Depressive Symptoms In Children Research Articles

Accuracy of methods for tracking anxiety and depression symptoms in childrens and adolescentes: integrative review

Objective: This integrative review article’s purpose is to compare the accuracy tracking methods for anxiety and depression symptoms in children and adolescentes. Methods: Studies that investigate the accuracy of diagnosis methods for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents were reviewed, including a variety of questionnaires and psychometric properties (specificity, sensibility and under the curve area) compared to the golden standard. Results: The results highlights that some questionnaires, such as SCARED and RCADS, presents sensibility and specificity appropriate for diagnosis (AUC= 0,9; 0,98 and 0,72; 0,82, respectively). However, other scales presented mixed results, indicating the necessity of further research to have a better rating of their accuracy. Conclusion: Comprehending the challenges of an accurate diagnosis for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents is essential to improve the treatment and intervention approaches. This integrative review emphasizes the significance of research about psychometric data for more diagnosis with accuracy and reliability.

Mothers' parental divorce experience in childhood and their children's mental health: Mediating role of maternal education

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of mothers have been shown to be associated with children's mental health and behavior problems. It is important to identify effective intervention points to prevent negative consequences among children. This study aimed to investigate whether mothers' education is protective against children's depressive symptoms in families with mothers who experienced parental divorce in childhood. MethodsData from a cross-sectional study of 5th and 8th grade children and their caregivers in a prefecture in Japan were used. Final analytic sample consisted of 9666 child-caregiver pairs. Mediation analyses using inverse odds weighting were performed where the exposure was maternal experience of parental divorce in childhood, outcome was child depressive symptoms, and potential mediators were maternal education beyond high school, maternal mental health, and household income. ResultsMaternal experience of parental divorce was associated with an elevated risk of child depressive symptoms (risk ratio: 1.22, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.07–1.39). Mediation analyses indicated that the combination of maternal education, maternal depression and household income mediated about half of the total effect. In the model where maternal education was the sole mediator, maternal education mediated nearly half of the total effect (risk ratio: 1.10, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.20). LimitationsResults should be cautiously interpreted given observational and cross-sectional nature of the data. ConclusionsMaternal education beyond high school may be protective against negative mental health consequences among children due to mothers' experience of parental divorce. Further studies are needed regarding potential mechanisms and the roles of other potential mediators.

Parent and adolescent depressive symptom among a nationally representative sample of Chinese families: The chained mediating roles of parental involvement and parent–child attachment

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the relationships between paternal and maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent depressive symptoms. Subsequently, the study investigated the chained mediating effects of parental involvement and parent–child attachment. MethodsAs part of the national survey in China, fathers, mothers, and adolescents from 700 families across the country were included in this study. Fathers and mothers reported their depressive symptoms and parental involvement, while adolescents rated the level of paternal attachment, maternal attachment, and depressive symptoms. ResultsPaternal depressive symptoms were related to adolescent depressive symptoms through the mediation effect of paternal attachment, maternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and paternal attachment, and the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and maternal attachment. Maternal depressive symptoms were related to adolescent depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of paternal attachment, maternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and paternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and maternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of maternal involvement and paternal attachment, and the chained mediating effects of maternal involvement and maternal attachment. Additionally, both paternal and maternal depressive symptoms were significantly directly related to adolescent depressive symptoms. Overall, maternal depressive symptoms had a greater impact on adolescent depressive symptoms than paternal depressive symptoms. ConclusionsThe findings support the impacts of parental depressive symptoms on child depressive symptoms through the mediating effects of parental involvement and parent–child attachment. This study provides targeted recommendations for intervention programs.

The Relationship between Digital Game Addiction Tendency and Depressive Symptoms in Children (36–72 Months)

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between digital game addiction tendency and depressive symptoms in children (36–72 months). Method: We conducted this research in a virtual environment with the mothers of 747 children (36–72 months). A predictive evaluation was performed using a simple regression analysis between the mean scores of the Digital Game Addiction Tendency Scale (DGATS) and the Child Depressive Symptoms Assessment Scale (CDSAS). Results: A total of 53.9% of children reported that they play games for 3–24 h a day. The average duration of children playing digital games was 2.86 ± 1.86 h per day. The total mean score of the CDSAS was 142.48 ± 27.36. The total mean score the children received from DGATS was 46.34 ± 17.28. In the regression analysis, it was determined that there was a strong positive correlation between the (DGATS) total score average and the (CDSAS) total score average (R = 0.52, R2 = 0.27, p < 0.05). Accordingly, digital game addiction tendency explains 27% of children’s depressive symptoms. Conclusions: When the standardized beta coefficient and t values are examined, it can be said that digital game addiction tendency is a significant predictor of children’s depressive symptoms.

Longitudinal Associations Between Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Children: Evidence from the Tongji Mental Health Cohort Study.

We aimed to examine the associations between depressive symptoms and physical activity parameters (e.g., intensity, frequency, and duration) among Chinese school-aged children. Participants in this study were extracted from the Tongji Mental Health Cohort Study. The baseline survey was conducted in June 2020 involving 2588 school-aged children from two primary schools in Hubei Province, China. A total of 2435 children were followed up successfully in December 2020. The Children's Depression Inventory Short Form (CDI-S) was applied to evaluate depressive symptoms among school-aged children. The Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3) was adopted to estimate children's physical activity parameters including the intensity, frequency, and duration. Generalized estimation equation models were used to explore the longitudinal associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms among school-aged children. Engaging in moderate levels of physical activity (OR, 0.800; 95%CI, 0.692-0.924) or high levels of physical activity (OR, 0.808; 95%CI, 0.689-0.947) in the baseline survey was associated with a reduced risk of developing depressive symptoms in the follow-up survey compared with children engaging in low levels of physical activity. Stratified analyses revealed that the associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms exhibited a significant correlation among boys and children in the older age group (11-12years). Our findings showed that engaging in physical activity more than once a week, with each session lasting 20min or longer, was related to significant reductions in depressive symptoms by 43.8% and 22.3%, respectively. Self-reported physical activity is positively associated with improved mental health among Chinese school-aged children, especially when considering parameters such as frequency and duration. The association between vigorous-intensity physical activity and depressive symptoms in children should be cautiously interpreted. Future research should continue to explore the effects of vigorous-intensity physical activity on depressive symptoms in children.

Is behavioural activation an effective treatment for depression in children and adolescents? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Behavioural Activation (BA)-a brief therapy based on the scheduling of enjoyable, purposeful and rewarding activities-is an effective and cost-effective treatment for depression in adults that shows promise for children and adolescents. We provide an update on a previous systematic review of evidence on BA-delivered in-person, telephone, or online-for depression and comorbid anxiety in children and adolescents.We conducted systematic literature searches in 6 databases up to February 2024. We included all study designs evaluating BA with participants up to 18years old with diagnosable depression, as established by a validated screening tool or diagnostic manual. We used the Moncrieff Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to assess study quality. We summarised the findings of all study types with a narrative synthesis and of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a meta-analysis.Overall, 24 studies (6 RCTs, 18 pre-post evaluations, n = 2,758) met our inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of 4 RCTs (n = 156) showed that BA has a small effect of 0.24 (Hedge's adjusted g) in reducing depression symptoms compared to a waiting-list control, usual care and other therapies. Online and telephone-facilitated BA was shown to be feasible in 3 studies and effective in 1. Outcomes on comorbid anxiety were mixed. No economic evaluations met our inclusion criteria.BA shows sufficient promise as an intervention for reducing depression symptoms in children and adolescents to justify the need for further RCTs, providing that five conditions are met: studies are powered to detect a minimal clinically important difference; BA materials are fit-for-purpose to produce clinically meaningful change; follow-ups are longer than 6months; primary outcomes are child-reported; and intervention costs, resource use and adverse events are reported.

Do Religion and Spirituality Buffer the Effect of Childhood Trauma on Depressive Symptoms? Examination of a South Asian Cohort from the USA.

Asian Americans have been identified as a racial group that is disproportionately affected by childhood trauma. The goal of this study was to assess if religion/spirituality moderate the effects of childhood trauma on adult depressive symptoms among a sample of South Asians in the USA. Our analysis drew from the study on stress, spirituality, and health (SSSH) questionnaire fielded in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study (n = 990) during 2016-2018. A series of regression models with multiplicative interaction terms were conducted. Emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and physical neglect were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Higher religious attendance and negative religious coping techniques were found to exacerbate this relationship. There were two findings conditional on gender. Among men, gratitude and positive religious coping also exacerbated the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms. Negative religious coping also exacerbated the association between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms for women. This is the first community-based study of US South Asians to consider the association between various forms of childhood trauma and depressive symptom outcomes. South Asians remain an understudied group in the religion and health literature, and this study sheds light on the important differences in the function and effectiveness of religion/spirituality for those faced with early life trauma.

Psychosocial Adjustment as a Mediator in the Relationship between Childhood Exposure to Maternal Depression and Subsequent BMI and Overweight Risk.

This study investigated the correlation between early exposure to maternal depression (from 1 month to Grade 3) and the body mass index (BMI) and potential for overweight in adolescents at age 15. It further examined if the pathway of this correlation was influenced by psychosocial adjustment during mid-childhood (Grade 3 to Grade 6), specifically through internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Our study utilized data from 844 participants in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD) to assess the effects of maternal depression, observed from when the children were one month old to Grade 3, on BMI and the likelihood of overweight or obesity in adolescents aged 15. We also explored whether the average scores of internalizing and externalizing behaviors between Grades 3 and 6 mediated the impact of early maternal depressive symptoms on subsequent health outcomes. The analysis was adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Findings revealed that internalizing and externalizing behavioral issues significantly mediated the relationship between prolonged maternal depression exposure and subsequent BMI, as well as the risk of overweight or obesity, in adolescents at age 15. Notably, this mediating effect was predominantly evident in girls. Our research demonstrated that the correlation between prolonged exposure to maternal depressive symptoms in childhood and increased BMI and overweight risk in adolescence was significantly mediated through psychosocial adjustment behaviors. We advocate for further exploration of additional mediating factors in future studies.

Associations between insufficient sleep, skipping breakfast and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents: A school-based cross-sectional study in China

ObjectiveInsufficient sleep and skipping breakfast are increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents. Both behaviors are associated with the onset of depression. This study aims to examine the independent and joint associations of these two behaviors with depressive symptoms, and investigate whether these associations varied by age or sex. MethodsThe Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD) was used to evaluate the depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study including 11,887 students aged 11–19 years using a stratified cluster, multistage sampling method in Ningbo, China. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate the independent and joint association between insufficient sleep, skipping breakfast and depressive symptoms. Sensitivity analyses and stratified analyses by age and sex were performed using the same modelling strategies. ResultsThe overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.27%. Skipping breakfast (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.557, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.236–2.925) and insufficient sleep (OR = 1.547, 95%CI = 1.390–1.723) was independently associated with depressive symptoms. Compared to students with “sufficient sleep and breakfast every day”, the OR was 4.385 (95%CI = 3.649–5.271) for those with “insufficient sleep and skipping breakfast”. Meanwhile, the joint association was moderated by age group, with a more apparent association observed in the 11–15-year-old group compared to the 16–19-year-old group. ConclusionsThese findings indicated that insufficient sleep and skipping breakfast were independently and jointly associated with depressive symptoms. Insufficient sleep and skipping breakfast could be considered as two of the predictors of depression.

Intergenerational trauma transmission through family psychosocial factors in adult children of Rwandan survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi

Thirty years after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, children of survivors are being increasingly documented to be at higher risk compared to their peers for adverse mental health outcomes. However, no studies in Rwanda have empirically explored family psychosocial factors underlying this intergenerational transmission of trauma. We investigated family psychosocial factors that could underlie this transmission in 251 adult Rwandan children of survivors (mean age = 23.31, SD = 2.40; 50.2% female) who completed a cross-sectional online survey. For participants with survivor mothers (n = 187), we found that both offspring-reported maternal trauma exposure and maternal PTSD were indirectly associated with children's PTSD via maternal trauma communication (specifically, nonverbal and guilt-inducing communication), and that maternal PTSD was indirectly associated with children's PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms through family communication styles. For participants with survivor fathers (n = 170), we found that paternal PTSD symptoms were indirectly associated with children's anxiety and depression symptoms via paternal parenting styles (specifically, abusive and indifferent parenting). Although replication is needed in longitudinal research with parent-child dyads, these results reaffirm the importance of looking at mass trauma in a family context and suggest that intergenerational trauma interventions should focus on addressing family communication, trauma communication, and parenting.

Mediating Effects of Psychological Resilience and Self-esteem on the Association Between Early Childhood Adversity and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents in Nigeria

Mediating Effects of Psychological Resilience and Self-esteem on the Association Between Early Childhood Adversity and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents in Nigeria

Dynamic Observation in Children and Adolescents Following Management of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is one of the most common malignancies within the endocrine system, with a progressively increasing incidence over recent decades. In the structure of DTC, occurrence in the pediatric age group is relatively rare and is associated with excellent prognoses in terms of disease-specific survival. However, the prevalence of advanced disease in children and the frequency of recurrences present interdisciplinary teams with questions regarding the optimal management approach for such patients, focusing not on achieving disease eradication but preserving and maintaining quality of life. Notably, the presence of oncological pathology, coupled with fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels due to therapeutic interventions, underscores the importance of maintaining psychological and physiological well-being that are affected by the increased frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms in children and their parents, as well as cognitive and physical functioning. These symptoms may exacerbate against the backdrop of hypothyroidism and directly correlate with TSH levels. To maintain quality of life during the period of dynamic observation and risk group re-stratification, we proposed a method of reduced thyroid hormone doses as an alternative to discontinuing thyroid hormones to assess stimulated thyroglobulin when reaching a threshold TSH level >30 mIU/L. The method was implemented in 2 pediatric patients, showing positive outcomes in terms of absence of hypothyroidism-related complaints, preservation of free thyroid hormone fractions, achievement of adequate target TSH levels, and informative tumor marker indicators. The results of our study underscore the importance of an individualized approach to the management of children with DTC and demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the reduced dose method in maintaining the quality of life of these patients. Further research and clinical observations are necessary for a deeper understanding of the applicability of this method and its impact on longterm outcomes.

Global burden of depression or depressive symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundDepression is the leading cause of health-related disability. A proportion of depression cases begin in childhood and increase dramatically during adolescence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms in children and adolescents and explore the temporal and regional distribution of depression or depressive symptoms. MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis identified peer-reviewed literature published through April 8, 2023, using the MEDLINE, Embase and APA PsycINFO databases, supplemented by reverse reference searches. Observational studies published in English and based on validated instruments with prevalence data on depression or depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged ≤18 years were eligible. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis were performed using R software. ResultsThis systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of 96 studies (29 countries, 528,293 participants) published between 1989 and 2022. The pooled prevalence of mild-to-severe, moderate-to-severe, and major depression were 21.3 % (95%CI, 16.7 %–26.7 %), 18.9 % (95%CI, 14.6 %–24.2 %), and 3.7 % (95%CI, 2.7 %–5.1 %) respectively. Meta-regression analysis showed that from 1989 to 2022, the prevalence of mild-to-severe and moderate-to-severe depression increased over time (P = 0.002, P = 0.034, respectively), but the prevalence of major depression did not change significantly (P = 0.636). LimitationsOnly English articles were included. There was significant heterogeneity across the included studies. The studies included were mostly based on self-report scales to assess depressive symptoms. ConclusionIn this systematic review, about one in five children and adolescents globally suffered from depression or had depressive symptoms, and this proportion was increasing over time.

Trait anxiety predicting the developmental trajectories of depression symptoms in children: The mediating role of attentional control.

Trait anxiety and attentional control are important factors related to depression symptoms. The study investigated how trait anxiety and attentional control predicted the trajectories of depression symptoms during the transition into early adolescence. The mediating effect of attentional control on the relationship of trait anxiety to the trajectories of depression symptoms was also examined. Children of 9 to 10 years were recruited at Time 1. Trait anxiety, attentional control, and depression symptoms were assessed at Time 1. Depression symptoms were measured at three follow-up assessments across 18 months. Latent class growth modeling revealed high (14.4%) and low (85.6%) trajectories of depression symptoms. Higher trait anxiety and lower attentional control predicted a higher likelihood of showing the trajectory of high depressive symptoms. Attentional control mediated the relationship of trait anxiety to the trajectory membership of depression symptoms. The findings had important implications for the association of trait anxiety with the trajectory membership of depression symptoms and highlighted the importance of attentional control in the development of depression symptoms for children with high trait anxiety.

Joint Trajectories of Depression and Rumination: Experiential Predictors and Risk of Nonsuicidal Self-injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common in adolescence. Rumination is a key risk factor and often co-occurs with depressive symptoms. This is the first study to examine the joint longitudinal trajectories of rumination and depressive symptoms as predictors of NSSI, and the adverse experiences associated with these trajectories. A community sample of 1,835 adolescents (55.9% male participants, 12.3 ± 0.5 years of age) completed questionnaires to assess adverse childhood experiences, rumination, depressive symptoms, and NSSI. Assessments were made 4 times over 18 months. A parallel process growth mixture model showed that youth with high trajectories of rumination but low trajectories of depression had moderately increased odds of NSSI (2.43-fold, 95% CI 1.53-3.91) compared with adolescents with low trajectories of both rumination and depression. Odds ratios (ORs) in adolescents with low trajectories of rumination but increasing or high trajectories of depression were similarly elevated, suggesting that high trajectories of rumination or depression were risk factors in isolation. However, odds were 10.06-fold greater (95% CI 5.68-18.02) when high trajectories of rumination occurred in tandem with high trajectories of depression. Multinomial logistic regression showed that male sex (OR 10.54, 95% CI 5.66-19.63), peer victimization (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.72-2.96), and parental alienation (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.46-2.57) were key determinants of membership in the highest risk group. Risk for NSSI is markedly increased in adolescents with high longitudinal trajectories of depression and rumination. Reducing exposure to peer victimization, cyber victimization, emotional abuse, parental alienation, and interparental conflict may reduce risk.

Contribution of caregiver and child anxiety and depressive symptoms to child asthma-related quality of life

BackgroundDepression and anxiety negatively affect asthma-related quality of life (QoL). Yet, little is known regarding mood and asthma-related factors that best uniquely explain asthma-related QoL in children. ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study evaluated the unique variance explained by caregiver and child depressive and anxiety symptom severity in child asthma-related QoL, apart from that explained by demographics and asthma control. MethodsChildren aged 7 to 17 years with asthma (n = 205) and their caregivers with major depressive disorder were included. A 3-stage hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted with the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire total scores considered as the outcome. Predictors included demographic characteristics (stage 1); asthma control assessed by the Asthma Control Test (stage 2); and caregiver depression and anxiety (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Scale) and child depression and anxiety (Children's Depression Inventory and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders) (stage 3). ResultsDemographic characteristics accounted for only 5.5% of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores. Asthma control significantly increased variance explained in QoL to 32.6%, whereas caregiver and child depression and anxiety symptoms significantly increased variance explained to 42.6%. Child anxiety was found to uniquely explain the largest proportion of variance in QoL (rs2 = 0.584). ConclusionAfter adjusting variance in QoL for demographic characteristics and asthma control, caregiver and child depression and anxiety measures significantly increased the proportion of variance explained in a child's asthma-related QoL. In addition to better asthma control, child and caregiver depression and anxiety should be addressed to increase child asthma-related QoL. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02809677.

Частота тривожно-депресивного синдрому в дітей, хворих на запальні захворювання кишечника

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have been spreading rapidly in industrialized countries since the beginning of the 21st century. Purpose - to determine the frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with IBD, in order to optimize treatment. Materials and methods. 18 patients aged 10-17 years were surveyed: 10 people with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 8 people with Crohn’s disease (CD), symptoms of anxiety and depression were studied using PHQ-2, PHQ-9 questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire) and GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 programs. The odds ratio (OR) was considered significant if the 95% confidence interval (CI) did not include 1. The difference in samples was considered significant at p<0.05. Results. Of the 18 patients who were surveyed using the PHQ-2 questionnaire, 13 (72.2%) were screened for further investigation using the PHQ-9 questionnaire. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 55.5% (95% CI: 38.3-66.5), depressive symptoms - 34.8% (95% CI: 21.4-45.8). Patients with CD had higher odds of anxiety symptoms (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6) and depressive symptoms (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.7) than children with UC. There were differences in the severity of anxiety and depression in different pathological conditions (IBD: p<0.01; UC: p<0.05; CD: p=0.05). The frequency of symptoms of anxiety or depression was higher in patients with active IBD than in children with inactive disease (100% and 33.3% and 100% and 45.8%, respectively). Minimal (0-4 points) and mild (5-9) degrees of anxiety and depression prevailed. Conclusions. The frequency of detection of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with CD and UC in the active stage of the disease is 55.5% and 34.8%, respectively, with a predominance of minimal (0-4 points) and mild (5-9) degrees. Patients with CD are higher odds of anxiety and depression symptoms than children with UC. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Effects of Helicopter Parenting, Tiger Parenting and Inhibitory Control on the Development of Children's Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms.

Helicopter parenting and tiger parenting may increase the risks of anxiety and depression in children. However, it is unclear how these parenting styles affect the developmental outcomes and trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and how children's internal inhibitory control (IC) moderates such effects. The present study aimed to examine this issue. A sample of 172 typically developing children (77 girls; Mage = 7.14, SDage = 0.33) and their parents participated in the study. Parents reported children's anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Child Behavior Checklist each year from the first measurement (T1) to the third measurement (T3) and reported their helicopter parenting and tiger parenting at T1. Children completed the Go/No-go task at T1 to measure their IC. Higher T1 helicopter parenting impeded the declines in anxiety and depression over time, and higher T1 tiger parenting predicted more anxiety and depressive symptoms at T3. However, such effects were only observed in children with low IC, and higher IC buffered the adverse impacts of both helicopter parenting and tiger parenting on children's anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings revealed that helicopter parenting and tiger parenting had negative impacts on the developmental trajectories and outcomes of anxiety and depression in children and suggest that IC plays an important role in alleviating the risks of anxiety and depression among children in adverse environments.

Individual, family and social-related factors of eating behavior among Chinese children with overweight or obesity from the perspective of family system.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the factors contributing to the development of eating behavior in overweight and obese children from the perspective of the family system. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by using convenience sampling method to select 388 participants in two primary schools in Jiangsu, China. Individual, family and social-related factors were collected. Individual factors included age, gender, ethnicity, single child, social anxiety, depression, physical activity, sleep duration, screen time. Family factors included family environment, family structure, family function, family income, parenting style, parental feeding behavior, home food environment and marital satisfaction. Social-related factors included place of residence, number of surrounding restaurants and social support. Univariate analysis, correlation analysis and multivariate analysis were used to identify factors of eating behavior among Chinese children with overweight and obese. In this study, 388 participants took part with a 94.865% response rate. In the univariate analysis, the significant differences regarding Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) scores were found between children aged 6-9 years and those aged >9 years. Correlation analysis indicated that parent's nutrition literacy (r = 0.118, P < 0.05), pressure to eat (r = 0.212, P < 0.01), perception of child weight (r = -0.112, P < 0.05) and family function (r = -0.563, P < 0.01) were associated with children's eating behavior. With regard to psychosocial factors, children's social anxiety (r = 0.299, P < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (r = 0.081, P < 0.05) were in positive correlation with eating behavior. The independent variables included in the initial model were age, father's employment status, social anxiety, maternal punishment and harshness, parents' nutrition literacy, pressure to eat, family function and perception of child weight. These variables in the final model accounted for 20.7% of the variance. We found that age, father's employment status, social anxiety, maternal punishment and harshness, parents' nutrition literacy, pressure to eat, family function and perception of child weight have great effect on children's eating behavior who are overweight or obese. As early childhood is a critical timeline for child development, children's social anxiety, parenting style, parent's nutrition literacy, parent's feeding behavior and family function should be intervened to promote eating behavior. Intervention programs aimed at promoting healthy eating behaviors among children, thereby mitigating the risk of pediatric obesity, should primarily target parents.

A bifactor representation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for children: gender and age invariance and implications for adolescents’ social and academic adjustment

BackgroundThe Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) is a widely used scale for screening depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. This study aims to uncover the optimal factor structure of the DES-DC and presents an alternate conceptualization of adolescent depression by estimating bifactor models and several competing models using a sample of Chinese adolescents.MethodsThe participants were 533 adolescents (49.7% boys, 49.7% girls, 3 participants did not report) between 12 and 18 years of age attending public secondary schools in the middle part of mainland China. Data were collected in classrooms using a questionnaire survey. A structural equation modeling approach was used to estimate and compare a series of competing models for the DES-DC.ResultsA Bifactor exploratory structural equation model (Bi-ESEM) with the best model fit was retained for representing the current data. Tests of measurement invariance demonstrated strict measurement equivalence across gender and age. No gender and age differences have been found in the general depression factor. Findings provided evidence for the composite reliability and construct validity of DES-DC. Depressive symptoms positively related to the Big Five trait neuroticism, negative emotions, loneliness, social anxious behaviors, and disruptive behaviors during school and negatively related to agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, physical health status, school connectedness, and academic self-efficacy.ConclusionsThis study provides support for the one general factor construct of the CES-DC and the continuum concept structure of adolescent depression. Moreover, this research offers empirical evidence for comparing depression symptoms among adolescent populations with diverse genders and age groups. Additionally, the findings replicate and expand upon the implications of depressive symptoms on adolescents’ traits, well-being, social-relational adjustment, and academic adaptation.