Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines
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J Child Psychol Psychiatry · Jun 2021
EditorialEditorial Perspective: COVID-19 pandemic-related psychopathology in children and adolescents with mental illness.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is likely to have negative health consequences way beyond those caused by the virus per se - including significant psychological distress. Children and adolescents who already live with a mental illness may be particularly vulnerable to the distress associated with the pandemic - due to, for example, fear of the virus as well as the significant societal changes launched to minimize spread of the virus (social distancing and quarantine). In this editorial perspective, we (a) provide data on COVID-19 pandemic-related psychopathology in children and adolescents from a large psychiatric treatment setting in Denmark, (b) give advice on how the likely harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents may be minimized, and (c) propose six lines of research into pandemic-related psychopathology with emphasis on children and adolescents. Finally, we underline the necessity of politicians, health authorities, and funding bodies supporting these research initiatives here and now.
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J Child Psychol Psychiatry · Jun 2021
CommentCommentary: Identifying individualized predictions of response in ADHD pharmacotherapy - a commentary on Rodrigues et al. (2020).
In this issue, Rodrigues et al. (2020) present a systematic review with meta-analyses that reports the efficacy of five treatments for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in the context of autism spectrum disorder - (a) methylphenidate; (b) atomoxetine; (c) guanfacine; (d) aripiprazole; and (e) risperidone. In this commentary, we highlight the contrast between the scarce evidence base of treatment for ADHD in the context of autism and other subpopulations, such as tic disorders and intellectual disability, and the extensive evidence base of treatment for ADHD in general. The commentary weighs about the conundrum clinicians face of whether to rely on the limited evidence base of treatment for ADHD in subpopulation, or to derive conclusions from the larger body of evidence of treatment for ADHD in general. The commentary also discusses potential avenues for future research to address this clinical problem.
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J Child Psychol Psychiatry · Apr 2021
Deprivation and psychopathology in the Fragile Families Study: A 15-year longitudinal investigation.
Early adversity consistently predicts youth psychopathology. However, the pathways linking unique dimensions of early adversity, such as deprivation, to psychopathology are understudied. Here, we evaluate a theoretical model linking early deprivation exposure with psychopathology prospectively through language ability. ⋯ The effects of deprivation on psychopathology during early childhood, late childhood, and adolescence are explained, in part, through early childhood language ability. Results provide insight into language ability as a possible opportunity for intervention.
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J Child Psychol Psychiatry · Dec 2020
Machine-Learning prediction of comorbid substance use disorders in ADHD youth using Swedish registry data.
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a high risk for substance use disorders (SUDs). Early identification of at-risk youth would help allocate scarce resources for prevention programs. ⋯ Population registry data can be used to predict at-risk comorbid SUDs in individuals with ADHD. Such predictions can be made many years prior to age of the onset, and their SUD risks can be monitored using longitudinal models over years during child development. Nevertheless, more work is needed to create prediction models based on electronic health records or linked population registers that are sufficiently accurate for use in the clinic.
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J Child Psychol Psychiatry · Sep 2020
Mechanisms linking parental educational attainment with child ADHD, depression, and academic problems: a study of extended families in The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study.
Low educational attainment in parents is associated with child psychopathology. It is not clear whether the associations are due to risk factors that family members share or due to effects of maternal or paternal education on the offspring. We investigate whether associations between maternal and paternal educational attainment and child symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and academic problems are due to shared genetic factors, shared family environmental factors, or effects of the parental phenotype educational attainment itself. ⋯ Associations between educational attainment of mothers and fathers and child symptoms of ADHD and academic problems could not be ascribed to shared familial risk factors, whereas associations with symptoms of depression could. Parental education or resources and behaviors resulting from low education might be targets of interventions aimed at reducing symptoms of ADHD and academic problems.