Child Interviews Research Articles

Investigative Interviewers’ Peer Feedback On a Child Forensic Interview

Abstract Ongoing feedback following training helps support child forensic interviewers’ adherence to best practice techniques in the field. Given the challenges in employing experts to deliver this feedback, having trained interviewers provide peer feedback may be more feasible. Across two studies, we examined the accuracy and quality of trained child interviewers’ peer reviews. Two samples of police officers recently trained in child forensic interviewing were recruited (Study 1 n = 60; Study 2 n = 63). Participants reviewed a transcript of a fictional child interview. They rated how well the interviewer adhered to best practice in each phase of the interview, gave comments to justify each rating, and provided two paragraphs of feedback for the interviewer. Compared to experts’ ratings, participants rated the interviewer as more closely adhering to best practice in all interview phases (except the episodic memory training phase in Study 2) and identified significantly fewer elements of best practice in their explanations and feedback paragraphs. Overall, participants identified more negative than positive elements of the interviewer’s practice, but participants given instructions on how to write quality feedback provided more positive comments and used a ‘feedback sandwich’ structure. Participants in Study 2 (who had less training in child interviewing) found the task more difficult than those in Study 1. These studies demonstrate that recently trained child interviewers provided somewhat useful peer feedback, but it was more limited—and more positive—than experts’ feedback. Being informed about providing feedback increased the quality of participants’ feedback, although the improvement was small.

Young mothers' prenatal attachment and later attachment-related representations of their young children.

Although mother-to-infant attachment begins during pregnancy, few studies have explored correlates of prenatal attachment and associations with later measures of attachment representations. This study explored whether prenatal attachment is related to attachment representations during toddlerhood and whether associations between them reflect the broader quality of mothers' relationships. Young, ethnically/racially diverse, low-income American women (n=160) were followed from pregnancy through 30 months postpartum. Questionnaires assessed prenatal attachment (Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale [MAAS]) and mothers' relationships prenatally (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment [IPPA]; Social Provisions Scale [SPS]). At 30 months, the Working Model of the Child Interview (WMCI) assessed attachment representation classifications (balanced, disengaged, distorted) and affective themes. Stronger prenatal attachment was associated with balanced representations of the child, greater positive affect, and less negative affect at 30 months, even when accounting for quality of mothers' other relationships. Relationship quality generally and with the parent figure and infant's father specifically, was associated with prenatal attachment, and relationship quality with the parent figure was related to 30-month attachment representations. Findings support theory that mother-to-child attachment formed during pregnancy contributes to attachment representations and affective qualities of the relationship years later. Data highlight the role young mothers' parent figures play during the transition to parenthood.

Resilient Cultural Practices in Mexican Immigrant Families: Children's Helping and Parental Goals and Aspirations.

This study examined 20 parental interviews of third-grade children in U.S. Mexican-heritage families in California, focusing on their children's helping at home, parents' goals for their children, and the values they hoped to instill in their children. The families varied in their experience with Learning by Observing and Pitching In (LOPI), a way of organizing learning that is consistent with the traditions of Indigenous and Indigenous-heritage communities of the Americas. Based on previous research in Mexico, we expected to find differences between the families related to familiarity with middle-class ways of organizing learning (associated with increased schooling) or familiarity with LOPI. Instead, we found that children in all families were helping at home and that when parents spoke about the goals and values they hoped their children remembered, they consistently spoke about the importance of community, family, and respect in a pattern that is consistent with the ideas of LOPI regardless of increased school experience. We explored the idea of resilient cultural practices in immigrant communities and the development of a repertoire of cultural practices, drawing on multiple traditions in different situations. This contributes to the idea that different cultural forms of organizing teaching and learning need not be mutually exclusive. It also supports the idea that efforts aimed at continuing historical cultural traditions can maintain these cultural practices over generations, even in the case of migration and increased participation in other cultural institutions (like school).

The Impact of Watching English Cartoons on Preschoolers’ Language Acquisition and Behavioural Development in Dhaka

Being a critical development period, childhood shapes behaviors and language skills through interaction and observation. These days, the majority of the children spend a notable amount of time watching and enjoying English cartoons in Dhaka City. Watching cartoons has a significant impact on children in the development of their attitudes, actions, and skills. This study investigates the effects of watching English cartoons on preschoolers in Dhaka City. The study uses a triangulation method with a diverse sampling of 40 participants—20 preschoolers and 20 parents—combining questionnaires, semi-structured interviews of parents and children, and observation. To ensure the diversity of the sampling, we adopted convenience sampling and selected respondents from Dhaka City- North and South. The findings show that the impacts of watching English cartoons are both beneficial and concerning; children display impressive linguistic growth in English, particularly in applying lexis and understanding even complex contexts. On the other hand, exposure to violent content raises concerns about hazardous behavior and its imitation. We argue that it is important for parents to maintain national identity, cultural sensitivity, and awareness while letting children watch English cartoons. Parental monitoring is also necessary to select content that is in accordance with morals, educational activities, and critical thinking and to improve preschoolers’ education quality. We urge researchers to conduct further studies on the area to dive deeper into the facts.

Factors associated with vaccination coverage in children up to 15 months old, born in 2017-2018 in the city of Natal/RN, Brazil: a population-based survey.

To estimate vaccination coverage and analyze factors associated with full vaccination among children up to 15 months old in the city of Natal-RN, Brazil. Population-based survey with data recorded on children's vaccination cards and interviews conducted in 2020 and 2021. Analysis of factors associated with complete vaccination was performed by calculating prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) using Poisson regression. Among 688 children studied, vaccination coverage was 45.4% (95%CI 37.2;53.9) and 15.5% (95%CI 10.6;22.2) for valid and on-time doses, respectively. Higher vaccination coverage was associated with females (PR=1.08; 95%CI 0.78;1.48) and socioeconomic strata C and D (PR=1.44; 95%CI 1.03;2.02). The results demonstrate that the city of Natal has low vaccination coverage for all immunobiologicals.

Does Having a Guardian with Cancer Contribute to Heightened Anxiety in Adolescents?

When a guardian is diagnosed with cancer, the emotional and psychological toll they endure can have a profound impact on their children’s mental health. Understanding the factors that contribute to heightened anxiety in these children is crucial for identifying mental health disorders early. This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between having a guardian with cancer and elevated anxiety levels in adolescents, accounting for confounding variables such as sex, age, and socioeconomic status. Data were obtained from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) using the Sample Adult Interview (27,651 participants) and Sample Child Interview (7464 participants) datasets. The independent variable (guardian’s cancer diagnosis) was derived from the Sample Adult Interview, while the dependent variable (childhood anxiety) and confounders were derived from the Sample Child Interview. Using Stata 16.0, the datasets were merged based on household index variables, yielding a final sample of 4563 participants. Logistic regression analyses assessed the correlation between a guardian’s cancer diagnosis and anxiety levels in children. The results show that children with a guardian battling cancer are significantly more likely to develop anxiety (through the use of odds ratio), with the effect size varying based on factors such as sex, income, and environment. Girls, children from lower-income families, and those with a guardian experiencing depression were at particularly high risk. These findings highlight the strong link between familial health challenges and adolescent anxiety, emphasizing the need for early intervention and mental health support in families affected by cancer.

Prevalence and psycho-social factors associated with alcohol use among primary school-going children aged 6 to 13 years in Mbale district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlcohol use among children in low-resource settings has received limited attention. This study investigated the prevalence of and biopsychosocial factors associated with alcohol use among children aged 6 to 13 years enrolled in primary education in Uganda.MethodsThis cross-sectional study conducted in primary schools within Mbale district, employed stratified random sampling to select 470 child-parent dyads. Screening for child alcohol consumption utilized the validated Ugandan (Lumasaaba) version of the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family/Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) tool. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) was diagnosed using the AUD module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for children and adolescents (MINI KID). Logistic regression analysis explored associations between alcohol consumption (CRAFFT cut-off score: 1 or more) and biopsychosocial factors (age, sex, nutrition, family dynamics, socioeconomic indicators, and school environment). Data analysis utilized STATA-17 statistical software.ResultsThe median age of the participants was 11 years, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 9 to 12 years and a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. The screened prevalence of alcohol consumption among the children in the past 12 months was 25.2% (95% CI: 21.4–29.4) and 7.2% (95% CI: 5.1–10.0) were diagnosed with AUD. The study found a comparable prevalence of alcohol use between boys (25.0%, 95% CI: 19.4–31.5) and girls (25.4%, 95% CI: 20.0-31.1). Age-specific variations indicated that early adolescents (10 to 13 years), were more likely to consume alcohol 28.1% (95% CI: 23.5–33.3) compared to pre-adolescent children (6 to 9 years) 17.6% (95% CI: 11.9–25.1) in the past 12 months. Factors associated with alcohol use included single-parent households, lower caregiver education, low socioeconomic status, maternal drinking, food insecurity, under-weight, physical discipline by parents, peer influence, rural school attendance, and the school environment.ConclusionThe prevalence of alcohol consumption among children in Mbale district, eastern Uganda was high with one-in-four primary-school-children aged 6 to 13 years consuming alcohol in the past year, and no significant gender differences. It highlights various interconnected factors associated with alcohol use among school-aged children. We recommend awareness campaigns at all levels, stricter implementation of alcohol policies, school prevention programs, and family-focused and socio-economic interventions. Nationwide school surveys should target pre-adolescent alcohol use.

Cross-cultural validation of the Clinician-Administered PTSD scale for DSM-5, child and adolescent version in Japan

ABSTRACT Background: The establishment of a formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for children and adolescents is the foundation for advancing pertinent clinical research and formulating proper treatment and management. However, a validated diagnostic tool for PTSD in children and adolescents is lacking in Japan. Objective: To examine the cross-cultural validity and reliability of the Japanese Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), child and adolescent version (CAPS-CA-5-J). Method: Overall, 73 children who had experienced potentially traumatic events were recruited from three medical facilities. The linguistically validated CAPS-CA-5-J was conducted by trained psychiatrists and psychologists. Additionally, children and their caretakers completed questionnaires such as the UCLA PTSD reaction index for DSM-5 (PTSD-RI-5), Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children (DSRDC), and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); 16 participants were randomly selected for the inter-rater reliability assessment. Results: Owing to missing values in the CAPS-CA-5-J and PTSD-RI-5, 68 children were included in the final analysis. Regarding reliability, the CAPS-CA-5-J showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient = 0.90) and interrater agreement (kappa coefficient = 0.88). Convergent validity was supported by a strong correlation between the total severity scale of the CAPS-CA-5-J and the PTSD-RI-5 scores (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.82). Divergent validity was indicated by a moderate correlation between the CAPS-CA-5-J and DSRDC, and no correlation was found with the SDQ scores. Conclusions: This study is the first to validate a structured clinical interview for children and adolescents with PTSD in Japan. The psychometric properties of the CAPS-CA-5-J were good enough and comparable to those reported in previous validation studies. Therefore, the CAPS-CA-5-J can be considered reliable and valid for use in Japan.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRENGGALEK REGENT'S 2022 INSTRUCTIONS ON CHILD MARRIAGE PREVENTION STRATEGIESIN TRENGGALEK

The high rate of child marriage in Trenggalek poses a significant threat to children's welfare. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trenggalek Regent's 2022 Instruction on Strategies for Preventing Child Marriage. The research employs a qualitative approach, collecting primary data through statistical analysis of child marriage rates and interviews with relevant stakeholders. The findings reveal a notable decrease in child marriage rates in 2023 following the implementation of the policy. This suggests that well-designed and sustained policy interventions can effectively address child marriage issues at the local level. The study highlights the importance of ongoing efforts in education, law enforcement, and collaboration among policymakers to safeguard children's welfare. This research contributes to the understanding of effective local strategies in combating child marriage. The study concludes that comprehensive policies, backed by strong stakeholder support, are effective in reducing child marriage rates. Recommendations include strengthening stakeholder collaboration and developing more efficient communication strategies.

Child Interviewing Practices: Effects of the Implementation of the NICHD Protocol Training in France

Child Interviewing Practices: Effects of the Implementation of the NICHD Protocol Training in France

“No one wants you back, you will stay here forever”: Exploring the story of the Israeli children who were held in captivity by Hamas

BackgroundRecent armed conflicts around the world have highlighted that child abduction and hostage-taking are pervasive, and of high concern for child rights, child development, and well-being. Little research exists on child hostages in specific conflict contexts. ObjectiveThis study was designed to examine child hostage stories conveyed by the Israeli children who were released from captivity in Gaza, post the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel. Child hostage stories, as published in Israeli media, were based on recorded interviews with the children. Participants and settingFifty-seven child interviews were identified, based on 18 children and youth who were aged 8 to 18. The child interviews in the media were in Hebrew. MethodsChild interviews were gathered from popular Israeli news channels, which were manually searched using systematic keywords. A search was also conducted through Google and YouTube. All of the included recorded interviews with the released child hostages were analyzed qualitatively, using inductive thematic analysis. ResultsThree main themes were generated: 1) the event of being kidnapped from Israel, with three sub-themes, including the kidnapping experience, atrocities witnessed, and entering the territory of Gaza; 2) the story of captivity, with four sub-themes including experiencing harsh environmental conditions, emotional abuse, medical neglect, physical and sexual abuse; and 3) the release from captivity, including experiencing the release, being put into a media show, separating from other hostages, experiencing fear during the exiting, and experiencing disbelief about their freedom. ConclusionsThe Israeli children held captive by Hamas in 2023 endured horrific experiences. Researching these children's experiences through their own words is essential for validating their stories, bearing witness, and deepening our current understanding of the trauma and the violation of these children's rights. This study acknowledges the limitations in its methodology, while also demonstrating the viability of collecting children's testimonies from the media when done ethically. This research advocates for future studies to examine children held captive in such contexts around the globe, and urges the implementation of children's rights paradigm and trauma-informed policy and practice in supporting these children.

INVASTIGATION OF PATIENT AND HOSPITAL PERCEPTIONS OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN EDUCATION AT THE HOUSE OF COMPASSION

This study was conducted to determine the perceptions of children, one of whose relatives was undergoing chemotherapy treatment and who participated in education at the House of Compassion, about the patient and hospital perceptions and their views on the House of Compassion. Case study design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used. Criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling types, was used to determine the study group. The study group consisted of 20 children who participated in the training at the House of Compassion in a hospital in Ankara and one of whose relatives was undergoing chemotherapy treatment. In the study, "Demographic Information Form" was used to collect information about children and parents, "Child Interview Form" and "Children's Pictures" were used to determine children's perceptions of patients, hospital and House of Compassion. The data obtained were analyzed using the descriptive analysis technique. As a result of the research, it was observed that children knew the definition of the hospital, the personnel working in the hospital, and the practices carried out, and emphasized the healing and therapeutic aspects of the hospital. Children reported coming to the House of Compassion to play games, have fun, and have a good time. It was determined that children felt happy and sound in the House of Compassion and that they liked the House of Compassion. As a result, it can be said that the House of Compassion has positive effects on children's perceptions of the patient and the hospital.

Development and Evaluation of Peace-Oriented Education Activity for Preschool Children within the Scope of Sustainable Development

The aim of this research is to develop contemporary peace education that can be implemented in the pre-school period to ensure global citizenship. In this study, action research design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The study group of this research consisted of five-year-old children who attend a public kindergarten and their parents, classroom teacher, and researcher. The data were collected by means of the peace value attitude questionnaire prepared for parents and classroom teachers, the technology-supported child interview form, the teacher diary form, and the researcher diary form. Research was carried out in three stages: needs analysis, implementation, and evaluation. Educational activities covering peace education were developed, and they were administered to the children for 12 weeks. Within the framework of the results obtained, it was determined that the five-year-old children who made up the study group consciously gained the value of peace, were sensitive to the multicultural structure, and strengthened their communication with their peers. In light of these results, we should develop integrated programs in preschool education, place the value of peace at the center, and provide peace education widely in the preschool period by all stakeholders for global citizenship.

Understanding "Childhood Poly-Victimization" to help uncover abuse during child investigative interviewing: a systematic review.

It is well established that child victims are some of the most challenging populations to interview. Indeed, children tend to feel ashamed, scared or in denial, leading to difficulties for law enforcement when gathering information, and subsequently with prosecuting offenders. Moreover, with crimes against children increasing, it is common for interviewed victims to have experienced several abuses (poly-victimization). Thus, the main goals of this study are to (1) identify the facets that are included in poly-victimization, in order to (2) provide a clear definition that can be used by law enforcement during child interviews, which could lead to (3) a better identification of cases of abuse to maximize safeguarding and protect children. A systematic review was used to establish the differences in conceptualizations of poly-victimization as well as the measurements chosen by research to measure this concept. The current systematic review included research articles on childhood poly-victimization using a quantitative measuring instrument published as of 2007, that focused on populations under 18 years of age. The findings were divided into (1) conceptual dimensions, (2) characteristics of studies' populations and (3) measures and psychometrics properties. It was found that research used various terms for poly-victimization, yet with numerous definitions implying differences in number of abuses, time frame, and mental health aspects to be considered in the identification of poly-victimization. The included papers (n = 6) were from Europe, Asia, and the United States. Over half of the studies used the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) but adapted either (i) to the study's population, (ii) possible answers, (iii) wording of questions, or (iv) by the removal of questions. Our findings highlight the need for a more theoretically coherent definition of childhood poly-victimization. Questions regarding number of abuses, time consideration (past year vs. lifetime), mental health and severity of abuse should be addressed to develop a unified definition of poly-victimization. Rapport-based interviews should be the focus to uncover the truth and to avoid a secondary trauma in the crisis of a child's disclosure of abuse. A new definition of "Childhood Poly-Victimization" is proposed by the authors as well as a "Decision Tree for Identifying Childhood Poly-Victimization" designed to be used by law enforcement during child investigative interviews.

Prevalence of child maltreatment in a nationwide sample of 18 to 31 year-olds in Germany

BackgroundChild maltreatment (CM) can have devastating and potentially lifelong effects for those affected and is a major contributor to mental health problems. To tackle public health problems it is crucial to have reliable data on CM. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and predictors of CM in a nationwide sample of the German population of young adults.MethodsThe study population (young adults aged 18 to 31 years) stems from the KiGGS Cohort study, the longitudinal branch of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for children and adolescents. This sample meets the criteria of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator 16.2.3. The data was collected between 2014 and 2017. CM were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in. In addition, socio-demographic variables and other known risk factors for CM were assessed. A total of 6433 (47.8% female) participants were included in the analyses. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to investigate predictors of maltreatment subtypes. Ordinal regression was used to examine their association with experience of multiple forms of CM.ResultsOverall, 18.4% (f: 20.9%, m: 16.1%) of the participants reported having experienced at least one type of CM; 6.7% (f: 8.8%, m: 4.8%) reported experiences of emotional abuse, 3.7% (f: 3.9%, m: 3.5%) physical abuse, 3.5% (f: 5.3%, m: 1.7%) sexual abuse, 9.0% (f: 9.9%, m: 8.2%) emotional neglect and 8.6% (f: 8.5%, m: 8.7%) physical neglect. Gender, subjective social status, education and household dysfunction (e.g. living with an individual who is using substances) emerged as significant predictors for different types of CM. Additionally, all these factors were significant risk factors for experiencing cumulative CM.ConclusionsCM is common in the German population, with almost one in five people experiencing at least one type of CM. The results reveal important risk factors for the occurrence of CM. In particular, people with lower social status and those who grew up in dysfunctional households are at higher risk of CM. Greater support for this vulnerable population may reduce the prevalence of CM.

Psychometric evaluation of the Clinical Interview for Externalizing Disorders (ILF-EXTERNAL) in an online setting - Results from the consortium project INTEGRATE-ADHD.

The study examines the psychometric properties of the ADHD section of the semi-structured diagnostic interview ILF-EXTERNAL, which was conducted online via video chat. As part of the INTEGRATE-ADHD research project, 202 children and adolescents (age M = 12.87 years, SD = 3.04, 28.2 % female) with an administrative diagnosis of ADHD registered with their health insurance company were clinically assessed for the presence of ADHD according to the German ADHD S3 guideline. Using the ILF-EXTERNAL, one parent and, from the age of eight, also the children themselves were interviewed. A proxy rating by a parent was made using the German FBB-ADHS rating scale. In a subsample (n = 65), an independent blind interviewer rated the videorecordings of the ILF-EXTERNAL parent interview to determine the interrater reliability of the ILF-EXTERNAL. All ADHD symptom scales of the ILF-EXTERNAL showed good to excellent internal consistency (α = 0.89 to 0.93). Interrater reliability was high for both categorical and dimensional analyses (κ = 0.78 and κ = 0.81; ICC(1,1) = 0.97 and 0.98). High correlations of the ILF-EXTERNAL parent interview with the FBB-ADHS (r = 0.79 to r = 0.85) and with the ILF-EXTERNAL child interview (r = 0.60 to r = 0.71) demonstrated convergent validity. Sound psychometric properties of the ILF-EXTERNAL were also confirmed for its use in an online setting. High interrater reliabilities demonstrate the quality of the ADHD diagnostics carried out in the consortium project INTEGRATE-ADHD.

Clinical cut-off scores for the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children to differentiate among adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder, other psychopathology, and no psychopathology: a replication study

BackgroundDespite being one of the most popular measures of borderline pathology in adolescents, only one study has evaluated clinical cut-off scores for the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children (BPFS-C) using a small sample without a healthy comparison group (Chang B, Sharp C, Ha C. The Criterion Validity of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children in an Adolescent Inpatient Setting. J Personal Disord. 2011;25(4):492–503. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2011.25.4.492.). The purpose of the current study was to replicate and improve on the limitations of the prior study conducted by Chang et al. to more definitively establish clinical cut-off scores for the self- and parent-report versions of the BPFS-C to detect clinical and sub-clinical borderline personality disorder (BPD) in a large sample of adolescents with BPD, other psychopathology, and no psychopathology.MethodsA total of 900 adolescents ranging from ages 12–17 participated in this study. The clinical sample consisted of 622 adolescents recruited from an inpatient psychiatric facility, and the healthy control sample consisted of 278 adolescents recruited from the community. All participants completed the BPFS-C and were administered the Child Interview for DSM-IV Borderline Personality Disorder (CI-BPD).ResultsUsing three-way ROC analyses, cut-off scores on the self- and parent-report versions of the BPFS-C distinguishing adolescents with BPD from those with subclinical BPD, and those with subclinical BPD from healthy adolescents were established.ConclusionsThese findings support the use of both versions of the BPFS-C to detect adolescents with BPD and sub-clinical BPD.

Co-production of the ‘EPIC’ multidimensional tool-kit to support neurodivergent children and young people at home and school: a feasibility and pilot study

BackgroundInterventions focused on cognitive function in neurodivergent children typically focus on single functions, e.g. working memory training. They are often focused on ‘deficit’ models and lack an emphasis on understanding areas of individual strengths and difficulties as a prerequisite to appropriate support. The multidimensional nature and phenotypic variability of cognitive profiles in these children indicate a need for a multicomponent-tailored intervention programme focused on understanding and supporting an individual child’s cognitive functioning.AimsThe ‘EPIC’ intervention (Edinburgh Psychoeducation Intervention for Children and Young People) is focused on improving cognition, learning and behaviour in neurodivergent children such as those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or who are autistic. Building on our previous co-production work, this study aimed to use a participatory methods approach to develop EPIC practices and materials in relation to our key principles which include psychoeducation, multicomponent, individualised approach, strengths and difficulties profiling and pairing of a child’s individual strengths and difficulties with internal and external strategies. We also set out to assess the feasibility and acceptability of EPIC, and pilot this novel tool-kit intervention with neurodivergent children and their parents and teachers.MethodsThe intervention practices, materials and strategies of EPIC were co-produced with neurodivergent children, their parents, teachers and clinicians taking a strengths and difficulties approach. Identification of psychoeducation activities and strategy practices (e.g. mind-maps, chunking), testing of feasibility and collection of pilot data were conducted over a bi-weekly 8-week programme. Eleven neurodivergent children aged 7 to 12 completed the 16-session individualised programme. Acceptability and feasibility were ascertained via qualitative reports elicited within child and teacher interviews and child ratings of enjoyment. Pilot evaluation data was collected pre- and post-intervention participation, and across cognitive assessments (CANTAB, BRIEF), educational attainment (WIAT) and parent and teacher questionnaires measuring clinical symptoms and behaviour (Conners, AQ, SDQ, self-perception). Data was compared with a matched neurodivergent treatment-as-usual control group (N = 9).ResultsThe co-produced EPIC intervention was both feasible to deliver and acceptable to children, parents and their teachers. Pilot data identified that the 8-week intervention improved cognition (short-term and working memory) and literacy (receptive vocabulary, oral word fluency, listening comprehension). Improvements in the intervention group were also found for parent-reported child behavioural difficulties and aggression, and teacher-reported scholastic competence. Effect sizes generated (Cohen’s d) ranged from 0.65 to 2.83. Parents reported continuing to use EPIC strategies when interviewed over a year after participating in the programme.ConclusionThe current study met our objectives fully. ‘EPIC’ (Edinburgh Psychoeducation Intervention for Children and Young People) is feasible in home and school contexts and improves a range of aspects of cognition, learning and behaviour in neurodivergent children. Our findings show EPIC is suitable to be assessed within a full-scale trial.

Inter-rater reliability of the Early Assessment Risk List Version 3 (EARL-V3) for children displaying antisocial behavior

BackgroundIdentification of risks is foundational to the development of strategies to prevent conduct problems in children. The Early Assessment Risk List Version 3 (EARL-V3) is a Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) instrument designed for application to children exhibiting antisocial behavior. The revised EARL-V3 (2021) encourages users to be responsive to gender and cultural issues and is designed to assist in treatment planning. While previous versions of the EARL have undergone extensive testing, reliability has not been established for the new version. MethodsThe present study yields Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) for the three EARL-V3 subscales and the total score. Additional analyses are based on Gwet’s AC1 method for examining individual items. Four rater pairs assessed a selection of 124 children (50 girls, 74 boys; six to 12 years). Case files included child and caregiver interviews and clinical assessments. ResultsWe found moderate to excellent agreement for two of the three subscales and the total score, and poor to moderate agreement for one subscale. The individual items ranged from fair to almost perfect agreement. The Overall Clinical Risk Judgement revealed fair to moderate inter-rater agreement. The results largely remained when analyzed based on gender. Some differences were seen for individual risk factors. ConclusionThe EARL-V3 has a good level of inter-rater reliability, comparable or superior to previous versions of the EARL and to other SPJ instruments.

Exploring perceptions of genetic risk and the transmission of substance use disorders

BackgroundSubstance use disorders (SUDs) have been consistently shown to exhibit moderate intergenerational continuity (1–3). While much research has examined genetic and social influences on addiction, less attention has been paid to clients’ and lay persons’ perceptions of genetic influences on the heritability of SUD (4) and implications for treatment.MethodsFor this qualitative study, twenty-six structured Working Model of the Child Interviews (WMCI) were conducted with mothers receiving inpatient SUD treatment. These interviews were thematically analyzed for themes related to maternal perceptions around intergenerational transmission of substance use behaviours.ResultsFindings show that over half of the mothers in this sample were preoccupied with their children’s risk factors for addictions. Among this group, 29% spontaneously expressed concerns about their children’s genetic risk for addiction, 54% shared worries about their children’s propensity for addiction without mentioning the word gene or genetic. Additionally, 37% had challenges in even discussing their children’s future when prompted. These concerns mapped onto internal working models of attachment in unexpected ways, with parents who were coded with balanced working models being more likely to discuss intergenerational risk factors and parents with disengaged working models displaying difficulties in discussing their child’s future.ConclusionThis research suggests that the dominant discourse around the brain-disease model of addictions, in its effort to reduce stigma and self-blame, may have unintended downstream consequences for parents’ mental models about their children’s risks for future addiction. Parents receiving SUD treatment, and the staff who deliver it, may benefit from psychoeducation about the intergenerational transmission of SUD as part of treatment.