Adolescent Psychiatric Treatment Research Articles

Blended digital health intervention for adolescents at high risk with digital media use disorders: protocol for a randomised controlled trial within the Res@t-Consortium.

Digital media use disorder (DMUD) is a prevalent problem among young people, which can result in adverse consequences and functional impairments across multiple domains of life due to a persistent inability to regulate one's use, which can lead to the development of psychological problems. In particular, children and adolescents who live in families that are part of the child and youth welfare system and receive support services are considered to be at high risk of developing mental disorders. It is less likely that these families will choose a therapeutic setting for the treatment of DMUD. The objective is to reduce DMUD-related symptoms and improve media use behaviour through the implementation of an app-based training programme. The efficacy of Res@t digital, initially conceived as an adjunct to child and adolescent psychiatric treatment, is to be evaluated for n= 32 children and adolescents with a media use disorder or at risk of developing this disorder, and their families enrolled in child and youth welfare services. The efficacy of the app will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial with a waitlist control group. The primary outcome is the reduction of DMUD symptoms over a 20-week period following the onset of app training. Secondary outcomes include EEG measurements and changes in standardised psychopathological variables. Should the Res@t app prove efficacious when compared to a waitlist control group, it would constitute an evidence-based intervention for the treatment of DMUD in children and adolescents. For high-risk families, the app could serve as a motivational tool to prompt action regarding potential DMUD and facilitates access to therapeutic facilities. https://drks.de, identifier DRKS00033379.

Originalarbeiten / Original Articles. Sexuelle Risiken bei jungen Patient:innen in der stationären kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen und -psychotherapeutischen Suchtbehandlung / Sexual Risks in Young Patients in Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Addiction Treatment

Sexual Risks in Young Patients in Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Addiction Treatment Engaging in fulfilling and low-risk sexual relationships is a developmental task in adolescence and young adulthood. At the same time, sexual contact is associated with risks, including early and/or unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and negative sexual experiences. In the present study, n = 84 inpatients in child and adolescent psychiatric and psychotherapeutic addiction treatment aged between 13 and 19 years were examined. The aim was to determine how many participants had experienced sexual risks due to (1) sexual contact under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, (2) sexual contact without a condom outside of a committed relationship and (3) regretted sexual contact. It was also checked whether there was a state of intoxication during the situation in the three risk situations. 69.7 % of adolescent SUD patients stated that they had had sexual contact under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 46.1 % of SUD patients reported unprotected sexual intercourse in the last 12 months. A total of 53.6 % of female and 12.5 % of male adolescent SUD patients reported regretting sexual contact. 90 % of cases occurred while intoxicated, regardless of gender. No connection to comorbid disorders was found, but there was a clear connection to the impulsivity factor urgency. The figures indicate that young SUD patients are at considerable risk of having unwanted sexual experiences. Preventive measures should take into account aspects of managing urgency.

Temporal patterns in adolescent psychiatric treatment and outcomes: a nationwide register-based cohort follow-up.

The rise in mental health problems among adolescents in high-income countries presents a challenge to service systems. For the development of services, there is a need for better insight into temporal psychiatric treatment-trends and outcomes. This study aims to analyze time-trends in both psychiatric treatment patterns and outcomes, utilizing a national sample of all adolescents receiving psychiatric treatment in Finland from 2003 to 2013. For time-trend-analysis, the sample was divided into two cohorts, using the onset year of 2008 as a cutoff. For each case, information on psychiatric treatment was gathered from registers within a five-year follow-up period from the onset of treatment or to death. The association between the inclusion year and outcome variables was studied via weighted generalized linear models. Adolescents in the latter cohort had a greater proportion (p < 0.001) of mood and anxiety diagnoses, a lower likelihood of hospitalization, a higher average of outpatient visits, and greater usage of psychotropics (excluding benzodiazepines). Those whose treatment began after 2008 were more likely to be alive (baseline characteristic adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 0.7, 95%CI: 0.6-0.8) and still in treatment contact (aOR: 1.4, 95%CI: 1.3-1.4) after four years from the onset. There was no difference in the long-term disability ratio. The results indicate favorable developments towards outpatient care in mental health services for adolescents with a significant decrease in mortality. Approaches to further developing cost-effective, personalized mental health services are discussed.

Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Episodes and Subsequent Labor Market Trajectories

PurposeAdolescents with psychiatric disorders are known to be more often not in education, employment, or training (NEET) in young adulthood than their peers. However, since most of the available evidence is based on cross-sectional measurement of NEET, there is less evidence on the processes underlying these differences in labor market disadvantage. We assessed these processes by examining transitions between NEET and non-NEET states across young adulthood and the differences in these transitions by adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment. MethodsWe used longitudinal register data on all individuals born in Finland in 1980–1984 (N = 315,508) to identify psychiatric inpatient episodes between ages 10 and 19 and NEET between ages 20 and 34. We modeled the transitions between NEET and non-NEET states and the impact of psychiatric disorders on these transitions with multistate models. ResultsIndividuals who had psychiatric inpatient episodes in adolescence started their labor market careers as NEET twice as often as their peers. They were also more likely to transition into NEET states and less likely to transition out of NEET. In total, individuals with a history of psychiatric episodes spent from 1.8 to 6.9 more years as NEET between the ages 20 and 34 than their peers, depending on sex, baseline NEET, and diagnostic group. DiscussionAdolescents with severe psychiatric disorders are highly vulnerable in terms of labor market outcomes throughout their early adulthood. Supportive measures are required both at the start of employment trajectories and during later career stages.

Bright Light Therapy as Add-On to Inpatient Treatment in Youth With Moderate to Severe Depression

Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders among adolescents, entailing severe, long-term psychosocial impairment and a high risk of chronicity. In view of the large number of patients requiring treatment, along with insufficient treatment responses with small effect sizes, innovative adjunctive treatment strategies are urgently needed. To investigate whether the effect of adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment as usual for major depressive disorder can be enhanced by simultaneous use of morning bright light therapy. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized parallel-group trial with enrollment between March 2018 and November 2020 and follow-up completed in May 2021. The study took place among inpatients at 4 university hospitals for child and adolescent psychiatry across Germany. Of 248 eligible youth aged 12 to 18 years fulfilling ICD-10 criteria for major depressive disorder, 227 were randomized to bright light therapy (n = 116) or placebo red light (n = 111); 151 participants completed the study. Up to 20 sessions of either morning bright light therapy with an intensity of 10 000 lux or placebo red light (100 lux) in addition to multimodal inpatient treatment as usual over 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score from baseline to posttreatment in the intention-to-treat sample. Among the 224 patients included in the intention-to-treat analyses (192 girls and 32 boys; mean [SD] age, 15.5 [1.4] years), the mean (SD) BDI-II score at baseline was 37.3 (8.7). BDI-II scores were significantly reduced after 4 weeks (postassessment) by a mean of -7.5 (95% CI, -9.0 to -6.0; Hedges g = 0.71). Bright light therapy had no impact on this change (no significant group × time effect). Loss to follow-up was 31% (n = 69) at 16 weeks and 49% (n = 110) at 28 weeks. There were 10 serious adverse events throughout the whole trial, which were not considered related to study treatment. The findings in this study did not indicate superiority of bright light therapy over placebo red light therapy in a large sample of adolescent inpatients with moderate or severe major depressive disorder. Both groups benefited equally from treatment as usual, showing relevant symptom reduction. German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00013188.

Adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment and subsequent labor market trajectories

Abstract Background Adolescent psychiatric disorders are associated with subsequent labor market disadvantage, including unemployment, disability pensions, and not being in education, employment or training (NEET). However, most current research has focused on cross-sectional outcomes measured at single time points, which clouds the dynamics involved in the realization of early labor market careers. Methods The study is based on longitudinal register data on all individuals born in Finland in 1980-1984 and residing in the country between ages 10-20 (N = 316,526). We followed the study subjects from age 20 to 34 and used multistate models to model transitions between advantaged and disadvantaged labor market states. Labor market disadvantage was defined as being either unemployed, NEET or on disability pension. We examined differences in labor market trajectories by adolescent psychiatric inpatient episodes, measured using hospital discharge data from ages 10-19. Separate analyses by diagnostic groups were conducted. Results Individuals who had psychiatric inpatient episodes in adolescence (3%) started their labor market careers in disadvantaged labor market states twice as often as their peers. They were also more likely to transition from advantaged states to disadvantaged states (HR among men: 2.93; 95% CI: 2.85, 3.02) and less likely to experience the opposite transition (HR among men: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.48). In total, individuals with a history of psychiatric episodes spent 1.7 to 6.7 more years in disadvantaged states than their peers, depending on sex, baseline state and diagnostic group. The associations were slightly stronger among men than among women. Conclusions The results suggest that adolescents with severe mental health problems are highly vulnerable in terms of labor market outcomes throughout their early adulthood. Supportive measures at the start of employment trajectories as well as during later labor market stages are required. Key messages • Psychiatric inpatient episodes in adolescence are associated with labor market disadvantage at the start of work careers and with disadvantageous transitions throughout subsequent trajectories. • To ensure that adolescents facing severe mental health problems are able to realize their full potential, supportive measures at different stages of work careers are required.

How to meet the needs of youth with severe and enduring mental health problems: A qualitative study to barriers and facilitators in treatment

Youth with severe and enduring mental health problems (SEMHP) do not profit from regular child and adolescent psychiatric (CAP) treatment. Their changing and complex problems cause enormous suffering. To understand why these youth inadequately profit from CAP treatment, this qualitative study aimed to examine the experiences of youth with SEMHP, practitioners, and caregivers to identity barriers and facilitators in treatment. We conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with youth (n = 10), practitioners (n = 10), and caregivers of youth with SEMHP (n = 11). A thematic analysis was performed both deductively and inductively, and the perspectives of participants were compared. Results showed barriers and facilitators in five categories: before treatment, engagement and accountability, trust-based treatment, organization of care, and hopelessness. To restore epistemic trust, a shift from a risk-avoidance approach towards trust-based relationships in treatment is required. Additionally, organizing continuous and tailored care can prevent youth from slipping through the cracks of waiting lists and receiving inadequate treatment.

Adolescents in acute mental health crisis-Pilot-evaluation of a low-threshold program for emotional stabilization.

Referrals for child and adolescent acute psychiatric treatment have spiked in the last two years. To provide these adolescents with a fast-acting intervention, a novel treatment approach for acute emotional dysregulation was evaluated in this study. 156 adolescents between the age of 13 and 18 years who were admitted to a psychiatric unit for acute emotional or behavioral dysregulation participated in a 5-week-group program (Stress-Arousal- Regulation-Treatment, START) which consisted of two sessions per week (60 min/session). Pre- and post intervention psychometric measures were derived for each participant applying the Self-Control Scale (SCS-13), the FEEL-KJ capturing adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), as well as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The mean score of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies of the FEEL-KJ significantly decreased post treatment (d = -0.24, p = .001), while there was an increase in adaptive emotion regulation strategies (d = 0.25, p = .001). The post- intervention-assessment revealed significantly lower scores in the PSS-10 (d = -0.34, p < 0.001), as well as SDQ mental health problems (d = -0.17, p = .018) and disorders (d = -0.15, p = .015). The Self-Control Score increased significantly after the intervention (d = 0.21, p = .001). In this large sample, the low-threshold intervention START significantly improved emotion regulation and self-control and reduced perceived stress as well as several scales of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire, pointing to a good feasibility and indicating efficiency to provide support to adolescents with acute mental health problems when applying this short-term treatment.

Transition from Child and Adolescent to Adult Psychiatry in a German Metropolitan Region: An Explorative Cross-Sectional Study

In psychiatry, the transition phase presents a particular challenge. The study aims to investigate gaps in care during the transition to adult psychiatry. After a qualitative preliminary study, 100 patients with previous child and adolescent psychiatric treatment were interviewed in a standardised way about the utilisation behaviour, the need for help and the experience during, before and after the transition phase. The data were analysed descriptively and using interval estimation (probability of coverage). A treatment gap of more than 3 months was documented in 75% of the patients*. The study showed that treatment interruption was experienced as a risk for further crises and that there was often a lack of information on further treatment options. The transition from child and adolescent to adult psychiatric treatment is not seamless and requires professional support.

Conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 guideline adherence in adolescent psychiatric outpatients: the predictive role of adverse childhood experiences

BackgroundConspiracy beliefs have become widespread throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies have shown that endorsing conspiracy beliefs leads to lower protective guideline adherence (i.e., wearing face masks), posing a threat to public health measures. The current study expands this research across the lifespan, i.e., in a sample of adolescents with mental health problems. Here, we investigated the association between conspiracy beliefs and guideline adherence while also exploring the predictors of conspiracy beliefs.MethodsN = 93 adolescent psychiatric outpatients (57% female, mean age: 15.8) were assessed using anonymous paper–pencil questionnaires. Endorsement of generic and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs was assessed, in addition to items measuring adherence to protective guidelines and mental health (stress, depressive symptoms, emotional/behavioral problems, and adverse childhood experiences). Multiple regressions and supervised machine learning (conditional random forests) were used for analyses.ResultsFourteen percent of our sample fully endorsed at least one COVID-19 conspiracy theory, while protective guidelines adherence was relatively high (M = 4.92, on a scale from 1 to 7). The endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs—but not of generic conspiracy beliefs—was associated with lower guideline adherence (β = − 0.32, 95% CI − 0.53 to − 0.11, p < .001). Conditional random forests suggested that adverse childhood experiences and peer and conduct problems were relevant predictors of both conspiracy belief categories.ConclusionWhile a significant proportion of our sample of adolescents in psychiatric treatment endorsed conspiracy beliefs, the majority did not. Furthermore, and to some degree, contrary to public perception, we found that adolescents show relatively good adherence to public health measures—even while experiencing a high degree of mental distress. The predictive value of adverse childhood experiences and peer/conduct problems for conspiracy beliefs might be explained by compensatory mechanisms to ensure the safety, structure, and inclusion that conspiracies provide.

Inpatient care in child and adolescent psychiatry-Who gets treatment?

This article presents and analyses the landscape for inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric care in Austria and examines current data from June 2022. In June 2022, the authors surveyed the current status of child and adolescent psychiatric primary care in Austria. Both systemised beds and day hospital beds as well as the number of specialists and assistant doctors were taken into account. Abed index of 0.05 beds/1000 inhabitants (as of 6/2022) was calculated, which is below the guideline for beds needed and does not correspond with the need depicted for sufficient provision of care ("Österreichischer Strukturplan Gesundheit"). Moreover, in June 2022, 40beds had to be closed due to staff shortages and 26.5 training positions were vacant across Austria. Even though the training ratio was raised to 1:2 as of 07.02.2022 within the framework of the "Mangelfachverordnung" for alimited period of time until 31.05.2027, it is hardly possible to guarantee sufficient mental health care according to the increased demand for child and adolescent psychiatry, especially in times of the pandemic. Measures need to be urgently taken to improve child and adolescent psychiatric treatment options. In order to ensure adequate care for the increasing number of mentally ill children and adolescents (a)the number of beds must be increased, (b)structural deficits have to improve, and (c)innovative treatment options in the sense of inpatient-equivalent treatment (home treatment) has to be considered.

Experiences of Violence During Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Treatment: An Explorative Study with Implications for Child Protection

Experiences of Violence During Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Treatment: An Explorative Study with Implications for Child Protection Abstract. Objective: Educational and medical institutions care for children and adolescents by providing supervision, schooling, education, therapy, and protection. Nevertheless, children in institutional care are exposed to potential danger through maltreatment and abuse. Method: As part of the establishment of the protection concept at the University Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Würzburg, a retrospective patient survey was conducted. The study population consisted of former inpatient clients from 2006 and 2007, who at the time of the catamnesis were of legal age. The survey was conducted by mail. In addition to items on their experiences of violence, the questionnaire included established scales to assess treatment satisfaction and quality of life (FBB-K, WHO-BREF). Results: Of 568 former patients, 87 (15.3 %) provided valid responses (59 female, mean age at the time of the survey: 24.5 years): 35 former patients (40.2 % of the participants) reported experiences of violence during their inpatient treatment (26 victims only, 7 experiences as victims and perpetrators, and 2 perpetrators only). Experiences as victims mainly included emotional violence (34.5 %), but also physical (5.7 %) and sexual violence (10.3 %). Conclusion: We found a significant correlation between experiences of violence, on the one hand, and retrospective treatment satisfaction and current quality of life, on the other hand. The results of the survey underline the importance of establishing protection concepts in clinics and other institutions.

Child and adolescent psychiatric and therapeutic treatment needs in care settings in the Lower Austrian industrial district. Asurvey of the demand situation

Ein steigender kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischer Versorgungsbedarf ist in den letzten Jahren deutlich zu beobachten. Die vorliegende Studie befasst sich mit 20 Kinder- und Jugendhilfeeinrichtungen im Industrieviertel (Niederösterreich) und dem kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Behandlungsbedarfs der 439 dort fremduntergebrachten Kinder und Jugendlichen. Es zeigen sich bei 270 (62 %) der Kinder und Jugendlichen psychiatrische Auffälligkeiten und bei 220 (50,1 %) ein oder mehrere psychiatrische Diagnosen. Davon sind 200 Kinder und Jugendlichen bereits in einer kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Behandlung. Bei elf Einrichtungen besteht ein Behandlungsbedarf von 80–100 % der fremduntergebrachten Kinder und Jugendlichen. Es ergibt sich daraus ein hochbelastetes Helfer:innensystem und eine große Versorgungsnotwendigkeit in den Einrichtungen. Eine intensivere Vernetzung und Zusammenarbeit der involvierten Institutionen bzw. Helfer:innensysteme und einer Weiterentwicklung des Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrischen Angebots wäre wünschenswert, um den steigenden psychiatrischen Behandlungsbedarf bei Kindern und Jugendlichen adäquat begegnen zu können.Zusatzmaterial onlineZusätzliche Informationen sind in der Online-Version dieses Artikels (10.1007/s40211-022-00419-y) enthalten.

Case Analysis of Sprint Interval Training for Adolescents With Severe Mental Illness

Case Analysis of Sprint Interval Training for Adolescents With Severe Mental Illness

Association of aggressivity at adolescence and criminality to severe assault exposure among former adolescent psychiatric inpatients

This study investigated the associations of adolescent aggression, and criminality, to severe hospital-treated assault exposures among young adults (n = 508) with a history of adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment between 2001-2006. Participants were interviewed during hospitalization using K-SADS-PL to assess psychiatric disorders, and to obtain information on aggressivity. Data on crimes committed were obtained from the Finnish Legal Register Centre, and the treatment episodes for assault exposures from the Finnish National Care Register for Health Care, up to end of 2016. Predictors for severe assault exposure were male sex (OR = 2.1), short temperedness (OR = 2.4), non-violent offending (OR = 2.6), and violent offending (OR = 4.8). These results indicate that the participants most vulnerable to severe assaults were those suffering from a continuum of aggressivity across their lifetime. Our findings can be utilized to identify adolescents at risk of severe assault exposure, and to reduce this risk by focusing on appropriate treatments for these vulnerable adolescents.

Parent-Child Treatment in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Models and Clinical Implementation Using the Example of a Modular Parent-Child Ward

The joint treatment of mentally ill children and their parents represents a special treatment concept in child and adolescent psychiatry. A study conducted by the Working Group (BAG) "Early Childhood" shows the current situation of care and possible models of child and adolescent psychiatric parent-child treatment in Germany. Using the parent-child ward of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department in Magdeburg as an example, the combined treatment of mentally ill children and their parents is presented. The treatment approach consists of a three-week diagnostic phase, after which families are discharged again to their home environment followed by a five-week therapy block, for which the families have to be readmitted to the ward. With a focus on the parent-child relationship, the treatment concept - in contrast to regular child psychiatric treatments - is dynamically adapted to the quality of the parent-child interaction and not primarily related to the disorder of the children. First studies indicate the effectiveness of the special treatment setting and illustrate the efficiency of a joint treatment of parents and child, which, however, is associated with increased economic costs. Based on these results, the chances and limitations of parent-child wards are discussed and conclusions for parent-child treatment are drawn.

Satisfaction with in-patient child and adolescent psychiatric treatment: development and psychometric properties of the BEST questionnaires for adolescents and for parents

BackgroundInterest in the assessment of patient satisfaction with in-patient psychiatric treatment has steadily increased and several measurement tools are available for the quantification of patients’ experience. However, they are often uni-dimensional or focus mainly on therapeutic relationship and environment, and neglect other important issues such as information about treatment and participation. The BEST questionnaires were developed as comprehensive instruments that include items on all of the mentioned topics. The present study evaluates the psychometric properties of the BEST in a version for adolescents and for parents. Furthermore, the dimensionality of the satisfaction ratings is analyzed.MethodDescriptive statistics were applied to data of 1582 adolescents (mean age = 15.0 years, SD = 1.65; 62.4% female) and 1998 parents/guardians assessed in seven in-patient units across Germany. The factorial structure of the BEST questionnaires was determined by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, including a bifactor model.ResultsThe psychometric quality of the scales was strong. Correlations with another assessment instrument of patient satisfaction were good to high, indicating good convergent validity. Exploratory factor analyses revealed three factors in adolescents that were labelled as: Therapeutic relationship, environment, and general satisfaction and treatment success. For parents, the same three factors could be distinguished. Confirmatory bifactor models suggested that the vast majority of variance was accounted for by the general factor; the three specific factors provided some additional information. Agreement between the subscales of adolescents and their parents was only moderate. Parents were usually more satisfied.ConclusionsThe BEST questionnaires can be considered as reliable and valid instruments to not only assess the “classical” aspects of patient satisfaction, but to also assess newer fundamental topics such as children’s rights and treatment participation. For scientific usage, the total score seems superior because of the high explained variance by the general factor, but the subscale scores provide further information. The use of single items seems advantageous for quality management purposes.

Sleep behavior and problems in children and adolescents of a psychiatric day clinic sample: results and requirements for systematic diagnostic

Sleep behavior and problems in children and adolescents of a psychiatric day clinic sample: results and requirements for systematic diagnostic Abstract. Sleep disorders are common in adults as well as children and adolescents. Children and adolescents in psychiatric treatment (CAP) are especially affected by sleep problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy represents the first-line treatment, preceded by a standardized procedure for sleep diagnostics. To date, no study has investigated sleep behavior in CAP day clinics in Germany. In this study, N = 46 children/adolescents receiving CAP treatment in a day clinic completed a sleep diary (7 days) and a sleep anamnesis scheme with the help of their parents, and their sleep behavior was assessed by a clinician. Furthermore, a parent- and a self-report questionnaire plus a clinical assessment of the mental disorders in the children/adolescents were collected. 52 % of the children/ adolescents exhibited sleep disorders or sleep abnormalities (= sleep disorder symptoms in the context of comorbid disorders), in particular problems falling asleep or to falling asleep and sleeping through the night (26 %). In addition, 33 % reported having nightmares. Their sleep behavior correlated significantly with their external behavior problems (r = .38 .61, p = .02-.04); their sex (female: p = .01-≤ .001, |d| = 1.57-2.50) and their age (older: p = .05, |d| = .78) also significantly influenced sleep behavior. Particularly external behavior problems were associated with sleep problems in this day-care population. In summary, a multi-method-multi-informant procedure should be established for the systematic diagnostics of sleep abnormalities, together with individualized cognitive-behavioral therapy of sleep problems, especially in patients with external behavior problems.

Factors behind a remarkable increase in adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment between 1980 and 2010 – a nationwide register study

Purpose This register-based study aimed to evaluate trends in adolescent psychiatric inpatient care using nationwide data from three consecutive decades. Methods The study population (N 17,112) comprised all Finnish citizens aged 13–17 receiving their first-ever psychiatric inpatient treatment between 1980 and 2010 in Finland. Information on inpatient care in the psychiatric hospital was obtained from the Hospital Discharge Register and the Care Register for Health Care, which contains data on all patients discharged from all Finnish inpatient psychiatric health services. Results Inpatient admissions remained relatively stable until the early 1990s, after which a steady increase was seen, peaking in 2008 and more marked among females than males. In males, there was an increase in inpatient care episodes for externalizing disorder or mood disorder, and in females for mood disorder. Duration of first inpatient care decreased over time, but level of functioning on admission remained stable or even deteriorated. Females, patients first admitted in the 1980s or diagnosed with schizophrenia were more likely to be re-hospitalized during adolescence. Conclusions We reported an increase in adolescent psychiatric inpatient care from the latter half of the 1990s up to 2010, which could be explained by societal and policy changes. In particular, as the study period progressed a significant increase was seen in admissions of females and a global reduction of length of stay (LOS) with no concomitant increase in re-hospitalizations.

Attitudes and perceptions of parents towards child and adolescent psychiatric consultation, diagnosis and treatment

AimsThe aim of the study was to assess the attitudes and perceptions of parents towards child and adolescent psychiatric consultation, diagnosis and treatment.The hypothesis of the study was there are significant problems in the domains of attitude and perceptions of parents towards child and adolescent psychiatric consultation, diagnosis and treatment.BackgroundParents are an important stake holder in child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health care service models. There is scarce literature from developing countries regarding attitudes and perceptions of parents towards child and adolescent psychiatric consultation, diagnosis and treatment.MethodThis study was conducted at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Department of Psychiatry at a Tertiary Care Institution. Eligibility criteria comprised of parents of children and adolescents who had come for consultation. The parents were provided information of the study and those willing to participate were included in the study. A convenience sample of 100 parents was considered for the study. The parents were interviewed using a specially designed survey comprising 30 questions with Yes/No response developed by the authors for the purpose of the study. Informed consent and Institutional Ethics Committee Clearance was obtained. Data were analysed using SPSS.ResultWe found that the majority of parents were from urban area (72%) and mothers comprised 68%. We found that 46% of parents did not want a psychiatric diagnosis and 35 % parents felt stigmatized for seeing a psychiatrist for their child. Sixty nine percentage of parents preferred counseling as the first line of treatment and 31% preferred medicines as the first line of treatment. We found that 33 % felt additional psychological tests could be useful and 54% of parents felt brain imaging and blood tests could be useful for their child. Majority of parents expected basic improvement for their child within 1 week(32%) and expected full improvement by 1 month(82%). Fifty three percent of parents had searched online information prior to consulting and found useful information. However, 38% of the parents felt confused after reading online information and 69 % of parents were more worried about giving medications after referring online information.ConclusionOur study provides useful key insights from parent's perspective in child and adolescent psychiatric services. Implications exist for future research as well as policy perspectives on the role, attitudes and expectations of parents as vital stake holders in child and adolescent psychiatry.