Leveraging the developmental science of psychosocial risk to strengthen youth psychotherapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Vaughn-Coaxum ◽  
John R. Weisz

Abstract More than 50 years of randomized clinical trials for youth psychotherapies have resulted in moderate effect sizes for treatments targeting the most common mental health problems in children and adolescents (i.e., anxiety, depression, conduct problems, and attention disorders). Despite having psychotherapies that are effective for many children, there has been a dearth of progress in identifying the contextual factors that likely influence who will respond to a given psychotherapy, and under what conditions. The developmental psychopathology evidence base consistently demonstrates that psychosocial risk exposures (e.g., childhood adversities, interpersonal stressors, family dysfunction) significantly influence the onset and course of youth psychopathology. However, the developmental psychopathology framework remains to be well integrated into treatment development and psychotherapy research. We argue that advances in basic developmental psychopathology research carry promising implications for the design and content of youth psychotherapies. Research probing the effects of psychosocial risks on youth development can enrich efforts to identify contextual factors in psychotherapy effectiveness and to personalize treatment. In this article we review empirically supported and hypothesized influences of individual- and family-level risk factors on youth psychotherapy outcomes, and we propose a framework for leveraging developmental psychopathology to strengthen psychotherapies.

Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Esther Y. W. Shek

Although mental health problems among Hong Kong university students are serious, there is a lack of studies examining the psychometric properties of related assessment scales and correlates. This study attempted to validate the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in Hong Kong university students and examine the demographic (gender), time (cohort), and well-being correlates (positive youth development attributes and life satisfaction) of psychological morbidity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the DASS (n = 6704). Gender and cohort invariance were further established using a multigroup CFA. The three-factor model of the DASS showed a superior fit and factorial invariance across gender and five different cohorts. Regarding gender and cohort correlates of psychological morbidity, males exhibited more depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms than their female counterparts. The intensity of psychological distress also escalated after the Umbrella Movement in 2014. Furthermore, well-being measures (positive youth development and life satisfaction) were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. In short, the Chinese DASS demonstrated good psychometric properties. This study also showed that gender, cohort (occurrence of political events), and well-being were associated with psychological morbidity indexed by the DASS measures.


Author(s):  
Steven W. Evans ◽  
Julie S. Owens ◽  
W. John Monopoli ◽  
Kari Benson

Youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder experience impairment across multiple domains of functioning, with the characteristics changing with age. Thus, assessment and treatment must be appropriate for the home and school and relevant to the child’s developmental level. This chapter reviews effective assessment strategies for use with children and adolescents. Psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents are discussed separately, as the approaches with each group differ substantially. For children, strategies with a strong evidence base are described, and innovations and treatment modifications that have been examined recently are showcased. For adolescents, the results of the few randomized clinical trials conducted with this population are reviewed. A theoretical model for how to sequence treatments (i.e., intervention, medication, accommodations) for youth is referenced, and two case studies highlight this model, as well some of the new findings described in this chapter. Implications and recommendations for future research and practice are provided.


2021 ◽  
pp. 220-226
Author(s):  
Lyudmila D. Panova Lyudmila D. Panova Lyudmila D. Panova

Introduction. A broad evidence base of numerous randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses asserts the role of intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in the development of various diseases, including those of infectious origin, in infancy and later stages of life.Purpose. Assessment of the efficacy of a multi-strain immuno-probiotic during rehabilitation of frequently ill children visiting organized groups during the period of epidemiological distress for acute respiratory diseases.Materials and methods.93 children older than 3 years of age were enrolled in an open comparative prospective clinical observation during the high-risk respiratory infection period  – November, December. Children were observed for 1.5 months during administration of the multi-strain probiotic and 1 month after discontinuation of the probiotic. The subjects were randomized into two groups: the treatment group (60 children) received the multi-strain probiotic in the maximum age-specific dosage variances (children aged 3 to 12 years old – 1 capsule, older than 12 years of age – 2 capsules) once a day in the morning for 14 days and the comparison group (33 children) did not receive the multi-probiotic for the same period.Results and discussion. It was found that the incidence of disease in children receiving the multi-probiotic (the treatment group – 60 children) was statistically lower, and the disease severity was milder than in the group of children, who did not receive the probiotic (the comparison group – 33 children). Not a single child who received the multi-probiotic in the course of disease did not require antibiotic therapy during the entire observation period. Moreover, the incidence of respiratory infections in the treatment group within a month after discontinuation of the probiotic was 4.6 times lower than in the comparison group. No side effects were reported.Conclusions. The study results allowed the author to recommend the use of a multi-strain immuno-probiotic as a nonspecific immunomodulatory supplement for the seasonal prevention of acute respiratory infections, especially in frequently ill children at a high risk of infections.


Author(s):  
Edgar Ivan Mariscal Haro ◽  
Lourdes Concepción Barrón Romero ◽  
Octavio Arias Fránquez ◽  
Idi Amin Germán Siva Jug

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo identificar y analizar los factores de riesgo psicosocial y la evaluación del entorno organizacional en la nueva normalidad en los colaboradores de las micro y pequeñas empresas de Ixtlán del Río, Nayarit. Los riesgos psicosociales pueden provocar daños severos a la salud de los trabajadores, así como afectar el entorno organizacional favorable e impactar en su productividad. Se realizó una investigación descriptiva y explicativa aplicándose 152 encuestas. En los resultados obtenidos, se identificaron que 81% de los colaboradres encuestados se encuentran ubicados en un nivel de riesgo muy alto de factores de riesgo psicosocial. AbstractThis investigation aims to identify and analyze psychosocial risk factors and evaluate the organizational environment under the New Normality of collaborators of micro and small enterprises from Ixtlan del Rio, Nayarit. Psychosocial risks may provoke severe problems in health providers as well as affecting favorable organizational environments and impact on its productivity. The application of a descriptive and explanatory investigation was performed with 152 questionnaires. The results obtained identified that 81% of the collaborators surveyed fall in a high psychosocial risk level.


Author(s):  
Daniel Romer

Despite improvements in the delivery of care for adolescent mental and behavioral conditions since the first edition of this book, many challenges remain. This concluding chapter highlights some of the most pressing issues. These include the need for more mental health care practitioners, a greater evidence base for the treatment of adolescent conditions, and more focus on reducing family poverty. Given the high rates of gun violence, including homicides and suicides, efforts are needed to reduce access to these weapons. Promising directions in research and the need for a national youth development strategy are also discussed.


Author(s):  
Jan K. Buitelaar ◽  
Nanda Rommelse ◽  
Verena Ly ◽  
Julia J. Rucklidge

This chapter discusses four dietary interventions (exclusion of artificial colours and preservatives; restrictive elimination diets/oligoantigenic diets; supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids; and supplementation with micronutrients) and their clinical relevance for ADHD. The evidence base for exclusion of artificial colours and preservatives has many gaps. Effectiveness of the elimination phase of elimination diets has been demonstrated in several randomized clinical trials and about one-third of the children with ADHD show an excellent response. Data on maintenance of effect in the longer term, however, are lacking. Supplementation of free fatty acids was associated with a small but reliable reduction of ADHD symptoms, but the clinical relevance is unclear. The trials using a broad spectrum of micronutrients show promise but suffered from small sample sizes, lack of controls, varied sampling procedures and inclusion criteria, and multiple assessment methods, and need confirmation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-171
Author(s):  
Tom Swinson ◽  
Jennifer Wenborn ◽  
Paul Sugarhood

Introduction Evidence suggests group walking in natural environments is more beneficial to the general population’s mental health than walking indoors, in urban environments, and alone. Such ‘green walking groups’ have been suggested as an occupational therapy intervention that could be suitable for adults with mental health problems. However, there have been no reviews of the mental health outcomes of participating in green walking groups for this population. Method A mixed-methods literature review was conducted. A range of databases was systematically searched electronically. Papers that met pre-defined inclusion criteria were selected, critically appraised, and qualitative and quantitative data were extracted. Thematic analysis was used to identify key qualitative outcomes. Findings Six papers were included and eight mental health outcomes identified. The evidence suggests participants can experience connections with other people, connections with nature, and a sense of freedom. There is some limited evidence to support improvements to mood, self-esteem, reflection on life tasks, and symptoms of depression, with mixed evidence for experiencing a sense of achievement. Conclusion This review can be used to build the evidence base for the link between occupation and mental health, and inform the clinical decision-making of occupational therapists, who are well-placed to design and implement green walking groups.


2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Lovell ◽  
David Richards

Mental health problems contribute 23% to the global burden of disease in developed countries (WHO, 1999). In the U.K., recent legislation attempts to address this by modernizing mental health services so that they provide evidence based, accessible and non-discriminatory services for both serious and common mental health problems. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has a robust evidence base that fits very well with the thrust of policy. However, CBT's delivery systems are rooted in traditional service models, which pay little attention to the growing evidence base for brief and single-strand treatments over complex or multi-strand interventions. Services characterized by 9-5 working, hourly appointments and face-to-face therapy disenfranchise the majority of people who would benefit from CBT. In this paper we argue that the evidence exists for service protocols that promote equity, accessibility and choice and that CBT services should be organized around multiple levels of entry and service delivery rather than the more usual secondary care referral systems.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097100
Author(s):  
Muhammad Syawal Amran

Background: An outbreak of global pandemic COVID-19 profoundly affects life around the globe. Prolonged isolation, contact restriction and economic shutdown impose a deeply change to the psychosocial environment. These indicate a tendency to threaten the mental health of adolescents’ significantly. Detecting adolescents’ psychosocial risk during Pandemic COVID-19, particularly when they stay at home, may be helpful to better understand their mental health well- being. Aims: The current study aimed to explore psychosocial risk factors associated with mental health of adolescents’ in the midst of the outbreak. Method: This research uses a qualitative approach which focuses on focus group discussions interviews. This research took 6 weeks via online communication platform involving ( n = 15) adolescents from the Low Income Household. Result: The participants adolescents’ psychosocial risk experience during amidst of Outbreak Covid-19 Pandemic are composed of (1) self- conflict (develop negative thought at home, unplanned of daily activities, changing sleep pattern and irregular wake up time and massively use internet) (2) Family Members (Conflict between parent and miscommunication between siblings) (3) School (Piling up on homework, Inadequate guidance for homework and Inability to comprehend online learning). These psychosocial risk factors have caused disruption to daily life adolescents’ during outbreaks and almost inevitably trigger a spike in mental health issues. Conclusion: Overall of study emphasized that psychosocial risks are important factors that can be addressed in order to reduce mental health problem.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document