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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 January 2025 | Viewed by 17743

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Florina Rad

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Guest Editor

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: neurodevelopmental disorders; eating disorders; depressive/anxiety disorders; psychotic disorders; child and adolescent mental health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Magdalena Budisteanu

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Guest Editor

Department of Pediatric Neurology, Prof. Dr. Alex. Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: neurodevelopmental disorders; pediatric neurology; eating disorders; depressive/anxiety disorders; psychotic disorders; child and adolescent mental health; rare pediatric neurological diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Considering the challenges of the health system regarding the increased prevalence of mental health disorders in patients with increasingly younger ages, we consider that the launch of a new Special Issue that addresses the mental health of children and adolescents is incredibly necessary.

Early life mental health issues do not just produce disabilities at an individual level but determine maladaptive reactions in the family environment, social or community disruptions, low academic productivity, and increased healthcare costs. These negative consequences have reached alarming levels, especially in the last few years in the context of the pandemic.

More than half of all mental health disorders develop before the age of 18, and in this context, we kindly welcome you to disseminate new scientific information and updates related to new concepts and psychiatric approaches in order to create better outcomes for children and adolescents struggling with mental health disorders.

Considering the success and popularity of the previous Special Issue, “Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health”, published in the journal Children (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/special_issues/D57G2A3626), we are now releasing a second Issue aiming to highlight recent advances, innovative views on diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, and novel standards regarding neurodevelopmental disorders, conduct disorders, psychotic disorders, addictive disorders, and depressive/anxiety disorders diagnosed in children or adolescents. We also encourage submissions that explore the influence of psychiatric diagnosis on family or siblings’ functionality. On behalf of the Editorial Office, we invite you to submit research papers, review articles, and interesting case reports for peer review and possible publication.

Dr. Florina Rad
Dr. Magdalena Budisteanu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

child and adolescent psychiatry
neurodevelopmental disorders
depressive disorders
anxiety disorders
psychotic disorders
addictive disorders
siblings’ mental health

Related Special Issue

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health in Children (9 articles)

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Family Functioning, Maternal Depression, and Adolescent Cognitive Flexibility and Its Associations with Adolescent Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Justyna Urbańska-Grosz, Emilia J. Sitek, Anna Pakalska, Bożena Pietraszczyk-Kędziora, Kalina Skwarska and Maciej Walkiewicz

Children 2024, 11(1), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11010131 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1639

Abstract

Background: This study explores family functioning and its associations with adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD), comparing its dynamics with healthy counterparts. Family functioning (cohesion, flexibility, communication, and satisfaction), maternal depressive symptoms, postpartum depression history, parental divorce, parental alcohol abuse, and the adolescents’ cognitive flexibility, are examined. The research incorporates the perspectives of both adolescents and mothers. Methods: The sample includes 63 mother-teenager dyads in the clinical group and 43 in the control group. Instruments encompass the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES IV), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI-2), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), The Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test, and structured interviews. Results: Families of adolescents with MDD exhibit lower flexibility, cohesion, communication, and overall satisfaction. Depressed adolescents display reduced cognitive flexibility. Discrepancies were observed between adolescents’ and mothers’ perspectives as associated with adolescents’ MDD. Teenagers emphasized the severity of maternal depressive symptoms, while mothers highlighted the importance of family cohesion and flexibility. Conclusions: This study emphasizes a holistic strategy in addressing adolescent depression, including family-based assessment and therapy. Screening for maternal depressive symptoms is identified as valuable. Cognitive flexibility also needs to be addressed during therapy for depression in adolescence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

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10 pages, 244 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cognitive Coping Strategies among Inpatient Adolescents with Depression and Psychiatric Comorbidity

by Ilinca Mihailescu, Magdalena Efrim-Budisteanu, Lucia Emanuela Andrei, Alexandra Mariana Buică, Mihaela Moise, Ingrid Georgiana Nicolau, Alexandra Diana Iotu, Adriana Petruța Grădilă, Teodora Costea, Agnes Maria Priseceanu and Florina Rad

Children 2023, 10(12), 1870; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10121870 - 29 Nov 2023

Viewed by 814

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to describe and measure the cognitive emotion regulation strategies of inpatient adolescents with clinical depression, aged 13–18, and to analyse these coping strategies in relation to different comorbidities of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Methods: There were 112 adolescents with MDD who were admitted to hospital and 78 healthy adolescents included in the study. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) was used to assess nine specific cognitive coping strategies. A cognitive coping style model for depression in adolescents was described by analysing the differences between the two groups. The CERQ scores in MDD participants, grouped by comorbidity, were also assessed. Results: Adolescents with MDD had significantly higher scores for Self-Blame and Catastrophising strategies, and significantly lower scores for Positive Refocusing, Refocusing on Planning, and Positive Reappraisal. Adolescents with MDD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) traits had significantly higher scores for Rumination, Catastrophising, and Blaming Others than adolescents with MDD and anxiety or with no comorbidity. Conclusions: Clinical depression in adolescents is associated with a cognitive profile that consists of an increased use of maladaptive coping styles and low employment of adaptive strategies. Early identification can contribute to the development of specific, individualised prevention and intervention programmes, while further longitudinal studies are necessary to adequately measure the outcome of these interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

13 pages, 1106 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Alone Again, Naturally”: Mental Health Problems, Level of Personality Functioning, Social Withdrawal and Loneliness in Adolescents Admitted as Acute Inpatients in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Johannes Boettcher, Dennis Radzuweit, Marie Mey, Philipp Rauch, Andreas Kogler, Claus Barkmann, Kirstin Goth, Sarah Hohmann, Carola Bindt and Ursula Voelker

Children 2023, 10(11), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10111743 - 27 Oct 2023

Viewed by 955

Abstract

(1) Background: Adolescents admitted as acute inpatients belong to a particularly psychosocially vulnerable population. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of an affected population in Germany using a theory-based approach. (2) Methods: We assessed the mental health problems, levels of personality functioning, and the severity of social withdrawal and loneliness in n = 62 adolescents admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. Cases were investigated cross-sectionally utilizing standardized psychometric questionnaires from the perspective of the patients and clinical experts. (3) Results: Mental health, level of impaired personality functioning, social withdrawal, and loneliness were all positively associated with the need for acute admission. Further analyses revealed that the level of personality functioning fully mediated the positive association between social withdrawal and mental health problems. In contrast, level of personality functioning only partially mediated the positive association between loneliness and mental health problems. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that more impairment in personality functioning might lead to poorer mental health when adolescents socially withdraw in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness, social withdrawal, and the level of personality functioning may help identifying essential characteristics of adolescents admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient units and guide the development of specific interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

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17 pages, 751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Family Communication as a Mediator between Family Resilience and Family Functioning under the Quarantine and COVID-19 Pandemic in Arabic Countries

by Aiche Sabah, Musheer A. Aljaberi, Jamel Hajji, Chuan-Yin Fang, Yu-Chen Lai and Chung-Ying Lin

Children 2023, 10(11), 1742; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10111742 - 27 Oct 2023

Viewed by 2158

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has become an unprecedented world crisis in which we have struggled against the most potent threat of the twenty-first century. This pandemic has had a profound impact on individuals and families. Therefore, the study aimed to examine family communication as a mediator of the relationship between family resilience and family functioning under the quarantine and coronavirus pandemic in Algeria and Iraq. This study was conducted among individuals in Iraq and Algeria (N = 361). The respondents completed the Family Communication Scale (FCS), Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ), and Family Functioning Scale (FFS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) with the bootstrapping method was used to conduct the mediated effects of family communication. Using the bootstrapping method in SEM, family resilience and communication significantly affected family functioning (coefficient = 0.808). Moreover, the direct effect and indirect effect (via family functioning) of family resilience on family functioning were both significant, with coefficients of 0.682 and 0.126. In addition, numerous groups from Iraq and Algeria have been analyzed as a sample and have shown no differences in the relationships between family resilience, family communication, and family functioning. In conclusion, the results showed that family communication mediated the relationship between family resilience and family functioning. Moreover, the type of this mediation seemed to be partial because of the significant direct relationship between family resilience and family functioning. According to the findings, healthcare providers should consider improving family resilience and communication to achieve good family functioning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

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22 pages, 2089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Internalising and Externalising Symptoms and Their Association with the Family Environment in Young Children with Williams Syndrome: A Longitudinal Study

by Tamara Ilic, Melanie A. Porter and Jessica L. Reeve

Children 2023, 10(10), 1717; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101717 - 23 Oct 2023

Viewed by 925

Abstract

Williams Syndrome (WS) involves high rates of psychopathology across the lifespan. However, little is known about the early, longitudinal trajectory of internalising/externalising symptoms or the association between these and the family environment in WS. WS (n = 16; aged 2 years, 2 months to 9 years, 5 months) and typically developing or TD (n = 46; aged 2 years, 2 months to 11 years, 1 month) children were assessed on two occasions over 2.5 years utilising parent report questionnaires—the Child Behaviour Checklist and the Family Environment Scale. No statistically significant changes were found in CBCL/psychopathology profiles across timepoints, on average, for either WS or TD children. However, reliable change scores showed WS children had considerable variability in CBCL scores over time. Cross-sectionally, the WS group showed higher scores (reflecting more psychopathology) compared to TD controls at both time points across most CBCL subscales, with elevated overall psychopathology problems identified in 56–68% of WS children (versus 8% in TD controls). Psychopathology was not associated with sex, chronological age, or cognitive ability in WS. Conflict in the family environment was positively associated with higher Attention Problems at Time 1 in the WS group, whilst the TD group showed associations between family conflict and total psychopathology problems at both time points and between family cohesion and total psychopathology problems at Time 2. Family environment did not differ between groups, except for lower engagement in intellectual and cultural activities in WS. Findings highlight variable Internalising and Externalising Problems in young WS children over time, with greater biological than environmental contributions to psychopathology in WS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

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15 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Self-Regulation and Executive Functions Deficits Affect Quality of Life of Children/Adolescents with Emotional Regulation Disorders

by Ginan Hammud, Ayelet Avital-Magen, Guy Schusheim, Inbar Barzuza and Batya Engel-Yeger

Children 2023, 10(10), 1622; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101622 - 28 Sep 2023

Viewed by 2351

Abstract

Background: Deficits in self-regulation and executive functions (EFs) frequently characterize children/adolescents with emotional regulation disorders and restrict their daily function and quality of life (QOL). These deficits are mainly manifested by neuropsychological measures in laboratory settings. This study aimed to compare self-regulation and EFs by ecological measures to reflect the implications in daily life between children with emotional regulation disorders and healthy controls and examine the relations between self-regulation, EFs and QOL in the study group. Methods: the participants were 49 children aged 8–18: 25 children/adolescents with emotional regulation disorders and 24 healthy children. The parents completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds-QL). Results: The study group had greater self-regulation difficulties (internalization and externalization problems), executive dysfunctions (EFdys) (including metacognition difficulties) and a lower QOL. Their internalization and externalization problems correlated with reduced EFs and QOL. Internalization predicted the physical and emotional QOLs, while metacognition predicted social and school-related QOLs. Conclusions: Deficits in self-regulation and EFs are prevalent in children/adolescents with emotional disorders and restrict their daily function and QOL. Therefore, they should be routinely evaluated by ecological instruments to reflect daily restrictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

11 pages, 417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comorbidities Affecting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review

by Jessy Burns, Ryan Phung, Shayna McNeill, Ana Hanlon-Dearman and M. Florencia Ricci

Children 2023, 10(8), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081414 - 19 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1827

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction/communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Recent discussions have emerged worldwide regarding the heterogeneity around presentation/etiology and comorbidities. This study aimed to determine the frequency and characteristics of comorbidities among children diagnosed with ASD in Manitoba and to evaluate differences in presentation between those with and without medical comorbidities. We conducted a retrospective chart review of >1900 electronic charts at the only publicly funded referral site for children ≤6 years requiring evaluation for ASD in Manitoba. All children aged 0–6 years diagnosed with ASD at this site between May 2016 and September 2021 were identified. χ² and t-tests were used to compare groups. Of the total of 1858 children identified, 1452 (78.1%) were boys, 251 (13.5%) were prematurely born, and 539 (29.0%) had ≥1 medical comorbidity. Global developmental delay (GDD) was diagnosed in 428 (23.0%). The age of referral and diagnosis did not differ between groups. Comorbidities were more common among premature children (16.0% vs. 12.5%, p: 0.005) and children with comorbid GDD (34.9% vs. 18.2%, p < 0.001). Neurological comorbidities were most common (37.1%). No sex difference in the overall presence of comorbidities was found (boys = 77.1% vs. 78.5%, p: 0.518); however, girls had a higher incidence of neurological comorbidities, e.g., cerebral palsy, seizures, hypotonia (14.8% vs. 9.64%, p: 0.009), as well as genetic comorbidities (4.92% vs. 2.75%, p: 0.04). The high rates of associated neurological conditions, GDD, and prematurity add heterogeneity to this group leading to potential difficulties with prognosis and service allocation. Primary vs. secondary ASD can be a way of separating individuals based on relevant medical comorbidities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

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12 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Social Determinants and Resilience on the Mental Health of Chilean Adolescents

by Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar, Patricio Mena-Chamorro, Diego Henríquez, Alfonso Urzúa and Matías Irarrázaval

Children 2023, 10(7), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071213 - 13 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1222

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of social determinants (i.e., gender, educational vulnerability, and socioeconomic status) and resilience on the mental health of Chilean adolescents in pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 pandemic contexts. The study included a group of 684 students, ranging in age from 12 to 18 years, who were attending educational institutions in the city of Arica. The Child and Adolescent Assessment System (SENA) was used to measure mental health problems, the Brief Resilience Scale for Children and Youth (CYRM-12) was used to measure resilience, and the Vulnerability Index of Educational Institutions was used to measure educational vulnerability. The results suggest increases in depressive, anxious, and social anxiety symptomatologies over time (wave by year, 2018, 2020, and 2021). In addition, multiple linear regression models showed predictive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, gender, vulnerability index, socioeconomic status, and resilient behaviors on mental health problems. The worsening of mental health indicators over time requires the greater coordination and integration of mental health experts in the most vulnerable educational centers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

15 pages, 878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological Responses during Parental Conflicts as Potential Biomarkers for Adolescent Depression

by Zegao Wei, Chao Yan, Lixian Cui, Xudong Zhao and Liang Liu

Children 2023, 10(7), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071195 - 10 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1447

Abstract

Adolescents are a vulnerable population with a high prevalence of depression, yet there is a scarcity of biological markers for diagnosing depression specifically in this age group. In this case–control study, we examined physiological responses and facial expressions in adolescents with depression compared to healthy controls during parental conflict to identify potential biomarkers for adolescent depression. We recruited 33 families with adolescents diagnosed with depression and 25 families with healthy adolescents, matched for gender, age, and education. Baseline physiological measures, including electrocardiography (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and respiration (RESP). During a 30 min parental conflict discussion, recorded on video, we analyzed the adolescents’ responses. The major depressive disorder (MDD) group displayed higher baseline heart rate (HR) and lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). During the conflict discussion, they showed increased HR and shorter tonic periods of EDA compared to the healthy group. Facial expressions of both groups included neutral, sad, angry, and surprised. The MDD group exhibited fewer happy expressions. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that HR, interbeat interval (IBI), average NN interval (AVNN), number of NN50 intervals (NN50), and percentage of NN50 intervals (pNN50) had diagnostic potential for adolescent depression, with an area under the curve (AUC) greater than 0.7. Our findings suggest that adolescents with depression experience heightened sympathetic activation (higher HR) and weakened parasympathetic activity (lower RSA and HRV). These biomarkers hold promise for diagnosing adolescent depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

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Review

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19 pages, 334 KiB

Open AccessReview

Psychological Treatments for Hyperactivity and Impulsivity in Children with ADHD: A Narrative Review

by Shayan Sadr-Salek, Andreia P. Costa and Georges Steffgen

Children 2023, 10(10), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101613 - 27 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1990

Abstract

Treatment of the ADHD types (hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive, and combined) in children has rarely been studied separately, although their prognostic courses differ widely. In addition, data show that improvements in hyperactivity/impulsivity are hard to achieve. Thus, we focused on treatments tailored to hyperactivity/impulsivity. We examined meta-analyses and systematic reviews within the inter- and intra-individual treatments and found that psychoeducation and training for parents, school-based interventions, reinforcement strategies, and neurofeedback consistently showed small to moderate effect sizes in reducing hyperactivity/impulsivity in children. Conversely, emotional self-regulation, social skills, and cognitive trainings showed unsatisfactory results. In summary, we found that the quality of usual care can be surpassed when the designated interventions are purposefully combined into a multimodal treatment program. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

Other

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7 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

A 10-Year-Old Girl’s Dysfunctional ‘Self-Help’ in ADHD: Suppression of Hyperkinetic Symptoms via Self-Induced Weight Loss in the Context of Anorexia Nervosa—A Case Report

by Stefan Mestermann, Valeska Stonawski, Lea Böhm, Oliver Kratz, Gunther H. Moll and Stefanie Horndasch

Children 2023, 10(9), 1509; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10091509 - 5 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1140

Abstract

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are frequent mental disorders in child and adolescent psychiatry. Comorbidity of these disorders is, however, rare among minors. Thus, little is known about their mutual impact on illness development as well as diagnostic and therapeutic influencing factors. We report the case of a 10-year old girl with AN and massive underweight. At the age of 5, ADHD had been diagnosed. Application of ADHD-specific medication had been refused by her caregiver. As of 3rd grade, hyperkinetic symptoms were significantly reduced, which was later linked to beginning AN-induced weight loss. At inpatient admission, no clinically relevant ADHD-related symptoms were present. Accompanying weight gain, rather ‘sudden’ appearance of attention difficulties, motoric hyperactivity and impulsivity were reported, widely impairing our patient’s schoolwork and further daily life. Methylphenidate medication showed good clinical response and tolerability. We hypothesize that the former massive underweight had suppressed ADHD-specific behaviour. AN with significant weight loss could possibly mask hyperkinetic symptoms in children. Thus, sufficient clinical diagnostics and intense monitoring during ED treatment are required. Physicians and therapists should be sensitized for interactions in the joint occurrence of these mental disorders among minors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Progress)

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