Parent Depression and Child Anxiety: An Overview of the Literature with Clinical Implications

The association of parental depression with child anxiety has received relatively little attention in the literature. In this paper we initially present several reasons for examining this relationship. We then summarize the empirical support for a link between these two variables. Finally, we discuss directions for future research and clinical implications of an association of parental depression with child anxiety

Randomized controlled trial of a family cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention for children of depressed parents.

A family cognitive-behavioral preventive intervention for parents with a history of depression and their 9–15-year-old children was compared with a self-study written information condition in a randomized clinical trial (n = 111 families). Outcomes were assessed at postintervention (2 months), after completion of 4 monthly booster sessions (6 months), and at 12-month follow-up. Children were assessed by child reports on depressive symptoms, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems; by parent reports on internalizing and externalizing problems; and by child and parent reports on a standardized diagnostic interview. Parent depressive symptoms and parent episodes of major depression also were assessed. Evidence emerged for significant differences favoring the family group intervention on both child and parent outcomes; strongest effects for child outcomes were found at the 12-month assessment with medium effect sizes on most measures. Implications for the prevention of adverse outcomes in children of depressed parents are highlighted

Prevalence of at-risk drinking recognition:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background There is a prominent “treatment gap” in relation to at-risk drinking (ARD), whereby a minority of at-risk drinkers ever access treatment. Research suggests that recognition of problem drinking is a necessary precursor for help-seeking and treatment. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of ARD recognition within those meeting criteria for ARD. Method PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE were searched using the terms: problem* AND (recogni* OR perceive* OR perception OR self-identif*) AND alcohol - to identify studies published in English between 2000 and 2022. Studies reported the frequency (weighted or unweighted) of participants meeting ARD criteria that also directly identified ARD, perceived a need for help, or endorsed a readiness to change. The prevalence of ARD recognition was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results 17 studies were included which provided data for 33,349 participants with ARD. Most (n=14) were US studies. ARD was self-identified via a single indicator in 7 studies, whereas recognition was assessed via stages of change in 4 studies and need for help in 6 studies. The pooled prevalence of ARD recognition was 31% (95% CI: 25%-36%), and subgroup analyses indicated alcohol use severity, measure of recognition, and population type to be significant sources of heterogeneity. Conclusions Most individuals with ARD fail to recognise their drinking problem so preventive approaches that promote recognition may be helpful. However, we must be cautious of how inconsistency in question framing affects self-reported problem recognition

Perceptions of family acceptance into the military community among U.S. LGBT service members: A mixed-methods study

Introduction: Despite calls to increase representation of diverse family structures in military family research, little is known about the experiences of the families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) service members (SMs). Using minority stress theory and a mixed-methods design, this study considers LGBT SMs' perceptions of family acceptance within the military community. Methods: Survey data from 115 LGBT SMs who have a spouse or partner, a child or children, or both and qualitative data from 42 LGBT SMs who participated in semi-structured interviews were used. Demographic information, perceived family acceptance by the SM's unit, leadership, and duty station, and beliefs about the appropriateness of military services for LGBT families were examined. Results: Many LGBT SMs, in both quantitative and qualitative findings, felt their families were accepted, although many still perceived a lack of acceptance, particularly regarding appropriateness of military family support services. No differences in perceived family acceptance were noted across sexual and gender identity categories. LGBT SMs who reported lower acceptance were more likely to report concerns about their family's safety and the appropriateness of family support services, as well as increased physical and mental health symptoms. Discussion: These findings shed light on the experiences of LGBT military families and highlight both successes, with respect to inclusion, and areas for more scrutiny. Results raise particular concerns about supportive services that are perceived to be inappropriate for LGBT families. Evaluating LGBT families' use of supportive services, barriers to accessing services, and outcomes of these experiences should be prioritized

Isolating human C cells by FACS for downstream -omics analysis to better understand the development of MTC in MEN2 patients

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is an inherited condition caused by RET proto-oncogene mutations and is responsible for approximately 20% of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) cases. Predicting the onset of MTC in MEN2 patients is difficult and can vary between individuals in the same family with the same RET mutation. Enhanced molecular understanding of C cells via multi-omics approaches will be key to addressing the heterogeneity of RET mutational impacts. Previously, rat C cells have been isolated using Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), but this has not been reported for human C cells.Aims: To establish a technique for isolating C-cells from fresh human thyroid tissues for -omics analysis to determine the individual risk factors influencing MTC development in MEN2 patients.Methods: FACS was performed on fresh human primary thyroid tissues and mixed thyroid cell line populations to sort C cells, based on staining for the intracellular markers calcitonin and chromogranin A. TaqMan RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of calcitonin in FACS sorted cells to appraise their identity.Results: FACS validations were initially performed on (i) two adult human primary thyroid samples, and (ii) mixed thyroid cell line populations containing 5% MTC-derived TT cells and 95% 8505C and TPC1 cells. Calcitonin, chromogranin A and double positive populations were isolated using FACS. Having established appropriate experimental conditions, FACS was subsequently performed on a primary human paediatric thyroid tissue sample which was successfully sorted into calcitonin-positive (24,214 cells), chromogranin A-positive (2,796 cells), double-positive (1,208 cells) and autofluorescent (21,860 cells) populations. TaqMan RT-PCR confirmed the expression of calcitonin in the sorted cell subgroups.Conclusions: We designed a FACS protocol for isolating C cells for -omics analysis with future potential applications in understanding and improving personalised risk stratification in MEN2