Network Analysis of Core Symptoms of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms Among Children with Dyslexia in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Researches indicate that children with dyslexia are more likely to experience psychiatric symptoms throughout life compared to peers in the general population. Improving the classification of psychiatric symptoms in this population can be a valuable goal for strengthing therapeutic models. The current study aimed to evaluate the dynamic associations between internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children with dyslexia using network analysis. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia from April to July 2024, involving 183 children aged 8-11 diagnosed with dyslexia, recruited through convenience sampling from local schools and clinics. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was utilized to assess a range of psychopathological symptoms, focusing on six clusters: affective problems, anxiety problems, somatic symptoms, ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant problems, and conduct problems. Notably, "cries a lot" emerged as a central symptom in the affective network, while "dependent" was identified as the most pivotal symptom in the anxiety network. Centrality measures-betweenness, closeness, and strength-were employed to quantify the significance of each symptom. The findings suggest that these central symptoms may contribute to the development and persistence of psychiatric comorbidities in children with dyslexia. Interventions targeting these core symptoms could enhance psychological outcomes for this population. Overall, this study lays the groundwork for future research into tailored intervention strategies to address unique psychiatric comorbidities associated with dyslexia.