The Sibling Perception Questionnaire (SPQ) measures the impact a cancer disease of a child has on a sibling’s interpersonal relations in the family, communication, intrapersonal perceptions and fear of the disease. Aim of this study was the psychometric evaluation of the German version of the SPQ. For this purpose, data of 216 healthy siblings including 164 self-reports and 212 parent reports were gathered. For further analyses the 4 subscales ‘interpersonal difficulties’, ‘intrapersonal difficulties’, ‘open communication’ and ‘fear of the disease’ with overall 23 items were evaluated. Sufficient internal consistencies in the parent report (Cronbach’s alpha between 0.73 and 0.87) and in the self-report version (alpha between 0.59 and 0.80) were found for all subscales except the subscale fear of the disease (alpha=0.35 and 0.16). Regarding external validity, significant correlations emerged between scales of the SPQ and scales of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Quality of Life Inventory for Children (LQ-KID) (r=- 0.37; r=0.63; p
Keywords: Psychooncology; healthy siblings; psychosocial adaptation; pediatric cancer
Web-based parenting interventions have the potential to increase the currently low reach of parenting programs, but few evidence-based online programs are available, and little is known about who benefits from this delivery format. This study investigated if improvements in child behavior and parenting, following participation in a brief online parenting program (Triple P Online Brief), can be predicted by family and program-related factors. Participants were 100 parents of 2-9-year-old children displaying disruptive behavior problems. Regression analyses showed that higher baseline levels of child behavior problems, older parental age and more intense conflict over parenting pre-intervention predicted greater improvement in child behavior at 9-month follow-up. Improvement in parenting was predicted by higher pre-intervention levels of ineffective parenting. Family demographics, parental adjustment and program related factors did not predict treatment outcomes. Younger child age and lower disagreement over parenting pre-intervention predicted completion of the recommended minimum dose of the program.
Keywords: Child behavior problems; Parenting program; Online intervention; Moderator; Triple P
Objective: This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of Triple P Online Brief, a low-intensity online positive parenting program for parents of children with early onset disruptive behavior problems. Method: Two hundred parents with 2-9-year-old children displaying early onset disruptive behavior difficulties were randomly assigned to either the intervention condition (n = 100) or a Waitlist Control group (n = 100). Results: At 8-week post-assessment, parents in the intervention group displayed significantly less use of ineffective parenting strategies and significantly more confidence in dealing with a range of behavior concerns. These effects were maintained at 9-month follow-up assessment. A delayed effect was found for child behavior problems, with parents in the intervention group reporting significantly fewer and less frequent child behavior problems at follow-up, but not at post-assessment. All effect sizes were in the small to medium range. There were no significant improvements in observed negative parent and child behavior. No change was seen for parents’ adjustment, anger, or conflict over parenting. Consumer satisfaction ratings for the program were high. Conclusions: A brief, low-intensity parenting program delivered via the Internet can bring about significant improvements in parenting and child behavior.
Keywords: Parenting; Behavioral family intervention; Online intervention; Child behavior problems; Brief intervention
OBJECTIVE: Children with psychological disorders are prone to various unintentional injuries, one of the most common of which is foreign body inserting. In spite of the high incidence, the association is not studied yet. METHODS: This is a case control study in otorhinolaryngology and psychology departments, at a tertiary referral teaching hospital. One hundred five children (2-12 years old) who were referred for removal of foreign bodies in their ear or nose over a period of one year were selected for the study. Also, 155 children were selected and matched from the same community as the controls. Parents were given the standard strengths and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ) for psychological evaluation of their child. The total score and also the subscales for emotional symptoms, hyperactivity disorders, conduct problems, peer-relationship problemsand prosocialbehaviors were recorded and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In the case group, 34 cases (%32.4) were suffering from foreign bodies in their ear, 70 cases (%66.7) in their nose, and just one case (%1) in both. Age and sex distributionin the two groups were comparable. There were significant differences of SDQ scores between the two groups in total score (p < 0.001), emotional symptoms (p < 0.001), hyperactivity disorders (p < 0.001), conduct problems (p < 0.001), and prosocial behaviors (p < 0.001). However peer-relationship problems showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.161). CONCLUSION: Psychological problems are more common in children with foreign bodies than the controls. Thus physicians are recommended to consider referring these patients to the pediatric psychologist.
Keywords: Psychology; Children; Foreign body
Background: In highly developed countries, childhood overweight and many overweight-related risk factors are negatively associated with socioeconomic status (SES). Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the longitudinal association between parental SES and childhood overweight, and to clarify whether familial, psychosocial or behavioural factors can explain any SES gradient. Methods: The baseline and follow-up surveys of the identification and prevention of dietary and lifestyle induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS) study are used to investigate the longitudinal association between SES, familial, psychosocial and behavioural factors, and the prevalence of childhood overweight. A total of 5819 children (50.5% boys and 49.5% girls) were included. Results: The risk for being overweight after 2 years at follow-up in children who were non-overweight at baseline increases with a lower SES. For children who were initially overweight, a lower parental SES carries a lower probability for a non-overweight weight status at follow-up. The effect of parental SES is only moderately attenuated by single familial, psychosocial or behavioural factors; however, it can be fully explained by their combined effect. Most influential of the investigated risk factors were feeding/eating practices, parental body mass index, physical activity behaviour and proportion of sedentary activity. Conclusion: Prevention strategies for childhood overweight should focus on actual behaviours, whereas acknowledging that these behaviours are more prevalent in lower SES families.
Keywords: [none]
Objectives: To explore the experiences of young children of living with a parent with bipolar disorder (BD) and how this impacts on their emotional well-being. Design: Qualitative study using a computer-assisted semi-structured interview, ‘In My Shoes’ (IMS). Methods: Ten children aged between 4 and 10 years with a parent with BD identified via self-help groups were interviewed about their experience of family life. Thematic analysis was used following transcription. Results: Four main themes emerging from thematic analysis were as follows: perception of parents; knowledge and awareness of BD; managing family life with a ‘bipolar’ parent; and living in a family with BD. Four-year-old children could participate in the IMS interviews and discuss their parent’s mood, behaviour, and mental health. Children had candid and insightful discussions about their parent’s BD including symptoms and parenting, and could reflect on how having a parent with BD affected them emotionally and practically. Older children were better able to articulate their parent’s illness and its impact. Conclusions: This exploratory study represents an important step in examining directly experiences of young children whose parents have BD. Using IMS, it was possible to gather insightful information from children to generate hypotheses and influence service development. Children of all ages had some knowledge and understanding of their parent’s illness, describing both positive and negative experiences in the family. Further research to build understanding of children’s perspectives and the support they feel they and their family would benefit from would enhance the development of appropriate services and interventions.
Keywords: [none]
Social networks have an important effect on health, and social network analysis has become essential for understanding human behavior and vulnerability. Using exponential random graph models (ERGM), this study explores the associations between mental health and network structure (or more specifically, mental health homophily) and the association between poor mental health and social isolation. Two classes of Romanian adolescents aged 12-14 years participated in the study (n = 26 in each class). We assessed school network, sociodemographic covariates, and mental health using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). ERGM was first used to test the presence of sex and mental health homophily and then to test whether mental health was a predictor of social isolation. The results showed homophily patterns regarding sex and mental health. Moreover, participants with a higher SDQ score had a lower probability of a tie. Overall, this study showed how social networks are structured with different forms of homophily and that adolescents with poor mental health are more likely to be social isolates. Thus, prevention and interventions should focus on these vulnerable adolescents. Methodological advances like ERGM constitute a promising avenue for further research.
Keywords: adolescents; ERGM; homophily; marginalization; mental health
BACKGROUND/AIM: Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are the most commonly seen anterior chest wall deformities. Recent studies reveal that minimal invasive repair of pectus deformities improves the quality of life. Our aim is to assess the psychosocial functioning and sociodemographic characteristics of pediatric patients with pectus deformities and evaluate the differences between patients operated on with minimal invasive repair techniques and nonoperated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with pectus deformities who were operated on 6 months or more before and 31 nonoperated patients participated in the study. The Children’s Depression Inventory, Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale, Capa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire – Self-Report Version (SDQ-SR), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children – Trait Version were completed by the patients. The SDQ-Parent Report Version (SDQ-PR) was completed by their parents. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between operated and nonoperated patient groups in terms of total scores on the psychiatric rating scales. Prosocial behavior subscale scores in SDQ-SR (P = 0.013) and SDQ-PR (P = 0.019) were lower in the operated group. CONCLUSION: Prosocial behavior levels were lower in the operated group. Further exploration of the psychosocial profile of pediatric patients with pectus deformities would better elucidate their needs in the course of their socioemotional development.
Keywords: Funnel chest; pectus carinatum; psychosocial aspects
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: Assess the psychosocial status of children with early-onset scoliosis (EOS) undergoing multiple procedures and evaluate associations with other variables. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: EOS may require repetitive surgical procedures to control deformity and preserve growth. These procedures impact patients’ psychosocial status because of the repetitive surgeries. METHODS: EOS patients 6-18 years, undergoing traditional growing rod treatment with more than 5 surgical procedures, and neurologically/mentally intact were included. Patients were screened for psychiatric disorders before inclusion. The Quality of Life Scale for Children (PedsQL), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) self-report form, Beck Depression Inventory, Children Depression Inventory (CDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Self-Report for Childhood Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) were completed by the children. PedsQL Parental Form and SDQ Parent Form were completed by their parents. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (9 male, 12 female) met the inclusion criteria. Average age was 6.4 years (4-10.5) at index surgery, and 13.5 years (8-17) at final follow-up. The mean number of procedures was 13 (6-18). Mean follow-up was 83.9 months (36-122). Depression was observed in 23.8% of patients, and generalized anxiety disorder in 42.8%. Patients in the study group were more likely than the general population to have a psychiatric diagnosis. Number of procedures undergone was found to correlate negatively with BAI, SCARED, and the behavioral difficulties domain of SDQ parent form score and positively with emotional functioning, psychosocial health summary score, PedsQL total score, and increased social and physical functioning. Nonidiopathic etiology was found to be related to increased behavioral difficulties and lower functioning. CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was observed in patients with EOS along with dysfunctional areas of daily life. Other comorbidities may also contribute to dysfunction and difficulties. Determination of the aspects of EOS treatment that have a negative impact on psychosocial functioning may allow for more competent help for these patients.
Keywords: Early-onset scoliosis; Growing rods; Traditional growing rod; Psychosocial; Psychology; Behavior; Repetitive surgery
Background: High prevalence rates of psychiatric morbidity have been documented among adolescents within youth correctional institutions in Nigeria. However, there has not been prior investigation to determine the capacity for and nature of mental health services being provided in these institutions. Objectives: To assess psychiatric morbidity among adolescents within youth correctional institutions in Lagos, while simultaneously examining the capacity for and the scope of mental health services. Methods: Psychiatric morbidity and alcohol/substance use disorder were assessed among 165 respondents using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the CRAFFT screening tool for adolescent substance use disorder. Availability of mental-health services in the institutions was examined using an ‘audit protocol’. Results: We found prevalence rates of 18.2% and 15.8% of general psychiatric morbidity and alcohol/ substance use disorder, respectively, among the adolescents. Only about a third (34.3%; n = 20) of the operational staff at the institutions had educational backgrounds relevant to psycho-social services for children/adolescents, while less than a quarter (22.4%, n = 13) has ever received any training in child mental health services. There was no evidence of mental health screening and intervention in the service framework within the institutions. Conclusions: We concluded that there was evidence for significant mental health service gaps within the youth correctional services in Lagos.
Keywords: [none]
