Prevention of psychopathology in children:Interventions for intergenerational transmission

Children of parents with anxiety or mood disorders have an increased risk of developing an anxiety or mood disorder themselves. A qualitative review of different components of well-studied prevention programs shows that all programs use elements of psychoeducation. Programs that primarily target children often use elements of cognitive behavioral therapy. Programs aimed at the whole family contain components focused on communication between family members and parenting skills. In general, these prevention programs are effective in preventing short- and long-term anxiety/mood disorders and reducing existing symptoms in children. Future research should pay more attention to how and for whom the prevention programs are effective. Primary health care plays an important role in identifying children at risk, underscoring the importance of training professionals in early signaling psychopathology in parents and children. Children with mild complaints could be identified earlier, possibly preventing more serious problems and intensive treatment processes.</p

"... and How Are the Kids?" Psychoeducation for Adult Patients With Depressive and/or Anxiety Disorders:A Pilot Study

Depressive and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and form a substantial burden for individuals and their family members. A recent study showed that approximately two-thirds of the children of patients with severe depressive and/or anxiety disorders develop one of these disorders themselves before 35 years of age. In the Netherlands, various preventive interventions are available for children of parents with mental illnesses. However, the actual reach of interventions is small

Preventie psychologische stoornissen bij kinderen: Interventies voor intergenerationele transmissie

Children of parents with anxiety or mood disorders have an increased risk of developing an anxiety or mood disorder themselves. A qualitative review of different components of well-studied prevention programs shows that all programs use elements of psychoeducation. Programs that primarily target children often use elements of cognitive behavioral therapy. Programs aimed at the whole family contain components focused on communication between family members and parenting skills. In general, these prevention programs are effective in preventing short- and long-term anxiety/mood disorders and reducing existing symptoms in children. Future research should pay more attention to how and for whom the prevention programs are effective. Primary health care plays an important role in identifying children at risk, underscoring the importance of training professionals in early signaling psychopathology in parents and children. Children with mild complaints could be identified earlier, possibly preventing more serious problems and intensive treatment processes

Preventie psychologische stoornissen bij kinderen:interventies voor intergenerationele transmissie

Children of parents with anxiety or mood disorders have an increased risk of developing an anxiety or mood disorder themselves. A qualitative review of different components of well-studied prevention programs shows that all programs use elements of psychoeducation. Programs that primarily target children often use elements of cognitive behavioral therapy. Programs aimed at the whole family contain components focused on communication between family members and parenting skills. In general, these prevention programs are effective in preventing short- and long-term anxiety/mood disorders and reducing existing symptoms in children. Future research should pay more attention to how and for whom the prevention programs are effective. Primary health care plays an important role in identifying children at risk, underscoring the importance of training professionals in early signaling psychopathology in parents and children. Children with mild complaints could be identified earlier, possibly preventing more serious problems and intensive treatment processes

Offspring of depressed and anxious patients: Help-seeking after first onset of a mood and/or anxiety disorder

Background: Offspring of patients with depressive and/or anxiety disorders are at high risk of developing a similar disorder themselves. Early recognition and treatment may have substantial effects on prognosis. The main aim of this study was to examine the time to initial help-seeking and its determinants in offspring after the first onset of a mood and/or anxiety disorder. Methods: Data are presented of 215 offspring with a mood and/or anxiety disorder participating in a cohort study with 10 year follow-up. We determined age of disorder onset and age of initial help-seeking. Offspring characteristics (gender, IQ, age of onset, disorder type, suicidal ideation) and family characteristics (socioeconomic status, family functioning) were investigated as potential predictors of the time to initial help-seeking. Results: The estimated overall proportion of offspring of depressed/anxious patients who eventually seek help after onset of a mood and/or anxiety disorder was 91.9%. The time to initial help-seeking was more than two years in 39.6% of the offspring. Being female, having a mood disorder or comorbid mood and anxiety disorder (relative to anxiety) and a disorder onset in adolescence or adulthood (relative to childhood) predicted a shorter time to initial help-seeking. Limitations: Baseline information relied on retrospective reports. Age of onsets and age of initial help-seeking may therefore be subject to recall bias. Conclusion: Although most offspring eventually seek help after onset of a mood/anxiety disorder, delays in help-seeking were common, especially in specific subgroups of patients. This information may help to develop targeted strategies to reduce help-seeking delays