Problem behavior in Dutch preschoolers

The present study was an attempt to contribute to the standardized assessment and the study of prevalence of problem behavior in children 2- to 3-years old by means of empirically derived rating scales. The basic questions were: 1. What are the psychometric characteristics of the Dutch version of the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 2-3 (CBCL/2-3)? 2. What is the prevalence of problem behavior in Dutch toddlers aged 2-3 years in the connnunity, and in a broadly defined clinical sample as measured by the CBCL/2-3? 3. How are CBCL/2-3 scores in both samples related to demographic, family, and child characteristics, and in the clinical sample also to clinically relevant variables, such as referral complaints and psychiatric diagnosis? 4. How predictive are CBCL/2-3 scores of behavioral/emotional problems at home and at school over a 2-year interval, as measured by parents' and teachers' standardized ratings of problem behavior. and reports of significant problems at home and school?

Differential predictive value of parents' and teachers' reports of children's problem behaviors: A longitudinal study

This study investigated the prediction of signs of disturbance in 946 children originally aged 4 to 11 years from the general population across a 6-year period. Parents' and teachers' ratings obtained via the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher's Report Form (TRF) were tested as predictors of (a) academic problems, (b) school behavior problems, (c) receipt of mental health services, (d) child's need for professional help, (e) suicidal behavior, and (f) police contacts. Total problem scores in the deviant range on the CBCL or TRF were significantly associated with poor outcomes 6 years later. The combination of deviant scores on both the CBCL and TRF was a powerful predictor of poor outcomes with 56% of the girls, and 36% of the boys with total problem scores in the deviant range on both instruments maladjusted 6 years later. The CBCL syndromes Attention Problems and Delinquent Behavior, and the TRF syndromes Delinquent Behavior, Somatic Complaints, and Social Problems significantly predicted poor outcomes. Teachers' reports predicted poor outcomes equally well or even somewhat better than parents' reports. It is important to include teacher information in the diagnostic assessment of children

Psychosocial sequelae in 29 children with giant congenital melanocytic naevi

Giant congenital melanocytic naevus (GCMN) may be expected to affect psychosocial functioning of children and their parents due to deviant appearance and painful treatment. To obtain insight into clinical aspects and psychosocial functioning of those suffering from GCMN, 29 children diagnosed with GCMN syndrome or single GCMN received a dermatological examination, were interviewed, and their mothers and teachers completed standardized questionnaires on the child's competence and behavioural/emotional problems and their own adjustment. Social problems were reported for 30% of the patients and behavioural/emotional problems for 25.9%. There was no correlation between visibility of the naevus, treatment or child age and psychological problems. Mothers reported considerable psychosocial burden. It is concluded that children with GCMN are at increased risk of social and behavioural/emotional problems, and mothers suffer considerable psychological impact of their child's condition

Impact of Low Social Preference on the Development of Depressive and Aggressive Symptoms: Buffering by Children’s Prosocial Behavior

textabstractHolding a low social position among peers has been widely demonstrated to be associated with the development of depressive and aggressive symptoms in children. However, little is known about potential protective factors in this association. The present study examined whether increases in children’s prosocial behavior can buffer the association between their low social preference among peers and the development of depressive and aggressive symptoms in the first few school years. We followed 324 children over 1.5 years with three assessments across kindergarten and first grade elementary school. Children rated the (dis)likability of each of their classroom peers and teachers rated each child’s prosocial behavior, depressive and aggressive symptoms. Results showed that low social preference at the start of kindergarten predicted persistent low social preference at the start of first grade in elementary school, which in turn predicted increases in both depressive and aggressive symptoms at the end of first grade. However, the indirect pathways were moderated by change in prosocial behavior. Specifically, for children whose prosocial behavior increased during kindergarten, low social preference in first grade elementary school no longer predicted increases in depressive and aggressive symptoms. In contrast, for children whose prosocial behavior did not increase, their low social preference in first grade elementary school continued to predict increases in both depressive and aggressive symptoms. These results suggest that improving prosocial behavior in children with low social preference as early as kindergarten may reduce subsequent risk of developing depressive and aggressive symptom

Predictors of psychopathology in young adults referred to mental health services in childhood or a

BACKGROUND: For children referred to mental health services future functioning may be hampered. AIMS: To examine stability and prediction of behavioural and emotional problems from childhood into adulthood. METHOD: A referred sample (n = 789) aged 4-18 years was followed up after a mean of 10.5 years. Scores derived from the Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self-Report and Teacher Report Form were related to equivalent scores for young adults from the Young Adult Self-Report and Young Adult Behavior Checklist. RESULTS: Correlations between first contact (T1) and follow-up (T2) scores were 0.12-0.53. Young adult psychopathology was predicted by corresponding T1 problem scores. Social problems and anxious/depressed scores were predictors of general problem behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Problem behaviour of children and adolescents referred to outpatient mental health services is highly predictive of similar problem behaviour at young adulthood. Stability is higher for externalizing than for internalizing behaviour and for intra-informant than for inter-informant information. Stabilities are similar across gender. To obtain a comprehensive picture of the young adult's functioning, information from related adults may prove valuable

What Drives Developmental Change in Adolescent Disclosure and Maternal Knowledge? Heterogeneity in Within-Family Processes. Developmental Psychology

This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the normative declines in adolescent disclosure and maternal knowledge over the course of adolescence, by assessing the underlying monitoring processes. Multilevel structural equation models were applied to 15 assessments among 479 families across five years (13 years at T1, 57% boys, 11% low SES). Developmental declines in mother-perceived disclosure and knowledge were observed, which were partially explained by processes operating at the level of the family unit. On average, mothers were more knowledgeable in weeks with more disclosure and more solicitation, and adolescent disclosure was higher in weeks with more maternal solicitation and less control. The effect sizes and even the directions of these within-family correlations varied between families, however. This heterogeneity was partially explained by the level of maternal control and adolescent disclosure, and by the families’ socio-economic status. Within-family fluctuations in knowledge and disclosure were also correlated with fluctuations in relationship quality and adolescent and mother mood. Overall, these within-family processes explained up to 14% of the normative developmental decline in disclosure and 19% of the decline in knowledge. This study thus suggests that a wide variety in monitoring processes may drive normative declines in adolescent disclosure and maternal knowledge

FRIENDS for Life: Implementation of an indicated prevention program targeting childhood anxiety and depression in a naturalistic setting

We assessed the implementation characteristics and children's appraisal of FRIENDS for Life, a school-based prevention program targeting childhood anxiety and depression, and its relation to program outcomes. Prevention workers delivered the program using specific therapeutic skills, but did not adhere completely to the protocol. However, this appeared not to negatively affect program outcomes. We found few other significant associations between program integrity and outcomes. Children's participation was good and they appraised the program positively. Children rated the program more positively when protocol adherence was lower. In conclusion, a highly protocolled intervention can be successfully transferred to daily school practice