scholarly journals A Cognitive Development Chart for School-age Children and Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
André R. Simioni ◽  
Daniel S. Pine ◽  
João R. Sato ◽  
Pedro M. Pan ◽  
Rochele Paz Fonseca ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability and predictive utility of a time-efficient cognitive development chart that seeks to identify children and adolescents with high-risk for multiple outcomes such as mental health problems, substance use, and educational difficulties.MethodWe analyzed data from the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort for Psychiatric Disorders (HRC), a longitudinal school-based study conducted from 2010-2011 to 2013-2014. Participants were 2,239 children and adolescents, 6 to 17 years of age, who completed the cognitive assessment at baseline. The task used to track cognitive development was the Two Choice Reaction Time task (<3 minutes of duration, computer-based), which assesses the accuracy and speed of perceptual decision-making. Mental health, substance use, and educational outcomes were assessed by validated standardized methods. Key variables were measured at baseline and 3-year follow-up. The predictive utility was assessed using static (deviations from the age-expected performance at baseline) and dynamic (deviations from the age-expected change in performance over time) indicators.ResultsThe reliability of the task parameter was high (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.8). Static indicators of cognitive development significantly predicted concurrent mental, intellectual and educational difficulties, as well as incident and persistent educational difficulties and substance use in the 3-year follow-up. Dynamic indicators predicted persistent mental health problems.ConclusionPrimary-care and mental health professionals need a time-efficient tool for tracking deviations from age-expected cognitive development, which predicts multiple unwanted outcomes at the same time. If replicated, future results could support the generation of tools for tracking risk for mental health, substance use, and educational difficulties.

Sexes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
Alex Gizunterman ◽  
Maya Szczupak ◽  
Tanya Schechter ◽  
Yoav Kohn

The prevalence of children and adolescents who identify themselves as transgender is significant. Transgender youth are at a high risk for mental health problems, sometimes requiring hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. This situation is specifically complex and should be considered by all mental health professionals. In this case report, we describe the challenges that emerged during hospitalization of a transgender adolescent, followed by descriptions of our attempts to cope with these particular issues.


2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Baker ◽  
John Hambridge

AbstractMotivational interviewing has been employed extensively and successfully among people with alcohol and other drug problems in order to enhance involvement in treatment and to reduce substance use. Despite clear commonalities in motivating people with mental health problems to recognise their problem and adhere to treatment, motivational interviewing has not been widely adopted by mental health professionals, largely due to the separation of mental health versus substance use services. The existing evidence for the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in improving engagement in treatment for mental health problems is reviewed. It is recommended that, based on the evidence available, motivational interviewing should be applied to people with mental health problems as well as those with substance-related problems to enhance treatment engagement, retention and response. Guidelines for its application are suggested.


Author(s):  
Herbert E. Ainamani ◽  
Godfrey Z. Rukundo ◽  
Timothy Nduhukire ◽  
Eunice Ndyareba ◽  
Tobias Hecker

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242, p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e045356
Author(s):  
Nick A Francis ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Matthew Knight ◽  
Rama Vancheeswaran ◽  
Charles Oliver ◽  
...  

ObjectiveIdentify predictors of clinical deterioration in a virtual hospital (VH) setting for COVID-19.DesignReal-world prospective observational study.SettingVH remote assessment service in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, UK.ParticipantsPatients with suspected COVID-19 illness enrolled directly from the community (postaccident and emergency (A&E) or medical intake assessment) or postinpatient admission.Main outcome measureDeath or (re-)admission to inpatient hospital care during VH follow-up and for 2 weeks post-VH discharge.Results900 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 (455 referred from A&E or medical intake and 445 postinpatient) were included in the analysis. 76 (8.4%) of these experienced clinical deterioration (15 deaths in admitted patients, 3 deaths in patients not admitted and 58 additional inpatient admissions). Predictors of clinical deterioration were increase in age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) per year of age), history of cancer (OR 2.87 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.82)), history of mental health problems (OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.04)), severely impaired renal function (OR for eGFR <30=9.09 (95% CI 2.01 to 41.09)) and having a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result (OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.60)).ConclusionsThese predictors may help direct intensity of monitoring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who are being remotely monitored by primary or secondary care services. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and identify the reasons for increased risk of clinical deterioration associated with cancer and mental health problems.


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