant difference in the scores of psychological well-being, depression and stress of healthcare professionals and non-healthcare professionals. However, the psychological well-being of healthcare professionals and stress varied in terms of age, gender, marital status, job descriptions, and ways of working in clinic. Women, non-physician healthcare professionals, young and single people and those who worked in COVID-19 service and stayed at least one week away from their families during the pandemic were found to have poor mental well-being. Psychological well-being was significantly and negatively correlated with depression and anxiety. Our findings indicate that healthcare professionals who are at the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19, and nurses, women, single person and those who are away from their family for more than a week during the pandemic are at greater risk.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being of Young People Living in Austria and Turkey: A Multicenter Study.

Little is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and psychological well-being of young people. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological well-being and changes in the mental-health state of young people living in Austria and Turkey. By using an anonymous online survey, we recruited 1240 people aged 15-25 years from these two countries. We used the "Psychological General Well-being" and a self-created questionnaire to capture individual experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine period. The native Turks indicated higher "anxiety" (ps < 0.010), lower "vitality" (ps < 0.011), and lower "general health" (ps < 0.011) than native Austrians or Austrian migrants and increased "depression" (p = 0.005) and lower "self-control" (p = 0.022), than Austrian migrants. Moreover, 50.9% of native Turks reported a decrease in their mental health status, compared to 31.1% of native Austrians and 23.7% of Austrian migrants. Participants with financial problems (OR = 1.68) and prior mental health problems (i.e., already in treatment by the time of COVID-19, OR = 5.83) reported a higher probability for a worsening in their mental health status. Our results show that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired the psychological well-being and mental health of young people. Especially people in Turkey were most affected, probably due to the stringent policies to fight COVID-19.

Psychiatric Morbidity Among a School Sample of Syrian Refugee Children in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional, Semistructured, Standardized Interview-Based Study.

Now in its eighth year, the Syrian civil war has caused displacement of more than half the population before the war and is viewed as the single largest contributing factor to many of the worsening global trends of children living in areas affected by conflict.1.

The number of war-related traumatic events is associated with increased behavioural but not emotional problems among Syrian refugee children years after resettlement

Abstract Background: Turkey is the leading refugee-hosting country in the world. However, there are few studies which investigate mental wellbeing of refugee children in Turkey. Objective: The paper aims to examine the prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems and associated risk factors among Syrian refugee minors in Turkey. Methods: The research involved 85 students from 2 th to 8 th grades. We investigated emotional and behavioural problems with parent-reported Arabic form of Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Socio-demographical findings and children's war-related experiences were also examined. Results: The study sample consisted of 49 (63.6%) girls, and 28 (36.4%) boys (total 77) from age 7 to 17. Average time after resettlement was 29.8 ± 11.2 (5 to 50 months) months. 66 (85.7%) children reported to had lost at least one familiar person due to the war. The mean experienced war-related traumatic events were calculated as 2.92 ± 1.86. Total difficulty scores of 30 (39.0%) children were above the cut off values. The rates of children whose SDQ problem scores exceeded the cut-off values were as high as 45.5% (35) for Emotional problems, 64.9% (50) for Peer, 27.3% (21) for conduct and 19.5% (15) for Hyperactivity problems. Discussion: Results indicate high prevalence rates of severe traumatic experiences and possible psychiatric disorders among child survivors of Syrian war which in its seventh year now.

Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children Who Were Treated at Emergency Service due to Unintentional Injury.

AIM: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by severe inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This research aims to determine the frequency of ADHD symptoms in children who were treated in emergency paediatric services due to unintentional injuries. METHOD: This study was carried out with children who were treated due to unintentional injuries in an Emergency Department. ADHD symptoms were evaluated using the DSM-IV-based Screening and Assessment Scale for Behavioural Disorders in Children and Adolescents. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 89 girls (40.1%) and 133 boys (59.9%)-a total of 222 children. The participants ranged from 5 to 18 years of age, and the mean age was found to be 11.5±3 years. According to medical evaluations, the most common diagnosis for the unintentional injuries was soft tissue trauma (41.9%). The mean ADHD and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) scores of our study sample were, respectively, 19.9±12 and 7.7±5.7. The prevalence of children with possible ADHD was as high as 81.6% (179) and, for ODD, was 62.6% (139), according to cut-off values. CONCLUSION: Our results pointed out very high levels of ADHD and ODD symptoms among children who were treated at emergency services for accidental injuries. Appropriately screening for ADHD in children with accidental injuries and referring them to child psychiatry units may prevent later accidents and injuries.

Mental health problems of second generation children and adolescents with migration background.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the growing number of young second-generation immigrant (SGI) children and adolescents, studies about their mental health are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the mental health problems of SGI children and adolescents in Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: In a clinical sample the mental health of 54 SGIs and 50 native children and adolescents were examined using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and Children's Global Assessment Scale. The assessments were carried out by a blinded rater. RESULTS: SGI children had higher rates of psychiatric disorders such as depression (p = 0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (p = 0.011) and anxiety disorders (p = 0.013), more comorbid disorders and lower functionality scores compared to their native counterparts (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SGI children seem to have higher rates of psychiatric disorders most probably due to migration-induced burdens. The professionals treating SGI children should have more awareness for these problems to be able to approach them in a culture and language sensitive way.

Psychometric Properties of the Parent Version of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale in a Clinical Sample of Turkish Children and Adolescents.

The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Parent version (RCADS-P) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses dimensions of DSM-based anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Turkish version in a clinical sample of 483 children and adolescents. The child and parent versions of the RCADS, parent versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-Depression Scale were administered. Current psychiatric diagnoses were assessed via the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Present Version. The RCADS-P demonstrated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and good convergent, divergent, and discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the DSM-related six-factor structure. With its demonstrated favorable psychometric properties, the Turkish RCADS-P is currently the only validated parent-report instrument that assesses DSM-based anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents in Turkey.

Posttraumatic stress and depression in Yazidi refugees.

AIM: The aim of this investigation was to determine the frequency of mental pathologies in children and adolescents of the Yazidi minority group who immigrated to Turkey from Iraq. The refugees were asked about preventive and risk factors that occurred before and after their immigration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 55 children and adolescents (30 males and 25 females) who were Yazidi refugees and had settled in the Uçkuyular, Oguz, Onbasi, and Ugurca villages of Batman, Turkey. The study was conducted 9 months after the refugees had immigrated. The participants were evaluated in their native language through a semistructured interview titled "Reliability and Validity of Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children - Present and Lifetime Version - Turkish Version". A sociodemographic form was prepared so that investigators could understand their traumatic experiences before and after the migration and their current social conditions. All the interviews were conducted in the participants' native language without the help of translators. The investigators filled out the sociodemographic forms. RESULTS: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was detected in 20 children (36.4%), depression in 18 (32.7%), nocturnal enuresis in six (10.9%), and anxiety in four (7.3%). The following factors were found to be associated with depression: witnessing violence and/or death, being a girl, having older parents, being the elder child, and having multiple siblings (P<0.05). Risk factors for PTSD, depression, and comorbid conditions included witnessing violence and/or death (P<0.05). Four participants were observed to have both PTSD and depression (7.3%). CONCLUSION: Most of the refugee children had experienced serious traumatic events in their home country. PTSD, depression, and comorbid mental problems are frequently seen in refugee children.

Psychiatric symptoms and disorders among Yazidi children and adolescents immediately after forced migration following ISIS attacks.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate psychiatric problems and disorders among Yazidi Kurd refugee children and adolescents, who were assessed immediately after their forced migration following life-threatening attacks by ISIS terrorists. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the psychiatric assessments of 38 Yazidi children and adolescents (age 2-18, mean 12 years, m:f = 16:22), which were performed upon their arrival at the refugee camp. RESULTS: All children and adolescents exhibited psychiatric problems and disorders, 50 % had one, and 50 % had more than one. The most relevant problems were disturbed sleeping (71 % of children), followed by depression (36.8 %), conversion disorders (28.9 %), adjustment (21.8 %), acute (18.4 %) and posttraumatic stress (PTSD, 10.5 %) disorders, and non-organic enuresis (18.4 %). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the results of previous studies, asserting that refugee children and adolescents do not just suffer from PTSD but from various other problems that are already present in the first days of resettlement. Children and adolescents living in refugee camps urgently need psychosocial support.

Factors Affecting the Choice of Psychiatry as a Specialty and Satisfaction among Turkish Psychiatry Residents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the choice of psychiatry among psychiatry residents, identify the fulfillment of expectations, and assess their satisfaction level. METHODS: Anonymous questionnaires were administered to 98 psychiatry residents, and sociodemographic and professional data were collected. RESULTS: Among the reasons for choosing psychiatry, the opportunity to cultivate interest in humanities, importance of social and relational issues, and intellectual challenge were most frequently selected. The opportunity for complete use of medical training, salary, and opportunity to practice psychotherapy were the expectations least met. The largest group of participants was satisfied to have chosen psychiatry (41.5%), decided on psychiatry training after medical school (35.4%), and attached importance to becoming a clinician (70.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the satisfaction level was high in this study, addressing the areas in which expectations were not met may increase the satisfaction of psychiatry residents and the selection of psychiatry as a specialty.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the child PTSD symptom scale.

OBJECTIVE: Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) were examined in a sample of young individuals who experienced a severe earthquake. METHOD: Subjects were 479 children and adolescents recruited from schools after 18 months of Van earthquake. Mean age was 12.83 (SD±1.88), ranging from 8 to 18. RESULTS: Psychometric features were generally good for the CPSS. The original three-factor structure was replicated in this study. Internal consistency of the scale was good (ranged from α=.70 to α=.89 for total and subscale scores). The CPSS demonstrated good convergent validity with Child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index scores as well as good divergent validity with the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and Child Depression Inventory. As an evidence for a good discriminant validity, the CPSS successfully distinguished high PTSD individuals from low PTSD individuals. CONCLUSION: The CPSS had sound psychometric properties in a Turkish youth population.