Mental Health and Social Difficulties of Late-Diagnosed Children with Autism, Across Childhood and Adolescence

Background: Most mental health difficulties have their onset during childhood and adolescence. Many children who suffer from one mental health issue also suffer from at least one comorbid disorder. Autoregressive latent trajectory models with structured residuals (ALT-SR) and multilevel graphical vector autoregression (GVAR) are recent complementary approaches that can help provide new insights into the reciprocal relationships between multiple mental health domains and advance the understanding of the development of comorbidities.Methods: This study uses ALT-SR and multilevel GVAR models to analyse the temporal, contemporaneous and between-person relationships between emotional problems, peer problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention and prosociality as measured by the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in 17,478 children taking part in the UK Millennium Cohort Study at ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 14 and 17 years. Results: Results from both the ALT-SR model and the multilevel GVAR model highlight that children’s strengths and difficulties in different domains of psychosocial functioning dynamically influence each other over- and within-time. The ALT-SR model highlighted that hyperactivity/inattention plays a central role in affecting other domains over developmental time while the GVAR model highlighted comparably strong bidirectional relationships between conduct problems and prosociality as well as between emotional problems and peer problems. Both models suggest that most domains are also related to each other over shorter timescales.Conclusion: This study highlights that mental health difficulties influence one another dynamically over time. As illustrated in the domains of the SDQ, these dynamic changes can be modelled using the complementary techniques of ALT-SR or GVAR models, each offering different insights into the nature of comorbidity.

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Evidence-Based Practice in School Mental Health

10.1093/oso/9780190886578.001.0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Adolescent Psychopathology ◽

Real Life ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

School Based ◽

K 12

Schools have become the default mental health providers for children and adolescents, but they are often poorly equipped to meet the mental health needs of their students. The introduction tackles how to make students eligible for school-based services using the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Using the new DSM-5 as an organizing principle, this book then addresses the 12 most common mental disorders of childhood and adolescence, ages 3–18. While there are many books that address child and adolescent psychopathology, this book focuses on how to help students with mental disorders in pre-K–12 schools. Each chapter addresses the prevalence of a disorder in school-age populations, appropriate diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, comorbid disorders, rapid assessment instruments available, school-based interventions using multitiered systems of support, and easy-to-follow suggestions for progress monitoring. Unique to this book, each chapter has detailed suggestions for how school-based clinicians can collaborate with teachers, parents, and community providers to address the needs of youth with mental health problems so that school, home, and community work together. Each chapter ends with a list of extensive web resources and a real-life case example drawn from the clinical practice of the authors. The final chapter addresses two newly proposed diagnoses for self-harm in the DSM-5 and brings a cautious and sensible approach to assessing and helping students who may be at risk for serious self-injury or suicide.

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Overview of CAPICE—Childhood and Adolescence Psychopathology: unravelling the complex etiology by a large Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Europe—an EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie International Training Network

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.1007/s00787-020-01713-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hema Sekhar Reddy Rajula ◽

Mirko Manchia ◽

Kratika Agarwal ◽

Wonuola A. Akingbuwa ◽

Andrea G. Allegrini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽

Adolescent Psychopathology ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Global Alliance ◽

Dissemination Strategy ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

AbstractThe Roadmap for Mental Health and Wellbeing Research in Europe (ROAMER) identified child and adolescent mental illness as a priority area for research. CAPICE (Childhood and Adolescence Psychopathology: unravelling the complex etiology by a large Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Europe) is a European Union (EU) funded training network aimed at investigating the causes of individual differences in common childhood and adolescent psychopathology, especially depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CAPICE brings together eight birth and childhood cohorts as well as other cohorts from the EArly Genetics and Life course Epidemiology (EAGLE) consortium, including twin cohorts, with unique longitudinal data on environmental exposures and mental health problems, and genetic data on participants. Here we describe the objectives, summarize the methodological approaches and initial results, and present the dissemination strategy of the CAPICE network. Besides identifying genetic and epigenetic variants associated with these phenotypes, analyses have been performed to shed light on the role of genetic factors and the interplay with the environment in influencing the persistence of symptoms across the lifespan. Data harmonization and building an advanced data catalogue are also part of the work plan. Findings will be disseminated to non-academic parties, in close collaboration with the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks-Europe (GAMIAN-Europe).

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Characterizing therapist delivery of evidence-based intervention strategies in publicly funded mental health services for children with autism spectrum disorder: Differentiating practice patterns in usual care and AIM HI delivery

Autism ◽

10.1177/13623613211001614 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132110016

Author(s):

Eliana Hurwich-Reiss ◽

Colby Chlebowski ◽

Teresa Lind ◽

Kassandra Martinez ◽

Karin M Best ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Usual Care ◽

Teaching Strategies ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Intervention Strategies ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Active Teaching

This study identified patterns of therapist delivery of evidence-based intervention strategies with children with autism spectrum disorder within publicly funded mental health services and compared patterns for therapists delivering usual care to those trained in AIM HI (“An Individualized Mental Health Intervention for ASD”). Data were drawn from a randomized community effectiveness trial and included a subsample of 159 therapists (86% female) providing outpatient or school-based psychotherapy. Therapist strategies were measured via observational coding of psychotherapy session recordings. Exploratory factor analysis used to examine patterns of strategy delivery showed that among therapists in the usual care condition, strategies loaded onto the single factor, General Strategies, whereas for therapists in the AIM HI training condition, strategies grouped onto two factors, Autism Engagement Strategies and Active Teaching Strategies. Among usual care therapists, General Strategies were associated with an increase in child behavior problems, whereas for AIM HI therapists, Active Teaching Strategies were associated with reductions in child behavior problems over 18 months. Results support the effectiveness of training therapists in evidence-based interventions to increase the specificity of strategies delivered to children with autism spectrum disorder served in publicly funded mental health settings. Findings also support the use of active teaching strategies in reducing challenging behaviors. Lay abstract This study was conducted to identify patterns of therapist delivery of evidence-based intervention strategies with children with autism spectrum disorder receiving publicly funded mental health services and compare strategy use for therapists delivering usual care to those trained to deliver AIM HI (“An Individualized Mental Health Intervention for ASD”), an intervention designed to reduce challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. For therapists trained in AIM HI, intervention strategies grouped onto two factors, Autism Engagement Strategies and Active Teaching Strategies, while strategies used by usual care therapists grouped onto a broader single factor, General Strategies. Among usual care therapists, General Strategies were related to an increase in child behavior problems, whereas for AIM HI therapists, Active Teaching Strategies were related with reductions in child behavior problems over 18 months. Findings support the use of active teaching strategies in reducing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder and provide support for the effectiveness of training therapists in evidence-based interventions to promote the delivery of targeted, specific intervention strategies to children with autism spectrum disorder in mental health services.

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Health Inequalities in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review of the Mediating and Moderating Effects of Family Characteristics

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18157739 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 7739

Author(s):

Miriam Blume ◽

Petra Rattay ◽

Stephanie Hoffmann ◽

Jacob Spallek ◽

Lydia Sander ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Health Inequalities ◽

Scoping Review ◽

The United States ◽

Family Characteristics ◽

Future Research ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Moderating Effects ◽

Scoping Reviews

This scoping review systematically mapped evidence of the mediating and moderating effects of family characteristics on health inequalities in school-aged children and adolescents (6–18 years) in countries with developed economies in Europe and North America. We conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews recommendations. We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. Evidence was synthesized narratively. Of the 12,403 records initially identified, 50 articles were included in the synthesis. The included studies were conducted in the United States (n = 27), Europe (n = 18), Canada (n = 3), or in multiple countries combined (n = 2). We found that mental health was the most frequently assessed health outcome. The included studies reported that different family characteristics mediated or moderated health inequalities. Parental mental health, parenting practices, and parent-child-relationships were most frequently examined, and were found to be important mediating or moderating factors. In addition, family conflict and distress were relevant family characteristics. Future research should integrate additional health outcomes besides mental health, and attempt to integrate the complexity of families. The family characteristics identified in this review represent potential starting points for reducing health inequalities in childhood and adolescence.

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Attitude, anxiety and perceived mental health care needs among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 pandemic

Research in Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103873 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 111 ◽

pp. 103873

Author(s):

Youssef Althiabi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Health Care Needs ◽

Care Needs

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Descriptive Study of Adjustment Disorders in a Mental Health Unit.

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.956 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S607-S607

Author(s):

L. González ◽

B. Pecino ◽

C. Gomez ◽

M. Anibarro ◽

C. Ortigosa

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Care Physician ◽

Psychiatric Evaluation ◽

Adjustment Disorders ◽

Health Unit ◽

Social Difficulties ◽

Current Employment Status ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Mental Health Unit

IntroductionAdjustment disorders are a common psychiatric disorder in primary care and mental health units, with point prevalence estimates ranging from 0.9% to 2.3%. These disorders have been recently defined as a stress response syndrome in the fifth edition of the DSM, causing emotional and social difficulties and also a large economic burden on society.ObjectivesThe aim of this descriptional study was to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics and treatment of the patients diagnosed with adjustment disorders in the first visit in a mental health unit.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 128 patients admitted for a psychiatric consultation in a mental health unit in Alicante (Spain) from their primary care physician, between February and July 2016. Variables of gender, age, current employment status, diagnosis and treatment were measured. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software.ResultsThe data from 31 patients who were diagnosed with adjustment disorders meant a 24% of the sample. The median age was 47 years old in the adjustment disorders group. Among those with adjustment disorders, 61% were women, and 52% of them were unemployed. Almost 60% of them had at least one pychotropic prescription and only 22% were derived to psychology.ConclusionsAdjustment disorders are considered as an intermediate category between no mental disorder and affective disorders. Most authors recommend to start with a psychotherapeutic intervention. Despite starting with medication has not proved effectiveness in the studies, most of the patients had at least one psychotropic prescription before the psychiatric evaluation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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The effect of childhood deprivation on weight status and mental health in childhood and adolescence: longitudinal findings from the Millennium Cohort Study

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdy139 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 456-461 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert J Noonan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Weight Status ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Millennium Cohort Study ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Childhood Deprivation

Abstract Background The study aims were to: (i) examine associations between deprivation at age 7 and health outcomes at age 7 and 14, (ii) determine whether a deprivation gradient to health outcomes exists at age 7 and 14, and (iii) assess the extent to which health outcomes at age 7 are associated with health outcomes at age 14. Methods Data were from wave four and six of the Millennium Cohort Study. Health outcome measures were weight status, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire measured mental health problems. Deprivation was determined using the 2004 English Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Adjusted logistic and multinomial logistic regressions were conducted. Results A total of 6109 children (1890 girls) had complete data. Overweight, obesity and mental health problems were greatest among children in the highest deprivation decile at age 7 and 14 (P < 0.001). Health outcomes at age 7 were significantly associated with health outcomes at age 14 (P < 0.001). Conclusions A marked social gradient to weight status and mental health was evident at age 7 and 14, and no evidence of equalization was found. Weight status and mental health in childhood is strongly associated with weight status and mental health in adolescence.

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Dynamic Change in Socio-Emotional Development during Childhood and Adolescence

10.31234/osf.io/wn6pb ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lydia Gabriela Speyer ◽

Hildigunnur Anna Hall ◽

Anastasia Ushakova ◽

Michelle Luciano ◽

Aja Louise Murray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Early Childhood ◽

Conduct Problems ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Dynamic Change ◽

Mental Health Disorder ◽

Reciprocal Relation ◽

Emotional Difficulties ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Peer Problems

Objective: Adolescence is a crucial period in the development of psychopathology with nearly 1 in 5 adolescents suffering from a mental health disorder. In addition, more than 40 percent of adolescents with a lifetime psychiatric disorder are estimated to suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder. Mechanisms underlying the development of comorbidities are still not well understood. Method: Graphical Vector Autoregression models were used to analyse the temporal, contemporaneous and between-person relations of socio-emotional strengths difficulties in early childhood compared to adolescence. Mental health and related socio-emotional traits were measured longitudinally at ages 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, and 16 in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (N = 11279) using the subscales of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, emotional symptoms, peer problems and prosociality). Results: Results suggest that the period of adolescence is characterised by many more dynamic relations between socio-emotional difficulties than the early childhood period. In particular, the adolescence model highlights bidirectional connections between conduct problems and peer problems as well as between peer problems and emotional problems. The childhood model indicates that conduct problems and prosociality share a reciprocal relation. It further suggests peer problems as a potential mediating factor between conduct problems and emotional difficulties. Conclusion: This study emphasises that the different domains of psychosocial functioning dynamically influence each other over- and within-time. Adolescence is characterised by an increase in temporal connections reflecting the increased vulnerability to the onset of mental health problems during that period.

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