Traumatic life events, polyvictimization, and externalizing symptoms in children with IDD and mental health problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 104028
Author(s):  
Natalia Lapshina ◽  
Shannon L. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Externalizing Symptoms ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Traumatic Life Events

scholarly journals Exposure to family stressful life events in autistic children: Longitudinal associations with mental health and the moderating role of cognitive flexibility

Autism ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 136236132110619
Author(s):  
Virginia Carter Leno ◽  
Nicola Wright ◽  
Andrew Pickles ◽  
Rachael Bedford ◽  
Anat Zaidman-Zait ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Externalizing Symptoms ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Family Level

Mental health problems are prevalent in autistic youth, but the underpinning mechanisms are not well explored. In neurotypical youth, stressful life events are an established risk factor for mental health problems. This study tested longitudinal bidirectional associations between family-level stressful life events and mental health problems and whether these were moderated by cognitive flexibility, in a cohort of autistic children ( N = 247). Family-stressful life events, assessed using the parent-reported Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes, and mental health problems, assessed using the teacher-reported Child Behavior Checklist Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms subscales, were measured at multiple points between 7 and 11 years. Analyses showed no significant pathways from internalizing or externalizing symptoms to family-stressful life events or from family-stressful life events to internalizing or externalizing symptoms. There was some evidence of moderation by cognitive flexibility; the family-stressful life events to internalizing symptoms pathway was non-significant in the group with typical shifting ability but significant in the group with clinically significant shifting problems. Information about family-level stressful life event exposure and cognitive flexibility may be helpful in identifying autistic youth who may be at higher risk of developing mental health problems. Established risk factors for mental health problems in neurotypical populations are relevant for understanding mental health in autistic youth. Lay abstract Experiencing stressful life events, such as a parent having had serious illness, parental divorce, bullying and victimization, is known to increase risk for mental health difficulties in neurotypical children. However, few studies have looked at whether stressful life events have a similar impact in autistic youth and if any individual characteristics may moderate the impact of said life events. In this study, we tested whether in autistic children aged 7–11 years, exposure to family-level stressful life events predicted later mental health symptoms (and vice versa). We also tested whether associations between stressful life events and mental health symptoms differed depending on the child’s level of cognitive flexibility. We found stressful life events only predicted internalizing symptoms (such as anxiety and depression) in children with clinically significant difficulties in cognitive flexibility (as rated by their parents). Mental health symptoms did not predict future exposure to stressful life events. Results suggest that information about exposure to stressful life events and cognitive inflexibility may be helpful in identifying autistic children who may be at risk of developing anxiety and depression symptoms.

Mental Health Problems in Adults With Williams Syndrome

2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Stinton ◽  
Sarah Elison ◽  
Patricia Howlin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Social Phobia ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Williams Syndrome ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Behavioral Difficulties ◽  
Specific Phobias ◽  
Standardized Diagnostic

Abstract Although many researchers have investigated emotional and behavioral difficulties in individuals with Williams syndrome, few have used standardized diagnostic assessments. We examined mental health problems in 92 adults with Williams syndrome using the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities—PAS-ADD (Moss, Goldberg, et al., 1996). Factors potentially associated with mental health problems were also explored. The PAS-ADD identified mental health problems in 24% of the sample. The most common were anxiety (16.5%) and specific phobias (12%). Other diagnoses included depression, agoraphobia, and social phobia. No association was found between the presence of mental health problems and either individual (e.g., age, IQ, language level) or external (life events) variables.

Mental health treatment needs for medical students: a national longitudinal study

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 505-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirim Midtgaard ◽  
Øivind Ekeberg ◽  
Per Vaglum ◽  
Reidar Tyssen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Treatment Needs

AbstractPurposeWe aimed to study the occurrence and predictors of medical students' mental health problems that required treatment.Subjects and methodsMedical students from all Norwegian universities (N = 421) were surveyed in their first term (T1), and 3 (T2) and 6 (T3) years later. The dependent variable was “Mental health problems in need of treatment”. Predictor variables included personality traits, medical school stress and negative life events.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of mental health problems was 15% at T1. At T2, of the 31% who reported problems during the first 3 years, a majority had not sought help. At T3, 14% reported problems during the preceding year. Adjusted predictors of problems at T2 were previous mental health problems (p < .001), low level of intensity personality trait (extraversion) (p < .01), reality weakness personality trait (p < .01), perceived medical school stress (p < .05) and negative life events (p < .05).DiscussionMental health problems during the first 3 years were predicted by previous problems, personality, medical school stress and negative life events.ConclusionA third of the students reported mental health problems during the first 3 years. Intervention should focus on both individual problems and contextual stress.

scholarly journals An Examination of the Mental Health and Negative Life Events of Women Who Killed Their Children

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Margarita Poteyeva ◽  
Margaret Leigey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Female Offenders ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Monthly Income ◽  
Physical And Sexual Abuse

Research on filicide, the killing of a child by a biological or a de facto parent or parents, has largely focused on mothers. However, little is known about how filicidal women compare to filicidal men or whether they differ from women who commit non-filicide murder. The study explores pre-incarceration negative life events and mental health histories of women incarcerated for filicide as compared to men incarcerated for the same offense and women who were incarcerated for non-filicide murder. Extensive gender differences in filicidal parents were found in terms of economic marginalization, physical and sexual abuse, mental health problems. Filicidal women had more mental health problems and lower monthly income than women incarcerated for non-filicide murder, but there were more similarities than differences detected between the two groups of female offenders. The paper concludes with policy recommendations.

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