Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and metals and problematic child behavior at 3–5 years of age: a Greenlandic cohort study

High levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals are found in Arctic populations. POP and heavy metals are linked to impaired cognitive development. This study examined associations between prenatal POP and metals exposure and problematic child behavior using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). POPs and metals were measured in 102 pregnant Greenlandic women. During follow-up at 3–5 years, parents answered an assisted questionnaire including children’s SDQ scores. Associations were analyzed using linear and logistic regression analyses and adjusted for maternal plasma cotinine, educational level and age at delivery. In the adjusted analyses, the medium tertile of hexachlorobenzene (β = 3.06, p = 0.010), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β = 3.58, p = 0.004) and trans-nonachlor (β = 2.06, p = 0.082) were positively associated with SDQ scores. The continuous cis-nonachlor (OR = 1.09, p = 0.079), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (OR = 1.01, p = 0.077), trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.01, p = 0.091), and sum Organochlorine-Pesticides (OR = 1.00, p = 0.094) were positively associated with abnormal SDQ score and the continuous mirex (OR = 1.28, p = 0.096), oxychlordane (OR = 1.04, p = 0.066), and trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.02, p = 0.071) with abnormal hyperactivity score. We found no consistent evidence of associations between polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkylated substances and heavy metals and problematic behavior. Prenatal organochlorine pesticide exposure associated significantly with problematic behavior in 3–5 year old children.

Firesetting Reoffending: A Meta-Analysis

Despite the significant adverse consequences of deliberate firesetting, it has been unclear what proportion of individuals repeat this problematic behavior, owing to methodological differences and large variability in reported reoffending rates. A meta-analysis of 25 samples of untreated adults and children with a history of firesetting, examining reoffending over a follow-up period, was conducted. The base rates of reoffending from this meta-analysis indicated that between 57% and 66% of untreated firesetters engage in general reoffending, between 8% and 10% engage in criminal arson, and around 20% engage in deliberate firesetting behavior. The odds of firesetting during the follow-up period were 5 times greater for known firesetters in comparison with other offenders. Clinical and criminological correlates of reoffending, including age, are examined. Implications for enabling evidence-based practice with this population, including defensible risk assessments and treatment provision, are discussed.

THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTING STYLE ON THE PROTAGONIST’S BEHAVIOR IN TODDPHILLIPS’ MOVIE JOKER

The research focuses on the influence of parenting style on the protagonist’s behavior in Todd Phillips’ movie Joker. Arthur as the protagonist in the movie is a man who suffers from mental illness which then transforms him to be a mastermind of criminal because of parenting mistake. The theory adopted in this research is proposed by Baumrind, who classifies parenting style into four broad categories: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and neglectful styles. This research adopts descriptive qualitative method and the data are collected from the movie script. The finding reveals that authoritarian and neglectful parenting styles lead a person to become rebellious, adopting problematic behavior and mastermind of criminal and disregarded by a society. The worst effect of parenting mistakes is that the protagonist transforms himself to be a psychopath.

The Relationship between Problematic Facebook Use and Early Maladaptive Schemas

Facebook is an increasingly popular online social media platform for communication, entertainment, and information exchange. Previous studies have shown the relationship between problematic Facebook use (PFU) and mental health problems. Additionally, previous studies have reported associations between maladaptive cognitive schemas and mental health problems. However, little is known about their impact on problematic behavior associated with Facebook use. Consequently, the present study investigated the relationship between PFU and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) among Facebook users. The study comprised 619 Facebook users (568 females; age range from 18 to 30 years; M = 21.34, SD = 2.41 years). The severity of PFU was assessed using the Facebook Intrusion Scale, and EMS dimensions were assessed using the 90-item Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ–S3). The findings showed a positive relationship between PFU and EMSs, such as insufficient self-control/self-discipline and approval seeking. PFU was negatively associated with EMSs, such as social isolation/alienation and self-sacrifice schemas. Additionally, the findings showed that EMSs, as well as Facebook use characteristics, such as the time spent using Facebook per week, using Facebook apps, and number of friends on Facebook contributed to explaining the variance in PFU scores. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms related to the development of PFU, which are associated with cognitive schemas. Additionally, the results may be useful in developing more effective methods of prevention and treatment of this problematic behavior.

A review of studies on developing a school prophylactic program to prevent social exclusionA Review of Research Reports on Developing a School Prophylactic Program Preventing Social Exclusion

The aim of the article is to present scientific research based on an analysis of data concerning aggression in terms of pupils feeling inse- cure or vulnerable at school. The analysis was carried out as a systematic review of reports discussing research conducted in Poland. The article presents the evidence-based practice approach as a theo- retical basis for the analysis, and the chosen research method—i.e., systematic review. The results of the research that is interpreted in the narrative synthesis indicate varied substantive and methodological value among the 33 analyzed reports, whose research objectives most often focused on determining the scale of aggression in schools and the factors that determine it. Conclusions and recommendations stemming from the survey of secondary sources are important, both for interdisciplinary theories constituting the basis for social preven- tion and preventative practice, especially for school pedagogues, who are responsible for implementing educational/prophylactic programs in schools and educational institutions. Prophylactic strategies refer directly to the exclusion–inclusion continuum, having the potential to prevent the appearance and perseverance of problematic behavior, which may consequently lead to social exclusion.

Perceptions of ADHD Symptoms in Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Attributions and Stigma

This study investigated attributions and stigmatization self-perceptions of 40 adolescents with and 34 adolescents without ADHD for their problematic behaviors and ADHD as a disorder. Adolescents identified behaviors that they believed described them, indicated which of these behaviors was most problematic for them, and responded to a questionnaire regarding the extent to which this behavior was internally caused, controllable, pervasive, and stigmatizing. Compared to participants without ADHD, participants with ADHD endorsed more problematic behaviors including behaviors that are symptoms of ADHD, the impairment associated with ADHD, and commonly co-occurring disorders. They viewed the behavior that they identified as most problematic for them as more pervasive (stable and occurring in more contexts), uncontrollable, and stigmatizing than participants without ADHD. Adolescents with ADHD were less likely to view their most problematic behavior as pervasive and more likely to view it as stigmatizing than the disorder itself. Although adolescents with and without ADHD did not differ in the extent to which they attributed their most problematic behavior to internal causes, adolescents with ADHD were more likely to view the disorder itself as being caused by something inside them than their most problematic behavior.

Empirical Relationships between Problematic Alcohol Use and a Problematic Use of Video Games, Social Media and the Internet and Their Associations to Mental Health in Adolescence

Adolescents frequently show risky behavior, and these problematic behavior patterns often do not occur in isolation, but together. Problematic alcohol use is widespread among youth, as is problematic use of the Internet and of specific online applications (video games or social media). However, there is still a lack of findings for minors regarding the relations between these behavioral patterns (particularly between problematic alcohol use and problematic gaming or problematic social media use). Standardized instruments were used to survey problematic alcohol use, problematic gaming, problematic social media use, problematic Internet use and mental health among 633 adolescents (mean age: 15.79 years). Bivariate correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted. The correlation analyses showed statistically significant positive bivariate relationships between all four behavioral patterns each. Antisocial behavior was related to all problematic behavioral patterns. Whereas, emotional distress, self-esteem problems and hyperactivity/inattention were associated with substance-unrelated problematic behavior patterns only. Anger control problems were related to problematic alcohol use and problematic gaming. In adolescence, the findings revealed small effect sizes between substance-related and substance-unrelated problematic behavior patterns, but moderate to large effect sizes within substance-unrelated behavioral patterns. Similarities and differences were found in the relations between the behavioral patterns and mental health.

Defining Subtypes in Children with Nail Biting: A Latent Profile Analysis of Personality

Objective This study aimed to examine personality profiles and behavioral problems of children with nail biting (NB) to gain insight into the developmental trajectory of pathological NB.Methods 681 elementary school students were divided into non NB (n=436), occasional NB (n=173) and frequent NB group (n=72) depending on the frequency of NB reported in Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL). Children’s personality was assessed using the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI), and behavioral problems were assessed using the CBCL. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was performed using JTCI profiles to classify personalities of the children with NB (belonging to frequent and occasional NB group, n=245).Results For subscale scores of CBCL, the total, internalizing, externalizing, anxious/depressed withdrawn/depressed, depression, thought, rule-breaking, and aggressive behavior problems, were most severe in the frequent NB group followed by occasional NB and non NB group. LPA of personality profile in children with NB revealed four classes (‘adaptiveness,’ ‘high reward dependence,’ ‘low self-directedness,’ and ‘maldaptiveness’). The four personality classes demonstrated significant group differences in all of the CBCL subscales. Children who showed low self-directedness and cooperativeness and high novelty seeking and harm avoidance personality profiles demonstrated highest tendency for problematic behavior irrespective of the frequency of NB.Conclusion Children with NB reported significantly more problematic behaviors compared to children without NB. Children with specific personality profile demonstrated higher tendency for problematic behavior irrespective of the frequency of NB. Therefore, accompanying personality profiles should be considered when assessing behavioral problems in children with NB.