The normative development of child and adolescent problem behavior. [IF 3.2]

The aim of this study was to identify normative developmental trajectories of parent-reported problems assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; T. M. Achenbach, 1991) in a representative sample of 2,076 children aged 4 to 18 years from the general population. The trajectories were determined by multilevel growth curve analyses on the CBCL syndromes in a longitudinal multiple birth-cohort sample that was assessed 5 times with 2-year intervals. Most syndromes showed a linear increase or decrease with age or a curvilinear trajectory, except for thought problems. Trajectories for most syndromes differed for boys versus girls, except those for withdrawn, social problems, and thought problems. These normative developmental trajectories provide information against which developmental deviance in childhood and adolescence can be detected

Measuring quality of life in children referred for psychiatric problems: Psychometric properties of the PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scales [IF: 2.0]

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™ 4.0) generic core scales and assess its usefulness in measuring quality of life (QoL) in a child psychiatric population. Methods: Reliability and validity of the PedsQL were assessed in 310 referred children (ages 6-18 years) and a comparison group consisting of 74 non-referred children (ages 7-18 years), and the parents in both groups. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a four-factor solution. Internal consistency reliability for the PedsQL Total Scale Score (α = 0.84 child self-report, α = 0.87 parent proxy-report), Psychosocial Health Score (α, = 0.70 child self-report, α = 0.81 parent proxy-report), and most subscale scores were acceptable for group comparisons. Correlations between scores of fathers and mothers were large. Criterion-related validity was demonstrated by significantly lower PedsQL scores for referred vs. non-referred children. Significant correlations between PedsQL scales and measures of psychopathology showed convergent validity. Small correlations between PedsQL scales and intelligence of the child evidenced discriminant validity. Conclusion: The PedsQL seems a valid instrument in measuring QoL in children referred for psychiatric problems

Quality of life, delinquency and psychosocial functioning of adolescents in secure residential care:Testing two assumptions of the Good Lives Model

Background: In this study, two assumptions derived from the Good Lives Model were examined: whether subjective Quality of Life is related to delinquent behaviour and psychosocial problems, and whether adolescents with adequate coping skills are less likely to commit delinquent behaviour or show psychosocial problems. Method: To this end, data of 95 adolescents with severe psychiatric problems who participated in a four-wave longitudinal study were examined. Subjective Quality of Life was assessed with the ten domains of the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile and coping skills with the Utrecht Coping List for Adolescents. Results: Results showed that adolescents who reported a lower Quality of Life on the health domain had more psychosocial problems at follow-up. No relationship was found between Quality of Life and delinquent behaviour. In addition, active and passive coping were associated with delinquent behaviour and psychosocial functioning at follow-up. Conclusions: Based on the results of this longitudinal study, the strongest support was found for the second assumption derived from the Good Lives Model. Adolescents with adequate coping skills are less likely to commit delinquent behaviour and have fewer psychosocial problems at follow-up. The current study provides support for the use of strength-based elements in the treatment programmes for adolescents in secure residential care

Worth a thousand words?:Visual concept mapping of the quality of life of people with severe mental health problems

Objectives: Conventional approaches to quality of life (QoL) measurement rely heavily on verbal, language-based communication. They require respondents to have significant cognitive and verbal ability, making them potentially unsuitable for people with severe mental health problems. To facilitate an alternative approach to QoL assessment, the current study aims to develop an alternative, visual representation of QoL for people with severe mental health problems. Methods: An alternative, visual adaptation of the concept mapping method was used to construct this visual representation of QoL. Eighty-two participants (i.e., patients, care professionals, and family members) contributed to this study. Results were processed statistically to construct the concept map. Results: The concept map contains 160 unique visual statements, grouped into 8 clusters labelled (1) Support and Attention, (2) Social Contacts, (3) Happiness and Love, (4) Relaxation and Harmony, (5) Leisure, (6) Lifestyle, (7) Finances, and (8) Health and Living. Examples of visual statements are pictures of family silhouettes, romantic couples, natural scenes, houses, sports activities, wallets and coins, smiley faces, and heart shapes. The clusters were interpreted and labelled by participants. Conclusions: Almost all of the statements correspond to clusters found in previous (non-visual) QoL research. Hence, QoL domains can also be presented visually

Neurofeedback bij jongens met ADHD, co-morbide stoornissen en een civiel- of strafrechtelijke maatregel

In this pilot study, two main research questions are investigated: (a) Is neurofeedback a feasible intervention for the target population and (b) is there a relevant clinical change for sustained and divided attention?Doel van deze studie is om de haalbaarheid en klinisch relevante veranderingen te onderzoeken bij een complexe doelgroep. Twee onderzoeksvragen staan daarbij centraal: Is een neurofeedbacktraining een uitvoerbare (feasible) interventie bij jongens met ADHD en/of forse ADHD-klachten, co-morbide stoornissen en een civiel- of strafrechtelijke maatregel?Heeft een neurofeedbacktraining effect op de volgehouden aandacht en verdeelde aandacht van jongens met ADHD en/of forse ADHD-klachten, co-morbide stoornissen en een civiel- of strafrechtelijke maatregel? INHOUD: 1. Inleiding 2. Neurofeedback: achtergrond & wetenschappelijke evidentie 3. Methode van onderzoek 4. Beschrijving kenmerk doelgroep 5. Uitvoerbaarheid 6. Klinisch relevante veranderingen 7. Beschouwin

een gestructureerde casussenanalyse

After several serious incidents with patients with a criminal justice order of enforced care by the state (TBS) during unsupervised leae, the Lower House decided in 2006 to start a parliamentary inquiry into the functioning of the TBS-system. One of the commission's recommendations was to carry out more scientific research on the effectiveness of treatment in forensic psychiatry. This report is a reflection of a stock-taking and descriptive study and of a quantitative analysis of a representative sample of prisoners sentenced to TBS.Na enkele ernstige incidenten met tbs-gestelden tijdens onbegeleid verlof besloot de Tweede Kamer in 2006 een parlementair onderzoek in te stellen naar het functioneren van het tbs-systeem. Hieruit volgde o.a. de aanbeveling om meer wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar de effectiviteit van behandeling in de forensische psychiatrie uit te voeren. Dit rapport vormt de weerslag van een inventariserend, beschrijvend onderzoek en een kwantitatieve analyse van een representatieve steekproef van tbs-gestelden. In het eerste deel zijn de kenmerken van de onderzoekspopulatie, de tenuitvoerlegging van de tbs-maatregel, de vormgeving van de tenuitvoerlegging, het formele wettelijke kader, knelpunten en de vraag hoe de tenuitvoerlegging - en meer bepaald de behandeling- aansluit bij het wetenschappelijk onderzoek, beschreven. In het tweede deel zijn profielen van de groep onderzochte tbs-gestelden opgesteld. INHOUD: 1. Inleiding 2. Methode 3. Kenmerken onderzoekspopulatie 4. Literatuursynthese 5. Tenuitvoerlegging van de tbs-maatregel 6. Klinische profielen op basis van DSM-IV criteria en type indexdelict 7. Conclusie 8. Discussi