High Risk For Psychopathology Research Articles

The influence of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on the relationship between emotion regulation and mood-related pathology in survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino acid peptide that is widely expressed throughout the limbic system. Recent evidence has highlighted NPY as a marker of resilience to posttraumatic psychopathology, which may be due to its association with neural regions involved with emotion regulation. This study examined whether plasma NPY levels moderated the relationship between emotion regulation and psychopathology in a sample of adult survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma, a population known to be at high risk for psychopathology. Adults exposed to an interpersonal criterion A trauma during childhood (N = 54) were recruited from an urban population at a midwestern medical center and completed a baseline study visit as part of a larger clinical trial. Participants gave a blood sample in order to assess circulating levels of NPY and answered questions related to emotion regulation and mood-related pathology. Results of a moderated multiple regression showed that the overall model was significant R2 = 0.26, F (5, 48) = 3.46, p < .01. Difficulties in emotion regulation was significantly predictive of psychopathology (unstandardized B = 0.032, p < .01), and this relationship was significantly moderated by levels of NPY (unstandardized B = −0.001, p < .05) such that the relationship between emotion regulation and psychopathology was weaker for those with higher levels of NPY. Results suggest that higher levels of NPY may lessen the association between emotion regulation and posttraumatic psychopathology in survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma. Further investigation of the contribution of NPY to psychopathology in this population is warranted. NCT02279290.

The mental health impact of the October 7th terror attack on Jews and Arabs in Israel: A nationwide prospective study

IntroductionOn October 7, 2023, Israeli citizens came under an unprecedented terrorist attack that impacted the entire country. Recent research has begun to document the mental health impact of the attack but has yet to address the question of whether the attack had a differential impact across ethnic communities. In this nationwide prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine possible differences in psychopathology between Jews and Arabs in the post-October 7th attack. Specifically, we aimed to understand the role ethnicity may play in changes in probable PTSD, depression, and anxiety diagnoses from pre- to post-attack. MethodsThe sample comprised 656 participants (332 female, 50.7%) aged 18–85 (M = 41.01, SD = 13.72). Of this cohort, 557 participants (84.9%) were Jews, and 99 (15.1%) were Arabs, reflecting their national proportionality. Validated self-report questionnaires were completed to assess PTSD, depression, and anxiety at two time points: August 20 to 30th, 2023 (T1; 6–7 weeks before the attack) and November 9–19, 2023 (T2; 5–6 weeks after the attack). ResultsAt T2, Arab Israeli participants reported significantly higher prevalences of probable PTSD, depression, and anxiety diagnoses than Jewish Israeli participants. A series of hierarchical logistic regressions revealed that, compared with Jews, Arab participants presented with higher prevalence of probable PTSD (OR = 2.53 95% CI = 1.46–4.37, p < 0.0001), depression (OR = 1.68 95% CI = 1.35–3.01, p < 0.0001) and anxiety (OR = 6.42 95% CI = 3.95–10.52, p < 0.0001), controlling for prevalences of probable diagnoses at T1 as well as for trauma-related variables. DiscussionCitizens belonging to the Arab ethnic minority in Israel were found to be at higher risk for psychopathology in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack compared with their Jewish majority counterparts. Thus, it becomes critical to employ culturally sensitive assessments and interventions following the attack to prevent the development of chronic symptoms and disorders.

Psychopathology, cortisol and testosterone responses to traumatic images: differences between urban and suburban citizens in a middle-income country.

Living in urban places has been associated with a higher risk of psychopathology as well as with altered hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and consequently altered cortisol response, but studies have concentrated mainly in high-income countries population. The role of other hormones such as testosterone, implicated in stress response and with human social behaviors, have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare symptoms of psychopathology as well as cortisol and testosterone in response to traumatic images between urban and suburban people in a middle-income country. A sample of 67 women and 55 men (N = 122, 18-45 years) from urban and suburban places of Mexico participated in the study. We quantified salivary cortisol and testosterone in response to images with traumatic and violent content (basal, 15, 30, and 45 min after images). Participants answered a general information questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90-R to assess their psychopathological traits. We performed Generalized Estimating Equation Models to analyze hormonal levels and MANOVAs to compare differences in participants' psychopathology symptoms. Area under the curve respect to ground (AUCG) of hormonal levels and sex differences were also compared. Suburban citizens showed no cortisol response, whereas urban people showed a cortisol peak 15 min after the image's exposure; however, suburban people had higher AUCG and basal levels compared to urban ones. Contrastingly, testosterone levels declined in all participants excepting the urban women, who showed no testosterone response. Although similar testosterone profile, AUCG levels were higher in urban than suburban men. Participants living in suburban areas had higher scores of somatizations, obsessive-compulsive, and interpersonal sensitivity, as well as more sleep disorders than participants living in urban areas. This study offers novel evidence about differences in cortisol and testosterone responses to a social stressor and in mental health indicators between a population of urban and suburban citizens, highlighting the impact of urbanization process on physiological and psychological outcomes in a middle-income country.

Prevalence of State Trait Anxiety and Binge Eating Disorder in Overweight Individuals: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Overweight is a growing public health global epidemic that affects over 600 million people worldwideand leads to the development of multiple metabolic, mechanical, and mental health disorders associated withfatality. Binge eating disorder (BED) is a kind of eating entity associated with excessive weight. Nearly, 80%of those with BED have higher risk of psychopathology, including mood, anxiety, and sleep problems. Anxietyhas repeatedly been associated with overweight and eating disorders. So, the aim of this study was to find theprevalence rate of state trait anxiety and binge eating disorder in overweight individuals.Method: A self-administered questionnaire was prepared which consisted of survey related questions from StateTrait Anxiety Inventory and Binge Eating Scale. Total 51 individuals were selected on the basis of selection criteriaand the questionnaire was distributed amongst them. Data analysis using scientific calculation showed that therewas high prevalence rate of high level of state anxiety, moderate level of trait anxiety with moderate level of bingeeating in overweight individuals.Conclusion: The study supported the alternative hypothesis and indicated that there was

Psychometric evaluation of the depression anxiety stress scale 8-items (DASS-8)/DASS-12/DASS-21 among family caregivers of patients with dementia.

Patients with dementia express a set of problematic and deteriorating symptoms, along with self-care dependency. Over time, the mental health of family caregivers of persons with dementia may be affected, putting them at a high risk for psychopathology, which may be associated with endangered wellbeing of people with dementia. This cross-sectional instrumental design study examined the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8), DASS-12, and DASS-21 in a convenient sample of 571 caregivers from northern Italy and southern Switzerland (mean age = 53 years, SD = 12, range = 24-89 years). A bifactor structure of the three measures had the best fit; some items of the DASS-12/DASS-21 failed to load on their domain-specific factors. The three-factor structure was invariant across various groups (e.g., gender and education), expressed adequate reliability and convergent validity, and had strong positive correlation with the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS3). Distress scores did not differ among carers of different types of dementia (Alzheimer's disease vs. other types, e.g., vascular dementia). However, distress scores were significantly high among female individuals, adult children caregivers, those caring for dependent patients, and those who received help with care. For 54.9 and 38.8% of the latter, care was provided by relatives and health professionals, respectively. Since the DASS-8 expresses adequate psychometrics comparable with the DASS-21, it may be used as a brief measure of distress in this population.

Prevalence of bullying victimization and its association with self-perceived health, psychopathology, and suicidality: A nationwide population-based survey in Taiwan

The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of bullying victimization (BV) and its association with psychopathology and suicidality in a nationwide general population. The target population were all the people living in Taiwan, the study samples were obtained by the following processes. A computer-assisted telephone interview was performed to identify potential respondents using telephone numbers selected with the stratified proportional randomization method. Self-reported data were evaluated. Moreover, data obtained using the validated Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) and Concise Mental Health Checklist (CMHC) were used to evaluate psychopathological symptoms and overall suicidal risks, respectively. Results were further analyzed using the chi-square tests and logistic regression model. In total, 1930 respondents from a national general population survey were included in the analysis. The weighted prevalence of lifetime BV in the general population was 13.5%. Based on the chi-square analysis, individuals exposed to BV were at high risk for psychopathology (a BSRS-5 score of ≥6 (x2=45.5, P≤.001) and high BSRS-5 scores for all five items). Bullying exposure was significantly associated with lifetime suicide ideation and suicide attempt (x2=85.7, P≤.001; x2=17.0, P≤.001, respectively). The help-seeking behavior of respondents exposed to bullying did not differ significantly (x2=4.6, P=.327). Bullying exposure is associated with recent psychopathology and lifetime suicidality. Multifactorial interactive processes contribute to long-term harmful health implications in adulthood. Nevertheless, further research on the relevant mechanisms associated with bullying and potential interventions that can decrease morbidity must be conducted.

Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Major Depressive Disorder: A Case Control Study.

Introduction: The role of increased oxidative stress and alterations to the nitric oxide (NO) pathway have been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD). The two pathways interact closely with each other but have not been studied simultaneously in MDD. This study aimed to assess and compare the levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress in the neutrophils (PMNs) of drug-naive MDD patients and their first-degree relatives. Methods: 29 drug-naive MDD patients and 27 healthy first-degree relatives and healthy controls aged 18–45 years were included in this study. An assessment of the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitrites, neuronal NO synthase (nNOS), and myeloperoxidase in PMNs, and cortisol in serum was carried out. Results: Compared to healthy controls, the generation of free radicals, myeloperoxidase activity, and nNOS mRNA expression in PMNs, and cortisol level in serum were significantly higher in drug-naive depression patients. Indeed, increased levels of myeloperoxidase and serum cortisol were also noted in first-degree relatives. The total nitrite content in the PMNs and plasma however was significantly lower in both patients and first-degree relatives. Interestingly, a positive correlation was established in the ROS levels in the PMNs, plasma and neutrophil nitrite, and the serum cortisol level between MDD patients and their first-degree relatives. Conclusion: The results of this study contribute towards a better understanding of the familial association of depressive disorder, and demonstrate for the first time that neutrophil ROS/RNS, plasma nitrite, and serum cortisol levels are positively correlated between MDD patients and their first-degree relatives. However, further studies in larger, more diverse samples are needed to extend these pathways as potential biomarkers to identify persons at high risk for psychopathology at an early stage.

The relationship between adolescents' externalizing and internalizing symptoms and brain development over a period of three years

BackgroundAdolescence is a crucial period for both brain maturation and the emergence of mental health disorders. Associations between brain morphology and internalizing/externalizing symptomatology have been identified in clinical or at-risk samples, but age-related developmental differences were rarely considered. The current study investigated the longitudinal relationship between internalizing/externalizing symptoms and brain development in the absence of psychiatric disorders during early and late adolescence. Methods98 healthy adolescents within two cohorts (younger: 9 years, older: 12 years) participated in annual assessments for three years; a clinical assessment measuring their externalizing and internalizing symptoms (SDQ) and an MRI assessment measuring their brain volume and white matter microstructure, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and average path length. ResultsLinear mixed effect models and cross-lagged panel models showed that larger subcortical gray matter volume predicted more externalizing symptoms in older adolescents whereas decreases of subcortical gray matter volume predicted more externalizing symptoms for younger adolescents. Additionally, longer average white matter path length predicted more externalizing symptoms for older adolescents, while decreases in cerebral white matter volume were predictive of more externalizing symptoms for younger adolescents. There were no predictive effects for internalizing symptoms, FA or MD. ConclusionsDelays in subcortical brain maturation, in both early and late adolescence, are associated with increases in externalizing behavior which indicates a higher risk for psychopathology and warrants further investigations.

Long-term emotional consequences of parental alienation exposure in children of divorced parents: A systematic review

Although the emotional consequences of childhood exposure to parental alienation behaviors in children and adolescents of divorced parents are known, there is scarce evidence on their long-term consequences in adulthood. Therefore, this work aims to conduct a systematic review of the state of research in this area and its main conclusions and identify gaps and limitations to guide future research. A search of the literature was performed in electronic databases PsycInfo, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, DART-Europe, ProQuest, Wiley, TESEO and Dialnet, and a secondary review of the bibliography; in February 2019 updated in December of the same year. Thirteen pieces of research were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria; twelve published articles from journals and one doctoral thesis, both with qualitative and quantitative methodology. Children exposed to parental interference and alienation show in adulthood depression and anxiety symptoms, a higher risk of psychopathology, lower self-esteem and self-sufficiency. As well as, higher alcohol and drug use rates, parental relationship difficulties, insecure attachment, lower life quality, higher divorce rates, feelings of loss, abandonment and guilt. They also report repetition of these alienating behaviors on their children by their partner or their own children's grandparents. Some limitations of the study are described, and proposals are made for future research.

Differences in internalizing symptoms between those with and without Cannabis Use Disorder among HBCU undergraduate students

Objective To determine the differences in internalizing symptoms between those who met criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and those who did not in young adults attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Participants The sample included 619 undergraduate students, with 110 (18%) who met criteria for CUD. Methods Participants completed an online survey, which included demographic, anxious and depressive symptomatology, and substance use assessment. Results Those who met CUD criteria reported more depressive symptoms (M = 22.83 ± 10.74) and anxiety symptoms (M = 45.70 ± 12.82) than their non-CUD counterparts (M = 19.17 ± 10.58; M = 40.57 ± 14.11, respectively). Conclusion Differences between those who met criteria for CUD and those who did not are consistent with previous literature and may aid in characterizing internalizing behaviors in HBCU students with CUD. Future research should examine the subgroups that may cycle through withdrawal symptoms, despite not having severe CUD. This subgroup may be at higher risk for psychopathology than their severe counterparts.

Neural Response to Social Exclusion Moderates the Link Between Adolescent Anxiety Symptoms and Substance Use

BackgroundSubstance use (SU) typically increases from middle to late adolescence. Anxiety is one factor associated with greater SU, although variability in who uses substances remains. Some models suggest that brain-based susceptibility markers could reveal which adolescents are at a higher risk for psychopathology, but it is unknown whether these individual differences attenuate or accentuate the association between anxiety and elevated SU even if normative. This study addressed this gap by testing whether neural response to social exclusion moderates the association between anxiety symptoms and increased SU from middle to late adolescence. MethodsParticipants were 181 Mexican-origin adolescents (48% female; 16–17 years old) who completed a social exclusion task during a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan and filled out questionnaires about their SU and anxiety symptoms. Analyses focused on neural response to social exclusion versus inclusion within 3 regions of interest and change in SU across 2 years. ResultsDorsal anterior cingulate cortex response to social exclusion, but not subgenual anterior cingulate cortex or anterior insula, moderated the relation between anxiety symptoms and SU, such that higher anxiety symptoms predicted a greater relative increase in SU only for those youth with a lower dorsal anterior cingulate cortex response to exclusion. ConclusionsBlunted dorsal anterior cingulate cortex response to social exclusion may serve as a neural susceptibility marker of altered conflict monitoring or emotion regulation in middle adolescence that, in combination with high levels of anxious feelings, elevates the risk for onset of and/or increased SU by late adolescence. These findings have implications for designing targeted interventions to mitigate SU among adolescents.

The relationship of childhood maltreatment to deviant behaviours among young Iraqi adults: A cross sectional study

The exposure to stressful events during childhood may have prolonged effects and is associated with a higher risk of psychopathology during adulthood. To assess the relationship between exposure to childhood maltreatment and the occurrence of deviant behaviours among Iraqi young adults. A cross-sectional study was done from October 2018 to April 2019. A non -random convenient sample that consisted of young adults of age between 18 and 20 years. The childhood maltreatment was measured by Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, while the deviant behaviours were assessed by Deviant Behaviour Variety Scale. The participants were 401. There was a positive correlation between ACE score and deviant behaviours score. The male subjects had higher mean of deviant behaviour variety score compare to that of the female subjects. The linear regression model showed that exposure to physical abuse (β = 0.180, p < 0.001), sexual abuse (β = 0.138, p = 0.003) during the first 18 years of age significantly predicts the variety of deviant behaviours. Childhood maltreatment was associated with high risk for deviant behaviours among young Iraqi adults. The physical abuse was the main predictor for deviant behaviours in adulthood.

External shame and its association with depression and anxiety: the moderating role of self-compassion

ABSTRACT Objective: The self-focused emotion of shame has been implicated in risk for psychopathology. However, this risk might be reduced by using emotion regulation strategies. To better understand the factors influencing emotion regulation and well-being in Australian university students, the current study investigated the relationships between external shame, a perception of judgement and negative evaluation from others, and core symptoms associated with psychopathology. The current study also explored whether self-compassion moderated these relationships. Methods: Australian university students (N = 392) ranging in age from 18 to 55 years old (M = 23.60) completed questionnaires assessing trait external shame, self-compassion, and the psychopathology dimensions of depression, anxiety, and stress. Results: There were strong positive associations between external shame and the core dimensions of psychopathology, along with strong negative associations between these variables and self-compassion. Self-compassion moderated the relationship between external shame and psychopathology in relation to depression and anxiety symptoms, but these findings were not replicated for stress. Conclusions: The results have advanced our understanding of the experience of self-relevant emotional distress and core symptoms of psychopathology among Australian university students and have revealed that self-compassion may provide a way to regulate the negative affectivity associated with external shame in this context. Key Points What is already known about this topic: (1)Shame follows evaluations of perceived failure and is associated with avoidant emotion regulation techniques and psychopathology. (2)Self-compassion activates the soothing emotion regulation system which can encourage more measured processing of negative self-relevant events. (3)External shame is emerging as a higher risk for psychopathology than internal shame or shame-proneness; both of which have been the predominant focus of enquiry to date. What this topic adds: (1)Higher self-compassion reduced the strength of the external shame-anxiety and external shame-depression relationships in Australian university students. (2)Self-compassion may be an effective emotion regulation strategy to reduce the aversive effects of external shame on the severity of depression and anxiety symptomatology. (3)Self-compassion could be a way to regulate the negative affectivity associated with perceptions of external shame.

Anger and Aggression among Maltreated Youth: Mediating Pathways

ABSTRACT Youth in foster care have high rates of anger and aggression. Youth who demonstrate aggressive behaviors have an increased likelihood of negative outcomes including unfavorable, early terminations from foster care placements, and higher risk for psychopathology and incarceration. The current study examined the association between anger and aggression for adolescents in foster care and tested the extent to which thought problems and internalizing symptoms mediated that link. The sample included adolescents in foster care (mean age of 14 years; N = 303), with diverse sociodemographic characteristics, and an almost equal percentage of males and females. Consistent with research findings specific to youth in the general population, the results of this study supported the direct link between anger and aggression among adolescents in foster care. This finding extends extant research by demonstrating that thought problems and internalizing symptoms mediate the relationship between anger and aggression for such adolescents.

Early pubertal maturation and externalizing behaviors: Examination of peer delinquency as mediator and cognitive flexibility as a moderator

IntroductionWhile peer delinquency is a known mediator between early pubertal timing and externalizing behaviors, little is known about factors that could protect against the adverse influence of peer delinquency. This study assesses the possible moderating role of cognitive flexibility, which is one index of executive functioning that facilitates flexible and adaptive responses to challenging situations. We assessed the interactive influence of peer delinquency and cognitive flexibility in the association between pubertal maturation and externalizing behaviors in boys and girls. MethodParticipants were 220 adolescents (111 boys) from the United States, between the ages of 11 and 16 years (M = 13.2, SD = 1.53) who participated in the Adolescent Emotion Study (AES). ResultsFindings from the cross-sectional path modeling analyses provided evidence for the mediating role of peer delinquency for boys and girls, indicating that early maturing adolescents tend to affiliate with delinquent peers, which in turn exacerbates externalizing problems. Additionally, the moderating role of cognitive flexibility was also demonstrated for both boys and girls. Region of significance tests revealed that relatively well-developed cognitive flexibility skills could protect against the adverse influences of peer delinquency, whereas lower levels could exacerbate those negative influences. ConclusionThese findings suggest that involvement with deviant peers increases vulnerability for both early maturing boys and girls. Additionally, cognitive flexibility was an important moderating factor for adolescents, such that youths with less developed skills would be at a higher risk for psychopathology, whereas those with better development could be protected.

Increased Risk of Psychopathological Abnormalities in Subjects With Unilateral Hearing Loss: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ObjectivesAlthough unilateral hearing loss (UHL) has been proven to be associated with educational and behavioral problems, few studies have investigated psychopathological abnormalities in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychopathological influence of UHL among Korean 19-year-old males.MethodsThe authors retrospectively compared the objective personality test profiles of 602 subjects with UHL with those of 23,790 peers with normal hearing. All participants in the current study were 19-year-old males who underwent a physical examination and completed the Korean Military Multiphasic Personality Inventory for conscription at the Military Manpower Administration from February 2015 to December 2016.ResultsSignificantly higher scores were found on neurosis scales in the UHL group than in the normal-hearing group (50.9± 10.8 vs. 44.9±6.0 for anxiety; 51.0±10.5 vs. 44.9±5.2 for depression; 51.1±10.4 vs. 45.1±6.81 for somatization, all P<0.001). The psychopathy scales were also significantly higher in the UHL group than in the normal-hearing group (49.3±9.4 vs. 46.3±5.7 for schizophrenia; 51.1±11.2 vs. 44.3±5.8 for personality disorders; 51.1±10.5 vs. 45.7±3.7 for paranoia, all P<0.001).ConclusionNineteen-year-old males with UHL tended to have more abnormal results on personality tests than controls with normal hearing, suggesting that UHL may be related with a higher risk of psychopathology.

T128. ATTACHMENT REPRESENTATIONS IN CHILDREN AT FAMILIAL HIGH RISK OF SEVERE MENTAL DISORDERS. ASSOCIATIONS WITH PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, LEVEL OF FUNCTIONING, AND PSYCHOTIC EXPERIENCES

BackgroundThere is evidence of higher rates of insecure and disorganized attachment in infancy in children born to parents with severe mental disorders, but evidence on attachment in middle childhood for these children is lacking. This study aims to explore attachment representations in seven-year-old children born to parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. We also aim to explore possible associations between attachment and psychopathology, level of functioning, and psychotic experiences in these children.- We expect that children at familial high risk will have the highest levels of insecure and disorganized attachment. We expect that population based controls will have the lowest levels of insecure and disorganized attachment and higher levels of security than children at familial high risk.- We expect higher levels of insecure and disorganized attachment to be associated with an increased risk of psychopathology, and psychotic experiences and with lower levels of functioning, whereas we expect higher levels of secure attachment to be associated with a lower risk of psychopathology, and psychotic experiences, and with higher levels of functioning.MethodsThe Danish High Risk and Resilience Study VIA 7 is a prospective cohort study of 522 seven-year-old children born in Denmark. The cohort consists of children where one or both parents have been diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (N=202), children where one or both parents have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder (N=120) and children where neither of the parents have been diagnosed with these disorders (N=200). Attachment representations were assessed with the Story Stem Assessment Protocol whereas psychopathology, level of functioning, and psychotic experiences were assessed with K-SADS.ResultsData analyses are ongoing but preliminary results indicate that there are no significant differences in attachment representations between the three groups of children, but that there are associations between higher rates of insecure and disorganized attachment and a higher risk of psychopathology. Results will be presented at the SIRS-conference.DiscussionUnderstanding attachment and its correlates in children at familial high risk of severe mental disorders is important in order to strengthen our understanding of developmental trajectories towards mental disorders in these children.

Comorbidities Between Specific Learning Disorders and Psychopathology in Elementary School Children in Germany.

Children with reading and/or spelling disorders have increased rates of behavioral and emotional problems and combinations of these. Some studies also find increased rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression. However, the comorbidities of, e.g., arithmetic disorders with ADHD, anxiety disorder, and depression have been addressed only rarely. The current study explored the probability of children with specific learning disorders (SLD) in reading, spelling, and/or arithmetic to also have anxiety disorder, depression, ADHD, and/or conduct disorder. The sample consisted of 3,014 German children from grades 3 and 4 (mean age 9;9 years) who completed tests assessing reading, spelling as well as arithmetic achievement and intelligence via a web-based application. Psychopathology was assessed using questionnaires filled in by the parents. In children with a SLD we found high rates of anxiety disorder (21%), depression (28%), ADHD (28%), and conduct disorder (22%). Children with SLD in multiple learning domains had a higher risk for psychopathology and had a broader spectrum of psychopathology than children with an isolated SLD. The results highlight the importance of screening for and diagnosing psychiatric comorbidities in children with SLD.

Atypical Prefrontal-Amygdala Circuitry Following Childhood Exposure to Abuse: Links With Adolescent Psychopathology.

Adverse childhood experiences have been associated with more negative coupling between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and amygdala, a brain network involved in emotion regulation in both children and adults. This pattern may be particularly likely to emerge in individuals exposed to threatening experiences during childhood (e.g., exposure to child abuse), although this has not been examined in prior research. We collected functional magnetic resonance imaging data on 57 adolescents during an emotion regulation task. Greater negative functional connectivity between vmPFC and amygdala occurred during viewing of negative compared to neutral images. This vmPFC-amygdala task-related functional connectivity was more negative in adolescents exposed to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse than those without a history of maltreatment and was associated with abuse severity. This pattern of more negative functional connectivity was associated with higher levels of externalizing psychopathology concurrently and 2 years later. Greater negative connectivity in the vmPFC-amygdala network during passive viewing of negative images may reflect disengagement of regulatory responses from vmPFC in situations eliciting strong amygdala reactivity, potentially due to stronger appraisals of threat in children exposed to early threatening environments. This pattern may be adaptive in the short term but place adolescents at higher risk of psychopathology later in life.

NEET status among young Greeks: Association with mental health and substance use

BackgroundPrior studies have shown that young people “not in education, employment or training” (“NEET”) are at higher risk for psychopathology and substance abuse. Similar studies are lacking in Southern European populations. We aimed to examine the associations of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and substance use with NEET status in a large, randomized population-based sample in Greece. MethodsA telephone structured questionnaire was conducted in a representative sample of 2771 young Greeks aged 15–24 years. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed with GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales, respectively. Substances use and several sociodemographic parameters were also examined. ResultsIn our sample 16.4% were NEETs. In multivariate analyses, NEETs compared to non-NEETs were older, with lower family income, without insurance and more likely to be married and smoke. Furthermore, NEET status was associated with a higher GAD-7 score among older NEETs and long-term NEETs (NEETs unemployed for more than a year). Moreover, being NEET among older participants was associated with severe symptoms of anxiety and moderate/severe symptoms of depression. LimitationsThis was a telephone survey and a clinical evaluation of the patients was not performed. Furthermore, the structured interview was not designed to detect the level of substance use or the reasons for being NEET. ConclusionsNEET status is frequent among young Greeks. Older, and long-term NEETs appear to be at higher risk for presenting anxiety/depression symptoms. Whether NEET status is associated with adverse outcomes later in life requires longitudinal studies.