Screening for anxiety disorders in children

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and have negative consequences on individual and societal level. This study examined the usefulness of screening for anxiety disorders in primary school children. More specifically, the value of the screening method to discriminate between and to predict anxiety disorders was studied. Children and their parents were selected if the children had self-reported scores on the screening questionnaire Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-71 (SCARED-71) within the top-15% (High-anxious) or from two points below to two points above the median (Median-anxious). Of the selected children, 183 high-anxious children and their parents, and 80 median-anxious children and their parents took part in a diagnostic interview, the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule (ADIS). Of the high-anxious children, 60% had an anxiety disorder versus 23% of the median-anxious children, whereas groups did not differ on rates of dysthymia/depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The diagnoses separation anxiety disorder, social phobia and specific phobia were specifically predicted by the corresponding subscales of the screening questionnaire, while the diagnosis generalised anxiety disorder was not predicted by any of the subscales. The screening method has proven its utility for discriminating between children with and without anxiety disorders when applying the top-15% cut-off. Moreover, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, and specific phobia, all known to be prevalent and debilitating childhood anxiety disorders, can be predicted by the corresponding subscale of the screening instrument

Cumulative Risk Exposure and Social Isolation as Correlates of Carer and Child Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic:An Online Study with Families from Various Europeans Countries

This study adopted a cumulative risk approach to examine the relations between various domains of risk factors (i.e., social isolation and home confinement, other pandemic-related risk factors, and pre-existing psychosocial risk factors) and carers’ and children’s mental health during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. The sample consisted of 1475 carers of 6- to 16-year-old children and adolescents residing in five European countries (Portugal, United Kingdom, Romania, Spain, and The Netherlands) who completed an online survey. The results showed that each of the three domains of adversity accounted for unique variation in carers’ and children’s mental health outcomes. Also, the results indicated that pre-existing psychosocial risk factors moderated the relationship between pandemic-related risk factors and children and carers’ anxiety and between social isolation and confinement and carers’ well-being. Simple slopes analysis suggested a stronger relationship between these domains of adversities and mental health outcomes in already more vulnerable families. It is important to consider the implications of social isolation measures and confinement for families’ mental health, paying special attention to families with pre-existing psychosocial vulnerabilities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10578-021-01233-3

The Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5):Development and First Psychometric Evidence of a New Scale for Assessing Anxiety Disorders Symptoms of Children and Adolescents

The Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5) is a new self- and parent-report questionnaire to assess anxiety disorder symptoms in children and adolescents in terms of the contemporary classification system. International panels of childhood anxiety researchers and clinicians were used to construct a scale consisting of two parts: part one consists of 28 items and measures the major anxiety disorders including separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, whereas part two contains 22 items that focus on specific phobias and (given its overlap with situational phobias) agoraphobia. In general, the face validity of the new scale was good; most of its items were successfully linked to the intended anxiety disorders. Notable exceptions were the selective mutism items, which were frequently considered as symptoms of social anxiety disorder, and some specific phobia items especially of the natural environment, situational and other type, that were regularly assigned to an incorrect category. A preliminary investigation of the YAM-5 in non-clinical (N = 132) and clinically referred (N = 64) children and adolescents indicated that the measure was easy to complete by youngsters. In addition, support was found for the psychometric qualities of the measure: that is, the internal consistency was good for both parts, as well as for most of the subscales, the parent-child agreement appeared satisfactory, and there was also evidence for the validity of the scale. The YAM-5 holds promise as a tool for assessing anxiety disorder symptoms in children and adolescents

Neglecting the impact of childhood neglect:A scoping review of the relation between child neglect and emotion regulation in adulthood

BACKGROUND: Childhood neglect, a prevalent form of child abuse, has significant short-term and long-term consequences on mental health.OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of existing evidence on childhood neglect in relation to emotion regulation in adulthood.PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were not individually evaluated but we provided future directions for research based on the overview of studies.METHODS: A systematic search strategy was conducted, resulting in the analysis of 25 selected articles. We performed an inventory of existing evidence to identify knowledge gaps.RESULTS: The review identified the need for future research to differentiate neglect from other forms of child abuse. Longitudinal studies tracking individuals from childhood to adulthood are recommended to understand developmental trajectories and continuity. Diverse samples, with various ages, genders, and (socio-economic) backgrounds, should be included for enhanced generalizability. Geographical representation should be expanded to capture cultural variations in the association between neglect and adult emotion regulation. Furthermore, investigating other psychopathologies beyond depression in relation to neglect and emotion regulation is suggested.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this scoping review highlights the limited knowledge regarding the link between childhood neglect and adult emotion regulation and provides valuable recommendations for advancing research in this field.</p

Anxiety measure

Iedereen voelt van tijd tot tijd angst; angst is een normale emotie. Het is echter niet gezond om te lang overmatige angst te hebben, of om angst te intens te ervaren. Deze website is bedoeld om overmatige angst bij kinderen en adolescenten in de leeftijd van 8 tot 18 jaar te helpen identificeren.We bieden de vragenlijst over jeugdangst voor DSM-5 (YAM-5) gratis aan op deze site, zodat ouders, artsen en onderzoekers deze kunnen gebruiken. De vragenlijst is beschikbaar in 12 verschillende talen.Wij moedigen het gebruik, het delen en verspreiden van de vragenlijst aan. Daarnaast vind je op deze site een oproep om samen te werken met wetenschappers.Laten we samenwerken om overmatige angst bij jongeren te begrijpen en aan te pakken

Anxiety measure

Iedereen voelt van tijd tot tijd angst; angst is een normale emotie. Het is echter niet gezond om te lang overmatige angst te hebben, of om angst te intens te ervaren. Deze website is bedoeld om overmatige angst bij kinderen en adolescenten in de leeftijd van 8 tot 18 jaar te helpen identificeren.We bieden de vragenlijst over jeugdangst voor DSM-5 (YAM-5) gratis aan op deze site, zodat ouders, artsen en onderzoekers deze kunnen gebruiken. De vragenlijst is beschikbaar in 12 verschillende talen.Wij moedigen het gebruik, het delen en verspreiden van de vragenlijst aan. Daarnaast vind je op deze site een oproep om samen te werken met wetenschappers.Laten we samenwerken om overmatige angst bij jongeren te begrijpen en aan te pakken

Challenging anxious cognitions or accepting them?:Exploring the efficacy of the cognitive elements of cognitive behaviour therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in the reduction of children's fear of the dark

CITATION: Simon, E., Driessen, S., Lambert, A., & Muris, P. (2020). Challenging anxious cognitions or accepting them? Exploring the efficacy of the cognitive elements of cognitive behaviour therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in the reduction of children's fear of the dark. International journal of psychology : Journal international de psychologie, 55(1), 90–97. https://doi:10.1002/ijop.12540The original publication is available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1464066xAnxiety is highly prevalent in pre-adolescent children. Distorted cognitions are characteristic for dysfunctional levels of anxiety. However, applying cognitive elements in pre-adolescent children cannot be fully ascertained, as it is not until adolescence before children can apply logical and abstract reasoning in a sophisticated manner. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) both target distorted cognitions. Whereas CBT encourages children to change the content of negative cognitions by applying cognitive restructuring, ACT stimulates youth to have a more accepting attitude towards these thoughts by applying cognitive defusion. The current study examined the efficacy of applying cognitive elements and compared the cognitive elements of CBT and ACT in pre-adolescent children. We included no behavioural elements to specifically study the developmental appropriateness of the cognitive elements in this age group. Highly anxious children, aged 8–12 years were randomised to a 30-minute cognitive restructuring (n = 21) or cognitive defusion intervention (n = 22). Subjective fear of the dark levels, behavioural darkness toleration, and comprehension and fun associated with the interventions were assessed. Both interventions had a significantly positive impact on children's fear of the dark. Cognitive restructuring led to more favourable results on subjective fear than cognitive defusion, no differences were found for darkness toleration.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijop.12540Publishers versio

An imagery rescripting based intervention in children and adolescents who endured a negative life event:A pilot study, satisfaction and feasibility survey

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: ImRs, a technique targeting distressing mental images, has shown promise in adult psychiatric treatment. Initial research indicates positive outcomes in children, with potential for reducing mental health care burden. This pilot study examined the use of Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) as an intervention for children who have experienced negative life events. We aimed to assess short-term emotional changes, participant satisfaction, and the feasibility of a larger-scale ImRs intervention for children.METHODS: We employed a pre-posttest within-group design, and included 35 children (ages 5-18) who experienced negative life events, as well as 12 coaches. ImRs targeted distressing images related to negative events. Measurement tools included Visual Analogue Scales for distress and emotions, along with satisfaction surveys for both children and coaches. The feasibility of a larger-scale study was also explored through a coach questionnaire.RESULTS: We found significant short-term improvements for all emotional states, with large effects for anxiety, sadness, and happiness, and a moderate effect for anger. Children reported fair levels of satisfaction with the intervention's acceptability and complexity. Coaches expressed high levels of satisfaction with the intervention as a whole and with its characteristics. Coaches were also strongly motivation for future, more in-depth research. An important limitation of this pilot study was the lack of a control group. In light of the promising results, more extensive studies with diagnostic information, multiple measures, and follow-up assessments are warranted.CONCLUSION: Altogether, imagery rescripting based interventions seem a promising venue for children who experienced negative events.</p