Search Results (116)

Background/Objectives: Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) is a clinical condition primarily characterized by inattention, hypoactivity, and mind-wandering, which has not yet been recognized as an official diagnostic category. Although there are overlaps between CDS and ADHD, evidence supports the semi-independence of CDS from the ADHD-Inattentive subtype. Importantly, while the impact of ADHD on parenting styles has been studied, no previous research has investigated the potential influence of CDS difficulties on parenting behaviors. Both CDS and ADHD are associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, which are influenced by negative parenting styles. The severity of ADHD is known to predict the use of dysfunctional parenting patterns; however, no studies have yet investigated how CDS difficulties might affect parenting styles. Due to the similarities between CDS and ADHD, it is reasonable to hypothesize a similar relationship. This study aims to examine the potential mediating role of parenting styles—both negative and positive—in the relationship between CDS difficulties and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Methods: The sample is composed of 369 Italian school-aged children (9.38 ± 2.34 years old). Parents reported on their children’s psychopathology, CDS difficulties, and their own parenting strategies. Results: Analyses conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS tool indicated that only negative parenting styles partially mediated the relationship between CDS difficulties and parent-reported youth anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiant disorder. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of interventions aimed at both addressing CDS in children and improving parenting strategies to enhance youth psychopathological outcomes. Full article

Recent years have witnessed a concerning rise in early-onset eating disorders (EDs), prompting a re-evaluation of their etiology, diagnosis, and treatment within pediatric populations. This perspective article synthesizes emerging evidence on the multifactorial origins of EDs in children, emphasizing a biopsychosocial framework that integrates genetic, epigenetic, psychological, and environmental factors. While early manifestations often diverge from adolescent or adult profiles—marked by somatic complaints, selective eating, and ritualistic behaviors—the disorders significantly interfere with developmental milestones. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated vulnerabilities, acting as a catalyst for disordered eating behaviors through increased familial stress, isolation, and disrupted routines. Central to this framework is the role of parental psychopathology and parent–child feeding interactions, which profoundly shape children’s emotional regulation and attachment patterns. Recent studies also underscore genetic susceptibilities—especially variants in the DRD4 and DAT1 genes—and epigenetic modifications that may mediate the transmission of risk across generations. The article reviews evidence from observational and genomic studies, highlighting how altered gene expression linked to early environmental stress contributes to the heterogeneity of EDs. Finally, it evaluates prevention and intervention strategies, including family-based treatments, digital health tools, and school-based programs. These strategies are essential for timely detection, individualized care, and reducing long-term impairment. Overall, the paper advocates for a nuanced understanding of EDs in children—recognizing their complex origins and developmental implications—to inform clinical practice, public health policy, and future research in pediatric mental health. Full article

Background: Binge eating disorder (BED) frequently arises during the transitional age (18–25 years), a critical developmental period characterized by challenges in autonomy, identity formation, and interpersonal functioning. This study investigated psychopathological predictors of BED risk in this age group, with particular focus on parental bonding, attachment style, body dissatisfaction, alexithymia, and depressive symptoms. Methods: A total of 287 participants aged 18–25 years completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Sociodemographic information and body mass index (BMI) were also collected. Results: Compared with non-BED risk groups, individuals at risk of BED exhibited significantly higher BMI, greater alexithymia, higher body dissatisfaction, more insecure attachment patterns, and lower recalled paternal and maternal care. Hierarchical binary logistic regression revealed that the final model explained 56.1% of the variance (Nagelkerke R²) and correctly classified 92.1% of cases. Significant predictors of BED included body dissatisfaction, elevated BMI, low maternal care, and low maternal protection. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine BED risk factors specifically during the transitional age. Findings indicate that body image dissatisfaction, higher BMI, and inadequate maternal emotional care and protection are salient predictors at this life stage. Preventive interventions should integrate parental psychoeducation, nutritional guidance, and therapeutic strategies addressing both eating disorder symptoms and attachment-related difficulties to reduce BED onset and improve psychosocial outcomes in emerging adults. Full article

Objectives. The aim of this study was to examine screen media use and the development and alteration of pre-existing mental health problems over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a clinical sample of children and adolescents. Methods. A survey was conducted with over 650 parents of patients referred to child and adolescent psychiatry. Results. A worsening of the main mental health problem during the first year of the pandemic was reported more often (38%) by parents than an improvement (25%), a tendency even more pronounced for comorbid/secondary problems (worsening in 48%, improvement in 16% of cases). Girls in general, but especially between 14 and 18 years, more often showed a persistent deterioration of mental problems than boys. A negative impact of screen media use on their child’s mental health was reported most frequently by parents of a child affected by depression (50%), with acute crisis (52%), eating disorders (45%), and conduct disorder/aggression (40%). Patients with multiple/comorbid mental health problems presented significantly higher mean screen media times (5.53 h/day) than patients with a single mental problem (3.97 h/day), and their parents more frequently reported increased concerns about their child’s media use since the pandemic. Critical periods such as the lockdown or the “second wave” outbreak were characterized by higher media consumption in all patients, but with higher peaks in patients with multiple mental health problems. Conclusions. Particularly vulnerable patients, i.e., those with multiple mental problems and adolescent girls, have become more vulnerable in the course of the pandemic. From the perspective of most parents, screen media use has contributed to this development. Full article

Background: Earthquake exposure has been linked with high rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and comorbid conditions. Familial factors play critical roles in modulating these outcomes. This study examined youth trauma and parental influence following the twin earthquakes in Kefalonia, Greece, in 2014; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 502 adolescents (aged 11–18 years) and 474 parents from three regions categorized by proximity to the earthquake epicenter. Standardized self-report measures were administered. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple hierarchical regression analyses to identify key predictors of adverse outcomes; Results: Among children, 5.2% exhibited probable PTSD, with girls reporting significantly higher symptom levels than boys. Higher earthquake exposure was associated with elevated PTSS and anxiety. In parents, 44.3% met criteria for probable PTSD, and those in the epicenter group reported significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Earthquake exposure was identified as the strongest predictor of adverse outcomes, with parental psychopathology and diminished social support further contributing to increased symptom severity in children; Conclusions: The study demonstrates that both direct earthquake exposure and familial factors—particularly parental mental health and social support—play critical roles in shaping posttraumatic outcomes in youth, underscoring the need for integrated, family-centered mental health interventions in post-disaster settings. Full article

Adolescent externalizing problems are commonly linked to maternal psychological distress and family functioning, but these associations remain underexplored in the Greek sociocultural context. This study examined how maternal symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, along with adolescent-perceived family functioning, predict externalizing behaviors in Greek adolescents. A total of 563 adolescent–mother dyads (63.4% girls; M_age = 15.03 and SD = 0.83) participated. Mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD–GF), while adolescents completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR) and FAD–GF. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that adolescent-perceived family functioning was the strongest predictor of externalizing behavior (β = 0.24 and p < 0.001), even after accounting for demographic and maternal mental health variables. The final model explained 18% of the variance in adolescent externalizing problems. Mediation analysis confirmed that family functioning partially mediated the relationship between maternal depression and adolescent externalizing problems, with a significant indirect effect (a × b = 0.088, Sobel z = 2.90, and p = 0.004). Gender differences were found for self-reported aggressive behavior (t = −2.40, p = 0.017, and d = 0.20), with girls scoring higher than boys. These findings highlight the indirect impact of maternal depression through family dynamics and underscore the importance of culturally sensitive, family-centered interventions to reduce adolescent externalizing problems. Full article

Objectives: Early difficulties in emotion regulation are associated with psychopathological, broader social, and developmental outcomes, underscoring the need for robust assessment tools at a young age. However, most of the existing instruments for preschoolers measure emotion regulation in general, without focusing on specific emotion regulation strategies. This study addresses a critical gap by validating a Dutch version of the Early Emotion Regulation Behavior Questionnaire (EERBQ), enabling researchers and practitioners to assess preschoolers’ emotion regulation strategies in both positive- as well as negative-emotion-eliciting situations outside of laboratory settings. Methods: Through a rigorous back-translation process, the parental questionnaire was adapted into Dutch (EERBQ-Dutch) and subsequently validated with a sample of 299 Dutch-speaking caregivers of typically developing 2–7-year-old children. The test underwent psychometric analysis including inter-item correlations, item–total correlations, test–retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis. Finally, potential sociodemographic predictors (i.e., age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES)) of specific emotion regulation strategies were investigated. Results: Psychometric analyses demonstrated strong reliability and validity, and a factor structure consistent with the original English questionnaire. Age and sex were found to be significant predictors of certain emotion regulation strategies, with more proficient use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies over time and girls employing more Verbal Help-Seeking and less Physical Venting and Reactivity compared to boys. SES only contributed to Emotional Reactivity with a higher SES predicting more Reactivity. Conclusions: Our findings support the EERBQ-Dutch as a reliable and culturally appropriate instrument for assessing early emotion regulation and provide insight into key predictors of emotion regulation strategies. Full article

BOAM is a family-based method in which children and parents together create an explanatory, personal and systemic diagnosis. Based on ten playful and visual models, the therapist provides universal psychoeducation to gain insight into the personal, relational and contextual causes of the child’s problems for a shared understanding of how to approach them. This case report describes a seven-session BOAM trajectory in a family with a 6-year-old child with emotional and behavioural dysregulation, such as frequent temper tantrums, hitting her infant sister, and threatening with knives. In this case report, the course of the sessions is described, including the way the family applied the BOAM models within their (cultural) family values. The mother completed questionnaires on child psychopathology (Child Behaviour Checklist), executive functioning (Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function), parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index) and partner relationship (Family Functioning Questionnaire) at baseline, pretest, post-test, and 3- and 5-month follow-up, and the father completed questionnaires on child psychopathology and parenting stress at baseline and 5-month follow-up. Parents reported clinically significant improvements, as calculated with reliable change indexes, in child externalising psychopathology, self-regulation, and parenting stress (post-test and 3- and 5-month follow-up). BOAM is a short and accessible method for psychoeducation, diagnostics and treatment. BOAM seems to be an effective intervention for this family; however, more research is necessary to demonstrate its effectiveness. This case report painted a vivid picture of how family conversations can be structured and targeted using the models. Full article

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) remains a severe psychiatric disorder with multifactorial pathogenesis and an uncertain prognosis. It is essential to identify any factors that may contribute to its onset in order to improve the targeting of preventive and therapeutic interventions. The present study explores the characteristics of parents of daughters with AN, comparing those with different ages of onset and ages at intake, in order to identify potential contributing factors from the parental side. Methods: The study recruited 69 adolescents and 56 adults diagnosed with AN, along with 73 healthy controls (HC). The 80 mothers and 69 fathers of the participants were compared to controls in terms of the age of onset and age at intake of their daughters. Self-administered instruments were used to assess personality (TCI), eating behaviors (EDI-2), general psychopathology (BDI), and family functioning (FAD). Results: The analysis revealed that several personality and psychopathological traits distinguished the parents of AN participants from the HC group in both conditions. Both mothers of adolescent- and adult-onset AN participants with any age at intake displayed greater harm avoidance and lower self-directedness facets, as well as greater inadequacy and social insecurity than controls. Fathers were less disordered and more self-indulgent and compassionate, but lower in role definition. Specifically, mothers of daughters with adolescent-onset AN and younger age at intake were more prone to depression. In contrast, mothers of daughters with an adult age at intake showed lower resourcefulness and higher levels of perceived inadequacy. Conclusions: Higher resourcefulness and a lower sense of ineffectiveness may help mothers facilitate earlier therapeutic intervention for their daughters. On the other hand, maternal depressive symptoms may play a significant role in the earlier onset of and intake for AN in their daughters. Supporting assertive qualities in mothers through preventive interventions is recommended, while maternal depression should be appropriately treated to prevent an early psychopathological onset in daughters. Full article

Background: This study explores parental dysregulation when associated with adolescents’ involvement in street fights with peers. Parental dysregulation, characterized by emotional volatility, impulsivity, and inconsistent discipline, significantly affects adolescent development, influencing their social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Street fights, which involve physical violence among adolescents in public settings, pose risks to both individuals and the community. This research aims to identify risk factors and underlying mechanisms associated with adolescent street fights, providing insights for targeted interventions and prevention strategies. Aim: The study employs social learning theory to explain how adolescents may model aggressive behaviors observed in dysregulated parents and family systems theory to highlight the role of dysfunctional family dynamics in being associated with aggression. A sample of 292 male adolescents and their parents was assessed using self-report measures. Results: Statistical analyses revealed higher levels of emotional dysregulation, depression, and hostility among parents of adolescents frequently involved in street fights. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for interventions focusing on improving parental emotional regulation, reducing hostile behaviors, and enhancing family communication to mitigate adolescent aggression. Further research should explore diverse populations and longitudinal data to strengthen these conclusions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Interparental conflict, with its multiple dimensions, represents a risk factor for youth mental health, triggering a series of cascading processes. Despite recent evidence highlighting that psychological inflexibility is a risk factor for adolescents’ psychopathology after stressful events, a limited number of studies have investigated its role in family conflicts. This study aims to investigate whether psychological inflexibility mediates the impact of conflict characteristics (intensity, frequency, and resolution) and threat appraisal of interparental conflict on the psychological difficulties of adolescent offspring. Methods: A sample of 195 adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years old completed the Children’s Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth on Google Forms. Results: The findings revealed that adolescents living in a family environment characterized by high levels of perceived interparental conflicts exhibit a wide spectrum of psychological difficulties, either emotional or behavioral, partially mediated by their psychological inflexibility. However, when conflict between parents is interpreted as threatening, adolescents’ inflexibility appears to mediate the relationship between conflict and psychological difficulties. Conclusions: While future studies are needed to better understand this association, psychological flexibility might represent a relevant treatment target in adolescents exposed to interparental conflict. Full article

Background/Objectives: The relationship between executive functions, special educational needs (SEN), and psychopathology in school-aged children is critical to the design of effective educational and therapeutic interventions. This study examines the connection between executive functions, SEN, schoolchildren’s psychopathology, and parental mental health. The objectives were to describe the psychopathological profiles of schoolchildren, to analyze the psychopathological differences between students with and without SEN, and to know the mental health status of parents of children with SEN. Methods: A total of 123 schoolchildren with and without SEN, together with their parents, participated in the study. Validated instruments were used to assess executive functions and child psychopathology, and an ad hoc register was used to assess parental mental health. In addition, sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Results: The results revealed that children with SEN showed a significantly more affected psychopathological profile compared to their peers without SEN in all areas assessed. In addition, parents of children with SEN reported higher levels of emotional overburden (r = 0.39, p < 0.01). Deficits in executive functions, such as inhibition (r = 0.41, p < 0.01), working memory (r = 0.37, p < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility (r = 0.33, p < 0.05), were also found to be related to greater psychopathological problems in children. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of considering both executive functions and psychopathological profiles in designing educational and therapeutic interventions for children with SEN. It is recommended that intervention programs should comprehensively address the educational and emotional needs of children, as well as the well-being of their parents, with a specific focus on improving executive functions and reducing psychopathological disorders. Full article

Background: Evidence indicates that pediatric burns are a significant form of trauma. They affect not only children but also their parents, who often experience short- and long-term psychopathological symptoms. The body of knowledge on the impact of hospitalization on parents has expanded; however, there is a dearth of evidence on the dynamics of parental relationships, parental experiences, and how these experiences affect their parenting. Objectives: This study aims to map and summarize the available literature on the repercussions of trauma associated with pediatric burns and hospitalization on parental and family dynamics. Methods: A scoping review will be carried out in accordance with the JBI methodology, based on the PCC. Studies involving hospitalized children (up to the age of 18) who have suffered accidental burns and their parents or caregivers will be included. The literature study will examine the effects of pediatric burn-related trauma on family and parental dynamics, emphasizing interventions and adjustment strategies that support children and families affected by this injury. Studies related to hospital settings and returning home will be included and analyzed by two independent reviewers using a standardized form developed for this study. The databases consulted will be Academic Search Complete, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed/Medline, Collection of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (via EB-SCO), PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science (Clarivate). Results: The results will be summarized narratively, presented in tables or diagrams, to highlight key findings related to parental experiences with burned children, the trauma associated with this episode, and its impact on parenting. In addition, strategies developed within the framework of the care partnership will be highlighted. Conclusions: Understanding how family dynamics change after a child suffers a burn injury and goes through the hospitalization process is crucial for nurses to improve their practice. We hope that this review will promote partnership-oriented, family-centered nursing practice in the care of child burn victims and their families, as well as assist in the identification of knowledge gaps in the literature and potential areas for future research and development. Full article

Background: Co-occurring conditions and psychiatric comorbidities are more frequently observed in autistic individuals than in typically developing populations. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the agreement of parent- and self-reported psychopathological assessment using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18) and the Youth Self Report (YSR/11-18), respectively, in autistic adolescents without intellectual impairment. Methods: 54 autistic adolescents without intellectual impairment (11–18 years; M = 14.73; SD = 2.28) were assessed with a psychiatric and psychological evaluation conducted by expert clinicians also using self- and parent-reported scales and semi-structured interviews (K-SADS PL, CDI, MASC) including CBCL/6-18 and YSR/11-18. Results: According to clinical judgment, over 90% of participants had at least a comorbidity: anxiety (68.5%) and mood disorder (57.4%) were the most frequent. The results indicate significant discrepancies between parent- and self-reports across the three summary scales, which assess emotional and behavioral problems, as well as their combined presentation, often observed in youth with ASD. Specifically, differences were found in Internalizing (p < 0.001), Externalizing (p = 0.013), and Total Problems (p < 0.001) scales. Conclusions: The findings show the lack of agreement in parent- and self-reported scales in our sample. These results suggest the need for a cross- and multi-informant approach to support clinical judgment and understand psychopathological comorbidities of autistic adolescents without intellectual impairment. Full article

While both psychopathology and cognitive deficits manifest in mental health disorders, the nature of their relationship remains poorly understood. Recent research suggests a potential common factor underlying both domains. Using data from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (N = 9494, ages 8–21), we estimated and validated a “c” factor representing overall cerebral functioning through a structural model combining cognitive and psychopathology indicators. The model incorporated general factors of psychopathology (“p”) and cognitive ability (“g”), along with specific sub-domain factors. We evaluated the model’s criterion validity using external measures, including parent education, neighborhood socioeconomic status, global functioning, and intracranial volume, and assessed its predictive utility for longitudinal psychosis outcomes. The model demonstrated acceptable fit (CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.021, SRMR = 0.030), and the “c” factor from this model showed stronger associations with parent education (r = 0.43), neighborhood SES (r = 0.47), and intracranial volume (r = 0.39) than “p” and “g” factors alone. Additionally, baseline “c” factor scores significantly predicted psychosis spectrum outcomes at follow-up (d = 0.30–0.57). These findings support the utility of a “c” factor in capturing overall cerebral function across cognitive and psychopathology domains, with potential implications for understanding brain function, improving clinical assessment, and optimally focusing interventions. Full article