Disorders In Girls Research Articles

Attachment security as a mechanism linking foster care placement to improved mental health outcomes in previously institutionalized children.

Children reared in institutions experience elevated rates of psychiatric disorders. Inability to form a secure attachment relationship to a primary caregiver is posited to be a central mechanism in this association. We determined whether the ameliorative effect of a foster care (FC) intervention on internalizing disorders in previously institutionalized children was explained by the development of secure attachment among children placed in FC. Second we evaluated the role of lack of attachment in an institutionalized sample on the etiology of internalizing disorders within the context of a randomized trial. A sample of 136 children (aged 6-30 months) residing in institutions was recruited in Bucharest, Romania. Children were randomized to FC (n = 68) or to care as usual (CAU; n = 68). Foster parents were recruited, trained, and overseen by the investigative team. Attachment security at 42 months was assessed using the Strange Situation Procedure, and internalizing disorders at 54 months were assessed using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment. Girls in FC had fewer internalizing disorders than girls in CAU (OR = 0.17, p = .006). The intervention had no effect on internalizing disorders in boys (OR = 0.47, p = .150). At 42 months, girls in FC were more likely to have secure attachment than girls in CAU (OR = 12.5, p < .001), but no difference was observed in boys (OR = 2.0, p = .205). Greater attachment security predicted lower rates of internalizing disorders in both sexes. Development of attachment security fully mediated intervention effects on internalizing disorders in girls. Placement into FC facilitated the development of secure attachment and prevented the onset of internalizing disorders in institutionalized girls. The differential effects of FC on attachment security in boys and girls explained gender differences in the intervention effects on psychopathology. Findings provide evidence for the critical role of disrupted attachment in the etiology of internalizing disorders in children exposed to institutionalization.

Chronic Headache, Pain Disorders in Girls Linked

Chronic Headache, Pain Disorders in Girls Linked

Sex Differences in Antisocial Behaviour Conduct Disorder, Delinquency, and Violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study

List of figures List of tables Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study 3. Sex differences in the amount of antisocial behaviour: dimensional measures 4. Sex differences in the prevalence of antisocial behaviour: categorical diagnostic measures 5. Sex differences in physical violence and sex similarities in partner abuse 6. Sex and the developmental stability of antisocial behaviour 7. Sex and the age of onset of delinquency and conduct disorder 8. Sex effects in risk predictors for antisocial behaviour: are males more vulnerable than females to risk factors for antisocial behaviour? 9. Sex effects in risk predictors for antisocial behaviour: are males exposed to more risk factors for antisocial behaviour? 10. Can sex differences in personality traits help to explain sex differences in antisocial behaviour? 11. Sex and comorbidity: are there sex differences in the co-occurrence of conduct disorder and other disorders? 12. Do girls who develop antisocial behaviour surmount a higher threshold of risk than their male counterparts? 13. Sex differences in the effects of antisocial behaviour on young adult outcomes 14. Sex, antisocial behaviour and mating: mate selection and early childbearing 15. Evaluating the recommendation to relax the criteria for diagnosing conduct disorder in girls 16. Life-course persistent and adolescence-limited antisocial behaviour among males and females 17. Priorities for a research agenda References Index.

Conduct disorder in girls: neighborhoods, family characteristics, and parenting behaviors

BackgroundLittle is known about the social context of girls with conduct disorder (CD), a question of increasing importance to clinicians and researchers. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between three social context domains (neighborhood, family characteristics, and parenting behaviors) and CD in adolescent girls, additionally testing for race moderation effects. We predicted that disadvantaged neighborhoods, family characteristics such as parental marital status, and parenting behaviors such as negative discipline would characterize girls with CD. We also hypothesized that parenting behaviors would mediate the associations between neighborhood and family characteristics and CD.MethodsWe recruited 93 15–17 year-old girls from the community and used a structured psychiatric interview to assign participants to a CD group (n = 52) or a demographically matched group with no psychiatric disorder (n = 41). Each girl and parent also filled out questionnaires about neighborhood, family characteristics, and parenting behaviors.ResultsNeighborhood quality was not associated with CD in girls. Some family characteristics (parental antisociality) and parenting behaviors (levels of family activities and negative discipline) were characteristic of girls with CD, but notll. There was no moderation by race. Our hypothesis that the association between family characteristics and CD would be mediated by parenting behaviors was not supported.ConclusionThis study expanded upon previous research by investigating multiple social context domains in girls with CD and by selecting a comparison group who were not different in age, social class, or race. When these factors are thus controlled, CD in adolescent girls is not significantly associated with neighborhood, but is associated with some family characteristics and some types of parental behaviors. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships need to be further investigated. We discuss possible explanations for our findings and suggest directions for future research.

Inside Anorexia: The Experiences of Girls and Their Familiesby Christine Halse, Anne Honey, and Desiree Boughtwood; New York, Jessica Kingsley Publishing, 2007, 224 pages, $19.95

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Book ReviewFull AccessInside Anorexia: The Experiences of Girls and Their FamiliesKimberly Mastis M.D.Kimberly Mastis M.D.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Jul 2008https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2008.59.7.816aAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail From the first medical description of anorexia nervosa in 1689 by Richard Morton — first coined by Sir William Gull in the 19th century — our understanding of anorexia nervosa has significantly advanced. It has progressed from the historical perspective that its symptoms can be explained merely by a "nervous loss of appetite." Despite our more advanced modern perspective, complexities of this illness continue to mystify, and its exact causes continue to elude us. The result often leaves patients and families in the wake of this devastating illness feeling without clear answers, alone, and at times unheard.Inside Anorexia compiles the stories of eight adolescent girls and their families who are currently struggling with anorexia nervosa. The book's purpose is to highlight that "the unique experiences and circumstances of individuals are the starting point for any discussion of anorexia amongst teenage girls and their families." It reminds us that the experience of anorexia, like all mental illness, is different for each individual, and an individualized approach is necessary to begin to understand and to manage such as a multifaceted condition. The book poignantly follows the accounts of the teenage girls, siblings, mothers, and fathers as they attempt to make meaning of and come to terms with anorexia in real time, rather than from a post recovery perspective. The structure of the book is unique in that the family biographies are the scaffold upon which pertinent information and issues about anorexia are presented. The authors use text boxes in each story to present an overview of current knowledge about anorexia across a wide range of disciplines. Such topics include the physical effects of anorexia and starvation, the effect of anorexia on family members, the influence of family on treatment, education and prevention, social and cultural studies, as well as original research findings from the authors.Christine Halse, Ph.D., is an associate professor in education and chief investigator of the Australian Research Council project, Multiple Perspectives of Eating Disorder in Girls, at the University of Western Sydney, Australia. Anne Honey, Ph.D., has a background in mental health research and occupational therapy and is senior researcher with the same project, at the University of Western Sydney. Desiree Boughtwood, Ph.D., is a counselor whose doctoral thesis, titled "Anorexia Nervosa in the Clinic," examined teenage girls' experiences of hospitalization for anorexia nervosa.Inside Anorexia has general reader appeal and is an easy read from start to finish. The book is of particular interest to anyone at the beginning stages of learning about the complexities of this disease. It may also offer support and some illumination to patients and families who are at the beginning of their journey with this illness. Dr. Mastis is a child psychiatry fellow at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester. FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited byNone Volume 59Issue 7 July, 2008Pages 816-817PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES July 2008 Volume 59 Number 7 Metrics PDF download History Published online 1 July 2008 Published in print 1 July 2008

Inside Anorexia: The Experiences of Girls and Their Families

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Book ReviewFull AccessInside Anorexia: The Experiences of Girls and Their FamiliesKimberly Mastis M.D.Kimberly Mastis M.D.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Jul 2008https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2008.59.7.816aAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail From the first medical description of anorexia nervosa in 1689 by Richard Morton — first coined by Sir William Gull in the 19th century — our understanding of anorexia nervosa has significantly advanced. It has progressed from the historical perspective that its symptoms can be explained merely by a "nervous loss of appetite." Despite our more advanced modern perspective, complexities of this illness continue to mystify, and its exact causes continue to elude us. The result often leaves patients and families in the wake of this devastating illness feeling without clear answers, alone, and at times unheard.Inside Anorexia compiles the stories of eight adolescent girls and their families who are currently struggling with anorexia nervosa. The book's purpose is to highlight that "the unique experiences and circumstances of individuals are the starting point for any discussion of anorexia amongst teenage girls and their families." It reminds us that the experience of anorexia, like all mental illness, is different for each individual, and an individualized approach is necessary to begin to understand and to manage such as a multifaceted condition. The book poignantly follows the accounts of the teenage girls, siblings, mothers, and fathers as they attempt to make meaning of and come to terms with anorexia in real time, rather than from a post recovery perspective. The structure of the book is unique in that the family biographies are the scaffold upon which pertinent information and issues about anorexia are presented. The authors use text boxes in each story to present an overview of current knowledge about anorexia across a wide range of disciplines. Such topics include the physical effects of anorexia and starvation, the effect of anorexia on family members, the influence of family on treatment, education and prevention, social and cultural studies, as well as original research findings from the authors.Christine Halse, Ph.D., is an associate professor in education and chief investigator of the Australian Research Council project, Multiple Perspectives of Eating Disorder in Girls, at the University of Western Sydney, Australia. Anne Honey, Ph.D., has a background in mental health research and occupational therapy and is senior researcher with the same project, at the University of Western Sydney. Desiree Boughtwood, Ph.D., is a counselor whose doctoral thesis, titled "Anorexia Nervosa in the Clinic," examined teenage girls' experiences of hospitalization for anorexia nervosa.Inside Anorexia has general reader appeal and is an easy read from start to finish. The book is of particular interest to anyone at the beginning stages of learning about the complexities of this disease. It may also offer support and some illumination to patients and families who are at the beginning of their journey with this illness. Dr. Mastis is a child psychiatry fellow at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester. FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited byNone Volume 59Issue 7 July, 2008Pages 816-817PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES July 2008 Volume 59 Number 7 Metrics PDF download History Published online 1 July 2008 Published in print 1 July 2008

An Exploration of Possible Pre- and Postnatal Correlates of Autism: A Pilot Survey

Biological mothers of children, diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorder, and biological mothers of children without developmental delays and matched on age and sex, were surveyed about a number of possible pre- and postnatal correlates of autism or pervasive developmental disorder. A regression analysis for boys showed the mother not vomiting in the first trimester, not having smell aversions, not craving sweets, the mother reporting fewer food aversions during the pregnancy, and having an infection while pregnant significantly predicted a later diagnosis of autism or pervasive developmental disorder. Not vomiting in the first trimester was the only significant predictor of a diagnosis of autism or a pervasive developmental disorder in girls.

La coalescence des nymphes au service de chirurgie pédiatrique du CHU de Yopougon : à propos de 108 cas

Labial fusion is a benign genital disorder in girls. It may be either congenital or acquired, sometimes due to poor hygiene. Parental panic about this "absent vagina" contrasts with its simple, rapid, radical treatment. The study reports the result of simplified treatment. This retrospective study covers cases from 1 January 1992 through 31 December 2006 and includes only the cases of young girls treated as outpatients. All patients underwent outpatient surgical treatment. They were placed in gynaecological position. After asepsis of the vulva, a curved Halsted mosquito forceps was inserted into the opening for partial adhesions or across the medial transparent membrane for complete fusion. The forceps were then opened gently until complete detachment occurred. Local anaesthesia with EMLA cream ensured the absence of pain; there was sometimes minimal bleeding. All patients had local antiseptic treatment afterwards. During this study period, 108 patients (including two sisters) with a mean age of 22 months were treated for labial fusion (101 cases of total fusion and 7 partial). Only seven were older than 5 years of age. Overall, 84 patients underwent this basic treatment of section and follow-up antisepsis; none had a recurrence. Twenty girls also received oestrogen cream, and 4 had the surgical section alone. This benign disorder is rare and generally isolated in our regions, unlike in Western countries where it is often associated with hormonal deficits. The principal approach has been either therapeutic abstention or oestrogen therapy, both currently recommended in developed countries. Oestrogen treatment is a long procedure (3 or 4 months), however, and follow-up is far from certain. In Africa, all genital disorders are considered serious. Early repair is desirable for that reason and to prevent urinary tract infections and traditional "treatment". Simple outpatient treatment by surgical section with local antiseptic treatment is effective. Vulvar hygiene is essential to prevent recurrence. This benign disorder can be treated by any physician, but the psychological impact of the site and the necessary speed suggest the choice of management in paediatric units.

Comorbidity of Psychiatric Disorders and Parental Psychiatric Disorders in a Sample of Iranian Children With ADHD

Objective: To study the psychiatric comorbidity of a clinical sample of children with ADHD and the psychiatric disorders in their parents. Method: Structured psychiatric interviews assessing lifetime psychiatric disorders by DSM-IV criteria, using the Farsi version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. Results: The mean age of the children was 8.7, mothers, 40.1, and fathers, 34.6 years. Only 7.6% of the boys and 21.7% of the girls manifested ADHD without any other psychiatric comorbidity. The most common comorbid disorders were disruptive behavior disorders and anxiety disorders. The prevalence of lifetime ADHD in the parents was 45.8% and 17.7%, respectively. The rate for major depressive disorder in mothers and fathers was 48.1% and 43.0%, respectively. Discussion: The clinical sample of ADHD children typically had at least one other psychiatric disorder, usually oppositional defiant disorder in boys and anxiety disorders in girls. The most common psychiatric disorder in the parents was mood disorder. (J. of Att. Dis. 2008; 12(2) 149-155)

Five-Year Prevalence and Persistence of Disturbed Eating Behavior and Eating Disorders in Girls With Type 1 Diabetes

Disturbed eating behavior (DEB), which includes subthreshold and full-syndrome eating disorders (EDs) as well as milder eating disturbances, is more common in girls and women with type 1 diabetes than in their nondiabetic peers (1,2). DEB is associated with poorer metabolic control (1,3) and increased hospitalizations and diabetes-related medical complications (4–7). At baseline of the present study, there were higher rates of DEB in girls with type 1 diabetes 9–13 years of age than in a nondiabetic control group (8 vs. 1%) (8), and baseline DEB persisted in one-half of individuals 1 year later (9). The current brief report summarizes data from baseline to 5-year follow-up. See Colton et al. (8) for a description of methodology. Participants were classified as normal weight, overweight, or obese using the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs for children and adolescents (10), which extrapolate BMI values of 25 and 30 kg/m2 into the pediatric age range. Rates of DEB and ED were organized by age (in years) at the time of each assessment (Table 1). Point prevalence was calculated as all “cases” of DEB in participants of a particular age/total number assessed at that age. Similar calculations were carried out for point …

Are Girls with ADHD at Risk for Eating Disorders? Results from a Controlled, Five-Year Prospective Study

To evaluate the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and eating disorders in a large adolescent population of girls with and without ADHD. We estimated the incidence of lifetime eating disorders (either anorexia or bulimia nervosa) using Cox proportional hazard survival models. Comparisons between ADHD girls with and without eating disorders were then made on measures of comorbidity, course of ADHD, and growth and puberty. ADHD girls were 3.6 times more likely to meet criteria for an eating disorder throughout the follow-up period compared to control females. Girls with eating disorders had significantly higher rates of major depression, anxiety disorders, and disruptive behavior disorder compared to ADHD girls without eating disorders. Girls with ADHD and eating disorders had a significantly earlier mean age at menarche than other ADHD girls. No other differences in correlates of ADHD were detected between ADHD girls with and without eating disorders. ADHD significantly increases the risk of eating disorders. The presence of an eating disorder in girls with ADHD heightens the risk of additional morbidity and dysfunction.

Predictors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of conduct disorder in girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a longitudinal study

Research on the overlap between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) in males has provided useful information on the etiology, correlates, course, and nosology of this co-morbid condition. However, it is unclear how these results extend to females. Our aim was to examine the predictors, clinical characteristics, and functional outcome of CD in a sample of female youth with and without ADHD. We conducted a blind, 5-year prospective longitudinal study of girls with (n=140) and without (n=122) ADHD, aged 6-18 years at baseline. At the 5-year follow-up, 123 (88%) and 112 (92%) of the ADHD and control children respectively were reassessed at a mean age of 16.7 years. Psychiatric disorders were assessed using blind structured diagnostic interviews. Baseline ADHD was a significant risk factor for lifetime CD throughout childhood and adolescence [hazard ratio (HR) 5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9-11.5, p<0.001]. Among ADHD girls, childhood-onset (<12 years) CD was predicted by paternal antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), while adolescent-onset CD (12 years) was predicted by family conflict. In addition, lifetime CD significantly predicted academic, psychiatric and sexual behavior problems in girls with ADHD at follow-up. ADHD is a significant risk factor for CD in girls. CD is associated with increased risk for academic, psychiatric and sexual behavior problems compared to ADHD girls without CD. Given that the therapeutic approaches indicated by ADHD and CD differ, these findings highlight the importance of improved efforts aimed at early identification and treatment of CD in girls with ADHD.

Excretion of Methylphenidate in Breast Milk

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Letters to the EditorFull AccessExcretion of Methylphenidate in Breast MilkOLAV SPIGSET M.D., Ph.D.WENCHE RØDSETH BREDE B.Sc.KOLBJØRN ZAHLSEN M.Sc.,OLAV SPIGSET M.D., Ph.D.Search for more papers by this authorWENCHE RØDSETH BREDE B.Sc.Search for more papers by this authorKOLBJØRN ZAHLSEN M.Sc.Search for more papers by this author,Published Online:1 Feb 2007AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail To the Editor: It is unknown to which extent methylphenidate is transferred to breast milk. We therefore present a case of a lactating woman from whom the levels of methylphenidate were measured in serum and breast milk.A 31-year-old woman with narcolepsy had used methylphenidate regularly before she became pregnant. During pregnancy and the first months postpartum, the drug was discontinued. When she started work after her maternity leave, the need for methylphenidate reappeared. She had a desire to continue breast-feeding, and the question was thus raised as to whether the use of methylphenidate was compatible with breast feeding.Her daily methylphenidate dose was 5 mg in the morning and 10 mg at noon, using immediate-release tablets (Ritalin, Novartis, Switzerland). After giving written informed consent, maternal serum and breast milk were obtained at the following five points of time: immediately before the morning dose at 8 a.m., just before the dose at noon, and 4, 8, and 21 hours after the dose at noon. The first three samples were from foremilk, whereas the two last samples were from hindmilk. Concentrations of methylphenidate were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with a limit of quantification of 0.3 ng/ml.The maternal serum concentrations in the five samples were <0.3, 2.3, 3.8, 1.7, and <0.3 ng/ml, respectively. The corresponding milk concentrations were <0.3, 2.4, 5.9, 1.4, and <0.3 ng/ml.Accordingly, in the three samples with measurable concentrations, the mean milk/serum concentration ratio was 1.1, with variations from 0.8 to 1.6. Assuming that the mean milk concentration of 2.5 ng/ml ([0.3+2.4+5.9+1.4] ng/ml:4) represents the true mean during a 24-hour period and that the infant ingested a standard volume of 150 ml of milk per kilogram of body weight per day, the daily infant dose can be estimated to 0.38 μg per kilogram of body weight. Compared with the maternal daily dose of 234 mg per kilogram of body weight, the infant dose was only 0.16%. This value is far below the 10% notational level of concern for drugs that are not particularly toxic. Three of the samples were foremilk samples, which tend to underestimate the infant exposure to lipid-soluble drugs. However, since the lipofilicity of methylphenidate is low, this factor would not be expected to significantly influence the exposure.The infant’s age was 11 months, and he was only sporadically breastfed. Thus, it was not considered meaningful to measure his methylphenidate plasma concentration, since it would nevertheless not be relevant for the “worst case” scenario—a newborn who is exclusively breastfed. The infant’s general health status was excellent, and no possible adverse effects were observed.Because methylphenidate was not detected in breast milk 20–21 hours after the previous dose, an infant would not be expected to be exposed to methylphenidate if breastfed immediately before the maternal morning dose. This finding is consistent with the short plasma elimination half-life of 2–3 hours. It is, however, important to note that only one patient was studied and that this finding is not necessarily valid in subjects with elimination half-lives that are longer than average, if the last dose is taken in the afternoon, or if a slow-release formulation is used.Trondheim, NorwayThe authors report no competing interests. FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited bySuccessful lactation after resuming methylphenidate in a woman with narcolepsyJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Vol. 18, No. 7Parental ADHD in pregnancy and the postpartum period – A systematic reviewNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Vol. 124Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women12 August 2020 | BMC Psychiatry, Vol. 20, No. 1Management of Hypersomnia in Pregnancy15 April 2020Sleep Disorders25 January 2019Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 35, No. 3Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, Vol. 45, No. 3Breastfeeding Medicine, Vol. 13, No. 3Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, Vol. 62, No. 6ADHD and PregnancyMarlene P. Freeman, M.D.1 July 2014 | American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 171, No. 7Management of narcolepsy during pregnancySleep Medicine, Vol. 14, No. 4Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, Vol. 16, No. 9 Volume 164Issue 2 February, 2007Pages 348-348THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY February 2007 Volume 164 Number 2 Metrics PDF download History Published online 1 February 2007 Published in print 1 February 2007

Homotypic Versus Heterotypic Continuity of Anxiety Symptoms in Young Adolescents: Evidence for Distinctions Between DSM-IV Subtypes

Objective: to investigate homotypic and heterotypic longitudinal patterns of symptoms of separation anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia (SoPh), panic disorder (PD), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in young adolescents from the Dutch general population.Method: 2,067 individuals (51.4% girls) from a Dutch community sample, who were assessed for the first time when they were aged 10 to 12 years, were followed up across a period of two years. At both assessments, anxiety symptoms were assessed with the RCADS, a self-report questionnaire.Results: Regression analyses indicated that homotypic continuity was relatively high for SAD, GAD, and SoPh symptoms, and for PD in girls.Conclusions: In many studies, anxiety disorders are treated as one group of disorders, and some widely used assessment instruments, such as the Child Behavior Checklist, do not even contain scales that tap different anxiety dimensions. In the present study, evidence for homotypic continuity was found, especially for symptoms of separation, social, and generalized anxiety, and for symptoms of panic disorder in girls, underscoring the usefulness of making distinctions between different anxiety constructs.

Linkages between child abuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls: Behavioral and social correlates

Objective The objectives of this study were to examine whether girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of having histories of abuse and to assess whether the presence of an abuse history may constitute a distinct subgroup of youth with ADHD. Method We examined rates and correlates of child abuse in an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 140) and a matched comparison sample of girls without ADHD ( n = 88), all aged 6–12 years. A thorough chart review reliably established documented rates of physical and sexual abuse in both samples. Results There were significantly higher rates of abuse for girls with ADHD (14.3%) than for the comparison sample (4.5%), with most of the abuse found in girls with the Combined as opposed to the Inattentive type. Higher rates of externalizing behaviors (including objective observations in a research summer camp) and peer rejection (indexed through peer sociometric nominations) characterized the subgroup of girls with ADHD with abuse histories compared to the subgroup without such histories, with moderate to large effect sizes. Subgroup differences regarding internalizing problems and cognitive deficits did not emerge. Findings regarding peer rejection were explained, in part, by higher rates of observed aggressive behavior in the abused subgroup. Conclusions The findings raise important questions about the possible etiologic and/or exacerbating role of abusive trauma in a subgroup of children with ADHD.

Women's mental health: A silent cause of mortality and morbidity

It is estimated that 450 million individuals worldwide are affected by mental, neurological or behavioral problems at any time, and that 873,000 die annually by suicide. Key international authorities and a literature review suggest that women are disproportionately affected by depression, anxiety and eating disorders, which usually go unrecognized and untreated, and that the mental health of women can be understood only if their biological, social, cultural, economic and personal context is considered. International efforts should increase to prevent, recognize and treat mental disorders in girls and women. An International Women's Mental Health Consensus Statement is herein provided, for endorsement by interested organizations wishing to begin this task.

Aggression, antisocial behavior, and violence among girls: a developmental perspective

Part I: Setting the Stage: Understanding the Development of Gender Differences in Aggression and Antisocial Behavior. Maccoby, Aggression in the Context of Gender Development. Susman, Pajer, Biology-behavior Integration and Antisocial Behavior in Girls. Zahn-Waxler, Polanichka, All Things Interpersonal: Socialization and Female Aggression. Part II: Aggression and Victimization Among Girls in Childhood. Crick, Ostrov, Appleyard, Jansen, Casas, Relational Aggression in Early Childhood: You Can't Come to My Birthday Party Unless.... Pepler, Craig, Yuile, Connolly, Girls Who Bully: A Developmental and Relational Perspective. Putallaz, Kupersmidt, Coie, McKnight, Grimes, A Behavior Analysis of Girls' Aggression and Victimization. Part III: Understanding Antisocial and Related Problem Behaviors in Adolescent Girls. Bierman, Bruschi, Domitrovich, Yan Fang, Miller-Johnson, and the Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group, Early Disruptive Behaviors Associated with Emerging Antisocial Behavior Among Girls. Trickett, Gordis, Aggression and Antisocial Behavior in Sexually Abused Females. Giordano, Cernkovich, Lowery, A Long-term Follow-up of Serious Adolescent Female Offenders. Chesney-Lind, Belknap, Trends in Delinquent Girls' Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review of the Evidence. Part IV: Girls as Perpetrators and Victims of Abusive and Conflictual Relationships: Adolescence and Adulthood. Capaldi, Kim, Shortt, Women's Involvement in Aggression in Young Adult Romantic Relationships: A Developmental Systems Model. Zoccolillo, Paquette, Azar, Cote, Tremblay, Parenting as an Important Outcome of Conduct Disorder in Girls. Serbin, Stack, De Genna, Grunzeweig, Temcheff, Schwartzman, Ledingham, When Aggressive Girls Become Mothers: Problems in Parenting, Health, and Development across Two Generations, V. Implications for Policy and Prevention. Underwood, Coie, Commentary 1: Future Directions and Priorities for Prevention and Intervention. Dodge, Commentary 2: Public Policy and the Discovery of Girls' Aggressive Behavior.

Body image, risk factors for eating disorders and sociocultural influences in Spanish adolescents

The aim was to study differences between male and female adolescents as regards body dissatisfaction, some risk factors for eating disorders, and exposure to social influences that create ideal body figures among these populations. A questionnaire comprising 40 items was administered to 240 male adolescents at 12 public and private schools in Barcelona. Twenty-nine of the questions were the same as those in another study administered to a sample of 675 female adolescents attending similar schools in the same geographical area. The other 11 questions were specifically for males. The differences between boys and girls were highly significant on almost all the items. Girls' scores were significantly higher (p = 0.000) in the following areas: dieting and exercising in order to be thin; feelings of anxiety on seeing or showing the body in public; tendency to focus on the bodies of others and on the amount of food they eat; the belief that thin people are more popular. In addition, the girls were significantly more vulnerable to potentially dangerous social influences. For the most part, males sought a heavier, more muscular body. Though a minority of males also feared being overweight, one out of four ate more than normal to gain weight and two out of three exercised to develop their muscles. The same proportion reported envying the build of certain actors. In adolescence, the ideal body figures of the sexes vary widely. This divergence reflects a greater risk of eating disorders in girls, who are also far more exposed to social situations that cause body dissatisfaction and shape risk attitudes and behaviors.

Four Factors Useful in Identifying Eating Disorders in Girls

Four Factors Useful in Identifying Eating Disorders in Girls

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: From Risk Factors To Prevention

Background: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) is widespread. About 60-70% of the general population is aware of symptoms. Aim of the study is to investigate the main risk factors involved in TMJD. Methods: 68 consecutive patients admitted for surgical procedures were enrolled. Before surgical procedure, they were clinically evaluated for TMJD, according to accepted criteria. A logistic regression model step-wise was used to evaluate the correlation between single risk factors and TMJD. Results: 47 out of 68 patient (69.12%) presented at least one sign or symptom of TMJD. Among all evaluated risk factors, only the presence of dental caries was significantly associated with TMJD (OR=6.13; p Manuele Casale, MD Area of Otolaryngology University Campus Bio-Medico Rome Via Longoni, 69/83 00155 Rome (Italy) Tel.: 0039622541740 – Fax: 0039622541456 Email: m.casale@unicampus.it