scholarly journals Socioeconomic and sex inequalities in parent-reported adolescent mental ill-health: Time trends in four British birth cohorts

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eoin McElroy ◽  
Marc Tibber ◽  
Pasco Fearon ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
George Ploubidis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Housing Tenure ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Over Time

BackgroundStudies using symptom-based screeners have suggested that mental health problems have increased in adolescents in recent decades, however, few studies have explicitly tested the equivalence of their instruments, which is critical for inferring changes in prevalence. In addition, few studies have explored whether changes in socioeconomic position (SEP) and sex inequalities across generations have impacted trends in adolescent mental health. MethodsUsing structural equation modelling, we explore sex differences in harmonised parent-reports of emotional and behavioural problems, using data from four UK birth cohorts: the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS’58; N= 11,398), the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS’70; N= 8,161), the 1991-92 Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC’91; N= 5,304), and the 2001 Millennium Cohort Study (MCS’01; N= 10,384). We also delineate associations between four harmonised indicators of childhood SEP and adolescent mental health, and test whether changes in SEP account for increases in mental ill-health over time. Results We found an increase in the latent means of parent-reported emotional and behavioural problems across time in both males and females in more recent cohorts, with the exception of ALSPAC’91. Sex-inequalities did not change over time, with females having consistently higher emotional problems. The associations between the four indicators of SEP and emotional problems were strongest in the MCS’01, with housing tenure having the strongest association. All four SEP indicators were associated with behavioural problems in all of the cohorts, with housing tenure again more strongly associated with problems in the MCS’01. Inconsistent mediation (i.e. regression suppression) suggested that the increases in mental health problems occurred despite broadly improving average socio-economic conditions. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that parent-reported adolescent mental health problems have risen in recent generations and that this trend is not due solely to reporting styles. A failure to address widening inequalities may result in further increases in mental ill-health amongst disadvantaged young people.

scholarly journals Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Swedish University Students Before and During Six Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cohort Study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Johansson ◽  
Pierre Côté ◽  
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽  
Ann Rudman ◽  
Lena W. Holm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has a profound effect on societies and citizens worldwide, raising concerns about potential mental health impacts. We aimed to describe trajectories of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before, and determine if trajectories were modified by pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and mental health problems. We conducted a cohort study with 1836 Swedish university students entering before the onset of the pandemic, March 13, 2020, with follow-ups within three (FU1) and six months (FU2) of the outbreak. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate mean differences in symptom levels over time-periods, and to estimate potential effect modifications. We found small differences in mean levels of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) over time. Compared to before the pandemic, depression increased by 0.25 points of 21 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.45) at FU1 and decreased by -0.75/21 (95% CI: -0.97 to -0.53) at FU2. Anxiety decreased from baseline to FU1 by -0.09/21 (95% CI: -0.24 to 0.07) and by -0.77/21 (95% CI: -0.93 to -0.61) to FU2. Stress decreased from baseline to FU1 by -0.30/21 (95% CI: -0.52 to -0.09) and by -1.32/21 (95% CI: -1.55 to -1.09) to FU2. Students with pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and pre-pandemic mental health problems did not show worse trajectories of mean mental health symptoms. In conclusion, symptom levels were relatively stable during the first three months of the pandemic, while there was a slight decrease during the summer months, probably due to seasonality effects.

scholarly journals Resilience and Its Association with Depression, Emotional and Behavioural Problems, and Mental Health Service Utilisation among Refugee Adolescents Living in South Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahereh Ziaian ◽  
Helena de Anstiss ◽  
Georgia Antoniou ◽  
Peter Baghurst ◽  
Michael Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems

Background. Despite the frequency of traumatic or stressful events experienced by refugee children and adolescents prior to migration and following resettlement, the majority do not experience mental health problems emphasising the critical nature of resilience. While a host of factors deemed to be protective of mental health in young refugees have been identified, there has been little research exploring the role of resilience as a distinct psychological construct. This study aimed to explore the nature of psychological resilience in refugee adolescents and the relationship between resilience and depression, other emotional and behavioural problems, and mental health service uptake. Method. One hundred and seventy multiethnic refugee adolescents aged 13–17 from South Australia were administered a survey comprising the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results. Females tended to have higher resilience, as did those adolescents who had been living in Australia longer. Adolescents suffering from depressive symptoms or other emotional or behavioural problems had lower resilience. There was little evidence of an association between resilience scores and exposure to trauma or service utilisation. Discussion. Fostering resilience may be critical to efforts to prevent or reduce mental health problems in refugee adolescents.

scholarly journals Crisis Situations Among Children/Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioural Disorders in Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (Spec. Iss.) ◽  
pp. 153-175
Author(s):  
Katja Vrhunc Pfeifer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Residential Treatment ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Behavioural Disorders ◽  
Illicit Substances ◽  
Crisis Situations

Employees in education, especially in residential treatment centres, face crisis situations as a result of emotional and behavioural problems/disorders of children and adolescents. They most often face various types of violence, self-aggression, use of illicit substances and abuse. Cases of children and adolescents with mental health problems are frequent. Crisis interventions differ with the complexity of the situation, and regardless of the approach, an appropriate relationship is crucial to any solution. The purpose of this article is to present and elaborate the most common crisis situations and some successful interventions in such cases.

scholarly journals Explaining ethnic variations in adolescent mental health: a secondary analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gargie Ahmad ◽  
Sally McManus ◽  
Laia Bécares ◽  
Stephani L. Hatch ◽  
Jayati Das-Munshi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Young People ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Millennium Cohort Study ◽  
Black African

Abstract Purpose The relationship between ethnicity and adolescent mental health was investigated using cross-sectional data from the nationally representative UK Millennium Cohort Study. Methods Parental Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire reports identified mental health problems in 10,357 young people aged 14 (n = 2042 from ethnic minority backgrounds: Mixed n = 492, Indian n = 275, Pakistani n = 496, Bangladeshi n = 221, Black Caribbean n = 102, Black African n = 187, Other Ethnic Group n = 269). Univariable logistic regression models investigated associations between each factor and outcome; a bivariable model investigated whether household income explained differences by ethnicity, and a multivariable model additionally adjusted for factors of social support (self-assessed support, parental relationship), participation (socialising, organised activities, religious attendance), and adversity (bullying, victimisation, substance use). Results were stratified by sex as evidence of a sex/ethnicity interaction was found (P = 0.0002). Results There were lower unadjusted odds for mental health problems in boys from Black African (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.04–0.61) and Indian backgrounds (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21–0.86) compared to White peers. After adjustment for income, odds were lower in boys from Black African (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.38), Indian (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21–0.77), and Pakistani (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27–0.89) backgrounds, and girls from Bangladeshi (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05–0.65) and Pakistani (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41–0.99) backgrounds. After further adjustment for social support, participation, and adversity factors, only boys from a Black African background had lower odds (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03–0.71) of mental health problems. Conclusions Household income confounded lower prevalence of mental health problems in some young people from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds; findings suggest ethnic differences are partly but not fully accounted for by income, social support, participation, and adversity. Addressing income inequalities and socially focused interventions may protect against mental health problems irrespective of ethnicity.

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as an assessment tool for measuring emotional and behavioural problems in young children

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Dahlberg ◽  
E Fält ◽  
A Sarkadi ◽  
H Fabian ◽  
R Salari
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Preschool Teachers ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Rater Agreement ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

Abstract Evaluation of new initiatives to tackle mental health problems in children requires instruments that are both valid and reliable. One such instrument is the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), an assessment tool for child emotional and behavioural problems. The instrument was developed by Goodman in the 1990's and is being used worldwide in both clinical settings and research projects. However, previous studies on the SDQ have mainly focused on school-aged children and adolescents. We know very little about the usefulness of the SDQ for measuring preschool children's mental health problems. Using data from a large number of parents and preschool teachers of children aged 3-5 (> 11 000 questionnaires), we tested the psychometric properties of the SDQ, examined the inter-rater agreement and provided cut-off points. The original five-factor model of the SDQ was supported and it was shown to be a reliable instrument in the hands of mothers, fathers and preschool teachers. We also found significant, albeit poor, agreement (ICC) between parent and teacher ratings and good agreement between parents' ratings. Teachers reported lower levels of problems compared to parents. Compared to girls, boys were generally reported to have more problems. Thus, we provided separate cut-offs for each age group, gender and rater category. The results suggest that SDQ can reliably be used for measuring emotional and behavioural problems in young children in community settings. They also suggest that parent and teacher reports are complementary; hence, reports from both types of informants should be considered when using the SDQ as a method to identify mental health problems within the child health services. However, inter-rater agreement between mothers and fathers was good, meaning that it may be sufficient to obtain data from a single parent informant.

scholarly journals Depression, anxiety and stress among Swedish university students before and during six months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cohort study

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110158
Author(s):  
Fred Johansson ◽  
Pierre Côté ◽  
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽  
Ann Rudman ◽  
Lena w. Holm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Over Time

Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on societies and citizens worldwide, raising concerns about potential mental health impacts. We aimed to describe trajectories of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before the outbreak, and to determine if trajectories were modified by pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and mental health problems. Methods: We conducted a cohort study with 1836 Swedish university students entering the study before 13 March 2020, the onset of the pandemic, with follow-ups within three (FU1) and six months (FU2) of the outbreak. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate mean differences in symptom levels over time-periods, and to estimate potential effect modifications. Results: We found small differences in mean levels of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) over time. Compared to before the pandemic, depression increased by 0.25 points of 21 (95% CI: 0.04 to −0.45) at FU1 and decreased by 0.75/21 (95% CI:−0.97 to −0.53) at FU2. Anxiety decreased from baseline to FU1 by 0.09/21 (95% CI: −0.24 to −0.07) and by 0.77/21 (95% CI: −0.93 to −0.61) to FU2. Stress decreased from baseline to FU1 by 0.30/21 (95% CI: −0.52 to −0.09) and by 1.32/21 (95% CI: −1.55 to −1.09) to FU2. Students with pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality or pre-pandemic mental health problems did not have worse trajectories of mean mental health symptoms. Conclusions: Symptom levels were relatively stable during the first three months of the pandemic, while there was a slight decrease during the summer months, probably due to seasonality effects.

scholarly journals Relationships with caregivers and mental health outcomes among adolescents living with HIV: a prospective cohort study in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulia Shenderovich ◽  
Mark Boyes ◽  
Michelle Degli Esposti ◽  
Marisa Casale ◽  
Elona Toska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Positive Caregiving ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Mental health problems may impact adherence to anti-retroviral treatment, retention in care, and consequently the survival of adolescents living with HIV. The adolescent-caregiver relationship is an important potential source of resilience. However, there is a lack of longitudinal research in sub-Saharan Africa on which aspects of adolescent-caregiver relationships can promote mental health among adolescents living with HIV. We draw on a prospective longitudinal cohort study undertaken in South Africa to address this question. Methods The study traced adolescents aged 10–19 initiated on antiretroviral treatment in government health facilities (n = 53) within a health district of the Eastern Cape province. The adolescents completed standardised questionnaires during three data collection waves between 2014 and 2018. We used within-between multilevel regressions to examine the links between three aspects of adolescent-caregiver relationships (caregiver supervision, positive caregiving, and adolescent-caregiver communication) and adolescent mental health (depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms), controlling for potential confounders (age, sex, rural/urban residence, mode of infection, household resources), n=926 adolescents. Results Improvements in caregiver supervision were associated with reductions in anxiety (0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99, p=0.0002) but not depression symptoms (0.99, 95% CI 0.98–1.00, p=.151), while changes in positive caregiving were not associated with changes in mental health symptoms reported by adolescents. Improvements in adolescent-caregiver communication over time were associated with reductions in both depression (IRR=0.94, 95% CI 0.92–0.97, p<.0001) and anxiety (0.91, 95% CI 0.89–0.94, p<.0001) symptoms reported by adolescents. Conclusions Findings highlight open and supportive adolescent-caregiver communication and good caregiver supervision as potential factors for guarding against mental health problems among adolescents living with HIV in South Africa. Several evidence-informed parenting programmes aim to improve adolescent-caregiver communication and caregiver supervision, and their effect on depression and anxiety among adolescents living with HIV should be rigorously tested in sub-Saharan Africa. How to improve communication in other settings, such as schools and clinics, and provide communication support for caregivers, adolescents, and service providers through these existing services should also be considered.

Risk Score for Predicting Adolescent Mental Health Problems Among Children Using Parental Report Only: The TRAILS Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 589-596
Author(s):  
Huibert Burger ◽  
Marco P. Boks ◽  
Catharina A. Hartman ◽  
Maartje F. Aukes ◽  
Frank C. Verhulst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Parental Report
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