Emotional symptoms from kindergarten to middle childhood: associations with self- and other-oriented social skills

The study investigated the interactive impact of different dimensions of social skills on children's emotional symptoms. We differentiate between self-oriented social skills which focus on considering own goals and needs in social interactions (assertiveness, social participation) and other-oriented social skills which focus on considering other's goals and needs (pro-social and cooperative behavior). 167 children participated in the study at the ages of 5, 6, and 9years. A multi-informant approach (parents, teacher, and child) was employed to assess children's psychopathology. Teachers rated children's social skills. The study demonstrated the importance of deficits in self-oriented social skills for the development of emotional symptoms. Low levels of assertiveness predicted later emotional symptoms. In children with low levels of pro-social behavior, high assertiveness protected from emotional problems. In contrast, high levels of pro-social behavior emerged as a risk factor for later emotional symptoms, especially when is goes along with low levels of social participatio

Pathways of behavioural and emotional symptoms in kindergarten children: What is the role of pro-social behaviour?

The study investigated the predictive value of pro-social behaviour for developmental pathways of behavioural and emotional problems at kindergarten age. One hundred and sixty children participated in the study at the ages of 5 and 6. Teachers and parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; children completed the Berkeley Puppet Interview at both assessment points. Single-informant data were aggregated to enhance the reliability and validity of data. Gender and parental educational status were controlled. Symptoms (conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional symptoms) and pro-social behaviour were moderately stable over time. Compared to girls, boys showed higher levels and increases of conduct problems and hyperactivity and lower levels of pro-social behaviour. Lower parental educational level was associated with higher levels and increases in hyperactivity. Although pro-social behaviour was cross-sectionally associated with behavioural and emotional symptoms, pro-social behaviour did not predict changes in conduct problems or hyperactivity over time. However, children with above average emotional symptoms and above average pro-social behaviour at Age_5 showed the highest level of emotional symptoms at Age_6. The results indicate that low levels of pro-social behaviour are associated with children's externalising behaviour problems, but that for children with high levels of emotional symptoms, higher levels of pro-social behaviour should also be considered as a risk factor. In sum, our results suggest mainly homotypic pathways of internalising and externalising symptoms across kindergarten age, but indicate that the assessment of pro-social behaviour yields additional information regarding the developmental pathways of emotional symptom

Exclusion Expected? Cardiac Slowing Upon Peer Exclusion Links Preschool Parent Representations to School‐Age Peer Relationships

Attachment theory proposes that children’s representations of interactions with caregivers guide information‐processing about others, bridging interpersonal domains. In a longitudinal study (N = 165), preschoolers (Mage = 5.19 years) completed the MacArthur Story Stem Battery to assess parent representations. At school‐age (Mage = 8.42 years), children played a virtual ballgame with peers who eventually excluded them to track event‐related cardiac slowing, a physiological correlate of rejection, especially when unexpected. At both ages, parents and teachers reported on peer and emotional problems. During exclusion versus inclusion‐related events, cardiac slowing was associated with greater positive parent representations and fewer emerging peer problems. Cardiac slowing served as a mediator between positive parent representations and peer problems, supporting a potential psychophysiological mechanism underlying the generalization of attachment‐related representations to peer relationships

Skeletal Muscle Apoptotic Signaling Predicts Thigh Muscle Volume and Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Persons: An Exploratory Study

Preclinical studies strongly suggest that accelerated apoptosis in skeletal myocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. However, evidence in humans is sparse. In the present study, we investigated whether apoptotic signaling in the skeletal muscle was associated with indices of muscle mass and function in older persons.Community-dwelling older adults were categorized into high-functioning (HF) or low-functioning (LF) groups according to their short physical performance battery (SPPB) summary score. Participants underwent an isokinetic knee extensor strength test and 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh. Vastus lateralis muscle samples were obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy and assayed for the expression of a set of apoptotic signaling proteins. Age, sex, number of comorbid conditions and medications as well as knee extensor strength were not different between groups. HF participants displayed greater thigh muscle volume compared with LF persons. Multivariate partial least squares (PLS) regressions showed significant correlations between caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling proteins and the muscular percentage of thigh volume (R(2) = 0.78; Q(2) = 0.61) as well as gait speed (R(2) = 0.81; Q(2) = 0.56). Significant variables in the PLS model of percent muscle volume were active caspase-8, cleaved caspase-3, cytosolic cytochrome c and mitochondrial Bak. The regression model of gait speed was mainly described by cleaved caspase-3 and mitochondrial Bax and Bak. PLS predictive apoptotic variables did not differ between functional groups. No correlation was determined between apoptotic signaling proteins and muscle strength or quality (strength per unit volume).Data from this exploratory study show for the first time that apoptotic signaling is correlated with indices of muscle mass and function in a cohort of community-dwelling older persons. Future larger-scale studies are needed to corroborate these preliminary findings and determine if down-regulation of apoptotic signaling in skeletal myocytes will provide improvements in the muscle mass and functional status of older persons

Eigenschaften des Kindes und der Familie als Risikofaktoren für die Viktimisierung durch Gleichaltrige im Kindergarten

The current study investigates whether children\u27s difficulties (symptoms, verbal ability) mediate the impact of family variables (emotional family environment, parental education level and foreign citizenship) on peer victimization. Teachers and parents completed questionnaires; children completed the Berkeley Puppet Interview and a verbal ability test at the ages of 5 and 6 (N=163). Results show that child and family characteristics independently of each other contribute to predict peer victimization. The higher are the level of conduct problems and emotional symptoms and the lower is the children\u27s verbal ability, the higher is the frequency of victimization experiences. Children from families with low education level present an increased risk of victimization. Results are discussed regarding educational and clinical implications. (DIPF/Orig.)Die vorliegende Studie untersucht Risikofaktoren für die Viktimisierung durch Gleichaltrige. Es wird insbesondere untersucht, ob der Einfluss von Risikofaktoren auf der Ebene des Kindes (Verhaltensauffälligkeiten, verbale Kompetenz) den Einfluss von familiären Risikofaktoren (Familienklima, Bildungsstand der Eltern, Migrationshintergrund) mediiert. Eltern und Lehrpersonen füllten Fragebogen aus; mit den Kindern im Alter von 5 und 6 Jahren (N=163) wurden das Berkeley Puppeninterview und ein Sprachtest durchgeführt. Die Analysen zeigen, dass Risikofaktoren von Kind und Familie unabhängig voneinander wirken: Je mehr Verhaltensprobleme, je mehr emotionale Symptome und je schwächer die verbalen Fertigkeiten des Kindes, umso mehr Mobbingerfahrungen macht das Kind. Kinder aus bildungsfernen Familien haben ein erhöhtes Risiko Opfer zu werden. Pädagogische und klinische Implikationen werden diskutiert. (DIPF/Orig.

International Journal of Smart Grid and Clean Energy An Analysis of the Swiss Electric Vehicle Market

Abstract Alternative energy is a major topic in political debates and the media. The paradigm shift towards a more environmentally friendly world is already well established, and vehicles with high CO 2 emissions are frowned upon. Despite the universally accepted fact that the environment must be protected with better technologies and a sense of responsibility, the amount of electric vehicles (EV) on Swiss streets remains very low. In this paper, we analyze the Swiss market of EV in order to ascertain the interest in e-mobility to understand how the market is dealing with supply and demand. We provide a framework for the market and the potential customers of EV to determine precisely the exact segments to include in the research. The analysis provides information about the potential users of EV who took part in the market survey, their travelling habits, and their interests. In the second part, the results demonstrate the expectations concerning EV: recharge places, activation, and payment methods. With these results, potential manufacturers can discover whether building electric charging stations will be lucrative, where they should be located, and which functions the stations should perform so as to be competitive and well-accepted. Keywords: Electric park system, electric vehicles, market analysis, charging station Motivation Time is rare and precious. A cheap and efficient approach is required to reach all the destinations in a short amount of time with the least amount of resources. In order to fulfill those needs, our private and business lives are shaped by a nearly unlimited mobility. Popular thought regarding mobility is changing. Electric vehicles (EV) are enjoying newfound prominence as a result of this thinking. An indication of this movement is big car companies' development of innovative, marketable EV. However, a major problem is that the infrastructure and technology for an effective and efficient usage is not yet completely and satisfactorily developed (cf. for example After the atomic disaster in Fukushima of 2011, people have to consider if the need for additional electricity is the right approach for the future. Obviously, keywords such as efficiency of electricity and emobility became contradictory in the minds of certain researchers and politicians. This issue is strongly influenced by public debates, above all by those in the mass media Against this background, the project Electric Park System was launched in order to make electric mobility accessible to all The market analysis is required to determine the significance of e-mobility, how the market is dealing with supply and demand, and what the current and future technology standards are. The challenge of the survey is to create an overview of the current situation and, more importantly, to find out what steps should be taken. Thus, the following topics are highlighted: the market potential for EV in the eyes of private and business customers as well as car distributors; the potential of electric charging stations; and the requirements and needs for EV and electric charging stations. The core task is, on the one hand, to * Manuscrip

Caratteristiche infantili e famigliari come fattori di rischio di vittimizzazione tra pari alla scuola dell’infanzia

Die vorliegende Studie untersucht Risikofaktoren für die Viktimisierung durch Gleichaltrige. Es wird insbesondere untersucht, ob der Einfluss von Risikofaktoren auf der Ebene des Kindes (Verhaltensauffälligkeiten, verbale Kompetenz) den Einfluss von familiären Risikofaktoren (Familienklima, Bildungsstand der Eltern, Migrationshintergrund) mediiert. Eltern und Lehrpersonen füllten Fragebogen aus; mit den Kindern im Alter von 5 und 6 Jahren (N=163) wurden das Berkeley Puppeninterview und ein Sprachtest durchgeführt. Die Analysen zeigen, dass Risikofaktoren von Kind und Familie unabhängig voneinander wirken: Je mehr Verhaltensprobleme, je mehr emotionale Symptome und je schwächer die verbalen Fertigkeiten des Kindes, umso mehr Mobbingerfahrungen macht das Kind. Kinder aus bildungsfernen Familien haben ein erhöhtes Risiko Opfer zu werden. Pädagogische und klinische Implikationen werden diskutiert.The current study investigates whether children’s difficulties (symptoms, verbal ability) mediate the impact of family variables (emotional family environment, parental education level and foreign citizenship) on peer victimization. Teachers and parents completed questionnaires; children completed the Berkeley Puppet Interview and a verbal ability test at the ages of 5 and 6 (N=163). Results show that child and family characteristics independently of each other contribute to predict peer victimization. The higher are the level of conduct problems and emotional symptoms and the lower is the children’s verbal ability, the higher is the frequency of victimization experiences. Children from families with low education level present an increased risk of victimization.La présente étude examine si les difficultés de l’enfant (symptômes, habiletés verbales) jouent un rôle médiateur dans la relation entre les variables familiales (l’environnement émotionnel dans la famille, le niveau d’éducation parentale et la citoyenneté étrangère) et la victimisation par les pairs. Les enseignants et les parents ont complété des questionnaires, les enfants entre 5 et 6 ans (N = 163) ont complété le Berkeley Puppet Interview et un test d’habiletés verbales. Les résultats montrent que les caractéristiques individuelles et familiales, indépendamment les unes des autres, contribuent à prédire la victimisation par les pairs. Plus le degré de problèmes comportementaux et de symptômes émotionnels est élevé et plus les habiletés verbales de l’enfant sont faibles, plus la fréquence des expériences de victimisation est élevée. Les enfants issus de familles dont les parents sont peu scolarisés présentent un risque plus important de victimisation. Les résultats sont discutés sous l’angle des implications éducatives et cliniques.Il presente studio investiga se le difficoltà dei bambini (sintomi, abilità verbale) mediano l’impatto delle variabili famigliari (ambiente famigliare, livello di formazione, cittadinanza straniera) sulla vittimizzazione tra pari. I maestri e i genitori hanno compilato dei questionari; i bambini hanno compilato il Berkeley Puppet Interview e un test d’abilità verbale all’età di 5 e 6 anni (N=163). Le analisi hanno rivelato che le caratteristiche infantili e famigliari contribuiscono in modo indipendente le une dalle altre a predire la vittimizzazione tra pari. Più é alto il livello di problemi di condotta e di sintomi emozionali e più è bassa l’abilità verbale dei bambini, più risulta alta la frequenza di esperienze di vittimizzazione. Bambini provenienti da famiglie con genitori di bassa formazione hanno un maggior rischio di vittimizzazione. I risultati vengono discussi alla luce delle implicazioni educative e cliniche

Pathways of behavioural and emotional symptoms in kindergarten children: what is the role of pro-social behaviour?

The study investigated the predictive value of pro-social behaviour for developmental pathways of behavioural and emotional problems at kindergarten age. One hundred and sixty children participated in the study at the ages of 5 and 6. Teachers and parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; children completed the Berkeley Puppet Interview at both assessment points. Single-informant data were aggregated to enhance the reliability and validity of data. Gender and parental educational status were controlled. Symptoms (conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional symptoms) and pro-social behaviour were moderately stable over time. Compared to girls, boys showed higher levels and increases of conduct problems and hyperactivity and lower levels of pro-social behaviour. Lower parental educational level was associated with higher levels and increases in hyperactivity. Although pro-social behaviour was cross-sectionally associated with behavioural and emotional symptoms, pro-social behaviour did not predict changes in conduct problems or hyperactivity over time. However, children with above average emotional symptoms and above average pro-social behaviour at Age_5 showed the highest level of emotional symptoms at Age_6. The results indicate that low levels of pro-social behaviour are associated with children’s externalising behaviour problems, but that for children with high levels of emotional symptoms, higher levels of pro-social behaviour should also be considered as a risk factor. In sum, our results suggest mainly homotypic pathways of internalising and externalising symptoms across kindergarten age, but indicate that the assessment of pro-social behaviour yields additional information regarding the developmental pathways of emotional symptoms

Associations between behavioral/emotional difficulties in kindergarten children and the quality of their peer relationships

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between children's difficulties (conduct problems, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and emotional symptoms) and peer victimization and rejection in kindergarten. For the assessment of children's difficulties, the authors used a multi-informant approach. Method: A total of 153 five-year-old children were interviewed (Berkeley Puppet Interview). Teachers and parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Teachers reported on peer victimization. Peer nominations (rejection and acceptance) were conducted in a subgroup of 92 children. Combining teacher, parent, and self-reports of children's difficulties, three components were established: trait (degree of problems), informant differences resulting from perspective (self versus others), and context (kindergarten versus home). Results: Children's difficulties were significantly associated with teacher- and self-reported victimization and peer rejection (r = 0.20-0.35), but not with peer acceptance. Conduct problems and emotional symptoms, but not hyperactivity/impulsivity, contributed independently to the variance of peer victimization and rejection. Perspective differences between children and adults according to hyperactivity/impulsivity also predicted peer rejection. Conclusion: Behavioral and emotional difficulties as well as a lack of self-awareness regarding hyperactive/impulsive behavior may place children at risk of peer victimization and rejection. Child psychiatric assessments and therapeutic strategies should thus take children's self-perception of symptoms and their peer relationships into account

Kindergartenkinder schätzen ihre Symptome und Stärken ein : Gütekriterien der deutschen Version des Berkeley Puppet Interviews

In der kinderanalytischen Praxis gibt es eine Vielfalt kreativer Methoden, die es einem erleichtern, auch mit kleineren Kindern in den Dialog zu gelangen. In der entwicklungspsychopathologischen Forschung, in welcher Hypothesen zur Entstehungs- und Entwicklungsdynamik psychischer Störungen mittels quantitativer Methoden erforscht werden, fehlt es aber bislang an geeigneten entwicklungspsychologisch angemessenen Zugängen zum Selbsterleben auch kleinerer Kinder. Mit dem Berkeley Puppeninterview (BPI) ist eine in Forschung und Klinik anwendbare standardisierte Interviewmethode für junge Kinder erstmalig im deutschsprachigen Sprachraum angewendet sowie auf ihre Reliabilität und Validität hin überprüft worden. Diese Interview-Methode bedient sich spielerischer Elemente in Form von Hunde Handpuppen und versucht, das Kind in eine Situation zu bringen, die eher einem Dialog mit gleichaltrigen als mit erwachsenen Personen gleicht. Bei 160 fünfjährigen Kindern wurde das BPI durchgeführt und ein Jahr später wiederholt. Es zeigte sich, dass die Interviews gut durchführbar und reliabel auswertbar waren und dass die Selbsteinschätzungen der Kinder bezüglich Verhaltens- und emotionalen Schwierigkeiten mit den Eltern- und Lehrerbeurteilungen zufriedenstellend waren, aber teilweise nicht symptomspezifisch übereinstimmten. Aus den Ergebnissen kann gefolgert werden, dass es auch mit systematischen quantifizierenden Forschungsmethoden möglich ist, einen dialogischen Zugang zur subjektiven Erlebensweise von Kindern zu erlangen, und dass diese Ebene auch in die systematische, quantifizierende Entwicklungsforschung einbezogen werden kann