ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6958-3908
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Specialist Studies in Education | Special education and disability | Clinical psychology | Educational psychology | Mental Health | Special Education and Disability | Specialist studies in education | Developmental Psychology and Ageing
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Related Links
Publications
Do antidepressants make children and adolescents suicidal?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-06-2014
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.12655
Differential accounts of refugee and resettlement experiences in youth with high and low levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology: A mixed-methods investigation.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 07-2015
DOI: 10.1037/ORT0000076
Abstract: In recent years there has been increased debate and critique of the focus on psychopathology in general, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in particular, as a predominant consequence of the refugee experience. This study was conducted to broaden the conceptualization and examination of the outcomes of the refugee experience by jointly examining how adaptive processes, psychosocial factors, and psychopathology are implicated. A mixed-methods approach was used to specifically examine whether adolescents' (N = 10) accounts of their refugee and resettlement experiences differed according to their level, "high" or "low," of PTSD symptomatology. The superordinate themes of cultural belongingness and identification, psychological functioning, family unit functioning and relationships, and friendships and interpersonal processes, were identified as having particular relevance for the study's participants and in distinguishing between participants with high and low levels of PTSD symptomatology. Findings were characterized by marked differences between adolescents' accounts according to their symptomatology levels, and may thereby inform important avenues for future research as well as clinical prevention and intervention programs with refugee youth.
The Columbia-suicide severity rating scale: Initial validity and internal consistency findings from three multisite studies with adolescents and adults
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Date: 12-2011
Adding cognitive behavioural therapy to SSRIs does not improve outcomes in adolescents with major depression: Commentary
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-2008
DOI: 10.1136/EBMH.11.1.13
A Comparison of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Sertraline, and Their Combination for Adolescent Depression
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2006
The Therapist-assisted Online Parenting Strategies (TOPS) program for parents of adolescents with clinical anxiety or depression: Development and feasibility pilot
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Improving Mental Health in Pregnancy for Refugee Women: Protocol for the Implementation and Evaluation of a Screening Program in Melbourne, Australia (Preprint)
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 07-01-2019
Abstract: dentifying mental health disorders in migrant and refugee women during pregnancy provides an opportunity for interventions that may benefit women and their families. Evidence suggests that perinatal mental health disorders impact mother-infant attachment at critical times, which can affect child development. Postnatal depression resulting in suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality postpartum. Routine screening of perinatal mental health is recommended to improve the identification of depression and anxiety and to facilitate early management. However, screening is poorly implemented into routine practice. This study is the first to investigate routine screening for perinatal mental health in a maternity setting designed for refugee women. This study will determine whether symptoms of depression and anxiety are more likely to be detected by the screening program compared with routine care and will evaluate the screening program’s feasibility and acceptability to women and health care providers (HCPs). he objectives of this study are (1) to assess if refugee women are more likely to screen risk-positive for depression and anxiety than nonrefugee women, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (2) to assess if screening in pregnancy using the EPDS enables better detection of symptoms of depression and anxiety in refugee women than current routine care (3) to determine if a screening program for perinatal mental health in a maternity setting designed for refugee women is acceptable to women and (4) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the perinatal mental health screening program from the perspective of HCPs (including the barriers and enablers to implementation). his study uses an internationally recommended screening measure, the EPDS, and a locally developed psychosocial questionnaire, both administered in early pregnancy and again in the third trimester. These measures have been translated into the most common languages used by the women attending the clinic and are administered via an electronic platform (iCOPE). This platform automatically calculates the EPDS score and generates reports for the HCP and woman. A total of 119 refugee women and 155 nonrefugee women have been recruited to evaluate the screening program’s ability to detect depression and anxiety symptoms and will be compared with 34 refugee women receiving routine care. A subs le of women will participate in a qualitative assessment of the screening program’s acceptability and feasibility. Health service staff have been recruited to evaluate the integration of screening into maternity care. he recruitment is complete, and data collection and analysis are underway. t is anticipated that screening will increase the identification and management of depression and anxiety symptoms in pregnancy. New information will be generated on how to implement such a program in feasible and acceptable ways that will improve health outcomes for refugee women. ERR1-10.2196/13271
Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with intellectual disability: Prevalence and assessment
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.RIDD.2014.10.007
Abstract: Children and adolescents with intellectual disability are known to experience mental health disorders, but anxiety disorders in this population have received relatively little attention. Firstly, this paper provides a review of published studies reporting prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with intellectual disability. Secondly, the paper reviews measures of anxiety that have been evaluated in children/adolescents with intellectual disability, and details the associated psychometric properties. Seven studies reporting prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in this population were identified, with reported rates varying from 3% to 22%. Two-one studies evaluating a measure of anxiety in a s le of children/adolescents with intellectual disability were identified. While these studies indicate that several measures show promise, further evaluation studies are needed particularly those that evaluate the capacity of measures to screen for anxiety disorders, not only measure symptoms.
Psychological interventions for depression in children and young people with an intellectual disability and/or autism: systematic review
Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
Date: 17-11-2021
DOI: 10.1192/BJP.2020.226
Abstract: Children and young people with intellectual disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (autism) experience higher rates of mental health problems, including depression, than their typically developing peers. Although international guidelines suggest psychological therapies as first-line intervention for children and young people, there is limited evidence for psychological therapy for depression in children and young people with intellectual disability and/or autism. To evaluate the current evidence base for psychological interventions for depression in children and young people with intellectual disability and/or autism, and examine the experiences of children and young people with intellectual disability and/or autism, their families and therapists, in receiving and delivering psychological treatment for depression. Databases were searched up to 30 April 2020 using pre-defined search terms and criteria. Articles were independently screened and assessed for risk of bias. Data were synthesised and reported in a narrative review format. A total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Four identified studies were clinical case reports and six were quasi-experimental or experimental studies. All studies were assessed as being of moderate or high risk of bias. Participants with intellectual disability were included in four studies. There was limited data on the experiences of young people, their families or therapists in receiving or delivering psychological treatment for depression. Well-designed, randomised controlled trials are critical to develop an evidence base for psychological treatment for young people with intellectual disability and/or autism with depression. Future research should evaluate the treatment experiences of young people, their families and therapists.
Multimodal-multisensor Analytics for Detecting Temporal Phases of Anxiety
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Date: 14-06-2023
DOI: 10.36227/TECHRXIV.23513562
Abstract: In this paper, we use a combination of physiological and behavioral metrics of anxiety to detect changes in anxiety status in clinically anxious participants compared with healthy controls, which is important for intervening in a timely manner for the effective management of anxiety. Specifically, we first operationalize four phases of anxiety and select multimodal-multisensor feature candidates to assess those phases, considering preliminary results obtained in prior research employing a generalized mixed additive model-based analysis. Then, we evaluate the performance of selected features and their combinations in detecting the presence of anxiety phases, using the "Anxiety Phases" dataset. The results demonstrate that unimodal features of skin conductance response rate and mean rigidity of wrists detected all four temporal phases in ~50% of high-anxiety in iduals. These two features detected at least three phases in ~90% of high-anxiety in iduals. The fusion of these two features with an additional postural feature detected all four temporal phases in 65% of high-anxiety in iduals. The multimodal-multisensor combination of these three features represented a 30% improvement compared with the best unimodal predictive feature. Implications of these findings are discussed for developing accurate real-time multimodal-multisensor anxiety management systems for clinical populations.
Home learning and later school attendance in children with neurodevelopmental conditions
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 08-07-2022
Abstract: This preprint describes analyses that examined the association between home learning (home schooling) and later school attendance problems in children with a neurodevelopmental condition during the COVID-19 pandemic
Shame Proneness, Shame Coping, and Functions of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) Among Emerging Adults: A Developmental Analysis
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 24-07-2018
Suppression of black-hole growth by strong outflows at redshifts 5.8–6.6
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-05-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41586-022-04608-1
Abstract: Bright quasars, powered by accretion onto billion-solar-mass black holes, already existed at the epoch of reionization, when the Universe was 0.5-1 billion years old
An evaluation of the use and efficacy of a sensory room within an adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-01-2017
Abstract: The introduction of sensory rooms within acute psychiatric settings provides a therapeutic space that promotes emotional self-regulation and reduces distress and disruptive behaviours. The current research investigated the clinical benefit of a sensory room within an adolescent psychiatric unit. It examined whether guided sensory room use can reduce distress for adolescents and identified characteristics of sensory room users. Seclusion rates 12 months pre- and post-sensory room introduction were compared. The matched s le comprised 56 sensory room users and 56 sensory room non-users, aged 12-18 years (M = 15.35, SD = 1.35). Sensory room users were administered a pre- and post-measure of distress. Further demographic and clinical data were collected from hospital files and results analysed. Adolescents' distress was reduced following sensory room use. The greatest reduction of distress was predicted by a history of aggression. Female gender was associated with sensory room use, as was the presence of an anxiety disorder. There was no significant difference in seclusion rates after introducing the sensory room. Sensory rooms could provide occupational therapists with a valuable tool for reducing distress for adolescents in psychiatric units, especially for those with a history of aggression. Results suggested that female adolescents or adolescents with anxiety disorders may be particularly receptive to using the sensory room. This research provides evidence that can inform occupational therapists when tailoring therapeutic treatment strategies and guide the development of prevention and management of emotional dysregulation and aggression within adolescent psychiatric settings.
Psychological distress in siblings of people with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 16-09-2022
DOI: 10.1177/00048674221123481
Abstract: The objective of this study was to characterise the prevalence and/or severity of psychological distress (namely, depression and anxiety symptoms) in siblings of people with mental illness (MI) and to examine correlates of distress in siblings of people with MI. Studies comparing distress in in iduals with and without a sibling with MI were eligible. Studies reporting on correlates of distress in siblings were also eligible. A search of MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO and Embase was conducted up until 17 March 2022. Fifteen studies comprising 2304 siblings and 2263 comparison in iduals were included. Meta-analyses indicated in iduals with a sibling with MI experience significantly greater depressive symptoms (Hedges’s g = 0.53, 95% CI = [0.32, 0.73], siblings n = 1962, comparison in iduals n = 2248) and anxiety symptoms (Hedges’s g = 0.40, 95% CI = [0.19, 0.61], siblings n = 653, comparison in iduals n = 533) than those without. The sibling relationship, siblings’ locus of control, interpersonal functioning and their appraisal of the impacts of MI were identified as important and potentially modifiable correlates. In iduals with a sibling with MI experience greater depressive and anxiety symptoms than those without and would likely benefit from support. Future studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying distress in siblings.
Clinical Presentation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool Children: The Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Treatment Study (PATS)
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 10-2007
Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation of preschoolers diagnosed with moderate to severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) recruited for the multisite Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS). The diagnosis and evaluation process will also be described. A comprehensive multidimensional, multi-informant assessment protocol was implemented including the semistructured PATS Diagnostic Interview. Parent and teacher-report measures were used to supplement information from interviews. Consensus agreement by a cross-site panel on each participant's diagnoses was required. Analyses were conducted to describe the s le and to test associations between ADHD severity and demographic and clinical variables. The assessment protocol identified 303 preschoolers (3-5.5 years) with moderate to severe ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive or Combined type. The majority of participants (n = 211, 69.6%) experienced co-morbid disorders, with oppositional defiant disorder, communication disorders, and anxiety disorders being the most common. Participants with co-morbid communication disorders were found to be more anxious and depressed. ADHD severity was found to correlate with more internalizing difficulties and lower functioning. Although boys and girls had similar symptom presentations, younger children had significantly higher ADHD severity. Preschoolers with moderate to severe ADHD experience high co-morbidity and impairment, which have implications for both assessment and treatment.
A Critical Review of Multimodal-multisensor Analytics for Anxiety Assessment
Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Date: 31-10-2022
DOI: 10.1145/3556980
Abstract: Recently, interest has grown in the assessment of anxiety that leverages human physiological and behavioral data to address the drawbacks of current subjective clinical assessments. Complex experiences of anxiety vary on multiple characteristics, including triggers, responses, duration and severity, and impact differently on the risk of anxiety disorders. This article reviews the past decade of studies that objectively analyzed various anxiety characteristics related to five common anxiety disorders in adults utilizing features of cardiac, electrodermal, blood pressure, respiratory, vocal, posture, movement, and eye metrics. Its originality lies in the synthesis and interpretation of consistently discovered heterogeneous predictors of anxiety and multimodal-multisensor analytics based on them. We reveal that few anxiety characteristics have been evaluated using multimodal-multisensor metrics, and many of the identified predictive features are confounded. As such, objective anxiety assessments are not yet complete or precise. That said, few multimodal-multisensor systems evaluated indicate an approximately 11.73% performance gain compared to unimodal systems, highlighting a promising powerful tool. We suggest six high-priority future directions to address the current gaps and limitations in infrastructure, basic knowledge, and application areas. Action in these directions will expedite the discovery of rich, accurate, continuous, and objective assessments and their use in impactful end-user applications.
Addressing the needs of adolescents with treatment resistant depressive disorders: a systematic review of rTMS.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.BRS.2013.09.012
Abstract: Depressive disorders are among the most commonly experienced mental health concerns and a leading cause of mortality in adolescence. Current treatment guidelines recommend the use of antidepressant medication, cognitive behavioral therapy or both treatments. Unfortunately 40–60% of adolescents fail to respond to these treatments, therefore a new effective alternative treatment modality would be of particular benefit. rTMS is effective in addressing treatment resistant depression in adults and investigation into its effectiveness with adolescent populations has begun. To examine the existing literature regarding the efficacy and safety of rTMS treatment with adolescents experiencing depressive symptoms, especially research conducted since the last published review. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The databases of OVID PsycINFO, PubMed, Ovid Medline and Web of Science were searched for research utilizing rTMS treatment with adolescents experiencing depressive symptomology. The review identified seven studies that examined rTMS as a treatment for depressive symptomology in adolescence. Findings indicate rTMS is likely to be an effective treatment for young people with preliminary longitudinal results suggesting maintenance of effects 3 years post-treatment. Reported side effects have included headaches, scalp discomfort and single incidences of hypomania and seizure. All side effects were transitory and did not recur. Preliminary results suggest rTMS is an effective and well tolerated antidepressant treatment for adolescents with treatment resistant depressive symptomology. Further research allowing for comparison across studies is necessary to establish the efficacy of rTMS in adolescent depression.
Clinician perspectives and practices regarding the use of exercise in the treatment of adolescent depression.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 25-09-2018
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1383622
Abstract: Initial evidence suggests that exercise is an effective method in reducing symptoms of depression amongst adolescents. It is important to examine clinician attitudes and practices regarding the incorporation of exercise in mental health treatment, and to examine potential facilitators and barriers to exercise prescription. An online survey was conducted amongst mental health clinicians (N = 125) working in the treatment of adolescent depression. Clinicians held favourable attitudes towards exercise, most frequently ranking exercise as the second most important treatment for adolescent depression following cognitive behaviour therapy. The majority of clinicians were found to prescribe exercise "always" (24.3%) or "most of the time" (43.4%). Significant positive relationships were found between confidence to prescribe exercise and knowledge surrounding exercise prescription and clinician exercise prescription rates, however no significant relationship was identified between clinician levels of exercise and exercise prescription. The most frequently endorsed barriers to exercise prescription included the belief that exercise prescription should be implemented by an exercise professional, a lack of knowledge surrounding exercise prescription for adolescent depression, and the belief that depressed adolescents will not adhere to an exercise program. Overall, clinicians held positive attitudes towards exercise in the treatment of adolescent depression, and often recommended exercise as part of treatment.
Child, parent, and family mental health and functioning in Australia during COVID-19: Comparison to pre-pandemic data
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 30-09-2020
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to the mental health and wellbeing of families. This study aimed to examine: (1) patterns of parent and child (0–18 years) mental health, parent substance use, couple conflict, parenting practices, and family functioning during COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic data and (2) associations between parent, child, and family outcomes during the pandemic and both pre-existing risk factors and COVID-19 stressors. Participants were Australian mothers (81%) and fathers aged 18 years and over who were parents of a child 0–18 years (N=2,365). Parents completed an online self-report survey assessing mental health, substance use, couple conflict, parenting, and family functioning during ‘stage three’ COVID-19 restrictions in April 2020. Data were compared to pre-pandemic data from four Australian population-based cohorts. Compared to pre-pandemic estimates, during the pandemic period parents reported higher rates of parent mental health symptoms (Cohen’s d=0.26-.81, all p& .001), higher parenting irritability (d=0.17-.46, all p& .001), lower family positive expressiveness (d=-0.18, p& .001), and higher alcohol consumption (22% vs 12% drinking four or more days per week, p& .001). In multivariable analyses, pre-existing financial deprivation and COVID-19 stressors were associated with greater severity in parent and child mental health symptoms, parent emotion dysregulation, parenting irritability, couple conflict and family positive/negative expressiveness. Parents and children with pre-existing mental health conditions had elevated difficulties during the pandemic across most domains. Our data suggest wide-ranging, detrimental family impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and support policy actions to assist families with financial supports, leave entitlements, and social housing.
A New Scale of Readiness for Health Care Students to Encounter Partner Abuse
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-12-2020
Abstract: Partner abuse (PA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Health care practitioners regularly encounter patients experiencing PA and require comprehensive education on how to respond. This study describes the creation and validation of a new measure of readiness to encounter patients experiencing PA for health care practitioners and students. Initial item development and content validation were informed by expert feedback. Psychometric properties were assessed using data collected from Australian health care students, using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Internal consistency, inter-scale correlations, and test–retest analysis were performed. An initial pool of 67 items was reduced to 48 following content validation by 5 experts as a measure of construct validity. A total of n = 926 responses were collected, which were randomly split into two groups to perform a PCA and CFA. The PCA resulted in a 31-item version, which was further reduced to a 27-item version following the CFA, containing four factors. Internal consistency and test–retest analyses demonstrated good reliability. The produced scale is a 27-item measure of readiness to encounter patients experiencing PA, which has demonstrated good psychometric properties with a s le of Australian health care students. Results indicate that self-efficacy and Emotional-readiness are a large component of readiness. The scale may be used to measure the readiness of a cohort, or as a pre and post-intervention measure, and results may provide insight into the educational needs of a cohort.
The Readiness of Australian Health Care Students to Encounter Patients Experiencing Partner Abuse
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-12-2020
Abstract: Partner abuse is a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity worldwide, and has been identified as a priority health care issue. Most health care students rarely receive education on partner abuse and report not feeling ready to encounter patients experiencing partner abuse. Analysis of the current readiness of health care students and can inform educational needs to address this gap. The READIness to encounter partner abuse patients Scale was delivered to a convenience s le of Australian prequalification health care students. Participant demographics and estimated hours of education were also reported. Mean readiness scores were calculated by discipline. The relationship between hours of education and readiness scores was calculated using linear regression. A total of 926 participants were included in the analysis. Approximately half of the participants (47.5%) reported less than two hours of education. Mean readiness of students was 4.99 out of 7 ( SD 0.73, range 4.39–5.95). Linear regression revealed a significant association between hours of education and readiness, r(925) = .497, p .000. Australian health care students receive little education about partner abuse, and do not report feeling ready to encounter patients experiencing partner abuse. An in idual’s confidence and belief in their abilities appear to be the key factor influencing overall readiness. Participants indicated a strong belief that responding to partner abuse was part of their professional role, which is a positive change from previous research. Higher hours of education is associated with higher readiness, though which educational methodologies are most impactful remains unclear.
Staff perspectives on the effects of seclusion in adolescent psychiatric inpatient care.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-12-2022
DOI: 10.1111/INM.13102
Abstract: Nurses are at the forefront of seclusion in adolescent psychiatric units. Understanding nurses and other staff perspectives on the effects of seclusion is critical in the ongoing effort to minimize and eliminate seclusion. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of staff attitudes, experiences, and beliefs about the effects of seclusion on both themselves and patients. Thirty‐one staff members (including 20 nurses) completed the Attitudes to Seclusion Survey and 24 participated in semi‐structured interviews to explore their beliefs and experiences of seclusion use in adolescent psychiatric inpatient care. Analysis of the questionnaire showed overwhelming agreement in the negative impacts of seclusion on patients, while there was uncertainty around the positive impacts of seclusion. Using a combination of the intuitive approach and thematic analysis, five themes were identified from interviews with staff, three unique to nurses: (i) staff were reluctant to use seclusion but felt it was necessary, (ii) nurses felt under‐resourcing led to increased chances of seclusion, (iii) staff believed seclusion negatively impacted the patients, (iv) nurses felt their relationships with patients were negatively impacted, and (v) seclusion also had a negative effect on nurses. Clinical recommendations included a systematic and structured approach to debriefing to repair ruptures in the therapeutic relationship staffing to be based on the acuity of the unit rather than occupancy alternatives to seclusion that meet the needs of service providers and consumers. Future research should compare staff and patient perspectives, include multiple sites, and greater participation of non‐nursing staff.
The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Depression in Adolescents (SEQ-DA)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2005
DOI: 10.1007/S00787-005-0462-Y
Abstract: The 12-item clinician or self-administered Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Depression in Adolescents (SEQ-DA) was developed as a measure of perceived ability to cope with depressive symptomatology. This study examined the reliability and validity of the SEQ-DA in a clinical population of 130 adolescents that were receiving treatment for depression. Psychometric evaluation revealed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Results indicated that higher SEQ-DA scores were associated with lower self-rated depression scores (Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale), which is evidence of good construct validity. Further, higher SEQ-DA scores prior to treatment predicted better outcome at the end of the 3 months of treatment and at 6 months post-treatment. Therefore, the SEQ-DA has a potentially useful role in clinical work and research with depressed young people.
Management of the Suicidal Patient
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-04-2008
Persistent sleep disturbance is associated with treatment response in adolescents with depression
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-03-2013
Abstract: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in adolescents with depressive disorders. To date there is limited evidence of the extent to which sleep disturbances are associated with treatment response in adolescents. This study aimed to examine the extent to which self-reported sleep disturbances are associated with treatment response in adolescents with depression. Sleep data were gathered from a s le of 166 adolescents (aged 12–18 years) with a diagnosis of a DSM-IV depressive disorder who underwent 3 months of treatment (psychosocial and/or pharmacotherapy (sertraline)) in community-based research programs. The subjective report of sleep disturbance within depressive disorders was assessed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children at three time points: pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. Sixty-nine percent of participants had a sleep disturbance pre-treatment and approximately 75% of these participants had threshold symptoms. Threshold sleep disturbances that persisted from pre- to post-treatment assessments were positively associated with depression at the 6-month follow-up. An ordered logistic regression model controlling for gender, treatment group and comorbid anxiety estimated a 70% risk of depression or partial remission for those with persistent sleep disturbance. Treatment group, anxiety and gender generally had no significant effect on the relationship between sleep and depression. Sleep disturbances were highly related to depressive state and were associated with poorer treatment response in adolescents with depression. These results provide a rationale for further exploration of sleep-related treatments for adolescents with depression. Knowledge of patient-reported persistent sleep disturbances can help clinicians to predict treatment outcomes and may direct them to augment treatment or focus on sleep-related treatment strategies.
The association between home learning during COVID‐19 lockdowns and subsequent school attendance among children with neurodevelopmental conditions
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-03-2023
DOI: 10.1111/CCH.13113
Abstract: Children with neurodevelopmental conditions have high levels of school absence. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, schools closed for many students. The relationship between home learning during school closures and subsequent school attendance requires attention to better understand the impact of pandemic education policy decisions on this population. This study aims to investigate the association between home learning, hybrid learning and school learning during school closures (in January–March 2021) with subsequent school attendance (in May 2021) in children with neurodevelopmental conditions. An online survey was completed by 809 parents/carers of 5‐ to 15‐year‐old autistic children and/or children with intellectual disability. Regression models examined the association of learning location during school closures with subsequent school absence (i.e., total days missed, persistent absence and school refusal). Children who were learning from home during school closures later missed 4.6 days of a possible 19. Children in hybrid and school learning missed 2.4 and 1.6 school days, respectively. The rates of school absence and persistent absence were significantly higher in the home learning group even after adjusting for confounders. Learning location was not associated with subsequent school refusal. Policies for school closures and learning from home during public health emergencies may exacerbate school attendance problems in this group of vulnerable children.
Suicide risk assessment: Where are we now?
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 10-2013
DOI: 10.5694/MJA13.10761
An online parenting intervention to prevent affective disorders in high-risk adolescents: the PIPA trial protocol.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-08-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S13063-022-06563-8
Abstract: Adolescent depression can place a young person at high risk of recurrence and a range of psychosocial and vocational impairments in adult life, highlighting the importance of early recognition and prevention. Parents/carers are well placed to notice changes in their child’s emotional wellbeing which may indicate risk, and there is increasing evidence that modifiable factors exist within the family system that may help reduce the risk of depression and anxiety in an adolescent. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the online personalised ‘Partners in Parenting’ programme developed in Australia, focused on improving parenting skills, knowledge and awareness, showed that it helped reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents who had elevated symptom levels at baseline. We have adapted this programme and will conduct an RCT in a UK setting. In total, 433 family dyads (parents/carers and children aged 11–15) will be recruited through schools, social media and parenting/family groups in the UK. Following completion of screening measures of their adolescent’s depressive symptoms, parents/carers of those with elevated scores will be randomised to receive either the online personalised parenting programme or a series of online factsheets about adolescent development and wellbeing. The primary objective will be to test whether the personalised parenting intervention reduces depressive symptoms in adolescents deemed at high risk, using the parent-reported Short Mood & Feelings Questionnaire. Follow-up assessments will be undertaken at 6 and 15 months and a process evaluation will examine context, implementation and impact of the intervention. An economic evaluation will also be incorporated with cost-effectiveness of the parenting intervention expressed in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained. Half of mental health problems emerge before mid-adolescence and approximately three-quarters by mid-20s, highlighting the need for effective preventative strategies. However, few early interventions are family focused and delivered online. We aim to conduct a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded RCT of the online personalised ‘Partners in Parenting’ programme, proven effective in Australia, targeting adolescents at risk of depression to evaluate its effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and usability in a UK setting. ISRCTN63358736. Registered 18 September 2019.
JWST NIRCam + NIRSpec: interstellar medium and stellar populations of young galaxies with rising star formation and evolving gas reservoirs
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-05-2023
Abstract: We present an interstellar medium and stellar population analysis of three spectroscopically confirmed z & 7 galaxies in the Early Release Observations JWST/NIRCam and JWST/NIRSpec data of the SMACS J0723.3−7327 cluster. We use the Bayesian spectral energy distribution-fitting code prospector with a flexible star formation history (SFH), a variable dust attenuation law, and a self-consistent model of nebular emission (continuum and emission lines). Importantly, we self-consistently fit both the emission line fluxes from JWST/NIRSpec and the broad-band photometry from JWST/NIRCam, taking into account slit-loss effects. We find that these three z=7.6–8.5 galaxies (M⋆ ≈ 108 M⊙) are young with rising SFHs and mass-weighted ages of 3–4 Myr, though we find indications for underlying older stellar populations. The inferred gas-phase metallicities broadly agree with the direct metallicity estimates from the auroral lines. The galaxy with the lowest gas-phase metallicity (Zgas= 0.06 Z⊙) has a steeply rising SFH, is very compact (& .2 kpc), and has a high star formation rate surface density (ΣSFR ≈ 22 M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2), consistent with rapid gas accretion. The two other objects with higher gas-phase metallicities show more complex multicomponent morphologies on kpc scales, indicating that their recent increase in star formation rate is driven by mergers or internal, gravitational instabilities. We discuss effects of assuming different SFH priors or only fitting the photometric data. Our analysis highlights the strength and importance of combining JWST imaging and spectroscopy for fully assessing the nature of galaxies at the earliest epochs.
Distress, burden, and wellbeing in siblings of people with mental illness: a mixed studies systematic review and meta-analysis
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 25-07-2023
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291723001733
Abstract: Family members of people with mental illness (MI) may experience a host of psychological adversities such as increased stress, burden, and reduced wellbeing. However, relatively little is known about siblings. This study aimed to characterise the experience of distress (viz. depressive and anxiety symptoms), burden, and wellbeing in siblings of people with MI. Studies reporting on quantitative measures of depression, anxiety, burden, or wellbeing in siblings and/or qualitative findings on siblings’ experience were eligible. The literature search was conducted up until 20th October 2022. Sixty-two studies comprising data from 3744 siblings were included. The pooled mean percentage of depressive symptoms fell in the mild range at 15.71 ( k = 28, N = 2187, 95% CI 12.99–18.43) and anxiety symptoms fell in the minimal range at 22.45 ( k = 16, N = 1122, 95% CI 17.09–27.80). Moderator analyses indicate that siblings of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder experience greater depressive symptoms than siblings of people with other types of MI ( β = −16.38, p 0.001). Qualitative findings suggest that in iduals may be particularly vulnerable during their siblings’ illness onset and times of relapse. Limited communication, confusion about MI, and the need to compensate may contribute to siblings’ distress and/or burden. Siblings’ experience of wellbeing and caregiving were closely related. This review highlights the complex psychological experience of siblings and the need for greater research and clinical support for this important yet often overlooked cohort.
Parent preferences for adolescent depression treatment: The role of past treatment experience and biological etiological beliefs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2022.07.057
Abstract: Parents play a crucial role in facilitating depression treatment for adolescents, yet parental preferences for adolescent treatments are ill-understood. Past treatment experience and belief in a biological model of depression may impact preferences, and warrant investigation. Parents (N = 143) of teens (12-18 years) completed a survey assessing preference for adolescent depression treatments, treatment knowledge, and beliefs about the biological etiology of depression. Details about parents' and adolescents' past mental health concerns and treatment were obtained. Parents indicated degree of preference from 0 (Not at all preferable) - 10 (Highly preferable) for six treatment options (counselling, antidepressant medication, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, exercise, no treatment) for three adolescents vignettes depicting varying depression severity (Mild/Moderate, Severe, and Treatment-Resistant). Mean preference ratings across all vignette severities were high for counselling (range: 8.57-9.38) and exercise (range: 9.04-9.25). Multiple regression revealed parental past experience of psychopharmacological treatment was significantly associated with current preference for adolescent antidepressant medication, with increased helpfulness and milder/fewer adverse events associated with stronger preference. Greater perceived helpfulness of past teen psychopharmacological treatment was significantly associated with greater current parental preference for adolescent antidepressant medication. Strength of biological beliefs and counselling preference were significantly positively associated. S le was highly educated, predominately female, and majority treatment-utilizing limiting the generalizability of findings. Parents' own past medication experiences and degree of biological etiological beliefs appear to be associated with current teen depression treatment preferences. Counselling and exercise were highly preferred across depression severity.
The role of parental self-efficacy in adolescent school-refusal.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1037/FAM0000050
Abstract: Parental characteristics such as psychopathology and parenting practices are understood to be implicated in school-refusal presentations. Expanding upon these largely affective and behavioral factors, the present study sought to examine the role of a parenting cognitive construct--parenting self-efficacy--in understanding school-refusal. School-refusing adolescents (n = 60, 53% male) and school-attending adolescents (n = 46, 39% male) aged 12-17 years (M = 13.93, SD = 1.33), along with a parent, participated in the study. Participants completed study measures of demographics, psychopathology, overall family functioning, and parenting self-efficacy. As expected, parents of school-refusing adolescents were found to have lower levels of parental self-efficacy than parents of school-attending adolescents. Parenting self-efficacy was inversely associated with parent- and adolescent- psychopathology as well as family dysfunction. Logistic regression analyses determined parenting self-efficacy to be a predictor of school-refusal. However, upon controlling for related constructs including family dysfunction, adolescent depression, and parent depression, the predictive capacity of parenting self-efficacy was eliminated. Taken together, the results highlight the likely complex relationships between parental self-efficacy, familial psychopathology, and dysfunctional family processes within this population. Research is required to further delineate these dynamic relationships among families of school-refusing adolescents.
Brief report: Can irritability act as a marker of psychopathology?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-03-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADOLESCENCE.2014.03.005
Abstract: Irritability is ubiquitous in child and adolescent psychopathology. This study aimed to determine if the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI), a measure of irritability, could be used to screen for psychopathology in adolescents. The clinical s le comprised 31 adolescents with a DSM‐IV diagnosis. The control s le was 31 gender and age matched adolescents recruited through schools. Both s les completed a test battery that included the Affective Reactivity Index. The clinical participants reported significantly higher levels of irritability than the control s le by both self‐ and parent‐report. Using ROC analysis a cut off value of 4 on the self‐report ARI was found to be optimal for indicating psychopathology with a specificity of 77.4% and a sensitivity of 77.4%, the area under the curve was 0.86. This paper provides evidence to suggest that irritability may be used as a general predictor of psychopathology in adolescents.
Prescribing for depressed adolescents: Office decision-making in the face of limited research evidence
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-03-2014
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.12517
Mentalization in Adolescents With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Comparison With Healthy Controls.
Publisher: Guilford Publications
Date: 04-2018
Abstract: Mentalization is proposed to underlie the disturbed interpersonal relatedness that is a hallmark of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Despite growing evidence of BPD in adolescents, studies examining mentalization in relation to adolescent BPD have remained limited. Given contradictory findings of this relationship, particularly with adults, further research of mentalization in adolescents with BPD is warranted. The current study further clarifies the nature of mentalizing impairments, related to BPD, by examining different aspects of mentalization between adolescents with BPD (n = 26) and a group of healthy controls (n = 25). Findings support studies that suggest that mentalization may be an important treatment target, influencing BPD symptoms and interpersonal functioning in adolescents with BPD. They also support the importance of examining mentalizing abilities in relation to varying levels of complexity, interpersonal contexts, and levels of arousal. Limitations and further research are discussed.
The Kids and Teens at School (KiTeS) framework: An inclusive nested framework for understanding school absenteeism and school attendance problems
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 28-06-2019
Child, parent, and family mental health and functioning in Australia during COVID-19: comparison to pre-pandemic data
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-08-2021
A Preliminary Examination of Key Strategies, Challenges, and Benefits of Remote Learning Expressed by Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 08-02-2021
Abstract: Among the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most dramatic was the immediate closure of in-person schooling in March/April 2020 when parents were faced with much greater responsibility in supporting their children’s learning. Despite this, few studies have examined parents’ own perspectives of this experience. The aims of this preliminary study were to (1) identify challenges, benefits, and useful strategies related to remote learning and (2) examine differences in findings across two countries, between parents of youth with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and between parents of children and adolescents. To address these aims, parent responses to open-ended questions on the Home Adjustment to COVID-19 Scale (HACS Becker et al., 2020) were examined across three studies conducted in the United States and Australia (N=606, children: 68.5% male, ages 6-17 years). The challenges most frequently expressed by parents included the child’s difficulty staying on task (23.8% of parents), lack of motivation (18.3%), remote learning factors (17.8%), and lack of social interaction (14.4%). The most frequently expressed strategy related to using routines and schedules (58.2%) and the biggest benefit was more family time (20.3%). Findings were largely consistent across countries, ADHD status, and age, with a few notable group differences. Given that the most common challenges involved child- (e.g., difficulties with staying on task and motivation), parent- (e.g., balancing remote learning with work responsibilities), and school- (e.g., remote instruction difficulties) related factors, there is a need for improved support across these systems going forward.
Evaluating the Role of Parent-Child Interactive Groups in a Parent Training Program for Children with Externalizing and/or Internalizing Behavior Problems
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-10-2019
Short-term treatments may not affect longer term recovery or recurrence among adolescents with a major depressive episode
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 14-07-2011
DOI: 10.1136/EBMH.14.3.72
Identifying post-traumatic stress disorder in women of refugee background at a public antenatal clinic
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-08-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S00737-021-01167-8
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate symptomatology and diagnoses of PTSD and subthreshold PTSD and the screening properties of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) within a s le of Dari-speaking women of refugee background receiving antenatal care. This cross-sectional study administered the HTQ to 52 Dari-speaking women at a public pregnancy clinic. The trauma module from the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-5) was administered. Interview material was presented to an expert panel, blinded to the HTQ screening results, in order to achieve consensus diagnoses of PTSD using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) criteria. Three women (5.8%) met DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. Eleven women (21.15%) met criteria for subthreshold PTSD, defined as meeting two or three of the DSM-5 criteria domains. A comparison of HTQ cut-off scores was conducted and a score of ≥ 2.25 on the HTQ demonstrated excellent sensitivity 1.00 (95% CI 0.29-1.00) and specificity 0.76 (95% CI 0.61-0.87) in detecting PTSD however, a wide confidence interval for sensitivity was found. A cut-off score of ≥ 2 provided the best balance of sensitivity 1.00 (95% CI 0.72-1.00) and specificity 0.80 (95% CI 0.65-0.91) when assessing for subthreshold PTSD. Screening for perinatal PTSD for women of refugee background is recommended, in order to identify those at risk of DSM diagnosis and also those women experiencing distressing PTSD symptomatology.
Reducing suicidal ideation in young adults: online tools to address perceived burdensomeness
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-11-2022
Morpheus Reveals Distant Disk Galaxy Morphologies with JWST: The First AI/ML Analysis of JWST Images
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 2023
Abstract: The dramatic first images with JWST demonstrated its power to provide unprecedented spatial detail for galaxies in the high-redshift universe. Here, we leverage the resolution and depth of the JWST Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science Survey data in the Extended Groth Strip to perform pixel-level morphological classifications of galaxies in JWST F150W imaging using the Morpheus deep-learning framework for astronomical image analysis. By cross-referencing with existing photometric redshift catalogs from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) CANDELS survey, we show that JWST images indicate the emergence of disk morphologies before z ∼ 2 and with candidates appearing as early as z ∼ 5. By modeling the light profile of each object and accounting for the JWST point-spread function, we find the high-redshift disk candidates have exponential surface brightness profiles with an average Sérsic index 〈 n 〉 = 1.04 and % displaying “disky” profiles ( n 2). Comparing with prior Morpheus classifications in CANDELS we find that a plurality of JWST disk galaxy candidates were previously classified as compact based on the shallower HST imagery, indicating that the improved optical quality and depth of the JWST helps to reveal disk morphologies that were hiding in the noise. We discuss the implications of these early disk candidates on theories for cosmological disk galaxy formation.
Disclosure of suicidal ideation and behaviours: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2023
Some psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule among Australian youth.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2000
Differentiation Between School Attendance Problems: Why and How?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
Neuropsychological deficits in adolescent unipolar depression
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 19-06-2011
Abstract: Although neuropsychological deficits in adult depression are relatively well established, findings in children/adolescents have been inconsistent and thus require further investigation. The current study investigated verbal fluency (VF), cognitive speed, motor speed, and executive functions in adolescents with unipolar depression. Results indicated that adolescents with minor depression showed working memory deficits and poorer VF (letter task). Adolescents with major depression showed working memory deficits and processing speed deficits from the early stages of information processing to the later stages of motor output. Executive function deficits of set-shifting and response inhibition that are well established in adults were not found, but may reflect task differences. Thus, it appears that depression subtype or severity of symptoms may impact on neuropsychological functioning and may in part explain previous inconsistent results.
Development and evaluation of a predictive algorithm and telehealth intervention to reduce suicidal behavior among university students
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 21-09-2023
Revisiting the factor structure of the suicide-related coping scale: Results from two samples of Australian online help-seekers
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2023
Improving school attendance by enhancing communication among stakeholders: establishment of the International Network for School Attendance (INSA)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2019
Outcome of adolescent depression: 6 Months after treatment
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2011
DOI: 10.3109/00048674.2010.538838
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the demographic and clinical factors that predicted depression in adolescents at 6 months after treatment. Method: A total of 130 adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years) who had been clinically referred for treatment with a DSM-IV major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder or minor depression were treated with either CBT, sertraline, their combination or supportive psychotherapy, in two randomized clinical trials using the same assessment instruments. Assessments in both studies were conducted at initial assessment, three months later at the conclusion of treatment, and at 6-month follow up. The data of these two trials were pooled. The primary outcome measures were the presence of a depressive disorder and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) score at 6-month follow up. Results: At baseline, only the Self Efficacy Questionnaire for Depressed Adolescents (SEQ-DA) predicted depression at 6-month follow up. In idual measures following 3 months of acute treatment that predicted depression at 6-month follow up were SEQ-DA, RADS, Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale-total score, Global Assessment of Function, adolescent-rated Family Assessment Device General Functioning Subscale and adolescent-rated Visual Analogue Scores of mood states. Conclusion: Clinical variables as reported by the adolescent and identified by the clinician at baseline assessment and following 3 months of treatment predicted depression at 6-month follow up. No demographic variables were predictive of depression at 6-month follow up.
Feasibility and validity of ecological momentary assessment in adolescents with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-11-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADOLESCENCE.2013.10.005
Abstract: Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) may increase accuracy of data compared with retrospective questionnaires by assessing behaviours as they occur, hence decreasing recall biases and increasing ecological validity. This study examined the feasibility and concurrent validity of an EMA tool for adolescents with High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (HFASD). Thirty‐one adolescents with HFASD completed a mobile phone EMA application that assessed stressors and coping for two weeks. Parents and adolescents also completed retrospective measures of the adolescent's coping/stressors. Moderate compliance with the EMA tool was achieved and some concurrent validity was established with the retrospective measure of coping. Concordance was found between the types of stressors reported by parents and adolescents but not the quantity. The results suggest adolescents with HFASD are capable of reporting on their stressors and coping via EMA. EMA has the potential to be a valuable research tool in this population.
Spectroscopic Investigation of a Reionized Galaxy Overdensity at z = 7
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-08-2018
Exercise as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Adolescent Depression
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 25-08-2017
Psychometric properties of the affective reactivity index in Australian adults and adolescents
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 03-2014
DOI: 10.1037/A0034891
Abstract: Irritable mood is implicated in a range of psychiatric conditions in both adults and adolescents. Research into appropriate measures of irritability, however, has been sparse. Recently, Stringaris et al. (2012) published the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI), a measure of chronic irritability with promising psychometric properties. This article presents psychometric properties of the ARI with Australian adolescents and, for the first time, with adults. The adolescent s le (n = 396) was recruited from 11 secondary schools in southeastern Australia. The adult s le (n = 221) was recruited through poster and online advertising. Both s les completed a battery of measures (including the ARI, Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-2, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screen, and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale) on a single occasion, and a subs le of adults (n = 32) completed the ARI a 2nd time after 1 week to establish test-retest reliability. Parent and self-report scales had excellent internal consistency and correlated well with each other. Test-retest reliability was also very good in the adult s le (intraclass correlation coefficient = .80). Convergent validity was demonstrated, as irritability was related to psychopathology in both adults and adolescents as expected. The ARI is a brief, easy-to-use scale to measure chronic irritability, with promising psychometric properties for use with Australian adults and adolescents.
Perceived Invalidation in Adolescent Borderline Personality Disorder: An Investigation of Parallel Reports of Caregiver Responses to Negative Emotions
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S10578-018-0833-5
Abstract: Childhood experiences of emotional invalidation are commonly reported by adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study aimed to compare perceptions of emotional invalidation between adolescents with and adolescents without BPD, and their primary caregivers. Participants were 51 adolescents sub ided into a clinical group of 26 adolescents with BPD and a community-control group of 25 adolescents, each with their primary caregivers. To examine perceptions of invalidation, adolescents and caregivers completed parallel reports assessing caregiver responses to adolescents' negative emotions. Adolescents with BPD reported more punitive and less supportive responses to their negative emotions than their caregivers. In the control group, by contrast, differences between caregiver and adolescent reports were due to caregivers rating themselves more harshly than did adolescents. Findings demonstrated that adolescents with BPD perceived their caregivers to be relatively less supportive and more invalidating than did adolescents without BPD. Results highlight the importance of adolescents' subjective experiences of caregiving to enduring borderline psychopathology.
Evidence-based assessment and intervention for depression in school psychology
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2017
Adverse events reported by anxious school refusing adolescents receiving cognitive behavioral therapy with and without fluoxetine
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-01-2019
Abstract: Investigating adverse events associated with antidepressant treatments in adolescents is important given the concerns about increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior in this age group. The aim of this study is to investigate adverse and serious adverse events associated with the treatment of anxiety (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-only, CBT-plus-placebo, and CBT-plus-fluoxetine) in anxious school-refusing adolescents. A side-effect symptom checklist was completed by participants prior to commencing treatment and during treatment (weekly/fortnightly). CBT-plus-fluoxetine was well tolerated and not associated with higher levels of adverse events than the other treatments. Adverse events in all groups decreased over time, and the only adverse event distinct to fluoxetine was nausea. Baseline anxiety predicted higher levels of adverse events. There was one suicide attempt in the CBT-plus-placebo group but no statistically significant difference in suicide attempts between groups. Participants with a comorbid depressive disorder were more likely to report self-injury ideation but not suicidal ideation compared with those who did not have comorbid depressive disorder. Frequency of suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-injury was significantly lower in the CBT-plus-fluoxetine group compared with the CBT-only group. Frequency of self-injury ideation was significantly lower in the CBT-plus-fluoxetine group compared with both other groups. Overall, the treatments were well tolerated and fluoxetine plus CBT appeared to be protective against suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury, and self-injury ideation in this s le.
Enabling Digital Parenting Interventions to Promote Empathic Partnerships among Parents, Educators, and Adolescents Targeting School Refusal
Publisher: ACM
Date: 19-04-2023
The Role of Anger in the Relationship Between Internalising Symptoms and Aggression in Adolescents
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-05-2016
Study Protocol for the COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Survey (CPAS): A Longitudinal Study of Australian Parents of a Child 0–18 Years
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 31-08-2020
Parents’ Experiences of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Adolescents and Young Adults
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-08-2016
Should we recommend exercise to adolescents with depressive symptoms? A meta-analysis
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-01-2017
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.13426
Abstract: There is growing interest in the potential role of exercise in the reduction of depressive symptoms. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine whether exercise reduces depressive symptoms amongst depressed adolescents. The following databases were searched on 30 January 2015: MEDLINE, PsychINFO, SPORTDiscuss and PUBMED. Studies were included if they examined exercise interventions amongst adolescents with clinical levels of depressive symptoms, were published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language and contained a control/comparison group. Of 6631 retrieved studies, eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model due to the high level of heterogeneity identified amongst studies ( I
Modifiable Parent Factors Associated with Child and Adolescent School Refusal: A Systematic Review
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-04-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S10578-022-01358-Z
Abstract: School refusal is a complex problem that refers to difficulty attending/remaining at school due to emotional distress about attendance. Despite its occurrence being associated with negative outcomes, many are unresponsive to the current treatment options. While parent factors have a key role to play in school refusal, they are not adequately addressed in existing treatments. Further research is needed to consolidate understanding and implement new treatments. Employing the PRISMA method, this review aims to identify modifiable parent factors associated with child and/or adolescent school refusal. Eight studies met inclusion criteria from which nine factors were identified. Factors found to be associated with school refusal included: parent psychopathology, family functioning and maternal overprotection (communication subdomain). Other factors such as maternal overprotection (affection, assistance and travel subdomains) and parental self-efficacy had weak or inconsistent results warranting further investigation. Overall, findings call for action in this field that has sparse and dated literature.
Seclusion in the Management of Highly Disturbed Children and Adolescents
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2016
Parent and child mental health trajectories April 2020 to May 2021: Strict lockdown versus no lockdown in Australia
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 21-12-2021
DOI: 10.1177/00048674211065365
Abstract: To control a second-wave COVID-19 outbreak, the state of Victoria in Australia experienced one of the world’s first long and strict lockdowns over July–October 2020, while the rest of Australia experienced ‘COVID-normal’ with minimal restrictions. We (1) investigate trajectories of parent/child mental health outcomes in Victoria vs non-Victoria and (2) identify baseline demographic, in idual and COVID-19-related factors associated with mental health trajectories. Online community s le of 2004 Australian parents with rapid repeated assessment over 14 time-points over April 2020 to May 2021. Measures assessed parent mental health (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21), child depression symptoms (13-item Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire) and child anxiety symptoms (four items from Brief Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale). Mental health trajectories shadowed COVID-19 infection rates. Victorians reported a peak in mental health symptoms at the time of the second-wave lockdown compared to other states. Key baseline predictors, including parent and child loneliness (standardized regression coefficient [β] = 0.09–0.46), parent/child diagnoses (β = 0.07–0.21), couple conflict (β = 0.07–0.18) and COVID-19 stressors, such as worry/concern about COVID-19, illness and loss of job (β = 0.12–0.15), predicted elevated trajectories. Effects of predictors on parent and child mental health trajectories are illustrated in an online interactive app for readers ( lingtax.shinyapps.io/CPAS_trend/ ). Our findings provide evidence of worse trajectories of parent and child mental health symptoms at a time coinciding with a second COVID-19 outbreak involving strict lockdown in Victoria, compared to non-locked states in Australia. We identified several baseline factors that may be useful in detecting high-risk families who are likely to require additional support early on in future lockdowns.
The ionizing properties of two bright Lyα emitters in the Bremer Deep Field reionized bubble at z = 7
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 06-2022
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202243348
Abstract: Aims. We investigate the ionizing properties of the pair of bright Ly α emitting galaxies BDF521 and BDF2195 at z = 7.012 in order to constrain their contribution to the formation of the Bremer Deep Field (BDF) ‘reionized bubble’ in which they have been shown to reside. Methods. We obtain constraints on four UV emission lines (the CIV λ 1548 doublet, HeII λ 1640, the OIII] λ 1660 doublet, and the CIII] λ 1909 doublet) from deep VLT X-shooter observations and compare them to those available for other high-redshift objects, and to models with mixed stellar and active galactic nucleus (AGN) emission. We use this spectroscopic information, together with the photometry available in the field, to constrain the physical properties of the two objects using the spectro-photometric fitting code BEAGLE. Results. We do not detect any significant emission at the expected position of the UV lines, with 3 σ upper limits of equivalent width (EW) ≲2–7 Å rest-frame. We find that the two objects have a lower CIII] emission than expected on the basis of the correlation between the Ly α and CIII] EWs. The EW limits on CIV and HeII emission exclude pure AGN templates at ∼2 − 3 σ significance, and only models with a ≲40% AGN contribution are compatible with the observations. The two objects are found to be relatively young (∼20–30 Myrs) and metal-poor (≲0.3 Z ⊙ ), with stellar masses of a few 10 9 M ⊙ . Their production rate of hydrogen ionizing photons per intrinsic UV luminosity is log( ξ ion * /Hz erg −1 ) = 25.02–25.26, consistent with values typically found in high-redshift galaxies, but more than twice lower than values measured in z 7 galaxies with strong CIII] and/or optical line emission (≃25.6–25.7). Conclusions. The two BDF emitters show no evidence of higher-than-average ionizing capabilities and are not capable of reionizing their surroundings by their own means, under realistic assumptions of the escape fraction of ionizing photons. Therefore, a dominant contribution to the formation of the reionized bubble must have been provided by fainter companion galaxies. The capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope will be needed for spectroscopic confirmation of these objects.
Reflective function mediates the relationship between emotional maltreatment and borderline pathology in adolescents: A preliminary investigation
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHIABU.2017.08.008
Abstract: Deficits in mentalizing, particularly within the context of attachment relationships i.e., reflective function (RF), are posited to result from childhood maltreatment and to influence the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Whilst a mentalization-based model of BPD provides a theoretical explanation, direct empirical support for this model, in linking childhood maltreatment to borderline pathology remains limited. This study examined the interrrelationships between childhood maltreatment, RF, and borderline pathology in a mixed adolescent s le, consisting of adolescents with BPD (n=26) and a group of non-clinical adolescents (n=25). With the aim of directly testing the mentalization-based model of BPD, we additionally investigated the influence of each form of childhood maltreatment within this developmental pathway. Self-report data supported the hypothesized indirect effect of childhood maltreatment on elevated borderline pathology through lowered RF in adolescents. Both emotional abuse and emotional neglect were found to indirectly influence borderline pathology through adolescent RF, however, only emotional abuse indirectly influenced borderline pathology through RF, after all other maltreatment types were controlled for. Findings support the promotion of mentalization, within attachment-related contexts, as an intervention target for adolescents with borderline pathology and as a potential target of prevention for at-risk children and adolescents with histories of childhood maltreatment, especially emotional abuse. Future research should delineate other underlying mechanisms, independent of RF, which may also link the influence of childhood maltreatment, and in particular, emotional abuse, to BPD.
School attendance problems in children with neurodevelopmental conditions in the UK approximately one year after the COVID-19 pandemic
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 05-04-2022
Abstract: The preprint describes analyses that investigate school attendance problems in children with neurodevelopmental conditions in the UK approximately one year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
An investigation of the mentalization-based model of borderline pathology in adolescents.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.COMPPSYCH.2018.04.005
Abstract: According to mentalization-based theory, transgenerational transmission of mentalization from caregiver to offspring is implicated in the pathogenesis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Recent research has demonstrated an association between hypermentalizing (excessive, inaccurate mental state reasoning) and BPD, indicating the particular relevance of this form of mentalizing dysfunction to the transgenerational mentalization-based model. As yet, no study has empirically assessed a transgenerational mentalization-based model of BPD. The current study sought firstly to test the mentalization-based model, and additionally, to determine the form of mentalizing dysfunction in caregivers (e.g., hypo- or hypermentalizing) most relevant to a hypermentalizing model of BPD. Participants were a mixed s le of adolescents with BPD and a s le of non-clinical adolescents, and their respective primary caregivers (n = 102 51 dyads). Using an ecologically valid measure of mentalization, mediational analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between caregiver mentalizing, adolescent mentalizing, and adolescent borderline features. Findings demonstrated that adolescent mentalization mediated the effect of caregiver mentalization on adolescent borderline personality pathology. Furthermore, results indicated that hypomentalizing in caregivers was related to adolescent borderline personality pathology via an effect on adolescent hypermentalizing. Results provide empirical support for the mentalization-based model of BPD, and suggest the indirect influence of caregiver mentalization on adolescent borderline psychopathology. Results further indicate the relevance of caregiver hypomentalizing to a hypermentalizing model of BPD.
Shame and Non-suicidal Self-injury: Conceptualization and Preliminary Test of a Novel Developmental Model among Emerging Adults
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-10-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S10964-018-0944-0
Abstract: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is particularly prevalent during adolescence and emerging adulthood. The salience of shame during these developmental periods suggests that shame may be inherently linked to NSSI, and at least partially explain the high rates of NSSI observed among youth. In this article, a theoretical developmental model relating shame and NSSI is proposed, and results from a preliminary test of a sub-set of cross-sectional relationships in this model is presented. In the model tested, it was hypothesized that adverse caregiving experiences in prior development (i.e., childhood to late adolescence) like parental invalidation and child maltreatment, established predictors of NSSI, would be linked to proximal episodes of NSSI (i.e., past year) through current shame-proneness (i.e., experiencing shame in a trait-like manner) and internalizing shame-coping (i.e., responding to shame through attacking one's self and withdrawing). It was also hypothesized that some key proximal predictors of NSSI during youth development, such as low body esteem, increased loneliness and heightened psychological distress, would be linked to proximal NSSI via shame-proneness and internalizing shame-coping. Using structural equation modelling, it was observed that data, obtained via self-reports completed by 573 emerging adults (age in years: M = 20.7, SD= 2.20, 69.1% female, NSSI history: n = 220, where most recent NSSI episode was within a year of study participation) recruited throughout Australia between June 2013 and June 2014, fit the hypothesized model well. Tests of indirect effects indicated that current shame-proneness and internalizing shame-coping significantly linked perceived parental invalidation and prior experiences of child maltreatment to proximal NSSI, though this relationship was, unexpectedly, an inverse one in relation to child maltreatment. Current shame-proneness was also linked to proximal NSSI via internalizing shame-coping, current loneliness, and current psychological distress, but not through current body esteem. Finally, proximal self-evaluations of body esteem, loneliness and increased psychological distress were linked to recent NSSI through internalizing shame-coping. The theory and findings presented in this article contribute to a deeper developmental understanding of NSSI among youth, highlight crucial pathways between adverse caregiving experiences and NSSI, and illuminate important shame-based mechanisms that potentially warrant clinical attention for at-risk in iduals. Future research directions and clinical recommendations are discussed.
Therapist-Informed Design Directions for Mobile Assistive Technologies for Anxiety
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2022
Parent and child mental health trajectories April-October 2020: Strict lockdown versus no lockdown in Australia
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 26-03-2021
Abstract: Objective: To control a second-wave COVID-19 outbreak, the state of Victoria in Australia experienced one of the world’s first long and strict lockdowns over July-October 2020, while the rest of Australia experienced ‘COVID-normal’ with minimal restrictions. We (1) investigate trajectories of parent/child mental health outcomes and (2) identify baseline demographic, in idual, and COVID-19-related factors associated with mental health trajectories. Method: Online community s le of 1,877 Australian parents with rapid repeated assessment over 10 time-points over April-October, 2020. Measures assessed parent mental health (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21) child depression symptoms (13-item Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire) and child anxiety symptoms (four-items from Brief Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale).Results: Mental health trajectories shadowed COVID-19 infection rates. Victorians reported a large peak in mental health symptoms at the time of the second-wave lockdown compared to other states. Key baseline predictors, including parent and child loneliness (standardized regression coefficient [β]=·09-·39), parent/child diagnoses (β=·11-·22), couple conflict (β=·09-·19), and COVID-19 stressors, such as worry/concern about COVID-19, illness, and loss of job (β=·07-·22), predicted elevated trajectories. Effects of predictors on parent and child mental health trajectories are illustrated in an online interactive app for readers (lingtax.shinyapps.io/CPAS_trend/).Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence of worse trajectories of parent and child mental health symptoms associated with strict, sustained, COVID-19 lockdown in Victoria, compared to non-locked states in the rest of Australia. We identified several baseline factors that may be useful in detecting high risk families who are likely to require additional support early on in future lockdowns.
Acceptability, safety and tolerability of antidepressant repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for adolescents: A mixed-methods investigation
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2022.04.057
Abstract: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is relatively common in adolescence, with far-reaching impacts. Current treatments frequently fail to alleviate depression severity for a substantial portion of adolescents. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may assist with this unmet clinical need. However, little is known about adverse events (AEs) experienced by adolescents receiving rTMS, subjective treatment experiences of adolescents and their parents, or treatment acceptability. Fourteen adolescents (16.5 years ± 1.2 71.4% female) with MDD received 20 sessions of either high-frequency (10 Hz n = 7) left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or low-frequency (1 Hz n = 7) right DLPFC rTMS. AEs were monitored at baseline and at weekly intervals via New York State Psychiatric Institute Side Effects Form for Children and Adolescents. Eight adolescents and nine parents participated in interviews regarding subjective treatment experience, analysed via content analysis. Drowsiness and lethargy were common AEs, reported by 92.3% of participants in week one. Number of AEs decreased throughout treatment course (after 5 treatments: M = 11.23, SD = 5.00 after 20 treatments: M = 8.92, SD = 5.95). Thirty-five AEs emerged during treatment, most commonly transient dizziness. Frequency, severity, and number of AEs reported were equivalent between treatment groups. Treatment adherence and satisfaction were high. Qualitative findings identified three themes relating to rTMS experience: Preparation and connection Physical experience of treatment and Perceived role of treatment. S le size was small, therefore findings are preliminary. rTMS was an acceptable treatment for adolescent MDD, from both adolescents' and parents' perspectives, and was safe and well-tolerated, as AE frequency and type did not differ from rTMS treatment courses in adults.
Antidepressant Medication: Is It a Viable and Valuable Adjunct to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for School Refusal?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
Evaluating the Effect of Parent–Child Interactive Groups in a School-Based Parent Training Program: Parenting Behavior, Parenting Stress and Sense of Competence
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-11-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10578-021-01276-6
Abstract: The Exploring Together program is a group-based parent training program that comprises separate parent, child, and teacher components, and a combined parent–child interactive component. A cluster-randomized trial design was used to compare the Exploring Together program with (Exploring Together ET) and without (Exploring Together-Adapted ET-Adapted) the parent–child interactive component. One hundred and thirty-six parents and their children (aged 5–10 years) with externalizing and/or internalizing problems participated in the trial, recruited from primary schools. There was a significant reduction in negative parenting behavior across both treatment groups (ET and ET-Adapted) but no significant improvement in positive parenting behaviors. Parenting self-efficacy improved significantly across both treatment groups however there was no significant change in parenting satisfaction or parenting stress. There was no consistent evidence of superiority of one version of the Exploring Together program over the other. Further investigation regarding treatment dosage and mastery of parenting skills associated with the program is warranted.
“I Do Want to Stop, At Least I Think I Do”: An International Comparison of Recovery From Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Young People
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 26-12-2018
Abstract: Phenomenological and cultural understandings of recovery from the perspective of in iduals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are rare. The primary study objective was to understand similarities across three s les in (a) how young people define recovery from NSSI and (b) what they consider helpful approaches taken by parents and professionals to assist their recovery. Using a cross-national s le of young people ( n = 98) from Australia ( n = 48), Belgium ( n = 25) and the United States ( n = 25), we assessed their perspectives on NSSI. Consistent across all s les, young people defined recovery as no longer having the urge to self-injure when distressed, often displayed ambivalence about recovery, and reported it was helpful when parents and professionals were calm and understanding. Acceptance of recovery as a process involving relapses may need to be emphasized in NSSI treatment, to ease the pressure young people often place on themselves to stop the behavior outright.
Coping, daily hassles and behavior and emotional problems in adolescents with high-functioning autism/Asperger's disorder
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-08-2014
DOI: 10.1007/S10803-013-1912-X
Abstract: Although daily hassles and coping are associated with behavior and emotional problems in non-clinical populations, few studies have investigated these relationships in in iduals with high-functioning autism/Asperger's Disorder (HFASD). This study examined the relationships between daily hassles, coping and behavior and emotional problems in adolescents with HFASD. Thirty-one adolescents with HFASD completed questionnaires assessing their coping and behavior and emotional problems, and completed an Ecological Momentary Assessment run via a mobile phone application on their coping and daily hassles. Parents completed questionnaires of the adolescents' daily hassles, coping, and behavior and emotional problems. The disengagement coping style was associated with significantly higher levels of behavior and emotional problems regardless of respondent or methodology, suggesting it may be a valuable target for intervention.
Improving Mental Health in Pregnancy for Refugee Women: Protocol for the Implementation and Evaluation of a Screening Program in Melbourne, Australia
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 19-08-2019
DOI: 10.2196/13271
Abstract: Identifying mental health disorders in migrant and refugee women during pregnancy provides an opportunity for interventions that may benefit women and their families. Evidence suggests that perinatal mental health disorders impact mother-infant attachment at critical times, which can affect child development. Postnatal depression resulting in suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality postpartum. Routine screening of perinatal mental health is recommended to improve the identification of depression and anxiety and to facilitate early management. However, screening is poorly implemented into routine practice. This study is the first to investigate routine screening for perinatal mental health in a maternity setting designed for refugee women. This study will determine whether symptoms of depression and anxiety are more likely to be detected by the screening program compared with routine care and will evaluate the screening program’s feasibility and acceptability to women and health care providers (HCPs). The objectives of this study are (1) to assess if refugee women are more likely to screen risk-positive for depression and anxiety than nonrefugee women, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (2) to assess if screening in pregnancy using the EPDS enables better detection of symptoms of depression and anxiety in refugee women than current routine care (3) to determine if a screening program for perinatal mental health in a maternity setting designed for refugee women is acceptable to women and (4) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the perinatal mental health screening program from the perspective of HCPs (including the barriers and enablers to implementation). This study uses an internationally recommended screening measure, the EPDS, and a locally developed psychosocial questionnaire, both administered in early pregnancy and again in the third trimester. These measures have been translated into the most common languages used by the women attending the clinic and are administered via an electronic platform (iCOPE). This platform automatically calculates the EPDS score and generates reports for the HCP and woman. A total of 119 refugee women and 155 nonrefugee women have been recruited to evaluate the screening program’s ability to detect depression and anxiety symptoms and will be compared with 34 refugee women receiving routine care. A subs le of women will participate in a qualitative assessment of the screening program’s acceptability and feasibility. Health service staff have been recruited to evaluate the integration of screening into maternity care. The recruitment is complete, and data collection and analysis are underway. It is anticipated that screening will increase the identification and management of depression and anxiety symptoms in pregnancy. New information will be generated on how to implement such a program in feasible and acceptable ways that will improve health outcomes for refugee women. DERR1-10.2196/13271
An exploration of the adaptation and development after persecution and trauma (ADAPT) model with resettled refugee adolescents in Australia: A qualitative study.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 20-05-2016
Abstract: Refugee adolescents endure high rates of traumatic exposure, as well as subsequent resettlement and adaptational stressors. Research on the effects of trauma in refugee populations has focussed on psychopathological outcomes, in particular posttraumatic stress disorder. However this approach does not address the psychosocial and adaptive dimensions of refugee experience. The ADAPT model proposes an alternate conceptualization of the refugee experience, theorizing that refugee trauma challenges five core psychosocial adaptive systems, and that the impact on these systems leads to psychological difficulties. This study investigated the application of the ADAPT model to adolescents’ accounts of their refugee and resettlement experiences. Deductive thematic analysis was used to analyse responses of 43 adolescent refugees to a semistructured interview. The ADAPT model was found to be a useful paradigm to conceptualize the impact of adolescents’ refugee and resettlement journeys in terms of in idual variation in the salience of particular adaptive systems to in iduals’ experiences. Findings are discussed in light of current understandings of the psychological impact of the refugee experience on adolescents.
The experience of home schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic in families of children with a neurodevelopmental condition
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 08-07-0008
Abstract: The preprint describes a study that aimed to describe the experience of home schooling /home learning in families of children with a neurodevelopmental condition in the UK approximately one year from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (2021)
The feasibility of using smartphone apps to manage self-harm and suicidal acts in adolescents admitted to an inpatient mental health ward
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2020
Abstract: The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility (uptake, retention and adherence) and acceptability of a combination of smartphone apps to deliver a digitized safety plan, BeyondNow, and personalized management strategies, BlueIce, with adolescents discharged from a mental health inpatient ward following self-harm, suicidal ideation and/or behavior. Participants in this pre-post pilot study included 20 adolescents between 13–18 years, presenting with self-harming or suicidal behaviors in an inpatient psychiatric ward at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Participants were familiarized with the apps and completed baseline measures prior to discharge. They used the apps for six weeks before completing the follow-up survey, which measured feasibility and acceptability of the apps, as well as suicide resilience. Seventeen participants completed the pilot. Most of the s le accessed both apps at least once, three accessed the BeyondNow safety plan five times or more, and six used the BlueIce toolbox five times or more. A total of 73.5% of the s le that experienced a crisis used at least one of the apps at least once. Forty seven percent felt that the apps would not keep them safe when in crisis, although almost all of the s le rated both apps as easy to use (94% for BeyondNow, and 82% for BlueIce). Medium to large effect sizes were also found with regard to improvements in suicide resilience. Both apps were found to be feasible and acceptable in this population, and easy to use, although no conclusions can be drawn regarding the clinical efficacy of the apps.
Perinatal psychosocial assessment of women of refugee background
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Types and correlates of school absenteeism among students with intellectual disability
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-02-2023
DOI: 10.1111/JIR.13011
Abstract: It appears that students with intellectual disability (ID) are more frequently absent from school compared with students without ID. The objective of the current study was to estimate the frequency of absence among students with ID and the reasons for absence. Potential reasons included the attendance problems referred to as school refusal, where absence is related to emotional distress truancy, where absence is concealed from parents school exclusion, where absence is instigated by the school and school withdrawal, where absence is initiated by parents. Study participants were 629 parents (84.6% mothers) of Australian school students (M age = 11.18 years 1.8% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) with an ID. Participants completed a questionnaire battery that included the School Non‐Attendance ChecKlist via which parents indicated the reason their child was absent for each day or half‐day absence their child had over the past 20 school days. The absence data presented to parents had been retrieved from school records. Across all students, absence occurred on 7.9% of the past 20 school days. In terms of school attendance problems as defined in existing literature, school withdrawal accounted for 11.1% of absences and school refusal for 5.3% of absences. Students were also absent for other reasons, most commonly illness (32.0%) and appointments (24.2%). Of students with more than one absence ( n = 217 34.5%), about half were absent for more than one reason. Students attending mainstream schools had lower attendance than those attending special schools. Students with ID were absent for a range of reasons and often for multiple reasons. There were elevated rates of school withdrawal and school refusal. Understanding the reasons for absenteeism can inform targeted prevention and intervention supports.
Validation of a Dari translation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale among women of refugee background at a public antenatal clinic
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-07-2022
DOI: 10.1177/00048674211025687
Abstract: Identifying women at risk of depression and anxiety during pregnancy provides an opportunity to improve health outcomes for women and their children. One barrier to screening is the availability of validated measures in the woman’s language. Afghanistan is one of the largest source countries for refugees yet there is no validated measure in Dari to screen for symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to assess the screening properties of a Dari translation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. This cross-sectional study administered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Dari version to 52 Dari-speaking women at a public pregnancy clinic in Melbourne, Australia. A clinical interview using the depressive and anxiety disorders modules from the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) was also conducted. Interview material was presented to an expert panel to achieve consensus diagnoses. The interview and diagnostic process was undertaken blind to Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale screening results. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Dari version was good (α = 0.79). Criterion validity was assessed using the receiver operating characteristics curve and generated excellent classification accuracy for depression diagnosis (0.90 95% confidence interval [0.82, 0.99]) and for anxiety diagnosis (0.94 95% confidence interval [0.88, 1.00]). For depression, a cut-off score of 9, as recommended for culturally and linguistically erse groups, demonstrated high sensitivity (1.00 95% confidence interval [0.79, 1.00]) and specificity (0.88 95% confidence interval [0.73, 0.97]). For anxiety, a cut-off score of ⩾5 provided the best balance of sensitivity (1.00 95% confidence interval [0.72, 1.00]) and specificity (0.80 95% confidence interval [0.65, 0.91]). These results support the use of this Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Dari version to screen for symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy as well as the use of a lowered cut-off score.
A preliminary examination of key strategies, challenges, and benefits of remote learning expressed by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 03-2022
DOI: 10.1037/SPQ0000465
Abstract: Among the many impacts of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, one of the most dramatic was the immediate closure of in-person schooling in March/April 2020 when parents were faced with much greater responsibility in supporting their children's learning. Despite this, few studies have examined parents' own perspectives of this experience. The aims of this preliminary study were to (a) identify challenges, benefits, and useful strategies related to remote learning and (b) examine differences in findings across two countries, between parents of youth with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and between parents of children and adolescents. To address these aims, parent responses to open-ended questions on the Home Adjustment to COVID-19 Scale (HACS Becker, Breaux, et al., 2020) were examined across three studies conducted in the United States and Australia (N = 606, children: 68.5% male, ages 6-17 years). The challenges most frequently expressed by parents included the child's difficulty staying on task (23.8% of parents), lack of motivation (18.3%), remote learning factors (17.8%), and lack of social interaction (14.4%). The most frequently expressed strategy related to using routines and schedules (58.2%) and the biggest benefit was more family time (20.3%). Findings were largely consistent across countries, ADHD status, and age, with a few notable group differences. Given that the most common challenges involved child- (e.g., difficulties with staying on task and motivation), parent- (e.g., balancing remote learning with work responsibilities), and school- (e.g., remote instruction difficulties) related factors, there is a need for improved support across these systems going forward. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Types and correlates of school non-attendance in students with autism spectrum disorders
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-05-2020
Abstract: School non-attendance in autism spectrum disorders has received very little attention to date. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive description of school non-attendance in students with autism spectrum disorders. Through an online survey, parents of 486 children (mean age: 11 years) reported on school attendance over 1 month and reasons for instances of non-attendance. On average, students missed 5 days of school of a possible 23 days. Persistent non-attendance (absent on 10%+ of available sessions) occurred among 43% of students. School non-attendance was associated with child older age, not living in a two-parent household, parental unemployment and, especially, attending a mainstream school. School refusal accounted for 43% of non-attendance. School exclusion and school withdrawal each accounted for 9% of absences. Truancy was almost non-existent. Non-problematic absenteeism (mostly related to medical appointments and illness) accounted for 32% of absences. Non-problematic absenteeism was more likely among those with intellectual disability, school refusal was more likely among older students and school exclusion was more likely among students from single-parent, unemployed and well-educated households. Findings suggest that school non-attendance in autism spectrum disorders is a significant issue, and that it is important to capture detail about attendance patterns and reasons for school non-attendance. Our study aimed to describe school non-attendance in students with autism. We conducted an online survey. Parents of 486 students (mean age: 11 years) indicated which days their child had missed school (over a period of 1 month). If the child had missed a day, the parent was asked to select a reason from a list of 15 possible reasons (this is a measure of types of school non-attendance called SNACK (School Non-Attendance ChecKlist Heyne et al., 2019)). On average, students missed 5 days of school of a possible 23 days. Missing over 10% of school is known as persistent absence, and in our study, 43% of students experienced persistent absence. Older students, who attended mainstream schools, who did not live in a two-parent household and whose caregiver was unemployed were more likely to miss school. Looking at the reasons for absence, school refusal was the most frequent reason, accounting for 43% of absences. Nine percent of absence was due to school exclusion. Nine percent of absence was due to school withdrawal. Truancy was almost non-existent. A final reason describes non-problematic absence that is mostly due to medical appointments and illness. This type of absence accounted for 32% of absences in our study, and it was more likely in student with intellectual disability. School refusal was more likely among older students. School exclusion was more likely among students from single-parent, unemployed and well-educated households. Findings from this study help us to understand better the difficulties students with autism experience attending school.
The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Depressed Adolescents: A measure to predict the course of depression in depressed youth
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2012
Abstract: Objective: Self-efficacy can be conceptualised as a person’s perception of their own ability to produce a desired outcome. Low self-efficacy has been reported to be a mediating variable in developing depression. The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Depressed Adolescents (SEQ-DA) is a 12-item inventory, designed to measure self-perceived ability of the young person to cope with depressive symptoms. This paper presents further information on the psychometric properties of the SEQ-DA in a clinical s le of depressed adolescents. Method: The SEQ-DA was administered to a clinical s le of 130 adolescents with a depressive disorder at baseline, at the end of 3 months of therapy and 6 months following therapy. A diagnosis of depression was made using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children. The ability of the SEQ-DA to identify those adolescents who had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder at baseline, following treatment and at 6-month follow-up was evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the SEQ-DA in this clinical s le of depressed adolescents was undertaken to establish cut-off scores of the SEQ-DA. Results: The SEQ-DA score at baseline of 36 and following treatment of 43 were predictive of a depressive disorder. Conclusions: The SEQ-DA is a very simple self-report measure that can be used to predict which adolescents treated for depression are likely to remain depressed, thus prompting more intensive treatment and follow-up.
Covid-19 Lockdown and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A Mixed Methods Analysis of NSSI During Australia’s National Lockdown
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-01-2023
Adolescent NSSI and Recovery: The Role of Family Functioning and Emotion Regulation
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 06-06-2018
Abstract: We examined how family functioning and emotion regulation strategies relate to both a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and recovery from NSSI. Participants were 272 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years ( M = 14.50 years, SD = 1.46 years), of whom 17.6% reported a history of NSSI. As expected, poor family functioning was associated with engagement in NSSI. Among the emotion regulation variables, higher use of self-blame and lower use of refocus on planning was associated with NSSI. Self-blame and refocus on planning also mediated the relationship between family functioning and NSSI. Similarly, better family functioning and adaptive emotion regulation were related to recovery, while maladaptive emotion regulation was negatively related to recovery. Adaptive emotion regulation moderated the relationship between family functioning and NSSI recovery. We discuss how family-based interventions combined with emotion regulation education may help deter NSSI engagement.
Detecting and differentiating leg bouncing behaviour from everyday movements using tri-axial accelerometer data
Publisher: ACM
Date: 10-09-2020
Nurse and patient factors: Predicting seclusion in adolescent psychiatric units
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JCAP.12306
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Parent Group Interventions for Primary School Children Aged 4–12 Years with Externalizing and/or Internalizing Problems
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-07-2018
DOI: 10.1007/S10578-017-0745-9
Abstract: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of parent training group interventions to treat child externalizing and/or internalizing problems. A search identified 21 randomized controlled trials of parent group interventions aimed at ameliorating child externalizing and/or internalizing problems in children aged 4-12 years. Random effects meta-analyses yielded significant pooled treatment effect size (g) estimates for child externalizing (g = -0.38) and internalizing problems (g = -0.18). Child anxiety symptoms or internalizing problems evident in children with externalizing behavior problems did not change significantly following intervention. Study quality was a statistically significant moderator of treatment response for child externalizing problems, however hours of planned parent group treatment and treatment recipient were not. Findings support the use of parent group interventions as an effective treatment for reducing externalizing problems in children aged 4-12 years. Whilst statistically significant, programs had a limited impact on internalizing symptoms, indicating a need for further investigation.
Familial separations, coping styles, and PTSD symptomatology in resettled refugee youth.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 06-2015
Elective home education of children with neurodevelopmental conditions before and after the COVID-19 pandemic started
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 10-11-2202
DOI: 10.3389/FPSYG.2022.995217
Abstract: COVID-19 brought disruptions to children’s education and mental health, and accelerated school de-registration rates. We investigated Elective Home Education (EHE) in families of children with a neurodevelopmental condition. A total of 158 parents of 5–15 year-old children with neurodevelopmental conditions (80% autistic) provided information on reasons for de-registration, their experience of EHE, and children’s mental health. Few differences were found between children participating in EHE before and after the pandemic started. Low satisfaction with school for not meeting children’s additional needs was the main reason for de-registering in both groups. COVID-19 had a more limited role in parents’ decision to de-register. The main advantage of EHE reported in both groups was the provision of personalised education and one-to-one support. Levels of anxiety, internalising and externalising problems were similar between children participating in EHE before and after the pandemic started, and also similar between all children in EHE and school-registered children ( N = 1,079).
Revisiting the factor structure of the Suicide-Related Coping Scale: Results from two samples of Australian online help-seekers
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 17-01-2023
Abstract: The Suicide-Related Coping Scale (SRCS) measures how well a person manages suicidal urges through the use of internal and external coping strategies. Many studies using SRCS, including the original scale validation, used s les of treatment-engaged military veterans or personnel, which may limit the generalizability of study findings to other help-seeking and cultural contexts. The present study evaluated factor structure, internal consistency, convergent and ergent validity of SRCS in two Australian online help-seeking s les: visitors to a mental health website with experience of suicidal ideation (N = 1,266) and users of a suicide safety planning mobile app (N = 693). Factor analyses found a reduced 15-item version of the scale (SRCS-15) provided the best fit in both s les, with three factors found: Internal Coping, External Coping and Perceived Control. Internal consistency was good (α = .89). Strong negative associations were found between SRCS-15, recent suicidal ideation and future suicide intent. Perceived Control demonstrated the strongest associations with suicidal ideation and future suicide intent (negative) and distress tolerance (positive). External Coping demonstrated the strongest associations with help-seeking (positive). Items relating to means restriction and hospital location knowledge were dropped from SRCS-15 due to low factor loadings but may still contain clinically relevant information. SRCS-15 appears to be reliable and valid in capturing aspects of self-efficacy and belief-based barriers to coping, making it a useful additional outcome measure for suicide-related services and interventions.
Significant Dust-obscured Star Formation in Luminous Lyman-break Galaxies at z ∼ 7–8
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-2022
Abstract: We make use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array continuum observations of 15 luminous Lyman-break galaxies at z ∼ 7–8 to probe their dust-obscured star formation. These observations are sensitive enough to probe obscured star formation rates (SFRs) of 20 M ⊙ yr −1 (3 σ ). Six of the targeted galaxies show significant (≥3 σ ) dust-continuum detections, more than doubling the number of known dust-detected galaxies at z 6.5. Their IR luminosities range from 2.7 × 10 11 L ⊙ to 1.1 × 10 12 L ⊙ , equivalent to obscured SFRs of 25 to 101 M ⊙ yr −1 . We use our results to quantify the correlation of the infrared excess (IRX) on the UV-continuum slope β UV and stellar mass. Our results are most consistent with a Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) attenuation curve for intrinsic UV-slopes β UV , intr of −2.63 and most consistent with an attenuation curve in between SMC and Calzetti for β UV , intr slopes of −2.23, assuming a dust temperature T d of 50 K. Our fiducial IRX–stellar mass results at z ∼ 7–8 are consistent with marginal evolution from z ∼ 0. We then show how both results depend on T d . For our six dust-detected sources, we estimate their dust masses and find that they are consistent with dust production from supernovae if the dust destruction is low ( %). Finally we determine the contribution of dust-obscured star formation to the SFR density for UV luminous ( H −21.5 mag: ≳1.7 L * UV ) z ∼ 7–8 galaxies, finding that the total SFR density at z ∼ 7 and z ∼ 8 from bright galaxies is 0.20 − 0.10 + 0.10 dex and 0.23 − 0.09 + 0.06 dex higher, respectively i.e., ∼ 1 3 of the star formation in ≳1.7 L * UV galaxies at z ∼ 7–8 is obscured by dust.
Evaluating the Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Australian Safety Planning Smartphone Application: A Pilot Study Within a Tertiary Mental Health Service
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-07-2018
DOI: 10.1111/SLTB.12490
Contextualizing post-traumatic stress disorder within culturally diverse groups: a comparison of Holocaust survivors and Sudanese refugees
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-10-2017
Multimodal-multisensor Analytics for Detecting Temporal Phases of Anxiety
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Date: 14-06-2023
DOI: 10.36227/TECHRXIV.23513562.V1
Abstract: In this paper, we use a combination of physiological and behavioral metrics of anxiety to detect changes in anxiety status in clinically anxious participants compared with healthy controls, which is important for intervening in a timely manner for the effective management of anxiety. Specifically, we first operationalize four phases of anxiety and select multimodal-multisensor feature candidates to assess those phases, considering preliminary results obtained in prior research employing a generalized mixed additive model-based analysis. Then, we evaluate the performance of selected features and their combinations in detecting the presence of anxiety phases, using the "Anxiety Phases" dataset. The results demonstrate that unimodal features of skin conductance response rate and mean rigidity of wrists detected all four temporal phases in ~50% of high-anxiety in iduals. These two features detected at least three phases in ~90% of high-anxiety in iduals. The fusion of these two features with an additional postural feature detected all four temporal phases in 65% of high-anxiety in iduals. The multimodal-multisensor combination of these three features represented a 30% improvement compared with the best unimodal predictive feature. Implications of these findings are discussed for developing accurate real-time multimodal-multisensor anxiety management systems for clinical populations.
Associations Between Anxiety and Home Learning Difficulties in Children and Adolescents with ADHD During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-03-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S10578-022-01338-3
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly impacted functioning for children and adolescents including those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We explored home learning difficulties (HLD) during COVID-19 restrictions in Australian children (aged 5–17) with ADHD, aiming to: (1) describe home learning experiences, and (2) examine associations between child anxiety (i.e., concurrent anxiety symptoms and pre-existing anxiety disorder status) and HLD. Baseline data from the longitudinal ADHD COVID-19 Survey were used ( n = 122). Parents reported on school factors and HLD pre-existing anxiety and co-occurring difficulties anxiety, ADHD, and oppositional symptoms demographics and medications. Parents retrospectively reported more children often looked forward to school pre-pandemic, than during the pandemic. Anxiety symptoms, but not pre-existing anxiety disorder status, were associated with HLD after accounting for covariates. ADHD inattention symptoms were also associated with HLD. Results support recommendations to continue pre-pandemic supports to assist with ADHD symptoms during home learning, and strategies/supports for families are discussed.
Designing Efficacious Mobile Technologies for Anxiety Self-Regulation
Publisher: ACM
Date: 02-05-2019
School response to self-injury: Concerns of mental health staff and parents
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1037/SPQ0000194
Abstract: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents poses a significant problem for schools, adolescents, and their families. However, appropriate guidelines for addressing NSSI, including when to disclose the behavior to parents, are currently lacking. The present study aimed to understand how school mental health staff and parents of secondary school students view NSSI to determine how parent-school communication about NSSI, and responses to NSSI, can be improved. Nineteen school mental health staff participated in interviews and 10 parents of adolescents with a history of NSSI completed open-ended questionnaire items. Staff identified that sector-wide NSSI policy and education for teachers and principals would help them feel more supported and improve consistency in addressing NSSI between and within schools. In contrast, parents wanted more support directed at them rather than solely their adolescent. Implications for policy and parental support provided by the school are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
Study protocol for the COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Survey (CPAS): A longitudinal study of Australian parents of a child 0-18 years
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 27-04-2020
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to the mental health and wellbeing of Australian families. Employment and economic uncertainty, chronic stress, anxiety, and social isolation are likely to have negative impacts on parent mental health, couple and family relationships, as well as child health and development. Objective: This study aims to: (1) provide timely information on the mental health impacts of the emerging COVID-19 crisis in a close to representative s le of Australian parents and children (0-18 years) (2) identify adults and families most at risk of poor mental health outcomes and, (3) identify factors to target through clinical and public health intervention to reduce risk. Specifically, this study will investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased risk for parents’ mental health, lower wellbeing, loneliness, and alcohol use parent-parent and parent-child relationships (both verbal and physical) and child and adolescent mental health problems. Methods: The study aims to recruit a close to representative s le of at least 2,000 adults aged 18 years and over living in Australia who are parents of a child 0-4 years (early childhood, N=400) 5-12 years (primary school N=800) and 13-18 years (secondary school, N=800). The design will be a longitudinal cohort study using an online recruitment methodology. Participants will be invited to complete an online baseline self-report survey (20 minutes) followed by a series of shorter online surveys (10 minutes) scheduled every two weeks for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., estimated to be 14 surveys over 6 months). Results: The study will employ post stratification weights to address differences between the final s le and the national population in geographic communities across Australia. Associations will be analyzed using multilevel modeling with time-variant and time-invariant predictors of change in trajectory over the testing period. Conclusions: This study will provide timely information on the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on parents and children in Australia identify communities, parents, families, and children most at risk of poor outcomes and, identify potential factors to address in clinical and public health interventions to reduce risk.
Day program for young people with anorexia nervosa.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-05-2015
Abstract: This study examined changes in body mass index (BMI), anorectic cognitions, and psychological distress following day program treatment. Participants were 42 female patients from the Monash Health Butterfly eating disorder day program, with anorexia nervosa (AN) restricting type ( n = 35) or AN binge-eating urging type ( n = 7), ranging from 12 to 24 years. Participants’ BMI increased significantly over time. Higher motivation at intake predicted a greater increase in BMI over time, compared to those with lower motivation at intake. There were also significant reductions in drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression scores, and improved motivation following two, four and six months of treatment. These findings provide further evidence that day programs can assist in weight restoration and improvements in psychological aspects of AN in adolescents and young adults.
Short-term outcomes of the Therapist-assisted Online Parenting Strategies intervention for parents of adolescents treated for anxiety and/or depression: A single-arm double-baseline trial
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-07-2021
DOI: 10.1177/00048674211025695
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate whether the Therapist-assisted Online Parenting Strategies programme increased parenting behaviours known to be supportive of adolescents experiencing anxiety and/or depression. Secondary parenting outcomes of parental self-efficacy, parental accommodation, carer burden, parent–adolescent attachment, family functioning and parent distress were also examined, along with adolescent outcomes of anxiety and depression symptoms, suicidal ideation and sleep. Seventy-one parents (94.4% females) and their adolescents (73.2% females) aged 12–18 years (Mean = 15.02, SD = 1.56) being treated for depression and/or anxiety in Australia were recruited into a single-arm double-baseline open-label trial. Parents received Therapist-assisted Online Parenting Strategies, which comprised up to nine web-based modules each supplemented with coaching sessions via videoconferencing. Outcomes were analysed using latent growth curve modelling to determine if changes to outcomes at post-intervention (4 month post-second baseline) exceeded changes between two baselines measured 1 month apart. Sixty-five parents (91.6%) completed at least one module of the online parenting intervention and on average received nine coaching sessions (SD = 2). Parenting behaviours targeted by Therapist-assisted Online Parenting Strategies improved at post-intervention (Cohen’s d = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [0.78, 1.51]). Parent-reported parental self-efficacy and parent−adolescent attachment increased (Cohen’s d = 1.44 [1.05, 1.82] and 0.39 [0.05, 0.74], respectively), while impairments to family functioning and parent distress decreased (Cohen’s d = −0.51 [−0.86, −0.16] and −0.84 [−1.23, −0.44], respectively). Changes to adolescent anxiety, depression and sleep were not significant. The Therapist-assisted Online Parenting Strategies intervention improved self-reported parenting behaviours, parental self-efficacy, parent levels of distress, parent–adolescent attachment, and family functioning in parents with adolescents being treated for anxiety and/or depression. However, significant changes in adolescent mental health and sleep outcomes at post-intervention were not observed. The usefulness of a therapist-supported online parenting programme in addressing a service gap for parents seeking professional help is indicated. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ACTRN) 12618000290291, prospectively registered on 26 February 2018 www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=368031
Correction: An online parenting intervention to prevent affective disorders in high-risk adolescents: the PIPA trial protocol.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 31-10-2022
Elective Home Education and Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 08-07-2022
Abstract: The preprint describes analyses that describe the experience of Elective Home Education in families of children with a neurodevelopmental condition in the UK
Physical Health, Media Use, and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents With ADHD During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 17-12-2020
Abstract: To examine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Parents of 213 Australian children (5–17 years) with ADHD completed a survey in May 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions were in place (i.e., requiring citizens to stay at home except for essential reasons). Compared to pre-pandemic, children had less exercise (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.4 95% CI 0.3–0.6), less outdoor time (OR = 0.4 95% 0.3–0.6), and less enjoyment in activities (OR = 6.5 95% CI 4.0–10.4), while television (OR = 4.0 95% CI 2.5–6.5), social media (OR = 2.4 95% CI 1.3–4.5), gaming (OR = 2.0 95% CI 1.3–3.0), sad/depressed mood (OR = 1.8 95% CI 1.2–2.8), and loneliness (OR = 3.6 95% CI 2.3–5.5) were increased. Child stress about COVID-19 restrictions was associated with poorer functioning across most domains. Most parents (64%) reported positive changes for their child including more family time. COVID-19 restrictions were associated with both negative and positive impacts among children with ADHD.
Paternal coping and psychopathology during the perinatal period: A mixed studies systematic review and meta-analysis
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
The Relationship Between Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Family Functioning: Adolescent and Parent Perspectives
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-01-2016
DOI: 10.1111/JMFT.12150
Abstract: We explored parent and adolescent reports of family functioning, how this differed if the parent was aware that their child self-injured, and how parental awareness of self-injury was related to self-injury frequency, self-injury severity, and help seeking. Participants were 117 parent-adolescent dyads, in 23 of which the adolescent self-injured. Adolescents who self-injured reported poorer family functioning than their parents, but parents who did not know about their child's self-injury reported similar functioning to parents whose children did not self-injure. Parents were more likely to know that their child self-injured when the behavior was severe and frequent. Help-seeking was more likely when parents knew about self-injury. Family-based interventions which emphasize perspective-taking could be used to effectively treat self-injury.
Integration of hatha yoga and evidence‐based psychological treatments for common mental disorders: An evidence map
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-03-2022
DOI: 10.1002/JCLP.23338
Abstract: Interest in the use of yoga to enhance engagement with and augment the benefits of psychological treatment has grown. However, a systematic approach to reviewing existing research examining the use of yoga with psychological treatment is lacking. This mapping review identified and synthesised research trialling yoga as an integrated or adjunct therapy with evidence‐based psychological interventions for the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eating disorders. Overall, the review identified ten published and three unpublished studies, representing either single group or small quasi‐experimental research designs. Limited but promising findings were shown for yoga with CBT for anxiety and depression, and the integration of yoga within intensive treatment models for PTSD. Future research is encouraged to focus on controlled trials that enable examination of the component effect of yoga when applied with evidence‐based psychological treatment and acceptability and feasibility data to further knowledge regarding a role for yoga in clinical practice.
Factors in the Assessment of Suicidality in Youth
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 02-2007
DOI: 10.1017/S1092852900020678
Abstract: Suicide remains a leading cause of death among youth, and suicide ideation and behavior are relatively common in both normal and clinical populations. Clinicians working with young people must assess for the presence of suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and other risk factors, in order to determine the level of risk. This paper provides the clinician with a summary of risk factors for youth suicide, as well as providing standardized terminology to enhance assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior.
Augmenting Cognitive Behavior Therapy for School Refusal with Fluoxetine: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-08-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S10578-016-0675-Y
Abstract: This study investigates whether the augmentation of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with fluoxetine improves outcomes in anxious school refusing adolescents (11-16.5 years). Sixty-two participants were randomly allocated to CBT alone, CBT + fluoxetine or CBT + placebo. All treatments were well tolerated with one suicide-attempt in the CBT + placebo group. All groups improved significantly on primary (school attendance) and secondary outcome measures (anxiety, depression, self-efficacy and clinician-rated global functioning) with gains largely maintained at 6-months and 1-year. Few participants were anxiety disorder free after acute treatment. During the follow-up period anxiety and depressive disorders continued to decline whilst school attendance remained stable, at around 54 %. The only significant between-group difference was greater adolescent-reported treatment satisfaction in the CBT + fluoxetine group than the CBT alone group. These results indicate the chronicity of school refusal, and the need for future research into how to best improve school attendance rates.
The Cranky Thermometers: Visual analogue scales measuring irritability in youth
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-03-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADOLESCENCE.2018.02.008
Abstract: This study assessed the psychometric properties of two visual analogue scales of irritability, known as the Cranky Thermometers (CT), in both an Australian community secondary‐school s le (N = 164) and a s le of adolescents with a depressive disorder (N = 127). The first scale Cranky Now measures current irritability, and the second, Cranky Two Weeks, measures peak irritability within the last two weeks. CT scores were significantly higher in adolescents with major depressive disorder than in the school s le and showed improvement following treatment for depression. Positive associations were found between CT and irritability scores as determined by Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (not irritable, sub‐threshold, threshold irritability) and Affective Reactivity Index scores. Results suggest that the CTs are rapidly administered, have promising psychometric properties and demonstrate utility in measuring irritability in clinical and community settings.
XQR-30: The ultimate XSHOOTER quasar sample at the reionization epoch
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 18-05-2023
Abstract: The final phase of the reionization process can be probed by rest-frame UV absorption spectra of quasars at z ≳ 6, shedding light on the properties of the diffuse intergalactic medium within the first Gyr of the Universe. The ESO Large Programme ‘XQR-30: the ultimate XSHOOTER legacy survey of quasars at z ≃ 5.8–6.6’ dedicated ∼250 h of observations at the VLT to create a homogeneous and high-quality s le of spectra of 30 luminous quasars at z ∼ 6, covering the rest wavelength range from the Lyman limit to beyond the Mg ii emission. Twelve quasar spectra of similar quality from the XSHOOTER archive were added to form the enlarged XQR-30 s le, corresponding to a total of ∼350 h of on-source exposure time. The median effective resolving power of the 42 spectra is R ≃ 11 400 and 9800 in the VIS and NIR arm, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio per 10 km s−1 pixel ranges from ∼11 to 114 at λ ≃ 1285 Å rest frame, with a median value of ∼29. We describe the observations, data reduction, and analysis of the spectra, together with some first results based on the E-XQR-30 s le. New photometry in the H and K bands are provided for the XQR-30 quasars, together with composite spectra whose characteristics reflect the large absolute magnitudes of the s le. The composite and the reduced spectra are released to the community through a public repository, and will enable a range of studies addressing outstanding questions regarding the first Gyr of the Universe.
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