Catastrophic events: Reaction of preschool age children and their families

This paper explored the reaction of preschool age children to the catastrophic events that they witness or are in some way directly involved or responsible for and the family dynamic. Because of the preschool age child's immature ego and cognition, the child experiences a catastrophic event as being intimately connected with his inner self, feelings, fantasies and copes with the trauma according to his parents' style of facilitation to the trauma themselves.     

Heart period and variability findings in preschool children with posttraumatic stress symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic experiences for young children might result in profound neurodevelopmental changes, compared with adults. Our aim was to examine autonomic control of heart rate in traumatized young children. METHODS: Sixty-two children who had suffered traumas and 62 nontraumatized control children, aged 20 months to 6 years, were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, interbeat interval, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), family rehearsal of the trauma, and parent-child relationship quality. RESULTS: Traumatized children with PTSD and traumatized children without PTSD both had decreased heart period in response to a trauma stimulus relative to the nontraumatized group (both p < .0167). there was no main effect for RSA change scores, however, there was a significant interaction effect between parental positive discipline with PTSD symptoms and RSA. The most sympathetic children had decreased RSA during the trauma stimulus when they had caregivers with less positive discipline during a clean-up nd family rehearsal with PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore that psychopathology in young children ought to be assessed in the context of psychophysiology and parent-child relationship to optimally understand the mechanisms of maladaptation during this complex developmental period.     

Depression and depressive symptoms in preschool children from the general population

This multiphasic study used four independent sources of information to investigate depression and depressive symptoms in a sample of preschool-age children from a general population. The study provides evidence that major depressive disorder exists in preschoolers and that stressful life events are associated with depressive symptoms; it underscores the importance of the teacher's report for identifying the presence of depression in this age group. Details of the findings, including a new scale for rating depression in young children, are discussed.     

Empowering low-income black families of handicapped children.

A qualitative study of four black, low-income, single mothers used in-depth interviews and participant observation to evaluate their interactions with outreach agency professionals. Three perceived aspects (disrespect, focus on deficits, and discounting parenting style differences) were associated with exclusionary (unempowering) relationships. A reciprocal and supportive approach was associated with collaborative (empowering) relationships. Implications of these findings for professionals serving minority families are discussed.     

Diagnostic utility of CPSS vs. CAPS-CA for assessing posttraumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents

ObjectivesThis study compared the diagnostic utility of the symptom part of the child PTSD symptom scale (CPSS) screening instrument with the clinician-administered PTSD scale for children and adolescents (CAPS-CA).MethodsThe study included a clinical sample of traumatized children and adolescents (mean age 15.1, range 10–18) living in Norway, who were assessed for posttraumatic stress symptoms using the CPSS and the CAPS-CA. Diagnostic utility was investigated using receiver operating characteristic analyses.ResultsThe results showed that CPSS reached medium effect sizes (AUC from .63 to .76). The sensitivity was good (.80), but the specificity was relatively low (.56). Kappa between CPSS and CAPS-CA was low (κ = .27).ConclusionsFindings suggests that CPSS is a good tool for screening purposes, but not as a diagnostic instrument in an early phase of assessment. Implications and limitations of the findings are discussed.     

The impact of epilepsy on preschool children and their families

This study investigated the possible presence of sensory–motor developmental impairments in preschool children with epilepsy and explored epilepsy impact on their activities and quality of life and on the stress load of their family.Study participants were children aged 2–6 years diagnosed with epilepsy without any other comorbidities (epi-only children). The instruments used for assessment included the Neurological, Sensory, Motor, Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) scale for sensory–motor development, the Impact of Childhood Neurologic Disability Scale (ICNDS), and the Impact of Pediatric Epilepsy Scale (IPES) for disease impact on disability and Quality of Life (QoL), as well as the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) for functional health status, and the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) for the family stress load. Required data were obtained from direct testing or observation of children's activities and mother-supplied answers to questions.Eighty-two children were investigated. The NSMDA scores were in the normal development range 6–8. Significant moderate impact of the disease on disability and QoL was estimated with the ICNDS and IPES instruments. The PODCI scores were similar to healthy population levels except for the happiness dimension which was better for children with epilepsy. PSS were significantly above normal. The functional health and QoL of the children as well as their family stress were found to be positively correlated with increasing age.It is found that epilepsy does not degrade neuromotor development and functional health status of preschool epi-only children, though it has a significant impact on their neurological disability and QoL and the stress level of their families; this impact seems to decrease with age.     

Parents and teachers reports of DSM-IV psychopathological symptoms in preschool children

BACKGROUND: This study used DSM-IV criteria to analyse reports from teachers and parents and to compare behavioural and emotional symptoms in Spanish preschool children from both urban and rural populations. METHOD: The field survey was conducted in two geographical areas in Catalonia (Spain). A sample of 1104 children (56.67% boys and 43.32% girls) aged 3-6 years participated in this study: 697 were from urban areas and 408 from rural ones. The Early Childhood Inventory-teachers' and parents' versions (ECI-4) [Gadow KD, Sprafkin J (1997)-was used as the screening instrument. RESULTS: The teachers' and parents' reports assigned 32.7 and 46.7%, respectively, to one or more ECI-4 categories. Significant differences between sexes were found in teachers' reports. The whole disorders were significantly more prevalent in the urban sample than in the rural one (30.6 vs. 20.3%). The most prevalent disorders in both areas were Anxiety Disorders and Behavioural Problems, and the least prevalent were Mood Disorders and Autistic Disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that there are some differences in the prevalence rates of preschool psychopathological disorders between rural and urban Spanish areas.     

An examination of fast mapping skills in preschool children from families with low socioeconomic status

Researchers consistently report that children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families have, on average, smaller vocabularies as assessed by measures of existing vocabulary knowledge than children from higher SES families. Yet, few studies have examined the word-learning process of children from low SES families. The present study was an examination of fast mapping by preschoolers from low SES families. The study also examined the relation between measures of existing vocabulary and performance on the fast mapping task. Forty-six preschoolers (mean age: 4;6, range: 3;11–5;3) from low SES families completed a part-term fast mapping task and two measures of existing vocabulary knowledge. On the fast mapping task, children demonstrated the use of three sources of information (familiar whole objects, possessive syntax and whole-part juxtaposition). Measures of existing vocabulary did not correlate with performance on the fast mapping task. Findings suggest that children from low SES families use multiple sources of information in linguistic input to learn words.     

An examination of fast mapping skills in preschool children from families with low socioeconomic status

Researchers consistently report that children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families have, on average, smaller vocabularies as assessed by measures of existing vocabulary knowledge than children from higher SES families. Yet, few studies have examined the word-learning process of children from low SES families. The present study was an examination of fast mapping by preschoolers from low SES families. The study also examined the relation between measures of existing vocabulary and performance on the fast mapping task. Forty-six preschoolers (mean age: 4;6, range: 3;11-5;3) from low SES families completed a part-term fast mapping task and two measures of existing vocabulary knowledge. On the fast mapping task, children demonstrated the use of three sources of information (familiar whole objects, possessive syntax and whole-part juxtaposition). Measures of existing vocabulary did not correlate with performance on the fast mapping task. Findings suggest that children from low SES families use multiple sources of information in linguistic input to learn words.     

Sleep problems in children and adolescents following traumatic life events

Rates of childhood trauma exposure are extremely high, with approximately 70% of children and adolescents experiencing at least one traumatic event. Among the most common non-specific consequences of stress and trauma are disruptions of sleep. Sleep problems, such as shorter sleep duration, difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, nightmares, sleepless nights, and early-morning wakefulness appear to have a higher prevalence among children and adolescents following traumatic events. This review will illustrate the role of sleep problems in traumatized children and adolescents, and emphasize the need to consider a wide range of etiological mechanisms for these symptoms. However, the relationship of trauma exposure to sleep problems among children and adolescents needs further investigation in future research. Moreover, in view of the adverse consequences of long-term disrupted sleep on mental health outcomes following trauma, the need to effectively address sleep disturbances in traumatized children and adolescents is crucial.     

Parenting stress in families of children with disabilities

Using measures of child and family functioning, this study evaluated levels of parenting stress in 880 families of children with disabilities. Results suggest that factors such as income, time available for interaction with the child, and social support predict parenting stress much better than do aspects of child functioning. Implications for intervention and for future research are discussed.     

Heterogeneity of executive functions among preschool children with psychiatric symptoms

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between internalizing and externalizing symptoms and deficits in executive functions (EF)...     

Posttraumatic stress symptoms in parentally bereaved children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To compare parentally bereaved children with a disaster comparison group and a nontrauma control group on measures of emotional adjustment. METHOD: Children and adolescents who had lost a parent (n = 39), had experienced a tornado disaster (n = 69), or were coping with an ongoing social or academic stressor (n = 118) completed measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Risk factors for symptoms among the bereaved children also were evaluated. RESULTS: Parentally bereaved children reported significantly more PTSD symptoms than the disaster and nontrauma control groups. Among the bereaved children, girls, younger children, and children living with a surviving parent who scored high on a measure of posttraumatic stress reported more symptoms. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents who have lost a parent could be vulnerable to PTSD symptoms.     

Childhood antecedents of exposure to traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder

OBJECTIVE: The authors prospectively examined childhood antecedents of exposure to traumatic events to estimate the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among those exposed to trauma. METHOD: Two consecutive cohorts of children entering first grade of a public school system in a large mid-Atlantic city in the mid-1980s were followed into young adulthood (mean age=21). Exposure to traumatic events and PTSD were assessed in 75% of the original cohort (N=1,698). Childhood assessments, conducted upon entry into the first grade, included standardized measures of reading readiness, teacher ratings of behavioral problems, and child self-reports about depression and anxiety. Family characteristics were assessed by parental report. RESULTS: Young adults who had been rated by their first grade teacher as having aggressive/disruptive behavior problems were more likely to experience traumatic assaultive violence events (e.g., being mugged/threatened with a weapon, badly beaten-up) (relative risk=2.6) but not PTSD following trauma exposure. Youths with high levels of self-rated depressive and anxious feelings in first grade were more likely to experience PTSD once exposed to trauma (relative risk=1.5). Youths who scored in the highest quartile on a reading test in the first grade were at lower risk for exposure to assaultive violence traumas. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood behavioral and depressive/anxious problems may influence the risk for PTSD directly by increasing the vulnerability to the PTSD effects of trauma exposure, and indirectly by increasing the likelihood of exposure to assaultive violence.