Participation in extracurricular activities and emotional and behavioral adjustment in middle childhood in Spanish Boys and Girls

This study examined the concurrent relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and externalizing and internalizing problems and social school behavior in a Spanish community sample, separately for boys (n=439) and girls (n=428), enrolled in 2nd, 4th, or 6th grades. Weekly participation in extracurricular activities was related to better emotional and behavioral adjustment and social competence. Overall, the relations were low and different according to gender, type of activity, and informant. Better adjustment was more related to participation in sports activities in boys and to participation in nonsports activities in girls. Size effect was higher for girls and decreased for both boys and girls when parental education and parenting practices were considered. Findings supported previous results obtained in American adolescents. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Being hot-tempered: Autonomic, emotional, and behavioral distinctions between childhood reactive and proactive aggression

Reactive aggression (RA) is an angry response to perceived provocation. Proactive aggression (PA) is a pre-meditated act used to achieve some goal. This study test hypotheses that (1) individuals high in RA and PA will differ in resting levels of autonomic arousal and (2) RA will be related to emotional and behavioral problems, while PA only to behavioral problems.Parents of 68 children (age 6-13) reported on child symptoms, reactive/proactive aggression, and behavior problems. Resting heart rate (HR), skin conductance (SC), and HR variability (HRV) were measured in 42 of the children. RA was significantly related to decreased HRV and a trend for decreased SC, while PA was significantly related to increased SC and HRV. RA was significantly related to increased internalizing behaviors and attention deficits, while PA was significantly related to increased hyperactivity/impulsivity and delinquent behavior problems.Findings support a distinction between child reactive (hot-tempered) and proactive (cold-tempered) aggression in autonomic, emotional (i.e., internalizing problems), and behavioral (i.e., attention deficits, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and delinquent behavior) functioning, and are discussed in relation to theories of antisocial behavior.     

Surviving childhood cancer, social support, and parents' psychological adjustment.

Assessed whether the continuing emotional strain of parenting a child cancer survivor is associated with elevated levels of psychological distress (depression and anxiety) in parents. The role of social support in moderating this relationship was also evaluated. When parents of cancer survivors (63 mothers and 49 fathers) were compared to a matched sample of parents (64 mothers and 62 fathers) with healthy children there were no differences in levels of depression or anxiety overall but among parents experiencing low levels of social support, parents of cancer survivors were more depressed and anxious than parents of healthy children. Perceived social support has a significant inverse relationship with psychological distress for both parents but seems to be more important for mothers. The elevated risk for psychological distress noted for those experiencing low levels of support appears to be more generalized for fathers than mothers.     

A multimethod assessment of behavioral and emotional adjustment in children with asthma

OBJECTIVE: Examine behavioral adjustment and emotion regulation among 6-year-old children with asthma and a group of healthy controls. METHOD: Subjects were 81 children with asthma and 22 healthy controls. Asthma and allergy statuses were confirmed by objective measures. Emotional and behavioral functioning were assessed through parent report, child interview, and child participation in an emotional regulation paradigm. RESULTS: Maternal report revealed more internalizing and total behavior problems for children with asthma compared to controls. Child interview and behavioral observations of emotion regulation yielded no differences between groups. Severity of asthma was related to increased emotional difficulties by clinician interview and observation but not by maternal report. CONCLUSIONS: Two groups of children with asthma who have psychological difficulties include those with increased anxiety and those with poor emotion regulation and more asthma symptoms. Different measures of child adjustment yield a complex picture of the behavioral difficulties associated with pediatric asthma.     

Microsatellite analysis of childhood brain tumors

Loss of heterozygosity at specific chromosomal locations has been taken as evidence of a tumor suppressor gene located in that area. We performed a genomic allelotyping study on 46 childhood brain tumors of different histopathological types in order to identify and confirm common areas of deletion in different tumor types. Two hundred microsatellite DNA probes equally distributed over the 22 autosomes were applied, covering the genome in steps of approximately 25 cM. Our results confirm frequent loss of heterozygosity of chromosome arms 9q, 10q, 11p, 11q, 16q, and 22q in high-grade gliomas, medulloblastomas, and ependymomas. In addition, we found a new region of loss on chromosome segment 2p21-23 affected predominantly in high-grade gliomas and medulloblastomas. Genes Chromosom Cancer 15:54–63 (1996). © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Social competence, externalizing, and internalizing behavioral adjustment from early childhood through early adolescence: developmental cascades

This study used a three-wave longitudinal design to investigate developmental cascades among social competence and externalizing and internalizing behavioral adjustment in a normative sample of 117 children seen at 4, 10, and 14 years. Children, mothers, and teachers provided data. A series of nested path analysis models was used to determine the most parsimonious and plausible cascades across the three constructs over and above their covariation at each age and stability across age. Children with lower social competence at age 4 years exhibited more externalizing and internalizing behaviors at age 10 years and more externalizing behaviors at age 14 years. Children with lower social competence at age 4 years also exhibited more internalizing behaviors at age 10 years and more internalizing behaviors at age 14 years. Children who exhibited more internalizing behaviors at age 4 years exhibited more internalizing behaviors at age 10 years and more externalizing behaviors at age 14 years. These cascades among social competence and behavioral adjustment obtained independent of child intelligence and maternal education and social desirability of responding.     

Chromosome analysis of brain tumors in childhood

We performed a chromosome analysis of 26 pediatric brain tumors, including 20 primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), 5 astrocytomas, and I immature teratoma. Specimens were treated with collagenase, placed in overnight or short-term cultures, and harvested for chromosome analysis. Numerical and/or structural abnormalities were noted in 14 of the 20 PNETs and 4 of the 5 astrocytomas. In 13 PNETs, so-called medulloblastoma in the cerebellum, an i(17q) was the most frequent structural abnormality, accounting for 30% (4/13). Double minute chromosomes (dmin) were observed in one tumor. Near-diploidy was demonstrated in three of these PNETs, hyperdiploidy in three, and near-tetraploidy in three. We could not find any correlation of these cytogenetic findings with the prognosis. In the remaining seven PNETs other than medulloblastoma, the karyotypes of five PNETs demonstrated a variety of numerical and structural abnormalities. As to the astrocytomas, losses of chromosomes 7 and 9 with dmin were observed in two, and structural abnormalities of chromosomes 1 and 17 were also observed in two tumors. In our limited cases, however, we could not find the same chromosome abnormalities that are well known in adult astrocytomas. A congenital immature teratoma showed hyperdiploidy with increased numbers of chromosomes 3, 6, and 12. We conclude that i(17_q) is an important chromosome abnormality in medulloblastomas, and that the oncogenesis of pediatric astrocytomas might be different cytogenetically from that of adult astrocytomas.     

Peer victimization and rejection: investigation of an integrative model of effects on emotional, behavioral, and academic adjustment in early adolescence.

This study investigated an integrative model of the effects of peer victimization (PV) and peer rejection (PR) on youth adjustment using data from 508 middle-school students. In the proposed model, PV and PR each contribute independently to problems in emotional, behavioral, and academic adjustment. The adverse consequences of PV and PR are each mediated by their more proximal contributions to lower self-esteem in the form of negative self-evaluations for peer relations and global self-derogation, respectively. Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses provided support for the overall model, including significant indirect linkages of PV and perceived PR with adjustment problems via their intermediary negative associations with lower levels of self-esteem. Additional analyses revealed that indirect linkages of victimization and perceived rejection with emotional problems via self-esteem were evident only for girls. Implications of these findings are discussed.     

Sleep problems and daytime sleepiness in children with ADHD: Associations with social,emotional, and behavioral functioning at school,a cross-sectional study

Background: Sleep problems and daytime sleepiness are common in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and are associated with poor parent-reported functional outcomes. However, the potential impact of sleep problems or daytime sleepiness on the school functioning of children with ADHD remains unknown. We aimed to determine if sleep problems and daytime sleepiness were associated with the social, emotional, and behavioral school-based functioning of children with ADHD and comorbid sleep problems. Methods: Children aged 5–13 years with ADHD and a moderate-severe sleep problem (confirmed using American Academy of Sleep Medicine diagnostic criteria) were recruited from 43 pediatric practices across Victoria and Queensland, Australia (N = 257). Parent-rated sleep problems were assessed using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and teacher-rated daytime sleepiness using the Teacher’s Daytime Sleepiness Questionnaire. Teacher-rated social, emotional, and behavioral school functioning was assessed using three scales (peer problems, emotional problems, and conduct problems) from the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlations and linear regression models. Results: Teacher-rated daytime sleepiness was associated with higher levels of emotional (β = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.25–0.52) and behavioral problems (β = 0.47; CI = 0.36–0.58) in adjusted models. While total sleep duration and parent-rated sleep problems were not associated with daytime sleepiness or school functioning, the CSHQ subscale night wakings was correlated with teacher-rated daytime sleepiness (r = 0.21; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Daytime sleepiness (possibly as an indicator of sleep quality) may be a better predictor of school functioning in children with ADHD who have concomitant sleep problems than total sleep duration or parent-rated sleep problems.     

Review: emotional and behavioral functioning in phenylketonuria.

OBJECTIVE: To examine 17 studies of the psychological sequelae of early-treated phenylketonuria (PKU) with emphasis on the impact of dietary control on functioning. Two questions are addressed: (1) What is the typical psychological profile associated with PKU? (2) Is emotional and behavioral disturbance more prevalent in PKU-affected individuals compared to appropriate controls? METHOD: Computerized searches of PsycINFO identified studies using behavioral, personality, and diagnostic measures. RESULTS: Findings converge upon a profile including attentional difficulties, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Methodological constraints limit conclusions regarding the nature and severity of observed difficulties. A single study has used comparison groups appropriate for the simultaneous examination of the questions posed (Waisbren and Levy, 1991). CONCLUSIONS: We discuss results using a biopsychosocial framework, addressing the factors and processes that may influence emotional and behavioral functioning in this neurodevelopmental disorder. We outline potential lines of new investigation that address critical methodological factors.     

Social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children with NF1

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) can have varying degrees of cognitive impairment, and are at risk for social, emotional, and behavioral dysfunction. We undertook an evaluation of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of youth with NF1 and peers from multiple perspectives. We hypothesized that children with NF1 would have more psychosocial difficulties, which would be positively associated with neurological involvement. We compared 58 children with NF1, ages 7-15, with comparison classroom peers, classmates who were same race/gender and closest date of birth. Peer relationships, emotional well-being, and behavior were evaluated from multiple perspectives in multiple settings. Results showed that teachers perceived children with NF1 as more prosocial (i.e., polite, helpful to others). Teachers and peers viewed children with NF1 as displaying less leadership behavior and as more socially sensitive-isolated (i.e., often left out, trouble making friends). Children with NF1 had fewer friendships and were less well liked by peers. Mothers and fathers reported more problems with social functioning among children with NF1. Few group differences in emotional well-being and behavior were identified according to child and father report. However, mothers perceived children with NF1 to have more emotional problems relative to comparison peers, predominantly among older children. Neurological involvement was significantly related to psychosocial problems. We conclude that children with NF1 are frequently socially isolated and rejected by peers; and that greater neurological involvement is associated with more emotional problems. Central nervous system involvement appears to play a key role in identifying children at risk for problems with friendships, social acceptance, and emotional functioning (i.e., depression).     

Testing the diathesis‐stress model: 5‐HTTLPR,childhood emotional maltreatment,and vulnerability to social anxiety disorder

Regarding the development of social anxiety disorder (SAD), a diathesis‐stress paradigm including biological vulnerabilities and environmental stressors can be assumed. However, studies dealing with the etiology of SAD did not integrate both aspects so far. We examined a particular diathesis‐stress model for SAD in which we included a functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter (5‐HTTLPR) as a genetic vulnerability factor and childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) as an environmental stressor. Current analyses were based on individuals who participated in the Study of Health in Pomerania. Psychiatric disorders were assessed with diagnostic interviews according to DSM‐IV criteria. The triallelic genotype of 5‐HTTLPR was determined. Statistical analyses were performed in 78 individuals with SAD and 1,035 without an axis I disorder. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the experience of CEM (odds ratio [OR] 4.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.65–7.84), the l/l genotype of 5‐HTTLPR (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.31–3.48), female gender (OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.80–5.08) and younger age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02–1.06) increased the odds for SAD. The data suggest that CEM, the l/l genotype of 5‐HTTLPR, female gender and younger age are risk factors for SAD. This is in favor of the tested diathesis‐stress model. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Deficits in social behavioral tests in a mouse model of alternating hemiplegia of childhood

Social behavioral deficits have been observed in patients diagnosed with alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism and CAPOS syndrome, in which specific missense mutations in ATP1A3, encoding the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α3 subunit, have been identified. To test the hypothesis that social behavioral deficits represent part of the phenotype of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α3 mutations, we assessed the social behavior of the Myshkin mouse model of AHC, which has an I810N mutation identical to that found in an AHC patient with co-morbid autism. Myshkin mice displayed deficits in three tests of social behavior: nest building, pup retrieval and the three-chamber social approach test. Chronic treatment with the mood stabilizer lithium enhanced nest building in wild-type but not Myshkin mice. In light of previous studies revealing a broad profile of neurobehavioral deficits in the Myshkin model – consistent with the complex clinical profile of AHC – our results suggest that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α3 dysfunction has a deleterious, but nonspecific, effect on social behavior. By better defining the behavioral profile of Myshkin mice, we identify additional ATP1A3-related symptoms for which the Myshkin model could be used as a tool to advance understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies.