Children in Foster Care: Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health Problems

AbstractEating disorders (EDs) are one of the most severe and complex mental health problems facing researchers and clinicians today. The effective prevention and treatment of these conditions is therefore of paramount importance. However, at present our treatments fall short: generally demonstrating only poor to moderate efficacy, and often completely ineffective for severe or chronic cases. A possible reason for this is that the current theories underlying these treatments are flawed. In this paper, we review and evaluate several prominent theoretical explanations associated with current frontline and promising treatments for ED. In doing so, we identify fundamental problems within the construction of current ED explanations and their implications for treatment. In response to these findings, we propose several strategies for the construction of future ED explanations which we believe have the power to ameliorate these problems and potentially help to develop more efficacious treatment downstream.

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Child Mental Health in Latin America: Present and Future Epidemiologic Research

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.2190/4wjb-bw16-2tge-565w ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 203-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Cristiane Duarte ◽

Christina Hoven ◽

Carlos Berganza ◽

Isabel Bordin ◽

Hector Bird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Latin America ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Latin American ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Health Problems ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Latin American Countries

Objective: This report reviews population studies of child and adolescent mental health carried out in Latin America over the past 15 years. Also considered is the issue of how to meet the needs of children and adolescents who may present mental health problems in Latin America, given that most of them live in poverty in economies that are underdeveloped, providing limited resources. Method: Ten studies from six different countries were identified that employed some form of randomized sampling method and used standardized instruments for assessment. The authors present a summary of the main characteristics of these studies, highlighting methodological features that may account for differences in the rates obtained. Results: Overall, a similar pattern of prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in children and adolescents in Latin American countries emerged. Moreover, rates of disorders in these children are similar to the 15 to 20% found in other countries. These findings are similar to those observed when adult mental health problems are considered. Prevention and treatment strategies are discussed and the peculiarities of the delivery of mental health services for children and adolescents are explored. Conclusions: Future research needs to focus on understanding of resilience and formal and informal mental health delivery systems of care available in different Latin American countries. Such research has high potential for ameliorating the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent mental health problems in this region of the world.

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Low dietary intake of magnesium is associated with increased externalising behaviours in adolescents

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980014002432 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 1824-1830 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Lucinda J Black ◽

Karina L Allen ◽

Peter Jacoby ◽

Gina S Trapp ◽

Caroline M Gallagher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Family Income ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Self Report ◽

Behaviour Problems ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Externalising Behaviours

AbstractObjectiveAdequate Zn and Mg intakes may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. We aimed to investigate the prospective association between dietary intakes of Zn and Mg and internalising and externalising behaviour problems in a population-based cohort of adolescents.DesignProspective analysis (general linear mixed models) of dietary intakes of Zn and Mg assessed using a validated FFQ and mental health symptoms assessed using the Youth Self-Report (YSR), adjusting for sex, physical activity, family income, supplement status, dietary misreporting, BMI, family functioning and energy intake.SettingWestern Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.SubjectsAdolescents (n 684) at the 14- and 17-year follow-ups.ResultsHigher dietary intake of Mg (per sd increase) was significantly associated with reduced externalising behaviours (β=−1·45; 95 % CI −2·40, −0·50; P=0·003). There was a trend towards reduced externalising behaviours with higher Zn intake (per sd increase; β=−0·73; 95 % CI −1·57, 0·10; P=0·085).ConclusionsThe study shows an association between higher dietary Mg intake and reduced externalising behaviour problems in adolescents. We observed a similar trend, although not statistically significant, for Zn intake. Randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine any benefit of micronutrient supplementation in the prevention and treatment of mental health problems in adolescents.

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