scholarly journals The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Predicts Concurrent Mental Health Difficulties in a Transdiagnostic Sample of Struggling Learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Bryant ◽  
Jacalyn Guy ◽  
Joni Holmes ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Developmental Problems ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

Children and adolescents with developmental problems are at increased risk of experiencing mental health problems. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is widely used as a screener for detecting mental health difficulties in these populations, but its use thus far has been restricted to groups of children with diagnosed disorders (e.g., ADHD). Transdiagnostic approaches, which focus on symptoms and soften or remove the boundaries between traditional categorical disorders, are increasingly adopted in research and practice. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of the SDQ to detect concurrent mental health problems in a transdiagnostic sample of children. The sample were referred by health and educational professionals for difficulties related to learning (N = 389). Some had one diagnosis, others had multiple, but many had no diagnoses. Parent-rated SDQ scores were significantly positively correlated with parent ratings of mental health difficulties on the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Ratings on the SDQ Emotion subscale significantly predicted the likelihood of having concurrent clinical anxiety and depression scores. Ratings on the Hyperactivity subscale predicted concurrent anxiety levels. These findings suggest the SDQ could be a valuable screening tool for identifying existing mental health difficulties in children recognized as struggling, as it can be in typically developing children and those with specific diagnoses.

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire predicts mental health difficulties in a transdiagnostic sample of struggling learners

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Bryant ◽  
Jacalyn Guy ◽  
the CALM Team ◽  
Joni Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Developmental Problems ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

Children and adolescents with developmental problems are at increased risk of experiencing mental health problems. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is widely used as a screener for detecting mental health difficulties in these populations, but its validity thus far has been restricted to groups of children with diagnosed disorders (e.g. ADHD). Transdiagnostic approaches, which focus on symptoms and soften or remove the boundaries between traditional categorical disorders, are increasingly adopted in research and practice. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of the SDQ to detect mental health problems in a transdiagnostic sample of children. The sample were referred by health and educational professionals for difficulties related to learning (N=389). Some had one diagnosis, others had multiple, but many had no diagnoses. Parent-rated SDQ scores were significantly positively correlated with parent ratings of mental health difficulties on the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Ratings on the SDQ Emotion subscale significantly predicted the likelihood of having clinical anxiety and depression scores. Ratings on the Hyperactivity subscale predicted anxiety levels. These findings suggest the SDQ could be a valuable screening tool for identifying mental health difficulties in children recognised as struggling, as it can be in typically developing children and those with specific diagnoses.

scholarly journals Are dietary patterns differently associated with differentiated levels of mental health problems? Results from a large cross-sectional study among Iranian manufacturing employees

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e020083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heidari ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Hamidreza Roohafza ◽  
Katayoun Rabiei ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to classify participants based on mental health problems profile and to evaluate its relationship with dietary patterns among Iranian manufacturing employees.DesignObservational study with a cross-sectional design.SettingThis study was conducted in Esfahan Steel Company, one of the biggest Iranian industrial manufacturing companies.ParticipantsComplete data on 2942 manufacturing employees, with a mean (SD) age of 36.68 (7.31) years, were analysed.Outcome measuresHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADA) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used to evaluate anxiety and depression and psychological distress, respectively.ResultsThree major dietary patterns, namely ‘western’, ‘healthy’ and ‘traditional’, were extracted using factor analysis. A two-class, one-factor structure was identified from study participants in terms of mental health problems profile based on the factor mixture model. Two identified classes were labelled as ‘low mental health problems’ (2683 manufacturing employees, 91.2%) and ‘high mental health problems’ (259 individuals, 8.8%). After adjusting for the impact of potential confounders, manufacturing employees in the highest tertile of healthy dietary pattern had lower odds of being in the high mental health problems profile class (OR=0.67, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.92). In contrast, greater adherence to Western and traditional dietary patterns was associated with increased odds of being in the high mental health problems class (OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.35 and OR=1.52, 95% CI :1.10 to 2.11, respectively).ConclusionsOur study provided informative pathways on the association of dietary patterns and mental health among manufacturing employees. The findings can be used by workplace health promotion policymakers in improving mental health in such study population. Interventional and prospective studies that investigate the effects of change in dietary patterns on the mental health of manufacturing employees are suggested.

scholarly journals Mental health among elite athletes in Norway during a selected period of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e001025
Author(s):  
Anne Marte Pensgaard ◽  
Tom Henning Oevreboe ◽  
Andreas Ivarsson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of mental health problems and satisfaction with life among different groups of elite athletes during a selected period of the COVID-19 pandemic and examine how COVID-19 related consequences were associated with these variables.DesignCross-sectional data collection during a selected period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway.Participants378 elite athletes, mean age 26.86 (range 18–59), 159 females and 219 males, divided into Olympic-level and Paralympic-level athletes (n=194) and elite and semielite athletes (n=184).Main outcome measuresHopkins Symptoms Check List − 10; symptoms of anxiety and depression; Bergen Insomnia Scale; Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short; Canadian Problem Gambling Index and Satisfaction with Life Scale. In addition, we included specific COVID-19 questions (eg, financial concern, keeping daily routines, perceived coping and motivation).ResultsSymptoms of insomnia (38.3%) and depression (22.3%) were most prevalent within the sample. Symptoms of eating disorders more prevalent among female athletes (8.8% vs 1.4%) while symptoms of gambling problems were higher among male athletes (8.6% vs 1.3%). Olympic and Paralympic athletes reported lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms than elite and semielite athletes. Financial concerns were associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, while daily routines and perception of coping were associated with less mental health problems and higher satisfaction with life.ConclusionSymptoms of insomnia and depression were the two most common mental health problems reported during this selected phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elite and semielite athletes reported financial concerns as a risk factor for mental health problems at a larger degree than Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

scholarly journals Risk of Behavioural and Emotional Disorders in Lithuanian School Aged Children as Assessed with SDQ During the Second Lockdown due to COVID-19

Psichologija ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 77-85
Author(s):  
Roma Jusienė ◽  
Edita Baukienė ◽  
Rima Breidokienė
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Children’S Mental Health ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽  
Children's Mental Health ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

As a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 and consequent restrictions, the distance education was introduced in Lithuania in 2020 spring (the first lockdown, lasted for around 3 months) and 2020 autumn (the second lockdown, still lasting, June 2021). The prevalence of children’s mental health problems during the first lockdown was similar to pre-epidemic rates in Lithuania, but the prolonged lockdown (and therefore school closure) might have more negative consequences on children’s mental health. This study aimed to reveal the incidence of mental health problems as rated by parents with a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire during the second lockdown in school aged children. This research sample included data of 514 children (46% girls), aged 7 to 14 years old (mean age 10.15 years, SD = 3.47). The children’s mental health problems were assessed using a Lithuanian version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, parental form, in April–May 2021. Results revealed that 29.6% of Lithuanian children had scores in the clinical (abnormal) range of emotional problems and 21.6% – of conduct problems. Based on total difficulties score, 31.6% of children get in clinical range of emotional and behavioural problems, as rated by parents by the end of the second lockdown. The results are compared to pre-pandemic epidemiological rates of emotional and behavioural problems reported and those documented after the first quarantine in Lithuania and highlight important findings for professionals and policy makers about the detrimental effects of prolonged lockdown and school closure on children’s mental health.

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