Children's Depression Inventory Research Articles

Circulating FGF21 vs. Stress Markers in Girls during Childhood and Adolescence, and in Their Caregivers: Intriguing Inter-Relations between Overweight/Obesity, Emotions, Behavior, and the Cared-Caregiver Relationship.

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) acts on several brain regions, including the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, which is involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrelations between FGF21 and stress indices in girls, as well as in their caregivers. 78 girls, aged between 5 and 15 years, were studied; 50 of them were overweight and obese (OB) and 28 in the control group (C). Serum FGF21 and hair and diurnal salivary cortisol were measured. Children participants filled in the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), while their caregivers filled in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Holmes-Rahe Stress Events Scale (HRSES). The OB group girls had significantly higher levels of FGF21 than the C group (p < 0.001). In contrast to the C group, in whom FGF21 levels were positively correlated with both hair and salivary AUCg cortisol concentrations (p = 0.045 and p = 0.007, respectively), no such correlations were observed in the OB group. In the caregivers of the OB group, STAI-state (r = 0.388, p = 0.008), STAI-trait (r = 0.4, p = 0.006), PSS (r = 0.388, p = 0.008), and HRSES (r = 0.358, p = 0.015) scores, all correlated positively with the FGF21 levels of the children under their care. FGF21 concentrations positively correlated with hair and salivary cortisol levels in the C group only. These findings may represent an interesting correlation dictated by bi-directional empathy links between the primary caregivers and the children under their care.

Self-reported Depressive Symptoms of school-age siblings of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Findings from a Greek sample

IntroductionPrevious studies have shown elevated levels of depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD. However, few studies have assessed depressive symptoms in neurotypical ASD-siblings and most have done so, within a broad age range, while studies focusing on a certain developmental stage (middle childhood in particular) using a self-report depression-specific assessment tool are sparse.Objectives This study aimed to investigate the depressive symptoms of Greek school-age neurotypical siblings of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder through a self-reported questionnaire.Methods The sample included 85 school-age neurotypical ASD-siblings (8-13 years old). The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and a demographics questionnaire were administered to all participants.ResultsResults showed that a considerable percentage of the sample (15.3%) scored twice as high as the mean score. ASD-siblings in the present study scored higher (mean total score in CDI was 7.24±6.27) than children of similar age and nationality. Further, 5.9% of the siblings in the present study exhibited severe depressive symptoms (using 19 as a threshold) whereas 12.9% of ASD-siblings scored above 15 and therefore should be further evaluated by mental health services.ConclusionsThe results of the present study documents a relatively high prevalence of depressive symptoms in neurotypical siblings of individuals with ASD. ASD-siblings showed higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to normative data. This is the first study addressing depressive symptoms in siblings of autistic children conducted in the Greek cultural context. The present study highlights the need for the development and implementation of appropriate and effective interventions within the Greek healthcare system for ASD-siblings.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Determining the relationship between loneliness and depression in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Across-sectional survey.

PurposeThe aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between loneliness and depression felt by adolescents during the COVID‐19 pandemic.Design and MethodsThe study sample consisted of 423 adolescents who volunteered to participate in the study. All participants had internet access and the cognitive ability to express themselves. The participants filled out the Google Documents form that included the “Socio‐demographic Data Form,” “Children's Depression Inventory,” and “Short‐form UCLA Loneliness Scale” to collect data.FindingsIt was determined that the depression inventory total mean score of the adolescents participating in the study was 55.15 ± 2.88 (high) and the loneliness scale total mean score was 16.43 ± 4.93 (medium). A statistically positive high correlation was found between the depression total mean scores and the loneliness total mean scores of the adolescents (p < 0.05). As the loneliness levels of the adolescents increased, their depression levels increased.Practice ImplicationsAdolescents were more likely to experience mental disorders such as loneliness and depression during and after the pandemic. Governments should focus on the mental health of adolescents in the management of COVID‐19. Clinical services should plan and implement prevention activities, support programs, and services to replace early diagnosis and intervention.

The Relationship Between Spirituality Level and The Incidence of Depression: A Study on Eleventh-Grade Students at Pondok Al-Hidayat Islamic Boarding School Krasak Demak

ABSTRACT Background: The depression incidence around Southeast Asia in 2017 was 85.67 million cases (27%), and 7.5% of it occurred in the 15-19 years old age group. In Indonesia, the incidence of depression in 2017 was 9,162,886 cases (3.7%). Depression can be a major cause of disability and even lead to suicide, promoting many studies to find factors that can prevent depression in teenagers, one of which is related to the spirituality level. Objective: Determining the relationship between spirituality level and the incidence of depression. Methods: This study is a quantitative study with a cross-sectional study design. A total of 106 samples is included. They were eleventh-grade students who only studied Salaf and students who studied both Salaf and general sciences at the Al-Hidayat Islamic Boarding School Krasak Temuroso Guntur, Demak in the 2019-2020 school year. Data was collected using the Spirituality Orientation Inventory questionnaire and the Child Depression Inventory questionnaire, then analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: The depression incidence among Al-Hidayat Islamic Boarding School students is 12%. Most students (93.5%) have a high spiritual level. There is a relationship between spirituality level and the incidence of depression in all eleventh-grade students, but no significant difference between spirituality level and the incidence of depression among the students who only study Salaf and the students who studied both Salaf and general sciences. Conclusion: The incidence of depression in Al-Hidayat Islamic Boarding School students is related to the spiritual level of students. Keywords: depression, teenager, students, spiritual level, Islamic boarding school

Psychological profiles, quality of life, and parental attitudes in children with Sighing dyspnea.

There are a limited number of studies investigating the relationship of sighing dyspnea (SD) with psychiatric disorders and various mental states. This cross-sectional study enrolled 39 pediatric patients with SD, but free from apparent cardiopulmonary diseases, who presented to a pediatric pulmonology policlinic between June and December 2019 and age-gender matched 34 healthy children were recruited for comparison. Patient characteristics, psychological or physical trauma history, and cigarette smoke exposure were recorded. All the participants completed the "NOSE scale," "Modified Borg Scale," "Children Depression Inventory," "Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders," "Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory," "Stress Coping Style Scale," "Family Assessment Device," and "Parents Attitude Scale." Compared to the control group, there was a statistically significantly higher rate in the SD group of physical or psychological trauma history (35.9% vs. 14.7%, p = .04) and passive cigarette smoking (60.5% vs.27.3%, p = .005). When the groups were compared in respect of depression and anxiety levels, the depression score, total anxiety level, somatic/panic, generalized anxiety and fear of school points were determined to be statistically significantly higher in the SD group. The QoL scores (total, physical, and psychosocial) in the SD group were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the control group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to have examined the psychological profiles of SD patients and their families in detail, and to have evaluated the effect of SD on quality of life.

0413 Are High Intellectual Abilities a Protective Factor for Psycho-social Repercussions in Children with Narcolepsy?

Abstract Introduction Narcolepsy can have deleterious impact on cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Adequate intellectual abilities are generally a protective factor for bio-psycho-social adjustments in chronic disorders. The main objective of this study was to describe sleep, cognitive abilities and psychosocial repercussions between children with narcolepsy and controls according to the intellectual abilities’ classification. Methods Children with narcolepsy and controls underwent one-night polysomnography, completed an intellectual abilities assessment (WISC) and filled in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale for children, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Children Depression Inventory and the Conners. Comparisons between children with narcolepsy and controls were made in two subgroups with High intellectual Potentialities (HP; with an IQ or a verbal or reasoning index higher or equal to 130 evaluated by the WISC) or without HP. Results The group with HP consisted of 25 children with narcolepsy (40% boys, median 11,5 years) and 25 controls (68% boys, median 11,7 years). Compared to the controls, the children with narcolepsy did not present the same intellectual profile at the WISC (lower perceptual reasoning index and less discrepancy between verbal and perceptual indexes). They had fewer conduct disorders and a tendency to have fewer school difficulties, learning disabilities, and impulsivity than controls. The group without HP consisted of 22 children with narcolepsy (55% boys, median 12,1 years) and 21 controls (68% boys, median 10 years). The children with narcolepsy presented the same intellectual profile at the WISC as their peers without narcolepsy, but they reported more school difficulties and higher insomnia scores. Compared to controls, both groups of children with narcolepsy had higher sleepiness scores and showed a classic pattern of narcolepsy characteristics on the PSG. There was no difference for the socio-economic level of parents between groups. Conclusion In children with narcolepsy, high intellectual abilities act as protective factor against the impact of the disease on cognitive and adaptive functioning, whereas normal-to-low intellectual abilities predict a greater impact of the pathology on daily-life functioning, highlighting the need for multifactorial management. Support (If Any) This work was supported by a French Grant from the SFRMS to Marine Thieux.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Depressive and Social Anxiety Symptoms Among Children and Adolescents Aged 7-17 Years, Stratified by Body Composition.

BackgroundRare studies investigated the associations between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption with depressive and social anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents, particularly in different stratification of body composition, which was our purpose.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of children and adolescents aged 7–17 years was conducted in Beijing, China, in 2020, with an average age of 12.07 (SD: 3.09) years. Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) questionnaires and social anxiety scale for children (SASC) were completed in the baseline questionnaires. SSB consumption and body composition were assessed using child-reported questionnaires and a GE Healthcare Lunar iDXA dual-energy X-ray bone densitometer. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations between SSB consumption with depressive and social anxiety symptoms. Confounders were evaluated by child-reported and parental questionnaires, including age, sex, parental educational attainment, maternal smoking status, single-child status, BMI, incomes, fruit consumption, physical activity, screen time, and the frequency of fried food consumption. Stratified analyses were performed to explore whether the associations were influenced by body composition.ResultsA total of 1,311 children and adolescents, including 658 boys and 653 girls, were included in the final analysis. There were 13.96 and 29.75% of the study population with depressive and social anxiety symptoms, respectively. Overall, about 63.77% of the children and adolescents consumed SSB, and the average SSB intake was 0.35 servings per day. In the fully adjusted model, compared to participants who did not consume SSB each day, SSB consumption of ≥1 servings/day was positively associated with depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR) = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.30–4.01] and social anxiety (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.69–1.77), though the latter did not reach statistical significance. When individuals had higher body fat or lower fat-free mass (FFM) or muscle, the ORs of depressive symptoms were more evident among children and adolescents who drank SSB for ≥1 servings/day (P < 0.05).ConclusionHigher consumption of SSB could be associated with increased OR of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. The association remained robust, especially in groups with higher body fat or lower fat-free mass or muscle.

Screening for depressive symptoms in adolescence: A Rasch analysis of the short-form childhood depression inventory-2 (CDI 2:SR[S

BackgroundScreening for depressive symptoms during adolescence is of high clinical significance. The shorter 12-item version of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI 2:SR[S]) was specifically developed for this purpose. Evaluations of the CDI 2:SR[S] psychometrics are limited, however. The purpose of this study was to validate the CDI 2: SR[S] for use as a screening measure using Rasch analysis. MethodsThe CDI 2: SR[S] was administered online to 1513 10–17 year old Western Australian adolescents (635 males, 878 females) from 11 schools. Overall fit, individual item fit, local response dependence, dimensionality, operation of response categories, and differential item functioning (DIF) were examined. ResultsThe Rasch analysis demonstrated the CDI 2: SR[S] has good reliability. Thresholds for all items were ordered, showing its three response categories functioned as intended. One item (I have to push myself to do schoolwork) showed misfit. No items were locally dependent. Two items (I am sad) and (I have to push myself to do schoolwork) showed DIF for gender. At the same level of depression, females reported being sad more than males, while males pushed themselves more to do schoolwork than did females. Adolescents (14–17 years) reported significantly higher mean depressive symptom scores than early adolescents (10–13 years). LimitationsSole reliance on adolescent's self-report and limited data about cultural backgrounds are limitations. ConclusionsThe results support the interval scale measurement properties of the CDI 2: SR[S] and provides educators, clinicians and researchers with a screening measure to assess depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Depressive Symptoms Are Related to Poorer Psychological Functioning in Youth with Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders

Functional abdominal pain disorders, recurrent abdominal pain conditions without an identifiable organic cause, impact approximately 10% of children. These youth can experience significant impairment in functioning (e.g., school absences) and are at increased risk for mental health challenges, including the development of depression. This study examines the relationship between depressive symptoms, pain-related impairment, and broader psychological functioning in youth with FAPD. We predict higher levels of depressive symptoms are related to increased pain-related impairment and poorer mental health functioning. Ninety-four participants diagnosed with FAPD per Rome IV criteria between the ages of 9 and 14 (59.6% female, 40.4% male, 91% non-Hispanic white) were recruited from GI clinics as part of a larger psychological treatment study (NCT03134950). Validated questionnaires assessed depressive symptoms (Children's Depression Inventory 2, [CDI2]), anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders [SCARED]), pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale [PCS]), pain-related impairment (e.g., functional disability (Functional Disability Inventory, [FDI])), and average pain intensity (0-10 rating via a visual analogue scale). Descriptive data and multiple regressions, controlling for age and sex assigned at birth, were used to examine associations between depressive symptoms and physical (FDI, pain levels) and mental health (SCARED, PCS) functioning. Bonferroni corrections (p<0.05/4=0.0125) were applied to control for multiple analyses. The sample was broadly categorized by moderate levels of pain, functional disability, and mental health symptoms. All study variables were positively correlated with depressive symptoms (all p's<0.05), and females expressed significantly higher depressive symptoms than males (t(92)=2.365, p=0.020). Multiple regressions revealed higher rates of depressive symptoms predicted higher levels of anxiety (F(3, 89)=12.69, p<0.001) and pain catastrophizing (F(3, 90)=15.607, p<0.001), but were not associated with physical health related impairment. Findings suggest the importance of screening youth with FAPD for depressive symptoms to better understand their mental health-related functioning. Grant support from Sharon S. Keller American Pain Society Grant and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Place Outcomes Award.

Number of Episodes Can Be Used as a Disease Activity Measure in Familial Mediterranean Fever.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the number of episodes in the past 12 months as an indicator of the overall disease activity status in Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, patients were recruited from tertiary pediatric hospitals. Demographic data, main clinical symptoms of the episodes, treatment modalities, and genetic mutations were recorded. The patients were grouped as no episodes (Group 1), 1–4 episodes (Group 2), and more than 4 episodes (Group 3) according to the number of episodes in the past 12 months. The Pediatric Quality Life Inventory (PedsQL), the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (FACES) scores were compared between groups. Concurrent validity between the number of episodes and the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ).ResultsA total of 239 patients were included. There were 74 patients (31%) in Group 1, 99 (41.4%) in Group 2, and 66 (27.6%) in Group 3. Groups were similar according to age, age at diagnosis, gender, consanguinity, family history, history of amyloidosis, clinical symptoms, and in terms of allele frequency (p > 0.05). According to PROMs completed by parents, moderate correlations were found between the number of episodes and the PedsQL score (ρ = −0.48; 95% CI = −0.58 to −0.35, p < 0.001) and between the number of episodes and the Wong-Baker FACES score (ρ = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.35–0.57, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe number of episodes was positively and moderately correlated with patient- and parent-reported outcomes in our cohort. The number of episodes in patients with FMF can be used as a single measure to assess disease activity.

A clinical follow-up study of dialectical behavior therapy skills groups among female adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorder.

Our aim was to evaluate longitudinal data for adolescents who were treated with Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) skills groups having been previously diagnosed with depressive disorder. Intervention with an observational cross-sectional design was implemented to evaluate the treatment outcome of a 10-week DBT skills groups with female adolescents with depression. After the patients were identified for enrollment, parents and adolescents were evaluated with psychometric measurements pre-, post-intervention, and at one-year follow-up. Repeated measures analysis was undertaken with the Child Depression Inventory (CDI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for participants. Statistical significance was detected for self-report CDI scores and both self-report and parent SDQ and PedsQL scores. This study is the first DBT intervention in Turkish children, shows that a group DBT skills groups training can be adapted and put into practice successfully with depressed Turkish adolescents.

Psychological Symptom Progression in School-Aged Children After COVID-19 Home Confinement: A Longitudinal Study.

BackgroundThe long-term mental health effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children are rarely reported. We aimed to investigate the progression of depressive and anxiety symptoms among a cohort of children in the initial epicenter of COVID-19 in China.MethodsTwo waves of surveys were conducted in the same two primary schools in Wuhan and Huangshi, Hubei province: Wave 1 from 28 February to 5 March, 2020 (children had been confined to home for 30–40 days) and Wave 2 from 27 November to 9 December, 2020 (schools had reopened for nearly 3 months). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were estimated using the Children's Depression Inventory – Short Form (CDI-S) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), respectively. ΔCDI-S and ΔSCARED scores between Wave 2 and Wave 1 were calculated and further categorized into tertiles. Multivariable linear regression and multinomial logistic regression models were then applied.ResultsA total of 1,224 children completed both surveys. The prevalence of mental health outcomes at Wave 2 increased significantly compared to Wave 1, specifically depressive symptoms (age-standardized prevalence rates: 37.5 vs. 21.8%) and anxiety symptoms (age-standardized prevalence rates: 24.0 vs. 19.6%). Higher ΔSCARED scores were observed in females and children in Wuhan, and children with experience of neglect had higher ΔCDI-S (β = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.67–1.58) and ΔSCARED (β = 6.46; 95% CI = 4.73–8.19) scores compared with those without experience of neglect. When the Δ scores were further categorized into tertiles, similar results were found.ConclusionsThe prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms after schools resumed was increased compared with that during the home quarantine period, even though the COVID-19 pandemic was under control. Females and children in Wuhan, and also children with experience of neglect were at increased risk of mental health disorders.

Examination of PTSD and Depression Levels and Demographic Data of Syrian Refugee Children during the Pandemic

Background: The worldwide population of child refugees is estimated to be over 10 million. Refugee children and adolescents are among the most vulnerable groups in the world, and the pandemic created new challenges for them. Objective: This study aimed to examine the PTSD and depression levels of Syrian refugee children and adolescents, the difficulties they experienced in access to food and education, and the changes in their family income, and evaluate the effects of these factors on symptom severities of depression and PTSD. Methods: We used data obtained from 631 Syrian refugee children between the ages of 7 and 15. Assessment measures for exposure to PTSD and depression included a socio-demographic form, stressors related to COVID-19, the Child and Adolescent Trauma Survey (CATS), and the patient-rated Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). ANCOVA is conducted to evaluate the differences between the symptoms of PTSD and depression. The regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the scales and the demographic data. Results: The study finds that 40.7% of the refugee children experienced at least one trauma, 24.9% met the criteria for PTSD, and 15.5% met the criteria for depression. The changes in income and food access are associated with PTSD and depression, while access to education is not associated with PTSD and depression. The adolescents aged between 12 and 15 show more depression and PTSD symptoms then the children aged between 7 and 11. Conclusions: The study revealed that the most risky group in refugee children and adolescents in terms of PTSD and depression were the adolescents aged between 12 and 15 and the children and adolescent whose family income was decreased and had limited access to food.

Efficacy of Azithromycin plus Glucocorticoid Adjuvant Therapy on Serum Inflammatory Factor Levels and Incidence of Adverse Reactions in Children with Mycoplasma Pneumonia.

Objective This study was designed to explore the efficacy of azithromycin plus glucocorticoid adjuvant therapy on the levels of serum inflammatory factors and the incidence of adverse reactions in children with mycoplasma pneumonia. Method A total of 90 eligible children with mycoplasma pneumonia in our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were recruited. They were assigned to receive either azithromycin (control group) or azithromycin plus glucocorticoid (experimental group) according to the order of admission. Outcome measures included clinical efficacy, serum inflammatory factor indicators, lung function, clinical symptom mitigation, length of hospital stay, immune function, incidence of adverse reactions, and psychological status of the eligible children. Results Azithromycin plus glucocorticoid was associated with a significantly higher total clinical efficacy compared with azithromycin (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the serum inflammatory factor indices between the two groups (P > 0.05). The children given azithromycin plus glucocorticoid showed lower levels of serum inflammatory factors versus those given azithromycin alone (P < 0.001). Azithromycin plus glucocorticoid outperformed the monotherapy of azithromycin in terms of lung function (P < 0.001). Children after azithromycin plus glucocorticoid therapy had a faster clinical symptom disappearance and shorter length of hospital stay compared with after azithromycin alone (P < 0.001). Azithromycin plus glucocorticoid resulted in higher levels of immune function indices compared with azithromycin alone (P < 0.001). Azithromycin plus glucocorticoid was associated with a lower incidence of adverse reactions compared with azithromycin (P < 0.05). Lower Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) scores were witnessed in children given azithromycin plus glucocorticoid compared with monotherapy of azithromycin (P < 0.001). Conclusion Azithromycin plus glucocorticoid in children with mycoplasma pneumonia can effectively improve the clinical indicators of the children with promising efficacy and high safety, which is worthy of promotion and application.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Children's Depression Inventory in Iranian Adolescents.

Objectives: Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) is a self-report tool for measuring depression in children and adolescents. In this study, the psychometric properties of the Persian version of CDI were investigated in an Iranian adolescent population. Methods: This study was conducted on a sample of 480 adolescent boys and girls in the age range of 12-18 years. The results showed that 23.6% of the study population were 11-13 years old, 62.1% were 14-16 years old, and 14.3% were 17-18 years old. Also, 48.5% of the sample were girls, and 51.5% were boys. To investigate the convergent and divergent validity, Beck's Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) and Teenage Inventory of Social Skills were used, respectively. Results: The reliability coefficient of CDI, based on Cronbach's alpha, indicated the relatively high internal consistency of the items (0.907). The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed that CDI has a saturated factor, explaining 50.11% of the variance in the data. Also, goodness-of-fit indices of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model is well suited for explaining depression. The present results also showed a negative correlation between children's depression and the social skills subscale and a positive correlation between children's depression and BDI-II score. Conclusions: The construct validity of the questionnaire was confirmed. It can be concluded that the Persian version of CDI has adequate reliability and validity. Therefore, it can be used as a useful tool for early screening of depression in adolescents due to its easy use and specific design for children and adolescents.

Vida sem escola e saúde mental dos estudantes de escolas públicas na pandemia de Covid-19

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ mental health during part of the suspension of in-person classes. The study is a cross-sectional survey carried out from October2020 to December 2020. An online self-report questionnaire was answered by thirteen- to twenty-year old students, from the 9th grade (Middle School) to high school, who followed remote school activities in 21 state and municipal public schools located in peripheral areas of the cities of São Paulo and Guarulhos. Two linear regression models were used in the analysis, considering as dependent variables the depression scores as provided by the Child Depression Inventory and anxiety by the SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders). The time of exposure to the screens, the inversion of sleep periods and the female gender, along with the difficulties of remote education and other social markers (such as color/race and cases of COVID-19 at home) are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety during the first wave of the COVID-19 in the Metropolitan area of São Paulo. The findings reinforce the importance of school routine in the lives of those young people and the challenges posed to schools to promote students’ mental health in the post-pandemic reality.

Preschool Irritability Predicts Adolescent Psychopathology and Functional Impairment: A 12-Year Prospective Study.

The long-term clinical and functional outcomes of preschool-age irritability are unknown. This study examined longitudinal associations of preschool irritability with psychiatric disorders and functional impairment assessed in adolescence in a large community sample. A total of 453 children were assessed at age 3 and again at ages 12 and/or 15. At age 3, parents were interviewed about their child's irritability, other psychiatric symptoms, and functional impairment with the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA). In adolescence, both parents and youths were interviewed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime (K-SADS-PL) to assess youth psychopathology and functional impairment; youths also completed the UCLA Life Stress Interview (LSI) to assess different domains of functioning. Lastly, youths and parents completed the Children's Depression Inventory 2 (CDI 2) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED). Irritability at age 3 predicted internalizing and externalizing disorders in adolescence; parent-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms; and greater functional impairment, including poorer peer functioning, poorer physical health, and antidepressant and educational service use, even after controlling for baseline psychiatric disorders. All longitudinal associations persisted after further adjusting for well-established early life risk markers for psychopathology. The findings of this study underscore the clinical significance and predictive power of preschool irritability and provide support for its use in large-scale identification and intervention efforts.

Chemiluminescent immunoassay overestimates hormone concentrations and obscures testosterone sex differences relative to LC-MS/MS in a field study of diverse adolescents

BackgroundMethodological comparisons of hormone quantification techniques have repeatedly demonstrated that, in adults, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) inflates steroid hormone concentrations relative to mass spectrometry. However, methodological comparisons in adolescent samples remain rare, and few studies have examined how chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), another popular immunoassay, compares to mass spectrometry. Additionally, no studies have examined how differences in analytical techniques may be affecting relationships between steroid hormone levels and outcomes of interest, such as psychopathology. This pre-registered analysis of an existing dataset measured salivary cortisol and testosterone using both CLIA and liquid chromatography dual mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in a repeated measures (516 samples) sample of 207 9th graders. MethodsIn aim 1, this study sought to expand on past findings by 1) measuring inflation of testosterone and cortisol by CLIA in a relatively large adolescent sample, and 2) showing that CLIA (like EIA) testosterone inflation was especially true in groups with low ‘true’ testosterone levels. In aim 2, this study sought to examine the impact of hormone quantification method on relationships between hormone levels and psychopathological measures (the Children's Depression Inventory, the Perceived Social Stress Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Anxious Avoidant and Negative Self Evaluation subscales of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents). ResultsWe found that CLIA, like EIA, inflated testosterone and cortisol levels and overestimated female testosterone resulting in suppressed sex differences in testosterone. We did not observe these same patterns when examining testosterone in individuals with differing levels of pubertal development. Results of psychopathology analyses demonstrated no significant method differences in hormone-psychopathology relationships. ConclusionsOur findings show that CLIA introduces proportional bias in cortisol and testosterone in a manner that suppresses sex differences in testosterone. Steroid measurement method did not significantly moderate the relationship between hormones and psychopathology in our sample, though more work is needed to investigate this question in larger, clinical samples.

Factors Associated with Elevated Scores of Depression among Children Affected by HIV-Related Loss: A Kenyan Study

Kenyan children affected by HIV-related loss go through considerable levels of physical and psychosocial challenges. This study sought to establish the factors that are associated with elevated score of depression among children of between age 8 and 12 who had lost a parent to AIDS or were living with a sick relative. A cross-sectional survey involving 210 participants, comprising 110 boys and 100 girls with a mean age of 11 years from two non-institutionalized Children’s organizations, Chosen Children of Promise (CCP) and Amka Health Project (AHP) both located in Kawangware, Nairobi County was conducted. Data was collected using Children Depression Inventory (CDI), and a Socio-Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ). The results revealed that death of biological parent, lack of food, shame and stigma are the predominant factors that are associated with elevated score of depression among the study participants. It was recommended that relevant stakeholders could consider engaging psychologists/therapists in identifying symptoms of mental health challenges in target children and providing appropriate and timely interventions to such children.

Depressive Symptoms and Their Associated Factors in Vocational-Technical School Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms, behavioral habits, and QoL in students from two vocational–technical schools, and to determine the association of depressive symptoms with behavioral habits and quality of life (QoL) in these students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with students attending the institution of the Brazilian Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education. The students answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic variables, situations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, behavioral habits, QoL, and depressive symptoms. The outcome variable was the presence of depressive symptoms, assessed using the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was performed. A total of 343 students participated in this study (women, 55.7%; mean age of 16.1 ± 0.93 years). The prevalence of depressive symptoms among students was 43.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38.0–49.0), and these symptoms were significantly associated with being female (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.72; 95% CI: 1.31–2.27); being in the 10th grade (PR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.18–2.76) and 9th grade (PR 2.08; 95% CI: 1.37–3.18); social isolation (PR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.00–4.14); hunger due to a lack of food at home (PR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.33–2.39); low physical activity levels (PR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.09–2.59); and moderate (PR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.68–4.89) and low QoL (PR: 5.66; 95% CI: 3.48–9.19). The results emphasize the importance of interventions aimed mainly at female students and those in the initial years of high school, in addition to the importance of physical activity, food safety, and QoL to improve the mental health of students.