The prevalence of mental health problems in sub-saharan adolescents : a systematic review

Background and purpose Most research regarding child and adolescent mental health prevention and promotion in low-and middle-income countries is undertaken in high-income countries. This systematic review set out to synthesise findings from epidemiological studies, published between 2008 and 2020, documenting the prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents from across sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus) and Google Scholar was conducted guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewer's manual for systematic reviews of observational epidemiological studies. Studies included reported prevalence outcomes for adolescents aged 10-19 using either clinical interviews or standardized questionnaires to assess psychopathology. Clinical samples were excluded. Results The search yielded 1 549 records of which 316 studies were assessed for eligibility and 51 met the inclusion criteria. We present a qualitative synthesis of 37 of these 51 included articles. The other 14 studies reporting prevalence rates for adolescents living with HIV are published elsewhere. The prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, posttraumatic stress and suicidal behaviour in the general adolescent population and selected at-risk groups in 16 sub-Saharan countries (with a total population of 97 616 adolescents) are reported.Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften HamburgPeerReviewe

Parents Rate Problematic Video Streaming in Adolescents: Conceptualization and External Assessment of a New Clinical Phenomenon Based on the ICD-11 Criteria of Gaming Disorder

In recent years, video streaming (VS) increased substantially. Adolescents are at significant risk of presenting problematic VS patterns associated with a spectrum of mental-health difficulties. Because VS platforms rely on similar mechanisms as digital games, the ICD-11 criteria for Gaming Disorder (GD) have been successfully implemented to measure Streaming Disorder (StrD) in adolescents. For proper diagnoses, external rating scales are urgently required in addition to self-reports. The Streaming Disorder Scale for Parents (STREDIS-P) was created and validated in a representative sample of n = 891 adolescent-parent dyads. Mental health problems were assessed with standardized instruments. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the underlying factor structure. Cutoff scores were determined using ROC analysis. Accordance between parental and adolescents’ self-ratings was calculated. Consistent with the results of previous validation studies for screening instruments assessing similar phenomena based on ICD-11-GD criteria, two factors, cognitive-behavioral symptoms and negative consequences, were confirmed. STREDIS-P demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency, criterion validity, and discriminatory power. Accordance with adolescents’ self-ratings was moderate. STREDIS-P is the first screening tool for assessing StrD in adolescents by parental ratings. It is highly relevant for conceptualizing a new phenomenon in clinical routine and academic research

Applying ICD-11 criteria of Gaming Disorder to identify problematic video streaming in adolescents: Conceptualization of a new clinical phenomenon

Background and aims: Internet video streaming (VS) has become a popular leisure activity among the majority of adolescents, especially under the COVID-19 pandemic. Research on binge watching patterns in adults suggests an addictive potential of VS. To date, no unified conceptualization on problematic VS and no standardized assessment tools for adolescents exist even though they might be especially vulnerable. Methods: STREDIS-A is based on the ICD-11 criteria of gaming disorder. It was validated in a representative sample of 959 dyads of 10- to 17-year old adolescents with frequent VS and a respective parent using standardized questionnaires on Internet addiction, depressive and anxiety symptoms, insomnia, loneliness, and academic performance in an online survey. Item structure was investigated by factorial analyses. Cutoffs were estimated and latent profile analysis was performed. Results: The two-factorial structure of STREDIS-A describes cognitive-behavioral symptoms and negative consequences of VS. Internal consistency and criterion validity were good to excellent. It could excellently discriminate between affected and non-affected adolescents. Discussion and conclusions: The present study makes a significant contribution to the conceptualization of a new phenomenon. It provides the very first tool to assess streaming disorder in adolescents for clinical and research settings. Clinical validation is highly warranted

Eating disorder symptoms among children and adolescents in Germany before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Disordered eating is highly prevalent among children and adolescents. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitalizations due to eating disorders have peaked and overweight has risen. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms among children and adolescents in Germany before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eating disorder symptoms and associated factors were examined in a sample of n = 1,001 participants of the nationwide population-based COPSY study in autumn 2021. Standardized and validated instruments were used to survey 11-17-year-olds along with a respective parent. To identify differences in prevalence rates, logistic regression was used to compare results with data from n = 997 participants of the prepandemic BELLA study. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations with relevant factors in the pandemic COPSY sample. RESULTS: Eating disorder symptoms were reported by 17.18% of females and 15.08% of males in the COPSY study. Prevalence rates were lower overall in the COPSY sample compared to before the pandemic. Male gender, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were associated with increased odds for eating disorder symptoms in the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The pandemic underscores the importance of further research, but also prevention and intervention programs that address disordered eating in children and adolescents, with a focus on age - and gender-specific differences and developments. In addition, screening instruments for eating disorder symptoms in youths need to be adapted and validated.PeerReviewe

Epidemiology of mental well-being in childhood and adolescence. Results from three epidemiological studies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hintergrund: Ein kontinuierliches bundesweites Gesundheitsmonitoring ist wichtig, um das Wohlbefinden von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Blick zu behalten und Entwicklungsverläufe abzubilden. Anhand der Ergebnisse von 3 ausgewählten epidemiologischen Studien werden Entwicklungen zum kindlichen Wohlbefinden der letzten 20 Jahre vorgestellt. Methodik: Datengrundlage bilden (1.) die bevölkerungsbezogene BEfragung zum seeLischen WohLbefinden und VerhAlten (BELLA-Studie, 2003–2017, N = 1500–3000), die ein Modul der KiGGS-Studie ist, (2.) die COrona und PSYche Studie (COPSY, 2020–2022, N = 1600–1700), die auf der BELLA-Studie aufbaut, und (3.) die internationale Health-Behaviour in School-aged Children Studie (HBSC, 2002–2018, N = 4300–7300). Das Wohlbefinden wurde bei 7‑ bis 17-Jährigen mittels der Indikatoren gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität (KIDSCREEN-10), Lebenszufriedenheit (Cantril Ladder) und psychische Auffälligkeiten (Strenghts and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) und Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)) erfasst. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt zeigen Kinder und Jugendliche präpandemisch (2002–2018) eine konstant hohe gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität und eine hohe allgemeine Lebenszufriedenheit, die sich mit Beginn der COVID-19-Pandemie 2020 zunächst verschlechterte. 2 Jahre später zeigen sich Verbesserungen, die jedoch noch nicht das Ausgangsniveau erreichen. Psychische Auffälligkeiten, ängstliche und depressive Symptome nahmen mit Pandemiebeginn um bis zu 12 Prozentpunkte zu und zeigen auch 2 Jahre nach Pandemiebeginn noch höhere Werte als präpandemische Studien. Diskussion: Die Epidemiologie kindlichen Wohlbefindens bietet eine notwendige Datengrundlage, um den Unterstützungsbedarf von Kindern und Jugendlichen zu erfassen und auf dieser Basis Maßnahmen der Gesundheitsförderung, Prävention und Intervention zu entwickeln

Mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic—results of the COPSY study

Kinder und Jugendliche sind entwicklungsbedingt vulnerabel, weshalb die COVID-19-bedingten Kontaktbeschränkungen für sie besonders belastend sein können (1, 2). Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde die bundesweite COPSY-Studie (Corona und Psyche) zur psychischen Gesundheit und Lebensqualität von Kindern und Jugendlichen während der COVID-19-Pandemie initiiert, in der Kinder und Jugendliche selbst – zusätzlich zu ihren Eltern – befragt wurden. Ziel war die Erfassung der Auswirkungen der Krise auf die psychische Gesundheit und Lebensqualität von Kindern und Jugendlichen.Peer Reviewe

Mental health and psychological burden of children and adolescents during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic—results of the COPSY study

Hintergrund Die mit der COVID-19-Pandemie einhergehenden Veränderungen und Kontaktbeschränkungen können das psychische Wohlbefinden von Kindern und Jugendlichen beeinflussen. Ziel der Arbeit COPSY ist die erste deutschlandweite repräsentative Studie, welche die psychische Gesundheit und Lebensqualität von Kindern und Jugendlichen während der Pandemie untersucht. Die Ergebnisse werden mit denen der repräsentativen longitudinalen BELLA-Studie aus der Zeit vor der Pandemie verglichen. Material und Methoden Vom 26.05. bis zum 10.06.2020 wurden n = 1586 Eltern mit 7‑ bis 17-jährigen Kindern und Jugendlichen, von denen n = 1040 11- bis 17-Jährige auch Selbstangaben machten, befragt. Dabei wurden international etablierte Instrumente zur Erfassung von gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualität, psychischen Auffälligkeiten, Ängstlichkeit und depressiven Symptomen eingesetzt. Die Daten wurden mittels deskriptiver Statistiken und bivariater Tests ausgewertet. Ergebnisse 71 % der Kinder und Jugendlichen und 75 % der Eltern fühlten sich durch die erste Welle der Pandemie belastet. Im Vergleich zu der Zeit vor der Pandemie gaben die Kinder und Jugendlichen eine geminderte Lebensqualität an, der Anteil von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit psychischen Auffälligkeiten hat sich in etwa verdoppelt und ihr Gesundheitsverhalten hat sich verschlechtert. Sozial benachteiligte Kinder erlebten die Belastungen durch die Pandemie besonders stark. Zwei Drittel der Eltern wünschten sich Unterstützung im Umgang mit ihrem Kind. Diskussion Die COVID-19-Pandemie führt zu einer psychischen Gesundheitsgefährdung der Kinder und Jugendlichen, auf die präventiv mit niedrigschwelligen und zielgruppenspezifischen Angeboten in der Schule, in der ärztlichen Praxis und in der Gesellschaft im Sinne des Kinderschutzes reagiert werden sollte.Background The drastic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative impact on the psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents. Objectives COPSY is the first national, representative German study to examine mental health and quality of life of children and adolescents during the pandemic. Results are compared with data of the representative longitudinal BELLA study conducted before the pandemic. Materials and methods Internationally established instruments for measuring health-related quality of life and mental health (including anxiety and depressive symptoms) were administered to n = 1586 parents with 7‑ to 17-year-old children and adolescents, of whom n = 1040 11- to 17-year-olds also provided self-reports, from 26 May to 10 June 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate tests. Results Seventy-one percent of the children and adolescents and 75% of the parents felt burdened by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the time before the pandemic, the children and adolescents reported a lower health-related quality of life, the percentage of children and adolescents with mental health problems almost doubled, and their health behavior worsened. Socially disadvantaged children felt particularly burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Two-thirds of the parents would like to receive support in coping with their child during the pandemic. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic poses a mental health risk to children and adolescents. Schools, doctors, and society are called to react by providing low-threshold and target-group-specific prevention and mental health promotion programs.Peer Reviewe

The prevalence of mental health problems in sub-Saharan adolescents: A systematic review.

Background and purposeMost research regarding child and adolescent mental health prevention and promotion in low-and middle-income countries is undertaken in high-income countries. This systematic review set out to synthesise findings from epidemiological studies, published between 2008 and 2020, documenting the prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents from across sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsA systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus) and Google Scholar was conducted guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewer's manual for systematic reviews of observational epidemiological studies. Studies included reported prevalence outcomes for adolescents aged 10-19 using either clinical interviews or standardized questionnaires to assess psychopathology. Clinical samples were excluded.ResultsThe search yielded 1 549 records of which 316 studies were assessed for eligibility and 51 met the inclusion criteria. We present a qualitative synthesis of 37 of these 51 included articles. The other 14 studies reporting prevalence rates for adolescents living with HIV are published elsewhere. The prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, posttraumatic stress and suicidal behaviour in the general adolescent population and selected at-risk groups in 16 sub-Saharan countries (with a total population of 97 616 adolescents) are reported

The prevalence of mental health problems in sub-Saharan adolescents living with HIV : a systematic review

CITATION: Dessauvagie A. S. et al. 2020. The prevalence of mental health problems in sub-Saharan adolescents living with HIV: a systematic review. Global Mental Health, 7:1–13. doi:10.1017/gmh.2020.18The original publication is available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-mental-healthDespite the progress made in HIV treatment and prevention, HIV remains a major cause of adolescent morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. As perinatally infected children increasingly survive into adulthood, the quality of life and mental health of this population has increased in importance. This review provides a synthesis of the prevalence of mental health problems in this population and explores associated factors. A systematic database search (Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus) with an additional hand search was conducted. Peer-reviewed studies on adolescents (aged 10–19), published between 2008 and 2019, assessing mental health symptoms or psychiatric disorders, either by standardized questionnaires or by diagnostic interviews, were included. The search identified 1461 articles, of which 301 were eligible for full-text analysis. Fourteen of these, concerning HIV-positive adolescents, met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised. Mental health problems were highly prevalent among this group, with around 25% scoring positive for any psychiatric disorder and 30–50% showing emotional or behavioral difficulties or significant psychological distress. Associated factors found by regression analysis were older age, not being in school, impaired family functioning, HIV-related stigma and bullying, and poverty. Social support and parental competence were protective factors. Mental health problems among HIV-positive adolescents are highly prevalent and should be addressed as part of regular HIV care.https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-mental-health/article/prevalence-of-mental-health-problems-in-subsaharan-adolescents-living-with-hiv-a-systematic-review/9AB78B49A526C34BAB1859FEF41DA5A4Publishers versio

Mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review of longitudinal studies

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of children and families, i.e., due to measures like social distancing and remote schooling. While previous research has shown negative effects on mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), most studies have focused on pre-post comparisons in the early pandemic stages. This systematic review aims to examine longitudinal studies to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on children and adolescents. Methods: This systematic review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was preregistered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (Record ID: CRD42022336930). We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, and the WHO-COVID-19 database and included studies published up to August 30, 2022. Based on pre-defined eligibility criteria, longitudinal and prospective studies that assessed the mental health or quality of life of children or adolescents (0–19 years) in the general population over a longer time span (at two or more measurement points) during the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the review. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using an adapted version of the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) checklist. Narrative data synthesis was used to summarize the findings. Results: A total of 5,099 results were obtained from literature searches, with 4,935 excluded during title/abstract screening. After reviewing 163 full-text articles, 24 publications were included in the review. Sample sizes ranged between n = 86 and n = 34,038. The length of the investigated time periods and the number of assessment points, as well as outcomes, varied. The majority of studies were of moderate methodological quality. Mental health outcomes were more frequently studied compared to measures of HRQoL. The findings from these studies mostly suggest that children and adolescents experienced heightened mental health problems, specifically internalizing symptoms like anxiety and depression. Further, there was a decline in their overall HRQoL over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic that did not necessarily subside when lockdowns ended. Conclusion: It is crucial to continue monitoring the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents following the pandemic to identify groups at risks and plan interventions. This should ideally be conducted by large systematic studies, using validated instruments, and encompassing representative samples to obtain reliable and comprehensive insights with the aim of improving youth mental health care