scholarly journals Exploring the impact of adolescent cognitive inflexibility on emotional and behavioural problems experienced by autistic adults

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110461
Author(s):  
Matthew J Hollocks ◽  
Tony Charman ◽  
Gillian Baird ◽  
Catherine Lord ◽  
Andrew Pickles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Verbal Intelligence ◽  
Repetitive Behaviours ◽  
Verbal Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Cognitive Inflexibility ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Restricted And Repetitive Behaviours

Autistic young people experience high levels of co-occurring mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression and behavioural difficulties, across their lifespan. Understanding the neuropsychological mechanisms which underlie these difficulties is vital in developing personalised supports and interventions. Cognitive inflexibility is one candidate mechanism which is associated with co-occurring mental health comorbidities but is also associated with other features of autism such as restricted and repetitive behaviours. This study investigates the distinct longitudinal association between cognitive inflexibility, measured using objective neuropsychological measures and emotional and behavioural problems across adolescence and early adulthood. Eighty-one autistic people from a population-based longitudinal study were assessed at 16 and 23 years on measures of emotional and behavioural problems, with cognitive inflexibility, restricted and repetitive behaviours and verbal intelligence quotient measured at 16 years. We used structural equation modelling to investigate the relationship between cognitive inflexibility and emotional and behavioural symptoms at both timepoints while accounting for the severity of restricted and repetitive behaviours and verbal intelligence quotient. Our results indicate an effect of cognitive inflexibility on increased behavioural problems at 16 years and emotional problems across timepoints, which is distinct from restricted and repetitive behaviours and verbal intelligence quotient. Exploratory mediation analyses suggest that cognitive inflexibility may be one mechanism through which emotional difficulties are maintained longitudinally. Lay abstract Autistic people experience high levels of co-occurring mental health difficulties. To develop more effective treatments, a greater understanding of the thinking processes that may lead to these difficulties is needed. Cognitive inflexibility, defined as a rigid pattern of thoughts and subsequently behaviours, is one possible thinking trait which has previously been associated with both co-occurring mental health difficulties but also other features of autism such as restricted and repetitive behaviours. Restricted and repetitive behaviours include repetitive movements, ritualistic behaviours, and/or highly focused interests. This study investigates the relationship between, cognitive inflexibility, measured using neuropsychological tasks, and emotional and behavioural problems across adolescence and early adulthood. Eighty-one autistic people who were recruited to be representative of the wider autism population were assessed at 16 and 23 years on measures of emotional and behavioural problems, with cognitive inflexibility, restricted and repetitive behaviours and verbal intelligence measured at 16 years. We used statistical modelling to investigate the relationship between cognitive inflexibility and emotional and behavioural symptoms at both timepoints while accounting for the possible relationship with restricted and repetitive behaviours and verbal intelligence quotient. Our results suggest that cognitive inflexibility may be an important factor associated with emotional difficulties across adolescence and early adulthood. This suggests that developing intervention approaches targeting cognitive inflexibility may be an important step in improving the mental health of those with autism.

‘You are Okay’: Effects of a support and educational program for children with mild intellectual disability and their parents with mental health concerns

2020 ◽  
pp. 174462952095376
Author(s):  
Ivon Riemersma ◽  
F Van Santvoort ◽  
KTM Van Doesum ◽  
CMH Hosman ◽  
JMAM Janssens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Group Care ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Intermediate Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Concerns ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Children with mild intellectual disabilities and emotional and behavioural problems whose parents have mental health concerns are at an increased risk of developing problems themselves. This study analysed the effectiveness of the ‘You are Okay’-program aimed to support these children and parents and to reduce the risk of problem development in children. Method: A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the experimental group (‘care as usual’ and ‘You are Okay’) with the control group (‘care as usual’) on the main outcome of emotional and behavioural problems and proposed intermediate outcomes. Results: Children in the experimental group reported a significant medium to large decrease in emotional and behavioural problems compared to the control group. The effects on the intermediate outcomes were non-significant. Conclusions: This specific study population comprising a vulnerable group of children seems to benefit from this specially adapted ‘You are Okay’-program. More research is necessary to draw further conclusions.

Parental post-traumatic stress, overprotective parenting, and emotional and behavioural problems for children with critical congenital heart disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Linda G. McWhorter ◽  
Jennifer Christofferson ◽  
Trent Neely ◽  
Aimee K. Hildenbrand ◽  
Melissa A. Alderfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Overprotective Parenting ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective: To examine relationships amongst parental post-traumatic stress symptoms, parental post-traumatic growth, overprotective parenting, and child emotional/behavioural problems in families of children with critical CHD. Method: Sixty parents (15 fathers) of children aged 1–6 completed online questionnaires assessing parental post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth, overprotective parenting, and child emotional/behavioural problems. Bivariate correlations and mediational analyses were conducted to evaluate overprotective parenting as a mediator of the association between parental post-traumatic stress symptoms and child emotional/behavioural problems. Results: Parents reported significant post-traumatic stress symptoms, with over 18% meeting criteria for post–traumatic stress disorder and 70% meeting criteria in one or more clusters. Parental post-traumatic growth was positively correlated with intrusion (r = .32, p = .01) but it was not associated with other post-traumatic stress symptom clusters. Parental post-traumatic stress symptoms were positively associated with overprotective parenting (r = .37, p = .008) and total child emotional/behavioural problems (r = .29, p = .037). Overprotective parenting was positively associated with total child emotional/behavioural problems (r = .45, p = .001) and fully mediated the relationship between parental post-traumatic stress symptoms and child emotional/behavioural problems. Conclusion: Overprotective parenting mediates the relationship between parental post-traumatic stress symptoms and child emotional and behavioural problems in families of children with CHD. Both parental post-traumatic stress symptoms and overprotective parenting may be modifiable risk factors for poor child outcomes. This study highlights the need for interventions to prevent or reduce parental post-traumatic stress symptoms and to promote effective parenting following a diagnosis of CHD.

scholarly journals Children emotional and behavioural problems and its association with maternal depression in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. e100211
Author(s):  
Arefayne Alenko ◽  
Shimelis Girma ◽  
Mubarek Abera ◽  
Abdulhalik Workicho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Child Mental Health ◽  
National Level ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Jimma Town ◽  
Parent Version

BackgroundIn sub-Saharan countries, one in five children and one in three women experiences emotional and behavioural problems (EBPs) and depression, respectively. While various factors were reported to affect the mental health of children, little is known about the impact of maternal depression on the offspring. Moreover, the magnitude of children’s EBPs is barely known in Ethiopia.AimTo determine the magnitude of child EBPs and its association with maternal depression in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 734 mother–child pairs in Jimma town from January to June, 2019. EBP was assessed by using the parent version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) with cut-off score of ≥14. Maternal depression was assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 with a cut-off score of ≥10. Data were entered into Epidata V.3.1 and exported to SPSS V.24 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was fitted to identify the strength of association between exposure and outcome variables.ResultsOf the 734 participants, 146 (19.9%, 95% CI: 16.9% to 22.9%) met EBP criteria based on parent version of SDQ. Maternal depression had significant association with child EBP (adjusted OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.55 to 3.66). In addition, children aged 7–10 years, family size categories of ≤3 and 4–6, maternal intimate partner violence and maternal khat use had significant association with child EBP.Conclusions and recommendationsA significant number of children suffer from EBP in Jimma town. Maternal depression is found to be a predictor of children’s EBPs. Thus, there is a need to design and implement an integrated maternal and child mental health programme. The maternal and child health section at the national level should integrate and cascade routine maternal and child mental health screening and intervention modalities down to the family healthcare system.

scholarly journals Resilience and Its Association with Depression, Emotional and Behavioural Problems, and Mental Health Service Utilisation among Refugee Adolescents Living in South Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahereh Ziaian ◽  
Helena de Anstiss ◽  
Georgia Antoniou ◽  
Peter Baghurst ◽  
Michael Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems

Background. Despite the frequency of traumatic or stressful events experienced by refugee children and adolescents prior to migration and following resettlement, the majority do not experience mental health problems emphasising the critical nature of resilience. While a host of factors deemed to be protective of mental health in young refugees have been identified, there has been little research exploring the role of resilience as a distinct psychological construct. This study aimed to explore the nature of psychological resilience in refugee adolescents and the relationship between resilience and depression, other emotional and behavioural problems, and mental health service uptake. Method. One hundred and seventy multiethnic refugee adolescents aged 13–17 from South Australia were administered a survey comprising the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results. Females tended to have higher resilience, as did those adolescents who had been living in Australia longer. Adolescents suffering from depressive symptoms or other emotional or behavioural problems had lower resilience. There was little evidence of an association between resilience scores and exposure to trauma or service utilisation. Discussion. Fostering resilience may be critical to efforts to prevent or reduce mental health problems in refugee adolescents.

Children Who are Uncommonly Good: The Comprehension Subtest of the WISC—R

1987 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 465-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Klein
Keyword(s):  
Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Moral Awareness ◽  
Verbal Intelligence ◽  
High Anxiety ◽  
Verbal Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Moral Standards ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Healthy Personality

The Comprehension subtest of the WISC—B. was examined from different perspectives. Children who score above average on the subtest also exhibit healthy personality characteristics such as freedom from high anxiety, high depression, and low self-esteem. Upper middle-class children (17 in Grade 3 and 15 in Grade 6) did not show greater moral awareness than would be predicted by their high Verbal Intelligence Quotient. Actively teaching school children moral standards and socially accepted behaviour is given support by the data.

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