Academic and behavioral changes in tutored inner-city children

The effectiveness of a short-term tutoring program in producing academic and classroom behavior changes in inner-city children was examined. The value of holding supervision meetings for tutors and the importance of tutee motivation were also studied.     

Toward an Empirical Basis for Primary Prevention of Eating Problems with Elementary School Children

Accumulating evidence indicates that elementary school children, especially girls, frequently report body dissatisfaction and weight management behavior. Data suggest that one possible reason that prevention programs aimed at adolescents have been relatively unsuccessful is that they are “too late.” Programs directed toward elementary school children are needed. In the interest of grounding such programs in empirical work, this paper presents new data from a study of 187 elementary school children and reviews other data about the weight and body shape concerns of young children. Specific suggestions are then offered for those interested in designing prevention programs for elementary school-age children.     

Attributions of responsibility for children's mental health problems: parents and professionals at odds

Surveys of 102 mothers of inner-city youths with mental health problems and their clinicians examined discrepancies in mothers' and professionals' causal and solution attributions for the children's problems. Greater causal responsibility was attributed to mothers by professionals than by mothers, while they agreed on the children's responsibility. They disagreed about their respective solution responsibilities, though agreeing that causally responsible children should help with solutions. Mothers considered many more community resources for solutions than did professionals. Implications for improvement of services to urban children are discussed.     

Characteristics and perceived needs of mothers with serious mental illness.

This cross-sectional survey determined the prevalence of motherhood among severely mentally ill women hospitalized in an inner-city facility and examined the demographic characteristics and perceived needs of the 32 mothers who were identified. Slightly less than one-quarter of these mothers had seen their children within the last week, and only about 20 percent maintained full custody of their children. However, none of the respondents reported feeling that it was unimportant whether they continued mothering their children. Approximately half described needing help in dealing with their sadness about their children. The pilot data presented in this paper suggest that motherhood is common among severely mentally ill and hospitalized women and that issues relevant to mothering remain important to them.     

Community violence and urban families: experiences, effects, and directions for intervention

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of community-level stressors (particularly violence), coping strategies, and resources to prevent exposure to violence or to mitigate its effects in an inner-city community. Parents and children participated in focus groups, and children also completed standardized instruments. In the focus groups, parents and children identified several areas of concern related to "helpers," schools, community safety, and emotional distress. They identified protective resources including intensive monitoring and social supports. Fifty percent of the children met criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and another 21% met criteria for partial PTSD. The mental health issues in children living with ongoing community violence necessitate that researchers use a qualitative approach to inform future interventions.     

Natural history of male psychological health. XI: Escape from the underclass

A long-term prospective study of 456 inner-city men tested the hypothesis that extreme poverty and chaotic family life produce a self-perpetuating underclass. Men from chronically dependent and multiproblem families were on average indistinguishable by midlife from the children of more stable working-class families in terms of mean income, years of employment, criminality, and mental health. Although attained social class was somewhat lower for the disadvantaged, given the opportunity for steady employment and occupational mobility, the children from multiproblem welfare families did not inevitably perpetuate their initial disadvantages.     

Oral-diadochokinetic rates for Hebrew-speaking school-age children: Real words vs. non-words repetition

Oral-diadochokinesis (DDK) tasks are a common tool for evaluating speech disorders. Usually, these tasks involve repetitions of non-words. It has been suggested that repeating real words can be more suitable for preschool children. But, the impact of using real words with elementary school children has not been studied yet. This study evaluated oral-DDK rates for Hebrew-speaking elementary school children using non-words and real words. The participants were 60 children, 9–11 years old, with normal speech and language development, who were asked to repeat “pataka” (non-word) and “bodeket” (Hebrew real word). Data replicate the advantage generally found for real word repetition with preschoolers. Children produced real words faster than non-words for all age groups, and repetition rates were higher for the older children. The findings suggest that adding real words to the standard oral-DDK task with elementary school children may provide a more comprehensive picture of oro-motor function.     

Depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island, Korea: prevalence and correlates

We investigated the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island, Korea. The study participants were 2305 children enrolled in elementary schools in Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si, Namjeju-gun, and Bukjeju-gun and their parents who completed questionnaires about sociodemographics, health habits, family relationship information, and the Korean form of the Kovac's children's depression inventory (CDI) in September to December 2005. Multiple logistic regression showed that higher age (OR = 1.259, 95% CI 1.098-1.445), short time spent developing a relationship with the mother (OR = 2.770, 95% CI 1.280-5.944), and a low level of body image satisfaction (OR = 3.397, 95% CI 1.823-6.330) were correlates of depressive symptoms in children. Our results suggest that the following are essential to prevent depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju, Korea: advanced education and social activity programs at home, in school, and in the community to help children have a positive self-image, and much time spent building a relationship with the mother.     

Prevalence of pathological and maladaptive Internet use and the association with depression and health-related quality of life in Japanese elementary and junior high school-aged children

Purpose

Pathological Internet use has been predominantly studied in junior high/middle school-aged or older children; data from elementary/primary school-aged children, however, are scarce. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence of problematic Internet use, including pathological and maladaptive Internet use, in elementary and junior high school-aged children and the relationships between problematic Internet use and mental health problems and health-related quality of life.

Methods

The survey was conducted among children who attend national and public elementary and junior high schools in a medium-sized city in Japan; data were received from 3845 elementary school-aged and 4364 junior high school-aged children.

Results

Based on the Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire score, the prevalence of pathological and maladaptive Internet use was 3.6% and 9.4% and 7.1% and 15.8% in elementary and junior high school-aged children, respectively. The prevalence of problematic Internet use, including pathological and maladaptive Internet use, consistently increased from the 4th grade to the 8th grade. In addition, the prevalence sharply increased between the 7th grade and the 8th grade. Our study revealed that children with pathological and maladaptive Internet use exhibited more severe depression and decreased health-related quality of life than those with adaptive Internet use.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that pathological Internet use is not uncommon even in elementary school-aged children and that those with pathological and maladaptive Internet use have severe mental health problems and decreased health-related quality of life, supporting the importance of providing these children with educational and preventive interventions against problematic Internet use and associated risk factors.

     

Fine and gross motor skills predict later psychosocial maladaptation and academic achievement

BackgroundDifficulties in fine and gross motor skills are often overlooked as developmental problems, although approximately 6–13% of all school-age children have poor motor coordination. Understanding motor coordination is important from the perspective of school adaptation. This longitudinal cohort study aimed to determine whether fine and gross motor skills in preschool children predict later academic achievement and psychosocial maladaptation.Methods & ProceduresParticipants were 2,501 children from nursery and elementary schools (5–13 years old). The motor skills of preschool children were assessed by their nursery teacher immediately before entering elementary school. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and a standardized Japanese test were administered annually throughout elementary school.ResultsEarly motor difficulties in preschool children had significant effects on their academic achievement and psychosocial maladaptation up until the sixth grade. Gross motor difficulties in preschool were associated with the later peer problems and worsened emotional symptoms.ConclusionsMotor skills in preschool children are useful as a predictor of later psychosocial maladaptation and academic achievement.     

OVERFLOW MOVEMENTS AND BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS: SCORING AND USING A MODIFICATION OF FOGS'' TEST

This study attempted to produce a simple, scorable test of neurological function and to see whether, in the absence of obvious central nervous system disease, the neurological impairments so defined were related to psychiatric disorders. 138 children aged between seven and 11 years from four schools undertook a standardised test based on the Fogs' test. Those who performed poorly on the test had a higher frequency of behaviour problems, motor inco-ordination and adverse perinatal events. Children with any kind of behaviour problem had more difficulty with the test than those without, but hyperactive children did worse than antisocial children. The strength of the statistical association between behaviour problems and functional neurological impairment varied with the social circumstances of the children. Neurological impairment was found more frequently among behaviour-problem children from suburban schools than those from inner-city schools. It appears that a degree of dysfunction lying between brain damage and normal variation places children at higher risk for the development of behaviour problems. Such dysfunction, together with psychosocial disadvantage, may be important aetiological factors in behaviour disorders during childhood.     

Adaptation to elementary school and the effect of rehabilitation approach in children with high-functioning pervasive developmental disorders

Adaptation to elementary school was investigated in 32 children with high-functioning (IQ > or = 70) pervasive developmental disorders. Eight children who were diagnosed or supported before the entrance of elementary school adapted smoothly and enjoyed school life. However, the other 24 children had maladjusted problems in school;that is, 12 children refused to go to school or class (SR), and the other 12 children had behavioral problems (BP), such as violent behaviors or hyperkinesis. I tried to solve the problems through rehabilitation, in cooperation with occupational therapists and speech-language and hearing therapists. Ten of 12 children with SR could go to class and nine of 12 children with BP could resolve their behavioral problems after six months. It was important that parents and teachers could understand children's difficulties correctly and the condition of school environment. The lack of improvement in the remaining five children were due to severe autistic symptoms in three children and the refusal of family members to accept the child's disability in two.     

Stability of the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised from Pre-School to Elementary School Age in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study examined the stability of scores on the ADI-R from pre-school to elementary school age in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants were 35 children who, at T1, all had a clinical diagnosis of ASD. On initial assessment (mean age 3.5 years; SD 0.6 years), all met ADI-R algorithm criteria for autism. ADI-R assessments were repeated at follow up (FU; mean age 10.5 years; SD 0.8 years). Changes in ADI-R total, domain and ADI-R algorithm item scores were assessed. Twenty-eight children continued to score above the ADI-R cut-off for autism at FU, although significant decreases in ADI-R domain and item scores were also found. In conclusion while classification of children according to ADI-R criteria generally remained stable between pre-school and elementary school age, many children demonstrated significant improvements in symptom severity.     

Specific reading disability in Egyptian children. Clinical picture, diagnosis and prognosis

Forty-four elementary school children with average or above average intelligence were found to be 1-2 years behind the expected level of reading ability. They were left to proceed in their conventional education program for the next 3 years. Reassessment revealed that 23 children (52%) had attained a normal reading level. 21 (48%) children remained unchanged. They were categorized into the corrective reading disability (CRD) and specific reading disability (SRD) groups, respectively. Clinical evaluation of both groups showed that children with SRD had a significantly higher incidence of: (1) illiteracy of both parents; (2) low sociocultural standard; (3) positive family history of elementary school failure; (4) abnormal optokinetic nystagmus; (5) disturbed homolateral dominance, and (6) immature EEG tracing over the occipital area. These findings could be of value in identifying high risk children for SRD.     

Social/emotional intelligence and midlife resilience in schoolboys with low tested intelligence

Seventy-three inner-city boys with a mean IQ of 80 were followed prospectively from age 14 until age 65. Their adult adjustment was compared to a socioeconomically matched sample of 38 boys with a mean IQ of 115. Although childhood social disadvantage did not distinguish the groups with low and high IQs, half of the low-IQ men enjoyed incomes as high and had children as well-educated as did the high IQ men. These resilient low-IQ men were more likely to be generative, to use mature defenses, and to enjoy warm object relations than the high IQ group as a whole.     

Familiarity with and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers at Czech elementary schools--the effect of personal experience and subspecialization

This study was intended to study the effect of personal experience and subspecialization on the knowledge of epilepsy of teachers at Czech elementary schools, and on their attitudes towards children with epilepsy and on epilepsy itself in general. 193 teachers from 10 different elementary schools in Pilsen, Czech Republic, were involved in the study. We found that teachers with personal experience of epilepsy had greater knowledge of the illness. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the attitudes of teachers with and without personal experience, mostly in terms of their views on the self-realization and the integration of children with epilepsy into the school collective. In contrast, no differences were found in their views of the intellectual capabilities of children with epilepsy or the overall quality of life of children with epilepsy. Furthermore, we found that subspecialization, aside from a few exceptions given by the specific position of first grade teachers, did not have major effect on teachers' knowledge of epilepsy and their attitudes towards children with epilepsy. The results suggest that it would be appropriate to focus educational interventions about epilepsy for teachers on those individuals who do not have any experience of epilepsy.     

Enhancing Academic Achievement in a Hispanic Immigrant Community: The Role of Reading in Academic Failure and Mental Health

This field project examines Camp Sharigan, a group-centered approach to reducing academic failure. This study examines the program's benefit to children of Mexican descent from an inner-city immigrant neighborhood. The treatment group improved significantly more than the control group in all the three areas tested: spelling, reading, and sight words. Follow-up testing one year later indicated that the Camp Sharigan students continued to perform better in spelling and sight words. The findings indicate that the Camp Sharigan intervention may be more effective than one-to-one tutoring or classroom-style interventions.     

Quarrelsome family environment as an enhanced factor on child suicidal ideation

Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents, and develops through a process leading from depression to suicidal ideation and self-injury. In this study, we analyzed and compared suicidal ideation among elementary school children from distinct families and school-related backgrounds. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate suicidal ideation in elementary school children in Miaoli County of Western Taiwan. Our study included 979 eligible participants and collected data, including suicidal ideation, depression scores, demographic characteristics, and family and school variables. The results revealed that 175 students (17.9%) exhibited depression, and 146 students (14.9%) had contemplated suicide. A quarrelsome family environment was found to be an important independent factor in child suicidal ideation after controlling for depression status. Children living in quarrelsome families showed a 3.7-fold risk of suicidal ideation compared with children in a harmonious family. Among boys living in quarrelsome family environments, suicidal ideation risk was 7.4-fold higher than for girls living in harmonious families. A 27-fold high increased suicidal ideation risk was also observed among the depressed children who living in the quarrelsome family environment, compared with the non-depressed in the harmonious family environment. This study provides novel evidence indicating the enhanced effects of a quarrelsome family environment combined with depression symptoms and among boys on suicidal ideation. These findings suggest of quarrels in a family environment playing an important role on elementary school children's psychological development, and may help parents in improving their mental health.     

Maternal HIV/AIDS and depressive symptoms among inner-city African American youth: the role of maternal depressive symptoms, mother-child relationship quality, and child coping

This study was designed to examine interactions between psychosocial risk (i.e., maternal depressive symptoms) and protective (i.e., child coping skills and mother-child relationship quality) correlates of depressive symptoms among inner-city African American children of mothers with and without HIV/AIDS. Two primary hypotheses were tested: (a) whether these correlates interact differently in HIV-infected and noninfected samples and (b) whether child coping skills and a positive mother-child relationship interact to protect children from developing depressive symptoms in the context of maternal HIV infection. Results indicated that (a) a positive mother-child relationship, but not child coping skills, was protective in the HIV-infected sample when maternal depressive symptoms were high and (b) the combination of a positive mother-child relationship and child coping skills was associated with the lowest level of child depressive symptoms in the HIV-infected sample. These findings highlight the differential importance of various risk and protective mechanisms for HIV-infected and noninfected African American samples and, as such, have preventative implications for children of HIV-infected women.