Callous-unemotional traits only versus the multidimensional psychopathy construct as predictors of various antisocial outcomes during early adolescence

New methods for child psychiatric diagnosis and treatment outcome evaluatio

Pre-divorce problems in 3-year-olds: a prospective study in boys and girls

Objective: We examined to what extent internalizing and externalizing problems at age 3 preceded and predicted parental divorce, and if divorce and the time lapse since divorce were related to internalizing and externalizing problems at age 12. Methods: Parental ratings of internalizing and externalizing problems were collected with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) in a large sample (N = 6,426) of 3-yearold children. All these children were followed through the age of 12 years, at which parents completed the CBCL again, while teachers completed the Teacher's Report Form. Children whose parents divorced between age 3 and age 12 were compared with children whose families remained intact. Results: Girls whose parents divorced between ages 3 and 12 already showed more externalizing problems at age 3 than girls whose parents stayed married. Higher levels of externalizing problems in girls at age 3 predicted later parental divorce. Parental reports indicated that 12-year-olds with divorced parents showed more internalizing and externalizing problems than children with married parents. Levels of teacher-reported problems were not different between children with married versus divorced parents. However, children whose parents divorced between ages 3 and 12 showed more teacher-rated internalizing problems at age 12 when the divorce was more recent than when the divorce was less recent. Parental ratings of both internalizing and externalizing problems at age 12 were not associated with the time lapse since divorce. Conclusion: Externalizing problems in girls precede and predict later parental divorce. Post-divorce problems in children vary by raters, and may depend on the time lapse since divorce

Health information-seeking behaviors about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on the internet and the analysis of top ranking websites

Health information-seeking behaviors about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on the internet and the analysis of top ranking websites Objective: This study analyses the volume of searches conducted using Turkish keywords related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on internet search engines and the content of high-ranking websites in order to identify the interest of the public on ADHD. Method: The Google AdWords Keyword Planner Tool was used to find out the related Turkish keywords and web sites listed on the first default results pages were analyzed. Results/Conclusion: Although ADHD is a very common psychiatric disorder, our research reveals that public interest is not parallel with the prevalence of it, particularly with adult ADHD. The websites listed on the first results pages do not contain sufficient information on adult ADHD and only little content on these web pages is written by academicians or supported by scientific references. For a wider and more accurate public recognition of ADHD, academicians and professional practitioners should use the internet more proactively and effectively. © 2015 Cukurova Univ Tip Fakultesi Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali

Has the prevalence of parent-reported diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Germany increased between 2003–2006 and 2009–2012?

Internationale Studien berichteten in den vergangenen Jahren zum Teil erhebliche Zunahmen der Diagnosehäufigkeit von Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörungen (ADHS). Zahlen aus den Diagnosestatistiken von gesetzlichen Krankenkassen legen eine vergleichbare Entwicklung für Deutschland nahe. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, auf der Grundlage der Daten der bundesweit repräsentativen Studie „KiGGS Welle 1“ (2009–2012) die Lebenszeitprävalenz von elternberichteten ADHS-Diagnosen ihrer Kinder im Alter von 3 bis 17 Jahren zu untersu­chen und den zeitlichen Trend im Vergleich zur KiGGS-Basiserhebung (2003–2006) zu berichten. Studienteilnehmende, deren Eltern berichteten, dass für ihr Kind jemals von ei­nem Arzt oder Psychologen eine ADHS-Diag­nose gestellt wurde, galten als ADHS-Fall. Darüber hinaus wurden Kinder und Jugendliche, die in der Elternbeurteilung einen Wert ≥ 7 (clinical range) auf der Unaufmerksamkeits-/Hyperaktivitätsskala des Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) erreichten und für die von den Eltern keine ADHS-Diagnose berichtet wurde, als ADHS-Verdachtsfälle eingestuft. Die Prävalenz der ADHS in der KiGGS Welle 1 betrug 5,0 % (95 %-KI: 4,3–5,7), für Verdachtsfälle: 5,8 % (5,1–6,6). Für Jungen wurde mehr als viereinhalbmal so häufig eine ADHS-Diagnose berichtet wie für Mädchen, Kinder aus Familien mit niedrigem Sozialsta­tus waren mehr als zweieinhalbmal so häufig betroffen wie solche aus Familien mit hohem Sozialstatus. ADHS-Verdachtsfälle waren bei Jungen zweimal und bei Kindern aus Famili­en mit niedrigem Sozialstatus knapp dreimal häufiger. Die Lebenszeitprävalenz von ADHS-Diagnosen nahm mit dem Alter kontinuierlich zu und war am höchsten bei den 11- bis 17-Jährigen, Verdachtsfälle waren hingegen mit zunehmendem Alter weniger häufig. Bei etwa jedem fünften Kind mit der Diagnose ADHS wurde diese erstmalig im Alter von 6 Jahren gestellt, bei jedem elften bereits mit 5 Jahren. Insgesamt wurden gegenüber der KiGGS-Basiserhebung (2003–2006) keine statistisch signifikanten Veränderungen der Di­agnosehäufigkeit für ADHS beobachtet. Die aus den Krankenkassendaten berichteten Zunahmen der ADHS-Diagnosehäufigkeit spiegeln sich damit in den Daten von KiGGS Welle 1 nicht wider.Recent international studies have reported a considerable increase in the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Data from German statutory health insurance companies suggest a comparable trend for Germany. Based on data from the nationally representative study KiGGS Wave 1 (2009–2012) it was the aim of this study to report on the prevalence rates of parent-reported ADHD diagnoses in children and adolescents aged 3-17 years as well as to report on time trends in comparison with the KiGGS baseline study (2003–2006). ADHD caseness was met if a parent reported that a physician or a psychologist diagnosed their child with ADHD. Participants without a reported ADHD diagnosis but who scored ≥ 7 (clinical range) on the parent-rated hyperactivity subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were considered as potential ADHD cases. The prevalence of diagnosed ADHD was 5.0 % (prevalence of potential ADHD cases 6.0 %). An ADHD diagnosis was more than four and a half times more likely to be reported among boys than girls. Children from families with low socioeconomic status (SES) were more than two and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children from families with high SES. Among potential cases, boys were twice as common as girls, and children from families with low SES were approximately three times more common compared with those from high SES families. The proportion of lifetime ADHD diagnoses increased with age and was highest in 11- to 17-year-olds. In every fifth child with ADHD the initial diagnosis was made by the age of 6 years and in 1 out of 11 children with ADHD the initial diagnosis was made by the age of 5 years. In total, we observed no significant changes regarding the frequency of ADHD diagnosis compared to the KiGGS baseline study. Increases reported using data from German statuary health insurance companies were not reflected in the KiGGS data

Attachment style and relationship difficulties in parents of children with ADHD

Previous studies report that parents of children with ADHD often experience difficulties in their couple relationship. The present study investigated the role of adult attachment style in relation to problems with dyadic adjustment and conflict communication. A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 98 parents of children and adolescents with ADHD and 153 parents of offspring without the disorder (age range in 3 to 19). Participants completed the following: Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire-R, Communications Pattern Questionnaire, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Conner's Parent Rating Scale–48. According to the findings, the two parental groups differed regarding relationship difficulties only when attachment style was controlled for. Moreover, attachment avoidance moderated the impact of having a child with ADHD on dyadic adjustment while attachment anxiety moderated such an impact on conflict communication. Also, parents of children with less severe ADHD symptoms were more likely to experience relationship problems, while having a child with ADHD moderated the effects of gender on the roles taken in demand-withdraw communication. Considering adult attachment style may provide useful insights into how parents of children with ADHD relate to each other and may inform supportive interventions.