Agreement between parent- and self-reports of Algerian adolescents' behavioral and emotional problems

The present study examined agreement between scores obtained from self-reports of behavioral and emotional problems obtained from 513 Algerian adolescents on the Youth Self-Report (YSR) with scores obtained from reports provided by their parents on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The correlations between self- and parent-report were larger than those observed in many other cultures (e.g., intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.60 and Pearson r = 0.65 for Total Problems). On the whole, cross-informant agreement did not vary significantly as a function of problem type, identity of the parental informant, gender and age of the adolescent. Similar to all studied cultures, adolescents on average reported more problems than their parents reported about them, but the discrepancies were smaller than in all previous societies. Mean YSR/CBCL score discrepancies indicated higher YSR scores for several scales, but variability across dyads was large, and many dyads showed the opposite pattern.     

Agreement Between Parents and Teachers on Behavioral/Emotional Problems in Japanese School Children Using the Child Behavior Checklist

We investigated the agreement between Japanese parents' and teachers' ratings concerning their children's behavioral/emotional problems. Mothers (n = 276) and teachers (n = 19) assessed each child (n = 316; 6 to 12 years old ) using Japanese parent and teacher version of the Child Behavior Checklist. Parent–teacher agreement were examined through three indices; mean scores, correlations and D scores (generalized distance between item profile). Mean scores rated by parents were significantly higher than those by teachers. The differences of parents' ratings according to sex of the child or parents' occupational level, and those of teachers' ratings according to sex of the child were consistent with previous Western studies. Parent-teacher correlations were in the low to middle range (0.16–0.36). We obtained significant sets of independent variables accounting for the variance of D scores, but the effect size of these variables was small. These results indicated that, as seen in Western studies, Japanese parents and teachers would also assess their child's problems differently and the child's demographics affect their evaluation. For further research, parent and teacher characteristics which may influence on their perspective of the child's problems could be examined.     

Patterns of agreement among parent, teacher and youth ratings in a referred sample

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of agreement among parents, teachers and adolescents with respect to the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Teacher's Report Form (TRF), and the Youth Self Report (YSR). In addition we evaluated the suitability of these three forms (CBCL, TRF and YSR) in terms of their contribution to understanding internalizing and externalizing disorders in youths being referred to a child and adolescent unit of a psychiatric care facility.MethodsA total of 611 patients aged 11–18 years (mean age 13.0, SD 1.6) were assessed using the CBCL, the TRF and the YSR.ResultsIntraclass coefficients (ICC) showed low to moderate agreement among informants. Furthermore, the level of agreement was generally less among patients suffering from internalizing disorders than for young patients who displayed externalizing disorders. Logistic regression revealed that the TRF internalizing syndrome scale, the CBCL internalizing syndrome scale and gender were relevant prognostic factors for the occurrence of internalizing disorders in youth. The YSR internalizing syndrome scale, on the other hand, was not a relevant factor among adolescents of a clinical target population. Likewise, only the TRF externalizing syndrome scale, the CBCL externalizing syndrome scale and gender were relevant prognostic factors for the occurrence of externalizing disorders in youth.ConclusionsParticularly the CBCL and TRF are useful instruments in assessing internalizing and externalizing disorders in adolescents referred to a mental health setting.     

Children and adolescents with congenital heart disease: assessment of behavioural and emotional problems

Objective  The objective of the study was to assess behavioural and emotional problems in children and adolescents with congenital cardiac disease. Design  From the database of Paediatric Heart Section, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Norway, 430 patients and their parents were included and received questionnaires of youth self-report and child behavior checklist. The response rate was 71.4%. Results  Compared to their parents children with congenital heart disease reported more behavioural and emotional problems. Boys scored significantly higher than girls in total problem score and externalising scores with more social problems, attention problems, delinquent behaviour and aggressive behaviour. No gender difference was found regarding internalising problem score. Compared to healthy boys, no differences were found in total problem, externalising or internalising score. In girls lower values were found in patients than healthy children for total problem, externalising and internalising scores. Conclusions  In the present study boys scored themselves higher with regard to total problem score than girls. No effect was found of due to different diagnoses. The data indicate that the children experience more problems than the parents are aware of. However, the behaviour problem scores in children with cardiac disease are significantly lower than in healthy children. A close parental follow-up and an experience of being exposed to life-threatening situation may play a role for the latter results.     

Examining relations between psychopathology and psychopathy dimensions among adolescent female and male offenders

Aim  This study was performed to investigate relations between psychopathology and psychopathy in adolescent female and male detainees. Method  We examined 91 male and 123 female adolescent detainees (aged 14–19) for psychopathology -using the Youth Self Report, the Overt Aggression Scale-Modified and a Conduct Disorder Self Report Scale- and for psychopathic dimensions using the psychopathy checklist youth version (PCL:YV). Based on a linear regression analysis we compared the specific associations between psychopathology and psychopathy in both male and female delinquent juveniles. Results  Our results revealed higher scores for externalizing behavior and psychopathic dimensions in delinquent males, and higher internalizing problem scores in delinquent females. Furthermore, we found a positive relationship between suicidal behavior and the psychopathy total score as well as the affective, the lifestyle and the antisocial dimension only in girls. No association was found for suicidal behavior in boys. Regarding anxious-depressive behavior, we found a negative relation to the psychopathy total score and to the affective psychopathy factor for the boys. Conclusion  Expectedly, the population of incarcerated adolescents exhibited a high prevalence of psychopathology. At the same time our results referred to meaningful gender-related differences with respect to associations with psychopathy. The gender-related differences in psychopathological symptoms could indicate varied subtypes of psychopathy in boys and girls.     

Daydreaming and psychopathology in adolescence: An exploratory study

Aim: Daydreaming is a cognitive phenomenon characterized by the redirection of attention from the external world to inner representations. Although serving several adaptive functions, excessive daydreaming has been related to emotional problems and poor psychosocial adjustment. During adolescence, this phenomenon has been scarcely explored as potential psychopathological correlate. This study aims to explore daydreaming frequency and association with psychopathological symptoms in a non-referred population. Methods: Participants were adolescents from a community sample (N = 251). Daydreaming was assessed through the Daydreaming Frequency Scale (DDFS). Youth Self-Report (YSR) and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used as self-reports to evaluate psychopathological problems and adaptive functioning. Results: Excessive daydreaming was present in 12.7% of participants. DDFS scores were significantly elevated in respondents with clinical scores for internalizing, depressive, obsessive–compulsive, and post-traumatic stress problems. Symptom severity correlated positively with the DDFS. Higher daydreaming was also associated with emotional symptoms, conduct problems and total difficulties on the SDQ. Conclusions: Adolescents who daydream show increased depressive, obsessive–compulsive, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Possible cognitive processes at play in the relationship between daydreaming and psychopathology are discussed. Daydreaming may represent a silent psychopathological index that deserves better recognition in the clinical practice and in mental health initiatives for adolescents.     

Child to adult continuities of psychopathology: a 24‐year follow‐up

Objective: To determine continuities of mental health problems of children across a 24‐year follow‐up period. Method: In 1983, parent ratings of emotional and behavioral problems were collected with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) in a general population sample of 2076 children. Twenty‐four years later, 1365 participants completed Adult Self‐Reports (ASR) to assess emotional and behavioral problems. Results: Of the participants who were classified as deviant in childhood, 22.2% were also classified as deviant in adulthood. Both homotypic and heterotypic continuity was found. Childhood aggressive, delinquent, and anxious/depressed problems were associated with most adult psychopathology. Attention problems did not predict later problems independently. Conclusion: Even though assessed with parent‐reports in childhood and analogous self‐reports in adulthood, and over a large period of 24 years, continuity of psychopathology was found from childhood into adulthood. Anxious/depressed problems, delinquent behavior and aggressive behavior in childhood are core predictors for adult psychopathology.     

Psychiatric disorders and symptom severity in referred versus non-referred overweight children and adolescents

Background  This study aimed firstly to investigate whether youngsters referred for overweight treatment differ from non-referred overweight youngsters on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and psychological symptoms. Secondly, the potentially moderating role of age, gender, socio-economic status and degree of overweight in the association of referral status and mental disorder in overweight youth was explored. Methods  Participants were 155 overweight youngsters enrolled in an obesity treatment programme (mean age = 13.76; mean BMI  = 33.99) and 73 non-referred overweight youngsters (mean age = 13.74; mean BMI  = 27.35). The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-Childhood version and the Child version of the Eating Disorder Examination were administered and participants filled out the Children’s Depression Inventory, the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale and the Youth Self Report. Parents were asked to complete the Child Behavior Checklist. Results  In the referred group 37.50% and in the non-referred group 23.29% of the participants met criteria for at least one mental disorder. In both groups, anxiety disorders were most prominent. Overall, a higher prevalence of mental disorders was found in the referred group. Referred youth displayed significantly more ‘full blown’ eating disorders and binge eating than non-referred youngsters and exhibited a significantly greater severity of self- and parent-reported internalizing symptoms. Referral was also associated with a significantly higher degree of overweight and significantly lower SES. After controlling for these pre-existing differences in degree of overweight and SES, only the greater severity of parent-reported internalizing symptoms in referred youth remained significant. Older age was generally predictive for the presence of mental disorders and in the non-referred group SES was positively associated with psychiatric disorder. Conclusions  A substantial proportion of overweight youngsters suffer from mental disorders. Referral status and age are associated with the presence of psychopathology. However, differences between referred and non-referred youngsters are not as pronounced as expected on the basis of earlier research in the field.     

Prevalence of the Child Behavior Checklist-pediatric bipolar disorder phenotype in a German general population sample

BACKGROUND: In children with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD), a consistent pattern of elevations in inattention/hyperactivity, depression/anxiety, and aggression has been identified on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL-PBD profile). In Germany, no epidemiological study has included PBD to date. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the six-month prevalence of the CBCL-PBD profile in Germany in a large normative general population sample, and to examine subjects with CBCL-PBD profile with regard to symptoms assumed to coexist with PBD (e.g., suicidality, decreased need for sleep, and hypersexuality). METHODS: We studied a nationwide representative general population sample of 2,856 children and adolescents aged 4-18 years. RESULTS: A total of 21 subjects [0.7% of the sample; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5-1.1] met the criteria for the CBCL-PBD phenotype. CBCL-PBD subjects were more pervasively disturbed than clinical controls (n = 118; 4.1% of total sample; 95% CI = 3.4-4.9), demonstrated in significantly more social problems and delinquent behavior, and showed significantly higher rates of suicidality, decreased need for sleep and hypersexual behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CBCL-PBD subjects in the general German population compares to rates of PBD in US and Dutch epidemiological samples. Regardless of whether these subjects are affected by 'real' PBD or 'severe, pervasive ADHD' with pronounced emotional dysregulation, they constitute a group of seriously disturbed children and adolescents. The high rate of suicidality among CBCL-PBD subjects emphasizes the need for the identification and adequate treatment of children meeting this profile.     

Ten-year time trends of psychopathology in Dutch children and adolescents: no evidence for strong trends

The 10-year time trends in competencies and problem scores in children and adolescents were assessed. Children and adolescents randomly selected from the Dutch general population in 1983 were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher's Report Form. Their problem scores and competence scores were compared with those obtained by the same method 10 years later. No significant differences were found between the 1983 and 1993 total problem scores obtained from parents or teachers. On the level of problem items and scales, a few differences indicating an increase in problems were found. However, the magnitude of these differences was very small. Our results did not provide evidence for a clear secular increase in malfunctioning of Dutch children and adolescents.     

Similarities and differences between actigraphy and parent-reported sleep in a Hispanic and non-Hispanic White sample

ObjectiveDespite concerns about the inaccuracy of parents' reports of children's sleep, it remains unclear whether the bias of parents' reports varies across racial/ethnic groups. To address this limitation, the current study systematically investigated the concordance among parent-reported sleep questionnaires, sleep diaries, and actigraphy-based sleep in a sample of Hispanic and non-Hispanic White children.MethodsParents of 51 Hispanic and 38 non-Hispanic White children (N = 89; M_age = 6.46, SD = 0.62; 50.6% male) reported their child's bedtime and wake time on school days using sleep diaries and questionnaires. Children's sleep also was assessed with actigraphy for five consecutive school days.ResultsParents reported longer sleep duration, earlier bedtime, and later wake time using sleep diaries and questionnaires compared to actigraphy-based assessments. Larger discrepancies between diaries and actigraphy of sleep duration, and between questionnaires and actigraphy of wake time were found in non-Hispanic White children, compared to Hispanic children.ConclusionsAlthough parents tended to overestimate their child's sleep as compared to actigraphy, parents of Hispanic children may be more accurate in some estimates of children's sleep than parents of non-Hispanic White children. Researchers, clinicians, and parents should be aware of the potential biases in parents' reports and estimates of their child's sleep and that the degree of bias could vary across racial/ethnic groups.     

Asthma severity and psychopathology in a tertiary care department for children and adolescent

 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between severe asthma, type and incidence of psychiatric problems in a pediatric population. A group of 92 children and adolescents (63 boys and 29 girls) (mean age 11.7) was investigated over one year by a pediatric pneumology/allergy service unit. The psychopathological problems of two groups were compared: “mild” (n=12) and “moderate/severe” (n=80) persistent asthma as defined by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NIH). Various questionnaires were completed by the patients including the CBCL and the CPRS. The patients were examined by an experienced psychologist using the French version of the revised semi-structured diagnostic interview Kiddie-SADS. Twelve cases with intermittent or mild persistent asthma and 80 cases with moderate and severe persistent asthma were found. The child gender ratio and the social class of the parents did not differ significantly across groups. Moderate/severe asthma was more often associated with DSM-IV psychiatric disorders. Similarly, there were more symptoms in the severe group as indicated by several questionnaires. The hyperactivity index (CPRS) was higher for the severely affected group, who also exhibited fewer daytime activities. Social skills, school skills, and self esteem were, overall, on a similar level as those of the mildly affected group. Severe persistent asthma and moderate persistent asthma were not significantly different for the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and symptoms, even if children with severe asthma had a trend toward being diagnosed with more DSM-IV anxiety disorders and higher STAIC scores. Both of them had significantly higher total CBCL scores and CPRS hyperactivity index than intermittent and mild asthma. Moderate and severe persistent asthma appears to be associated with both incidence and particular categories of psychiatric problems, particularly anxiety disorders and anxious/depression symptoms. These observations suggest that it would be valuable to pay more attention to psychopathological problems of children suffering from severe asthma. Received: 24 February 1997 Accepted: 7 December 1997     

Peer violence,mental health and suicidal ideation in a sample of French adolescent

The aim of this study was to investigate the link between suicidal ideation, psychological morbidity and experiences with peer violence (victim or perpetrator) among adolescents. This study examined direct and indirect violence separately. A sample of 361 high school students from France completed a self-administered survey consisting of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the General Health Questionnaire. Indirect peer victimization experienced by girls and direct peer victimization experienced by boys were more strongly linked to suicidal thoughts. Indirect aggression was also related to suicidal ideation among boys only. Indirect victimization at school was linked to a drop in self-esteem, a factor strongly related to the level of suicidal ideation, particularly for boys. These findings show that adolescent peer violence must be given particular attention in educational institutions due to its links not only with suicidal ideation, but also more broadly with students’ psychological distress.     

The role of parental psychopathology and family environment for social phobia in the first three decades of life

Background: To examine the role of parental psychopathology and family environment for the risk of social phobia (SP) in offspring from childhood to early adulthood, encompassing the high risk period for SP. Methods: A community sample of 1,395 adolescents was prospectively followed‐up over 10 years. Offspring and parental psychopathology were assessed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐IV) using the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M‐CIDI), and direct diagnostic interviews in parents were supplemented by family history reports. Parental rearing was assessed by the Questionnaire of Recalled Rearing Behavior administered to offspring. Family functioning was assessed by the McMaster Family Assessment Device administered to parents. Results: Parental SP was associated with offspring's risk to develop SP (OR=3.3, 95%CI:1.4–8.0). Other parental anxiety disorders (OR=2.9, 95%CI:1.4–6.1), depression (OR=2.6, 95%CI:1.2–5.4), and alcohol use disorders (OR=2.8, 95%CI:1.3–6.1) were also associated with offspring SP. Parental rearing styles of overprotection, rejection, and lack of emotional warmth were associated with offspring SP. Family functioning measures were not associated with offspring SP. Analyses of interaction of parental psychopathology and parental rearing indicated combined effects on the risk for offspring SP. Conclusions: Parental psychopathology and rearing were associated with offspring SP, independently as well as in their interaction. Further delineation of these associations is warranted as malleable components of these risk factors may provide potential targets for prevention programs. In addition, parent‐to‐offspring transmission of other internalizing disorders should be considered to examine the degree of diagnostic specificity. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Family factors and psychopathology in children with epilepsy: a literature review

PURPOSE: From a social interactional and ecological framework, studies were reviewed that (1) compared family factors in children with epilepsy with those in children from normative groups, healthy children, children with a chronic illness, or siblings; and (2) examined the relationship between distinct family factors and child psychopathology. RESULTS: Compared with control groups, families with a child with epilepsy generally fare worse on the whole range of family factors, indicating lower parent-child relationship quality, more depression in mothers, and problems with family functioning. Significant associations were apparent between distinct family factors, especially parental psychological control, parental attributions about epilepsy, and family members' satisfaction with family relationships, and psychopathology in children with epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Future childhood epilepsy research might benefit from the examination of the simultaneous contribution of distinct family factors to child psychopathology, within a broad multifactorial framework that also includes neurological and medication factors.