Evaluation of quality of life therapy for parents of children with obsessive–compulsive disorders in Iran

Previous research has provided evidence on the effectiveness of CBT in the symptomatic improvement of children with obsessive–compulsive disorders. There is also increasing recognition of the importance of involving parents and families in treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of such an intervention that promoted family strengths [(quality of life therapy (QoLT)] for mothers of children with obsessive–compulsive disorders (OCD). The sample consisted of 40 children with OCD and their mothers, who had been referred to clinics in Esfahan city in Iran. Mothers were randomly allocated to an experimental (QoLT) and waiting list control group. Mothers participated in eight QoLT group sessions over 4 weeks. QoLT incorporated CBT techniques in managing OCD symptoms. Measures were completed pre- and post-intervention by both groups. Children completed the Yale–Brown obsession compulsion scale for Children, the Revised children's manifest anxiety scale, and the brief multidimensional student’s life satisfaction scale; mothers completed the quality of life inventory (QoLI). QoLT was associated with decrease in OCD and anxiety symptoms and increase in children's satisfaction in the global, family and environment domains, as well as with increased QoLI scores in their mothers. Parenting interventions like QoLT can complement individual modalities such as CBT in the presence of family-related difficulties. This can be particularly applicable in countries and settings with limited resources and high stigma of child mental health problems

Impact of Trauma on Palestinian Childrens and the Role of Coping Strategies

We are grateful to all the Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip for their involvement. Also, to the data collectors for their valuable input.Aims: To investigate the impact of war trauma On child mental health; the mediating role of different coping strategies. Methods: The sample was selected randomly from the five localities of the Gaza Strip that had been exposed to war16 months earlier. Children completed the Gaza Traumatic Events Checklist- 20 items-War on Gaza, UCLA PTSD scale, Birleson Depression Scale, Child Revised Manifest Anxiety Scale, and Kidcope for children. Results: Children reported many traumatic events (mean = 4). One third (32.5%) had partial and 12.4% had full criteria of PTSD. Children living in families with low family monthly income reported more emotional problems. There was significant association between exposure to traumatic events and developing PTSD. The rates of significant anxiety and depressive symptoms were 20.5% and 22.3% respectively. Girls reported significantly more depressive symptoms than boys. Children commonly used the following coping strategies: wishful thinking, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and distraction. Trauma was negatively correlated with social support and wishful thinking, and positively correlated with self-criticism. Lack of social support and wishful thinking predicted all three types of mental health problems, while social withdrawal specifically predicted depression. Conclusions: Trauma can have long-standing impact on children’s mental health. Communitybased intervention programmes could enhance children’s resilience. Parents, teachers, universal and specialist mental health practitioners have essential roles in the development and delivery of such programmes

Commentary on “Video-modelling as an effective solution for coaching carers of autistic adults”: building skills; that should be our priority

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the importance of offering high-quality support focussed on developing the skills of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis will be based on the study published by Cohen and McGill (2020), who demonstrated that video modelling led to improvements in support workers’ performance when training adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to brush their teeth. Findings – Developing the skills of staff members and services users should be one of our primary aims. Evidence-based practices grounded in behaviour analysis can help produce optimal outcomes that will improve the quality of service provision and, subsequently, the service users’ quality of life. Originality/value – This paper is aimed at parents and professionals working in the field of disabilities who are keen to further improve the service provision of people with disabilities

Trauma, PTSD, and Traumatic Grief among Palestinian Children

Aim: The aim of this study was to find the relationship between war traumatic experiences due to war on Gaza, PTSD, and traumatic grief in Palestinian children. Methods: The sample included randomly selected 374 children aged 6-16 years. Children completed measures of experience of traumatic events (Gaza Traumatic Checklist), Child Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index, and Traumatic Grief inventory. Results: Palestinians children experiences variety of traumatic events. No sex differences in reporting trauma. Mean traumatic events reported by children was 12.80 traumatic events. The study showed that 9.3% of the participants lost someone during the war. Mean traumatic grief in boys was 19.96 and 18.29 in girls. For PTSD, 1.3% of children showed no PTSD, 7.2% reported mild PTSD reactions, 29.9% showed moderate PTSD reactions, and 61.5% showed severe to very severe PTSD reactions. Trauma exposure was significantly associated with PTSD. No sex differences in PTSD. Conclusions: This study revealed that children living in area of conflict and war are at risk of developing mental health problems. Study showed that children with traumatic grief need psychosocial support from families and community to enable them of passing through their grief. Moreover, parents have to be involved in all activities given to their children and to be part of such activities to enable them better communication with their children and being able of detecting children with pathological grief and enable them of helping children in overcoming the effect of grief and trauma.We are grateful to the team who collected the data under enormous difficulties. Also, our many thanks to families and children who participated in this study, for their openness in sharing such difficult issues. Also to Mr. Khalil Megdad for his work as statistician in this study

PTSD, depression, and anxiety among Palestinian women victims of domestic violence in the Gaza Strip

Background: Domestic violence is a universal phenomenon which affects all family members and specially children and women. Common reactions to domestic violence are post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Aims: The aim of this study is to find type and severity of domestic violence against Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip, and to investigate whether it is associated with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Methods: The study sample included 622 Palestinian women randomly selected from the five areas of the Gaza Strip aged from 18 to 50 years (mean age = 31.5 years). They were interviewed using questionnaires including Sociodemogrophic variables, Conflicts Tactics Scale, post-traumatic stress disorder scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Taylor manifestation Anxiety Scale. Results: The study showed that psychological assault was 56.91%, physical assault 37.3%, physical injury 12.06%, and sexual assault was 7.14%. The study showed that domestic violence was significantly higher in women living in villages than in cities or camps. Also, women living in villages experienced more psychological abuse than women living in cities or camps. The study showed that 71 women (11.4%) had been diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder, 15% had moderate to severe depression, and 29.9% had very severe anxiety. The study showed that psychological assault toward women was positively correlated to depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Also, there were significant positive relationships between physical assault and depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Physical injury and sexual assault were significantly positively related to post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Conclusion: The study showed that one third Palestinian women exposed to physical violence and half of them exposed to psychological violence which lead to post-traumatic stress disorder depression, and anxiety. So, a great need for more programs for women victims of domestic violence in Palestinian society are needed with well trained professionals in the field of psychological support and therapy. More specific programs should be established in Gaza to enable women of using new coping strategies with difficulties. Also, training programs including primary health care professional such physicians, nurses, social service experts, and midwives should be provide to enable them of early detection of victims of violence and provide social support to these women

A Precision Teaching Framework for Improving Mathematical Skills of Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a precision teaching (PT) framework on the mathematical ability of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We also examined if students of moderate mathematical ability could perform as well as their peers with fewer difficulties with their math skills. Sixteen students participated and were divided into three groups. One group engaged in PT, and the other two groups functioned as comparisons. The PT group practiced six skills introduced linearly. An A-B design was used for the five component skills, and a multiple baseline across participants design was used for the composite skill (addition). The intervention led to a significant improvement in all skills, including addition, and this was associated with a large effect size; student performance met or exceeded that of their peers. Overall, the findings suggest that PT is an efficient and effective approach for teaching students with IDDs

The extent and specificity of relative age effects on mental health and functioning in early adolescence

BACKGROUND: Although extensive evidence indicates that being younger within a school cohort is associated with poorer academic functioning, much less is known about such relative-age effects (RAEs) for mental health. METHODS: Data from 23,378 11-13 year olds attending state-maintained secondary schools in England were analysed to investigate RAEs on mental health measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Participants were grouped into oldest, middle and youngest thirds of their academic year based on their month of birth relative to their cohort. Hierarchical linear regression analysis evaluated RAEs and gender- or deprivation-related moderation of such effects. RESULTS: Relatively younger adolescents had significantly more emotional symptoms and peer problems compared to relatively older individuals in a year group, though effect sizes were small. These effects were not moderated by gender or deprivation. Impact of mental health difficulties on other aspects of functioning were also greater among relatively younger children. Larger RAEs are observed in the younger cohort (11-12 years) compared to in the 12-13 year olds, thereby indicating that RAEs might attenuate with age. CONCLUSION: Being relatively younger than classmates is associated with increased internalising symptoms, poorer peer relationships, and higher impact of mental health difficulties on functioning at school and home. The findings support wider inclusion of relative age in understanding mental health difficulties and its inclusion as a potential risk factor in studies investigating the development of psychopathology, especially for internalising symptoms. Possible mechanisms of the effects detected are discussed