Navigating young minds: reliability and validity of the Greek version of kiddie – schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia – present and lifetime DSM-5 version (K-SADS-PL-GR-5)

Abstract Background The Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) is one of the most popular semi-structured psychiatric interviews for children and adolescents. Its latest DSM-5 version (K-SADS-PL DSM-5) has only recently been adapted and validated in various languages. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the Greek version of the K-SADS-PL DSM-5. Methods A total of 137 patients consecutively referred for admission, aged 7–17, were included. The K-SADS-PL DSM-IV was translated and adapted to correspond to DSM-5 categories. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed against two self-report rating scales, Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Inter-rater reliability was calculated exclusively for instances where a diagnosis involved three or more patients. Results Our findings revealed good to excellent inter-rater reliability and good to excellent consensual validity across most psychiatric diagnoses, except for panic disorder. Diagnostic efficiency, measured by sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, consistently showed high specificity and negative predictive validity across all diagnostic categories. Conclusions These findings support the applicability of the Greek version of the K-SADS-PL DSM-5 as a reliable and valid diagnostic tool in Greek-speaking populations

The occurrence of internalizing problems and chronic pain symptoms in early childhood: what comes first?

Chronic pain and internalizing problems are characterized by concurrent associations but the directionality of this relationship in early childhood remains unclear. This prospective study aimed to investigate the bidirectional effect of chronic pain and internalizing problems and test the persistence of pain over time in a population-based sample of preschoolers. The study was embedded in Generation R, a large population-based cohort. Mothers of 3,996 children assessed their child’s experienced pain and internalizing problems at 3 and 6 years. At 3 years, paternal reports were available too. Reports of family functioning, discipline practices and parental psychopathology were also collected. The prevalence of chronic pain was 2.7% (106) and 8.0% (294) at baseline and follow-up, respectively. The presence of internalizing problems at child age 3 years predicted chronic pain at 6 years, for both maternal (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02,1.07, p < 0.001) and paternal (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.00, 1.06, p < 0.05) internalizing problem reports, when adjusted for potential confounding factors. In contrast, chronic pain did not increase the likelihood of internalizing problems. The temporal relationship between chronic pain and internalizing problems appears to follow a largely unidirectional trend in early childhood, with internalizing problems increasing the likelihood of concurrent physical symptoms. Current understanding of the directionality of this relationship, highlights the importance for comprehensive assessment of psychiatric problems contributing to the manifestation of chronic pain

Family Functioning, Expressed Emotion and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Early Onset Schizophrenia Spectrum and Affective Psychotic Disorders

Background: Quality of family functioning and levels of parental Expressed Emotion (criticism, hostility, or emotional overinvolvement) are prospectively associated with the course and outcome of a range of childhood psychiatric disorders. Aims: This study examined family functioning, expressed emotion and quality of life, in a clinical sample of 40 adolescents presenting with schizophrenia spectrum or affective psychotic disorders. Methods: Expressed Emotion was measured using the Family Questionnaire, family functioning using the Family Assessment Device and Quality of life using the KIDSCREEN 27. Results: Parents scored high on both parts of the Family Questionnaire, the Critical Comments and Emotional Over-involvement. Higher Expressed Emotion was associated with more emotional difficulties of both parents, especially depressive features. Economic difficulties of the family were found to be negatively associated with the adolescents&apos; psychological wellbeing. Conclusions: Overall, the study points out the need for appropriate family interventions, which will assist the caregivers in developing communication and problem-solving strategies and will contribute to the reduction of high levels of hostile or critical expressed emotion and emotional over-involvement within the family