Child Emotional Problems Research Articles

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, and Emotional Problems in Young Chinese Children.

Resilience plays an important role in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and children's health. Young children are often neglected in ACEs research and suffer from the negative consequences of ACEs. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between ACEs and emotional problems in young Chinese children and the moderating and mediating effect of resilience on this relationship. This study included young children at the beginning of their kindergarten year (n = 874, 42.80 ± 4.09 months) from Wuhu City, China, to examine the mediation and moderation effects of resilience on early-life ACEs and emotional problems. Our results show a positive direct effect of ACEs on emotional problems. Furthermore, a positive indirect effect of ACEs and emotional problems on resilience was found. A moderating effect of resilience was not observed in this study. Our findings (a) highlight the significance of paying more attention to early ACEs and revealing a better understanding of the effect of resilience on ACEs at an early age and (b) indicate that age-specific interventions should be provided to enhance young children's resilience when exposed to adversity.

Contributions of Multilevel Family Factors to Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder in China.

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is one of the most prevalent childhood mental health disorders and is extremely affected by family factors. However, limited studies have addressed the issue from the perspective of family systems. The current study examines the associations between multilevel family factors (i.e., family cohesion/ adaptability at system level, mother-child and father-child attachment at a dyadic level, and child self-esteem at an individual level) and emotional and behavioral problems among children with ODD in China. The participants were 256 Chinese children with ODD and their parents and class master teachers. A multiple-informant approach and structural equation model were used. The results revealed that system level factors (family cohesion/adaptability) were associated with child emotional and behavior problems indirectly through factors at the dyadic level (mother-child attachment) and the individual level (child self-esteem) in sequence. Mother-child, but not father-child, attachment, mediated the linkage between family cohesion/adaptability and the emotional problems of children with ODD. Moreover, child self-esteem mediated the association between mother-child attachment and child emotional and behavioral problems. The findings of the present study underscored that multilevel family factors are uniquely related to emotional and behavioral problems in children with ODD.

The relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and children's emotional and behavioral problems.

This research was conducted to determine the relationship of the COVID-19 pandemic with the emotional and behavioral problems of children. In this study, carried out using the descriptive survey model, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used with 205 mothers. Significant differences were observed in the emotional and behavioral problems of children according to their mother's working status, having COVID-19 in the family, and being in contact. According to mothers' perceptions, the level of emotional and behavioral problems differed before and after the pandemic. It can be concluded that the pandemic and related factors have an effect on children's emotional and behavioral problems.

Maternal Prenatal Distress, Maternal Pre- and Postnatal Bonding and Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Toddlers. A Secondary Analysis of the IRIS Study

Maternal prenatal distress (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms) increases the risk for childhood behavioral and emotional problems. So far, the potential role of maternal bonding in this association still needs further study. Maternal prenatal distress can affect the development of maternal bonding from pregnancy onwards. Maternal prenatal and postnatal bonding in turn have been shown to predict child behavioral functioning. We aimed to investigate whether maternal prenatal and postnatal bonding mediate the association between maternal prenatal distress and toddlers’ internalizing and externalizing problems. Data from a Dutch prospective longitudinal sample (N = 666) were used to conduct single and multiple mediation models. Mothers reported prenatal anxiety (State Anxiety Inventory) and prenatal depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) at 24 weeks’ gestation and maternal prenatal bonding (Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale) at 32 weeks’ gestation. At 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum mothers completed questionnaires to assess maternal postnatal bonding (Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale). Mothers reported child internalizing and externalizing problems (Child Behavior Checklist) at 28 months postpartum. Maternal prenatal and postnatal bonding mediated the link between maternal prenatal anxiety and child externalizing problems but not internalizing problems. Only maternal bonding 6 months postpartum mediated the link between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and child internalizing problems but not externalizing problems. Our study showed that maternal postnatal bonding more consistently mediated links between measures of maternal prenatal distress and child behavioral and emotional problems than maternal prenatal bonding. Interventions reducing maternal prenatal distress and promoting maternal bonding should be developed.

Profiles of the parenting experience in families of autistic children.

Research shows that parents of autistic children, on average, are stressed; however, there is likely an array of factors that characterize the parenting experience in the context of autism other than stress. Understanding the diversity in the parenting experiences of both mothers and fathers of autistic children is important in the development of family-based intervention. A total of 188 co-habiting couples with an autistic child described their parenting experiences using a series of questionnaires examining their feelings of stress, parenting competence, and parenting attitudes and behaviors. We then sorted responses into profiles-three for mothers and four for fathers. We found that children of parents who reported the least amount of stress, highest feeling of competence, and use of responsive and directive parenting strategies (the Adaptive profile) had children with the least severe behavioral problems and autism symptoms. It was not necessary for both parents to be in the Adaptive category for child emotional and behavioral problems to less severe. We found that children did just as well when one parent was Adaptive compared with when both parents fell into this category.

Carer Burden and Burnout in Relation to Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Children’s Homes

Introduction: Carers in children’s homes encounter challenges in dealing with the children’s behavioural and emotional problems. This may lead to burden and burnout among carers. Aim: The objectives of this study were to determine the burden and burnout among carers in selected children’s homes. The correlation between them and the children’s behavioural and emotional problems were measured. Method: This was a comparative cross-sectional study among 3 governments’ (40 carers) and 11 private children’s homes (40 carers) in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Pahang. Assessments were carried out using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) for the carers and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for the children. Result: Carers at both types of homes showed high levels of burnout. Majority of the carers from both types of homes had a mild to moderate burden of 52.5% government and 47.5% for private homes. Carers at government children’s homes showed moderate to severe burden at 15% compared to private children’s homes at 5% (p = 0.226). Children at government homes had more behavioural problems. Carers at government homes showed significant association but a low correlation of cynicism with total difficulties, exhaustion and cynicism with conduct problems. Carers at private homes showed a significant association but a low correlation of decreased sense of personal efficacy with total difficulties, conduct problems and exhaustion with low prosocial behaviour. There was a significant association but a low correlation of burden with total difficulties and emotional problems in private homes. Simple logistic regression on association of children’s behavioral and emotional problems with carer’s burden and burnout did not reveal significant findings. Conclusion: Carer’s burden and burnout levels are high in children’s homes even though they were not significantly contributed by the children’s behavioural and emotional problems.

AVALIAÇÃO DE HABILIDADES SOCIAIS E EMOÇÕES COM CRIANÇAS NO CONTEXTO ESCOLAR PÓS-PANDEMIA

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between social skills and feelings of children in the school context has gained increasing relevance in the current scenario. The school period provides the student with a social interaction with the environment, different from that offered by the family. Thus, there is a need to discuss the role of education on social and emotional development in childhood. OBJECTIVE: To understand the feelings and social skills of children in the school context. METHODS: This is a qualitative, descriptive and field research, carried out at Escola Estadual Líbia Lassi Lopes, in Patrocínio/MG. Data collection was carried out through a semi-structured interview with parents or guardians, a play hour session, a method used by psychologists to get to know the child's reality, as it consists of analyzing drawings and stories made by the child. Afterwards, the drawings were evaluated using the content analysis technique. RESULTS: The results achieved make clear the innumerous social and emotional damages a child, with a fragile family nucleus, is exposed to. Besides, the consequences generated by children's anxiety, emotional and behavioral problems, which have been growing in the world scenario. CONCLUSION: The experience showed the importance of a stabilized family relationship, the consequences generated by the contemporary lifestyle. Thus, it becomes important to understand the need with children to work with children and guide schools about social and emotional skills, in addition to promoting awareness of the importance of these discussions.

Dental Fear/Anxiety in Children and Child Emotional and Behavioural Problems

Dental Fear/Anxiety in Children and Child Emotional and Behavioural Problems

Behavioral and emotional problems of prisoners' children in the family environment.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the links between parental incarceration and the level of behavioral and emotional problems in children of incarcerated fathers, based on the information provided by parents. The subjects were a group of prisoners' children and two control groups. The criterion group consisted of prisoners' children (N = 72) brought up in families with an increased level of dysfunction and problem behaviors. The first control group (I) was composed of children (N = 76) brought up in complete families; the level of problem behavior in these families and the level of these children's resiliency was similar to that of prisoners' children (i.e., the criterion group). The second control group (II) was composed of children from complete families (N = 98). In these families, problem behaviors were not present at all or their level was very low, and the children's level of resiliency was significantly higher compared to prisoners' children and children from control group I. To measure behavioral and emotional problems, the version of Thomas Achenbach's questionnaire that is meant to be completed by parents: namely, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used. The level of behavioral and emotional problems in prisoners' children turned out to be significantly higher in all categories of problems compared to their peers from complete families. The results of the study indicate that parental incarceration is an additional factor increasing behavioral and emotional problems. The results of our study make it reasonable to suspect that parental incarceration affects girls more strongly than it affects boys.

The effects of maternal prenatal depression on child mental health: The moderating role of maternal childhood trauma

BackgroundThere is a large body of evidence suggesting that maternal prenatal depression significantly predicts mental health problems in children. However, little is known about the role of maternal childhood trauma within this effect. MethodsThe current study utilized a sample of 187 mother-child dyads (51.3 % boys) from the Shanghai Sleep Birth Cohort (SSBC), a six-year prospective longitudinal study. The effects of maternal depression at late pregnancy (Center for Epidemiological Survey-Depression Scale) on the child mental health at six years old (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) were analyzed, with different types of maternal childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) being examined as moderators. ResultsThe results showed that maternal prenatal depression positively predicted child mental health problems (β = 0.13, p < .05) and there was a significant moderating effect of maternal childhood emotional abuse (β = −0.05, p < .05); that is, in mothers with high childhood emotional abuse, child mental health problems remained high regardless of maternal prenatal depression (β = −0.02, p = .78), while in mothers with low childhood emotional abuse, maternal prenatal depression significantly predicted child behavioral and emotional problems (β = 0.20, p < .05). LimitationsRelatively high socio-economic status samples, retrospective reports of maternal childhood trauma and the single reporter were the limitations of this study. ConclusionsThe findings provided new insights into the impact of maternal prenatal depression on child mental health, highlighting the importance of intervention efforts targeting mothers with prenatal depression and childhood trauma history.

The Relationship between Family Function and Emotional Mental Problems in Children in Surabaya

The family is the main factor in the emotional and mental formation of the child. A child's emotional mental problem is a mental change that pathologically occurs in the child. This study aims to identify the relationship between family functioning and emotional mental problems in children. This study used a cross-sectional analytical method using The McMaster Familly Assessment Device questionnaire and the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire. The results of this study showed that there was a relationship between family functioning and children's emotional mental problems on difficulty scores with p = 0.000 &lt; 0.05; r = - 0.327, and there is no relationship between family functioning and the child's emotional mental problems on the strength score, p = 0.074 &gt; 0.05

Childhood temperamental, emotional, and behavioral characteristics associated with mood and anxiety disorders in adolescence: A prospective study.

Mood and anxiety disorders account for a large share of the global burden of disability. Some studies suggest that early signs may emerge already in childhood. However, there is a lack of well-powered, prospective studies investigating how and when childhood mental traits and trajectories relate to adolescent mood and anxiety disorders. We here examine cross-sectional and longitudinal association between maternally reported temperamental traits, emotional and behavioral problems in childhood (0.5-8 years) and clinical diagnosis of mood or anxiety ("emotional") disorders in adolescence (10-18 years), using the prospective Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) of 110,367 children. Logistic regression analyses showed consistent and increasing associations between childhood negative emotionality, behavioral and emotional problems and adolescent diagnosis of emotional disorders, present from 6months of age (negative emotionality). Latent profile analysis incorporating latent growth models identified five developmental profiles of emotional and behavioral problems. A profile of early increasing behavioral and emotional problems with combined symptoms at 8 years (1.3% of sample) was the profile most strongly associated with emotional disorders in adolescence (OR vs. reference: 5.00, 95% CI: 3.70-6.30). We found a consistent and increasing association between negative emotionality, behavioral and emotional problems in early to middle childhood and mood and anxiety disorders in adolescence. A developmental profile coherent with early and increasing disruptive mood dysregulation across childhood was the profile strongest associated with adolescent emotional disorders. Our results highlight the importance of early emotional dysregulation and childhood as a formative period in the development of adolescent mood and anxiety disorders, supporting potential for prevention and early intervention initiatives.

Learning outcomes in primary school children with emotional problems: a prospective cohort study.

Academic difficulties are common in adolescents with mental health problems. Although earlier childhood emotional problems, characterised by heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms are common forerunners to adolescent mental health problems, the degree to which mental health problems in childhood may contribute independently to academic difficulties has been little explored. Data were drawn from a prospective cohort study of students in Melbourne, Australia (N=1239). Data were linked with a standardised national assessment of academic performance at baseline (9 years) and wave three (11 years). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline and wave two (10 years). Regression analyses estimated the association between emotional problems (9 and/or 10 years) and academic performance at 11 years, adjusting for baseline academic performance, sex, age and socioeconomic status, and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. Students with depressive symptoms at 9 years of age had lost nearly 4months of numeracy learning two years later after controlling for baseline academic performance and confounders. Results were similar for anxiety symptoms. Regardless of when depressive symptoms occurred there were consistent associations with poorer numeracy performance at 11 years. The association of depressive symptoms with reading performance was weaker than for numeracy if they were present at wave two. Persistent anxiety symptoms across two waves led to nearly a 4month loss of numeracy learning at 11 years, but the difference was not meaningful for reading. Findings were similar when including hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. Childhood anxiety and depression are not only forerunners of later mental health problems but predict academic achievement. Partnerships between education and health systems have the potential to not only improve childhood emotional problems but also improve learning.

Mother and child mental health over time in children with Autism and/or ADHD in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.

This study utilised a longitudinal population-based study to explore mother and child mental health trajectories over time from child age 0 to 14 years, between children with ASD, ADHD, or ASD + ADHD. It explored whether a bidirectional relationship between mother psychological distress and child emotional and behavioural problems (EBPs) existed. The birth cohort from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children was used. Child EBPs were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; and mother emotional distress using the Kessler K6. Generalised estimating equations and structured equation modelling was used to understand changes over time, differences between groups and bidirectional relationships. As expected, children with ASD, ADHD or ASD + ADHD had higher EBPs than children without, and their mothers had higher levels of psychological distress across most time points, but with differing trajectories. Mothers of children with ASD (with or without ADHD) showed increasing psychological distress over time, while mothers of children with ADHD had reducing distress. The bidirectional relationship between mother and child mental health found in children without diagnoses was only partially present in children with ASD/ADHD. Findings highlight support needs and discuss implications for transactional models of parent/child emotional problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Maternal Consumption of Dairy Products during Pregnancy Is Associated with Decreased Risk of Emotional Problems in 5-Year-Olds: The Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study.

Milk is a good source of fats, minerals, and vitamins. The present prebirth cohort study examined the association between maternal dairy product intake during pregnancy and the risk of childhood behavioral problems in 5-year-old Japanese children. Study subjects were 1199 mother-child pairs. Dietary intake was assessed using a diet history questionnaire. Emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity problems, peer problems, and low prosocial behavior were assessed using the parent-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Adjustments were made for a priori selected non-dietary confounders and potentially related dietary factors. A significant inverse exposure-response association was observed between maternal total dairy intake during pregnancy and the risk of childhood emotional problems (adjusted odds ratio [OR] between extreme quartiles, 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-1.03, p for trend, 0.04). The greater maternal consumption of cow's milk, but not yogurt or cheese, during pregnancy was independently related to a reduced risk of emotional problems in children (adjusted OR between extreme quartiles, 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23-0.70, p for trend, 0.003). Higher maternal consumption levels of total dairy products, especially cow's milk, during pregnancy may be associated with a decreased risk of emotional problems in 5-year-old children.

Risk and protective factors associated with maternal mental health in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

BackgroundMothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience lower maternal mental health outcomes than mothers of children from other populations, including children with intellectual and developmental disorders. ObjectivesThis study explored risk factors associated with maternal mental health. Several factors including maternal resilience, social support, coping, optimism and family functioning acted as protective factors between child behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health. MethodsMothers of 70 children completed a cross-sectional online survey. Twenty-two children were diagnosed with ASD, 16 children were diagnosed with Dyslexia (DYS) and 32 children had no special educational needs diagnosis (NO SEND). ResultsMothers of children with ASD demonstrated greater maternal mental health problems compared to mothers of children with DYS and NO SEND. Socioeconomic status (SES), child diagnosis, child gender, and child behavioural and emotional problems were significant risk factors associated with reduced maternal mental health. Maternal resilience, family functioning, and practical coping served as protective factors, moderating the relationship between child behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health. There is little evidence to suggest social support, optimism, and wishful thinking were protective factors in this relationship between child behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health. ImplicationsThere is a need to support mothers of children with ASD through interventions to promote and increase their mental health.

Mediating Effects of Discipline Approaches on the Relationship between Parental Mental Health and Adolescent Antisocial Behaviours: Retrospective Study of a Multisystemic Therapy Intervention.

Poor parental mental health is one of the risk factors for child emotional and behavioural problems because it reduces caregiver’s ability to provide appropriate care for their child. This study aimed to measure changes in parenting factors and adolescent behaviours after Multisystemic Therapy (MST), and to explore the mediating role of discipline approaches on the relationship between parental mental health and adolescent behavioural problems. This retrospective study extracted data collected from 193 families engaged with the MST research program during 2014–2019. Data was collected at different time points (pre-treatment, post-treatment, 6- and 12-months follow-up). Statistically significant changes were found in adolescent behaviours and parenting factors following the MST intervention and these positive changes were maintained over the following 12 months. Results of the parallel multiple mediator model analysis confirmed mediating effects of discipline approaches on the relationship between parental mental health and adolescent’s behavioural problems. The findings suggested that parental mental well-being significantly contributes to effectiveness of parenting, which resulted in positive changes in adolescent’s behavioural problems. It is recommended caregiver’s parental skills and any mental health issues are addressed during the intervention to enhance positive outcomes in adolescent behaviour.

Paternal perinatal stress is associated with children's emotional problems at 2 years.

Paternal mental health in pregnancy and postpartum has been increasingly highlighted as important both in its own right, but also as crucial for the development of children. Rates of help-seeking among fathers is low, possibly due to conceptualising their own difficulties as stress rather than problems with mood. The relationship between paternal stress and child outcomes has not been investigated. This study used data from the Finnish CHILD-SLEEP birth cohort. Data were available for 901 fathers and 939 mothers who completed questionnaires on demographics, stress, anxiety and depression at 32 weeks gestation, 3 months, 8 months and 24 months postpartum. Parental report of child emotional and behavioural problems was collected at 24 months. Around 7% of fathers experienced high stress (over 90% percentile) at each timepoint measured in the perinatal period, rising to 10% at 2 years postpartum. Paternal stress measured antenatally, at 3 and 24 months was associated with child total problems at 24 months, while paternal depression and anxiety were not related to child outcomes when in the same model. After adjusting for concurrent maternal depression, anxiety and stress, an association remained between paternal stress at each timepoint and child total problem scores at 24 months. The strongest association was with paternal stress at 3 months (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.63-6.16). There were stronger relationships between paternal stress and boys' rather than girls' total problem scores, although the interactions were not statistically significant. Paternal stress is an important manifestation of perinatal distress and is related to child mental health, particularly when present in the early postpartum months. Paternal stress should therefore be assessed in the perinatal period, which presents opportunities for early intervention and prevention of difficulties for both father and child.

Parental Cannabis Use, Negative Parenting, and Behavior Problems of Young Children

Introduction: Cannabis use in the United States is increasingly accepted and legal. Rise in use among childbearing aged adults is potentially concerning, as the impacts of parental cannabis use on children are largely unknown, especially for young children. This study examined whether cannabis use is associated with increased risk for negative parenting and child emotional and behavioral problems among the parents of young children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of parents and child behavior, recruited through five primary care practices in three states. Parents of children aged 1.5–5 years reported on family demographics, last 6-months cannabis use, negative parenting, parent mental health, parents’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and child emotional/behavioral problems. We conducted hierarchical regressions to determine if parental cannabis use predicts negative parenting and/or child emotional/behavioral problems when controlling for other risk factors. Results: Of 266 responding parents, 34 (13%) reported cannabis use in the last 6 months. Parents who endorsed cannabis use reported significantly more negative parenting, ACEs, anxiety, depression, and child emotional/behavioral problems. Adjusting for the effects of other risk factors, cannabis use significantly predicted more negative parenting, but was not uniquely and significantly associated with child emotional/behavioral problems. Conclusion: Parental cannabis predicted negative parenting, which in turn predicted early childhood emotional/behavioral problems; however, parental cannabis use did not predict child emotional/behavioral problems when other risk factors were considered. Further research is needed to elucidate the nature and direction of relationships between parent cannabis use, negative parenting, child psychological outcomes, and other risk factors.

Early Sensory Profile in Autism Spectrum Disorders Predicts Emotional and Behavioral Issues.

Background: Abnormal sensory reactivity is considered one of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and has been associated with autism severity, poorer functional outcomes, and behavioral difficulties across the lifespan. Its early characterization could provide valuable insights into the processes favoring the instantiation of maladaptive behaviors. Objectives: The present study has two aims: (1) to describe the sensory profile of preschool children with ASD compared with an age-matched population of children with a diagnosis of language disorder (DLD) and typically developing (TD) control peers; (2) to explore within each group whether the sensory alterations play a predictive role in the instantiation of emotional and behavioral issues. Methods: The parents of 42 ASD, 18 DLD, and 56 TD filled out the Sensory Processing Measure—Preschool (SPM-P). To gather information on competencies, behaviors, and emotional problems of children, the Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 (CBCL 1½-5) was also administered. Results: On the SPM-P, ASD and DLD samples generally had scores more compromised than control peers. The contrast between ASD and DLD was reflected in a higher (and highly significant) impairment on the social participation and hearing subscales, suggesting a greater sensitivity and a possible specificity of these scores for ASD. More importantly, linear regression analyses revealed a strong and predictive association for ASD children with SPM total scores explaining more than 50% of the variance of the CBCL 1½-5 total scores (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings reinforce the need to detect the abnormal sensory profiles of ASD already at an early stage and during clinical evaluations. Due to the impact on the emotional and behavioral manifestations, such a procedure has significant clinical and social implications, potentially guiding the development of new interventions relying on multisensory strategies.