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Research in Developmental Disabilities Jan 2022The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult period for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and their families.
BACKGROUND
The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult period for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and their families.
AIMS
The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of the quality of life (QoL) of children with ASD and their parents throughout the first lockdown, providing a snapshot of the impact of the pandemic on these families life.
METHOD AND PROCEDURES
A cohort of 243 parents of children with ASD (2-15 years old) completed an original online survey regarding the modification of ASD cores symptoms during lockdown, the type of interventions they had done before and during lockdown and the activities performed by the child. Respondents filled the PedsQL for themselves and their children.
OUTCOME AND RESULTS
The data obtained show a worsening of specific ASD core symptoms during lockdown and their role in predicting parents and children's QoL. Furthermore, protective factors for a better children's QoL as the Telehealth intervention, and some activities done at home during the lockdown as physical activity and play with parents are identified.
CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies the QoL's risk and protective factors for children with ASD and their families. Furthermore, reveals the fundamental role of the parents as children's QoL protective factor, suggesting a higher collaboration between families and health care providers, whilst potentially improving families and children's QoL.
Topics: Adolescent; Autism Spectrum Disorder; COVID-19; Child; Child, Preschool; Communicable Disease Control; Humans; Pandemics; Parents; Protective Factors; Quality of Life; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34826776
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104130 -
BMJ Open Nov 2022Self-harm and suicide are major public health concerns among children and adolescents. Many risk and protective factors for suicide and self-harm have been identified...
INTRODUCTION
Self-harm and suicide are major public health concerns among children and adolescents. Many risk and protective factors for suicide and self-harm have been identified and reported in the literature. However, the capacity of these identified risk and protective factors to guide assessment and management is limited due to their great number. This protocol describes an ongoing systematic review and meta-analysis which aims to examine longitudinal studies of risk factors for self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents, to provide a comparison of the strengths of association of the various risk factors for self-harm and suicide and to shed light on those that require further investigation.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
We perform a systematic search of the literature using the databases EMBASE, PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL and HMIC from inception up to 28 October 2020, and the search will be updated before the systematic review publication. Additionally, we will contact experts in the field, including principal investigators whose peer-reviewed publications are included in our systematic review as well as investigators from our extensive research network, and we will search the reference lists of relevant reviews to retrieve any articles that were not identified in our search. We will extract relevant data and present a narrative synthesis and combine the results in meta-analyses where there are sufficient data. We will assess the risk of bias for each study using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and present a summary of the quantity and the quality of the evidence for each risk or protective factor.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethical approval will not be sought as this is a systematic review of the literature. Results will be published in mental health journals and presented at conferences focused on suicide prevention.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021228212.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Protective Factors; Self-Injurious Behavior; Risk Factors; Public Health; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Suicide Prevention
PubMed: 36428021
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058297 -
Journal of Primary Care & Community... 2023Both external structure (ie, participating in extracurricular activities) and family factors (ie, parental emotional support) have separately been linked with children's...
Both external structure (ie, participating in extracurricular activities) and family factors (ie, parental emotional support) have separately been linked with children's physical health and well-being, however, their combined effects are less well known. The current study examined the longitudinal associations between participating in structured out-of-school activities and parent reports of warmth/emotional support with children's weight status (ie, zBMI) over time. Utilizing longitudinal data from the United States-based Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010 to 2011 (ECLS-K:2011), we employed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a latent variable cross-lagged path analysis to examine if emotional supportiveness and participation in structured activities predicted lower zBMI over the course of 1 year. The final sample included 18 135 participants. Mean age of the participants was 8.12 years (±0.38 years), and 51% of children were male. Mean zBMI was 0.54 (±1.12). Structure at baseline predicted increased zBMI in year 2 (β = .03, = .02) but did not predict parent emotional supportiveness at year 2 (β = -.05, = .09). Parent emotional supportiveness at baseline predicted greater zBMI at year 2 (β = .02, = <.01) but did not predict structure at year 2 (β = .02, = .39). zBMI at baseline did not predict structure (β = .02, = .25) or parent emotional supportiveness at year 2 (β = -.01, = .55). Our findings were inconsistent with our hypothesis with regard to directionality. Continued refinement about the role of internal structure (ie, family, and parenting practices) may inform public health prevention strategies to support the well-being of children and families.
Topics: Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Male; Female; Longitudinal Studies; Protective Factors; Child Health; Educational Status; Emotions; Body Mass Index
PubMed: 37350438
DOI: 10.1177/21501319231182304 -
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria (Sao... 2021To review the literature regarding adolescent suicide risk and explore the associations between treatment compliance (expressed as a concept including measured adherence...
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature regarding adolescent suicide risk and explore the associations between treatment compliance (expressed as a concept including measured adherence to treatment and/or mental health service utilization) and risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior (SB), as well as the association between treatment compliance and reattempts.
METHODS
PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar were searched using the following terms: (adolescent*) AND (suicide*) AND (risk factor OR protective factors) AND (treatment compliance OR treatment attrition OR treatment adherence OR treatment drop out OR treatment retention OR mental health utilization). We retrieved studies that focused on the relation of treatment compliance to risk and protective factors for SB and that had only adolescent samples.
RESULTS
Of 4,841 articles, 30 original articles were selected for review. Most studies indicated high mental health service (MHS) utilization and poor treatment adherence by SB patients. Social minority status and conduct disorder were associated with less treatment adherence, while female sex, parental perceived need for treatment, and major depression were associated with greater treatment adherence. Inpatient and intensive emergency care after SA and family interventions improved MHS utilization and treatment compliance. However, we found no substantial protective effect of treatment compliance against reattempts.
CONCLUSION
Effective treatment planning for compliance requires considering psychopathology, treatment planning, and social, familial, and individual factors.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Compliance; Protective Factors; Risk Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted; Suicide, Completed
PubMed: 33533823
DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1026 -
Development and Psychopathology May 2023Maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) have been linked to both child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Theory suggests that child attachment security may...
Maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) have been linked to both child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Theory suggests that child attachment security may be a protective factor against the negative effects of MDS. This study examined child attachment security as a buffer of the link between MDS and child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems at two time points in a predominantly African American sample. Participants included mothers ( = 164; = 29.68 years; 76% African American) and their preschool-aged children (60% girls; = 44.67 months) recruited from four Head Start centers in low-income neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. MDS were concurrently associated with child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems at both time points. No significant main effects of child attachment security on behavior problems emerged; however, child attachment moderated the association between MDS and child internalizing behavior problems at Time 2, such that MDS predicted greater child internalizing problems when attachment security was low, and the effect was attenuated when attachment security was high. No interaction emerged for child externalizing problems. Findings suggest that secure attachment in early childhood can serve as a protective factor in the context of parental risk. We discuss implications for intervention and the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Adult; Male; Depression; Protective Factors; Mother-Child Relations; Child Behavior; Mothers
PubMed: 35094731
DOI: 10.1017/S0954579421001802 -
Child Abuse & Neglect May 2019Integrative research summarizing promotive and protective factors that reduce the effects of childhood abuse and neglect on pregnant women and their babies' healthy...
BACKGROUND
Integrative research summarizing promotive and protective factors that reduce the effects of childhood abuse and neglect on pregnant women and their babies' healthy functioning is needed.
OBJECTIVE
This narrative systematic review synthesized the quantitative literature on protective and promotive factors that support maternal mental health and maternal-infant bonding among women exposed to childhood adversity, including childhood abuse and neglect.
METHODS
Using a comprehensive list of key terms related to the perinatal period, childhood adversity, and protective/promotive factors, 8423 non-duplicated articles were identified through database searches in PsychInfo and Web of Science, and references in retrieved articles. Thirty-seven full text articles were inspected; of those 18 were included.
RESULTS
Protective and promotive factors fell into three categories: a) women's internal capacities (e.g., self-esteem, coping ability), b) external early resources (e.g., positive childhood experiences) and c) external contemporaneous resources (e.g., social support). Although all three categories were associated with more resilient outcomes, external contemporaneous factors, and specifically, social support, were the most commonly-studied protective and/or promotive factor. Social support from family and romantic partners during the perinatal period was particularly protective for women with histories of childhood abuse and neglect and was examined across several dimensions of support and contexts.
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of women's internal capacities, and external early and contemporaneous resources help to foster more positive outcomes during the perinatal period for women with histories of childhood adversity. Future research should study co-occurring multilevel promotive and protective factors to inform how they integratively deter the intergenerational transmission of risk.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Mother-Child Relations; Pregnancy; Protective Factors; Self Concept; Social Support
PubMed: 30831534
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.02.008 -
A systematic review of risk and protective factors of mental health in unaccompanied minor refugees.European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Aug 2022In recent years, there has been a rising interest in the mental health of unaccompanied minor refugees (UMR), who are a high-risk group for mental disorders. Especially... (Review)
Review
In recent years, there has been a rising interest in the mental health of unaccompanied minor refugees (UMR), who are a high-risk group for mental disorders. Especially the investigation of predictive factors of the mental health of young refugees has received increasing attention. However, there has been no review on this current issue for the specific group of UMR so far. We aimed to summarize and evaluate the existing findings of specific risk and protective factors to identify the most verified influences on the mental health of UMR. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature search. Study designs were limited to quantitative cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. Eight databases were searched in four different languages and article reference lists of relevant papers were screened. 27 studies were included (N = 4753). Qualitative synthesis revealed the number of stressful life events to be the most evaluated and verified risk factor for mental health of UMR. A stable environment and social support, on the other hand, can protect UMR from developing poor mental health. Besides that, several other influencing factors could be pointed out, such as type of accommodation, family contact, gender and cultural competences. Because of the large heterogeneity of outcome measures, quantitative synthesis was not possible. This review helps to improve our understanding of determinants of UMRs mental health and thus to provide more targeted treatment. Furthermore, it provides information on how to prevent the development of mental health problems by specifying factors that can be modified by different health and immigration sectors in advance. Further research is needed focusing on the interaction between the various predictive factors.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Protective Factors; Refugees
PubMed: 33169230
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01678-2 -
Psychological Medicine Jun 2020A multitude of risk/protective factors for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders have been proposed. We conducted an umbrella review to summarize the evidence of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A multitude of risk/protective factors for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders have been proposed. We conducted an umbrella review to summarize the evidence of the associations between risk/protective factors and each of the following disorders: specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and to assess the strength of this evidence whilst controlling for several biases.
METHODS
Publication databases were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining associations between potential risk/protective factors and each of the disorders investigated. The evidence of the association between each factor and disorder was graded into convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or non-significant according to a standardized classification based on: number of cases (>1000), random-effects p-values, 95% prediction intervals, confidence interval of the largest study, heterogeneity between studies, study effects, and excess of significance.
RESULTS
Nineteen systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included, corresponding to 216 individual studies covering 427 potential risk/protective factors. Only one factor association (early physical trauma as a risk factor for social anxiety disorder, OR 2.59, 95% CI 2.17-3.1) met all the criteria for convincing evidence. When excluding the requirement for more than 1000 cases, five factor associations met the other criteria for convincing evidence and 22 met the remaining criteria for highly suggestive evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the amount and quality of the evidence for most risk/protective factors for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders is limited, a number of factors significantly increase the risk for these disorders, may have potential prognostic ability and inform prevention.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Protective Factors; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31172897
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291719001247 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Sep 2022Intrusions, a key symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can occur in the form of images but also as pain sensations. Similar to audiovisual intrusions, the...
Intrusions, a key symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can occur in the form of images but also as pain sensations. Similar to audiovisual intrusions, the frequency and persistence of pain intrusions varies greatly between individuals. In the current study, we examined whether peritraumatic circulating 17β-estradiol (E2) levels are a biologic factor associated with subsequent audiovisual (i.e., film) and pain intrusion development, and whether peritraumatic stress levels modulate this relationship. Forty-one free-cycling women participated in an ecologically informed trauma-pain-conditioning (TPC) paradigm, using trauma-films and pain as unconditioned stimuli. Independent variables were salivary peritraumatic E2 levels and stress indexed by salivary cortisol and self-reported state-anxiety during TPC. Outcomes were film- and pain-intrusions occurring during daily-life in the week following TPC and a Memory-Triggering-Task in response to conditioned stimuli 24 h after TPC. In the week after analogue-trauma, higher peritraumatic E2 levels were associated with a greater probability of experiencing film-intrusions in the beginning of the week, which switched to a lower probability toward the end of the week. This time-dependent relationship between E2 and film-intrusions only held for higher state-anxious women. In contrast, results indicated a consistent inverse relationship between peritraumatic E2 levels and pain-intrusions during daily-life and Memory-Triggering-Task. Together, these data suggest that higher peritraumatic E2 levels could be associated with lower long-term visual trauma intrusions, as well as lower pain-intrusions, and thereby possibly constitute a protective biologic factor for PTSD and potentially also for chronic pain.
Topics: Biological Factors; Conditioning, Classical; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Pain; Protective Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 35724562
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105819 -
Addictive Behaviors Apr 2023This large-scale meta-analysis aimed to provide the most comprehensive synthesis to date of the available evidence from the pre-COVID period on risk and protective... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This large-scale meta-analysis aimed to provide the most comprehensive synthesis to date of the available evidence from the pre-COVID period on risk and protective factors for (internet) gaming disorder (as defined in the DSM-5 or ICD-11) across all studied populations. The risk/protective factors included demographic characteristics, psychological, psychopathological, social, and gaming-related factors. In total, we have included 1,586 effects from 253 different studies, summarizing data from 210,557 participants. Apart from estimating these predictive associations and relevant moderating effects, we implemented state-of-the-art adjustments for publication bias, psychometric artifacts, and other forms of bias arising from the publication process. Additionally, we carried out an in-depth assessment of the quality of underlying evidence by examining indications of selective reporting, statistical inconsistencies, the typical power of utilized study designs to detect theoretically relevant effects, and performed various sensitivity analyses. The available evidence suggests the existence of numerous moderately strong and highly heterogeneous risk factors (e.g., male gender, depression, impulsivity, anxiety, stress, gaming time, escape motivation, or excessive use of social networks) but only a few empirically robust protective factors (self-esteem, intelligence, life satisfaction, and education; all having markedly smaller effect sizes). We discuss the theoretical implications of our results for prominent theoretical models of gaming disorder and for the existing and future prevention strategies. The impact of various examined biasing factors on the available evidence seemed to be modest, yet we identified shortcomings in the measurement and reporting practices.
Topics: Humans; Male; Protective Factors; Behavior, Addictive; Video Games; COVID-19; Internet
PubMed: 36571943
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107590