Psychosocial Problems In Children Research Articles

Parents' Mental and Emotional Disorders and Psychosocial Problems in Children at Public Elementary School 1 Kucur

The psychosocial challenges faced by children may not always correspond with the emotional disorders exhibited by their parents. A robust support system from their social network can significantly contribute to the enhancement of their mental well-being. This study aims to investigate the relationship between parental emotional disorders and psychosocial issues in school-aged children. The research utilizes a descriptive correlational approach with a cross-sectional design, involving 165 students aged 6 to 12 from Public Elementary School 1 Kucur who are currently enrolled in school, along with one consenting parent, resulting in 330 respondents. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire-29 (SRQ-29) is used to identify parental emotional issues, while the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) assesses children's psychosocial problems. An analysis employing Somers' D Gamma was conducted to ascertain the correlation between parental mental-emotional disorders and children's psychological well-being. The findings reveal that the highest average score for parental mental-emotional disorders stands at 82.4%. In comparison, the highest average score for total difficulties in children's psychosocial issues is 58.8%, while the highest average prosocial score is 92.7%. The statistical analysis reveals no significant connection between parental emotional disorders and children's psychosocial problems on the prosocial scale (p=0.897) and total difficulties score (p=0.897). In conclusion, the findings of this research do not establish a direct link due to the numerous factors influencing children's psychosocial challenges.

Prospective associations of maternal stressors with child psychosocial problems through the occurrence of child physical abuse and changes in family dynamics

Early childbearing is associated with high maternal stress and family violence. However, the long-term effects of rapid repeat pregnancy (RRP) in young motherhood on child outcomes remain largely unknown. This study examined the pathways between maternal RRP at young ages and child psychosocial problems and emergency room visits in later years. A total of 232 Chinese mother-child dyads provided baseline data in 2015 (Time 1; T1) and follow-up data 6 years later in 2021 (Time 2; T2). At T1, mothers completed questionnaires about child physical abuse frequency and family cohesion and reported their own stress levels. At T2, mothers were re-surveyed with the same questionnaires about child physical abuse frequency and family cohesion. Children’s psychosocial problems were assessed through parent proxy-reports and records of emergency room visits were retrieved from hospital databases. After adjusting for demographic information, maternal history of RRP was associated with child physical abuse at T1 (β = .15, p < .05) and in turn linked to child physical abuse recurrence (β = .22, p < .01) and emergency room visits at T2 (β = .22, p < .001). Improved family cohesion over time did not break the link between maternal RRP and child physical abuse recurrence. Poor family dynamics can lead to child physical abuse recurrence and worsen developmental outcomes in children, particularly when coupled with other risk factors such as maternal RRP at young ages. Early interventions to enhance support and reduce vulnerabilities are important for preventing child physical abuse in at-risk families.

The Analysis Relationship of Exclusive Breastfeeding with Psychosocial Problems in Children Aged 4-6 Years

Psychosocial health is one of the most important factors in achieving optimal growth and development in children. The increase in psychosocial problems among children has been accompanied by a decrease in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding over the past two years. Another important aspect is the history of natural disasters such as tsunamis, military operations, and the implementation of Islamic law in Aceh. This research aims to explore the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and psychosocial problems in children in the city of Banda Aceh.The research method employed in this study is an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The population of this research comprises all children aged 4-6 years old. Samples were obtained using a cluster sampling technique, involving 296 children from 5 villages around one of the public health centers in Banda Aceh. Data analysis in this study is conducted using a logistic regression test.The results of the study indicate that the percentage of children aged 4-6 years in Banda Aceh who have received exclusive breastfeeding is 261 children (88.18%), while the number of children with psychosocial problems based on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist 17 is 27 children (9.12%). There is a significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and psychosocial problems in children aged 4-6 years in the working area of the Baiturrahman Public Health Center in Banda Aceh. Children who did not receive exclusive breastfeeding have a 5 times higher risk of experiencing psychosocial disorders compared to children who received exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life

Identifying and managing psychosocial problems in children on home invasive mechanical ventilation.

Home invasive mechanical ventilation (HIMV) has allowed children with chronic respiratory failure to be discharged from the hospital, giving them a chance to return to their home life which is more natural for children to grow up. Many technological tools necessary for their survival have also caused restrictions in the social lives of these children. Psychosocial problems will be inevitable in this group of patients, who often have to cope with more than one medical problem. Identifying the impact of HIMV on these problems will enable these children to have a better quality of life. While the most objective method used to determine the psychosocial status of these children is quality of life measurement, more studies are needed to determine the ideal questionnaire. This review deals with psychosocial problems on HIMV.

Documenting Psychosocial Problems in Children’s Electronic Health Records

This Viewpoint describes why knowledge of a child’s environment is critical for optimal care and why it is important that this information be documented in a child’s electronic health record.

Strengths and Difficulties of 3- to 15-Year-Old Children and Adolescents in the Second andThird Year of the Corona Pandemic - Results of a Household-Representative Survey in Germany

Behavioural strengths and psychosocial problems in children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 15 are reported. The survey is based on a household-representative sample of 2,421 parents or guardians providing information on their everyday family-life in summer 2021 by online-questionnaire. 704 of the respondents participated again in the spring of 2022. In result, the behaviour of a quarter of the children and adolescents is described as psychosocially borderline/abnormal over the survey period (SDQ total). About a third of children and adolescents have emotional problems, behavioural problems or problems with their peers (respective SDQ-subscales). The proportion of primary-school children with emotional problems increases from summer 2021 to the following spring. Families in which children with disabilities live are disproportionally more affected. The results are discussed with regard to the SDQ standard values available for Germany, as well as the families' self-reported supportneeds and their planned use of professional support-services. Given the psychosocial burden of children, adolescents and their families presented here, which become apparent well after the closures of day-care centres and schools, or other contact-restricting measures to contain the pandemic, have ended, it remains of interest to observe how their well-being will further develop over time.

Longitudinal associations between socioeconomic status and psychosocial problems in preschool children

Socioeconomic status (SES) at different points in a child’s lifetime may have different effects on health outcomes. This study aimed to examine longitudinal associations between SES and psychosocial problems in preschool children (n = 2509, Mage = 24.2 ± 1.3 months). The psychosocial problems of children were assessed using the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment at age 2 years and age 3 years and categorized as having yes/no psychosocial problems. Four groups of pattern of presence/absence of psychosocial problems between age 2 and 3 years were classified: (1) ‘no problems’, (2) ‘problems at age two’, (3) ‘problems at age three’, and (4) ‘continuing problems’. Five indicators of SES (i.e., maternal education level, single-parent family, unemployment, financial problems, and neighborhood SES) were evaluated. Results showed around one-fifth (2Y = 20.0%, 3Y = 16.0%) of children had psychosocial problems. Multinomial logistic regression models revealed low and middle maternal education levels were associated with ‘problems at age two’; low maternal education level and financial problems were associated with ‘problems at age three’; low and middle maternal education level, single-parent family, and unemployment were associated with ‘continuing problems’. No associations were observed between neighborhood SES and any pattern. Results suggest children in a lower SES, indicated by maternal education, single-parent family, and financial stress, had higher odds of developing and continuously having psychosocial problems in early childhood. These findings call for optimally timing interventions to reduce the impact of disadvantaged SES in early childhood on psychosocial health.

Peningkatan Kemampuan Pendampingan Anak Lapak Jati Padang Melalui Training Psychological First Aid (PFA)

As a house for training programs and study groups for children of Jati Padang scavengers, Rumah Singgah Gemilang (RSG) not only faces problems with the educational program that is the purpose of their learning but also faces psychosocial problems of the scavengers. Rumah Singgah, which is located in the scavenger neighborhood of Gang Saibun, Jatipadang, South Jakarta, is one of the Gemilang Indonesia Foundation program. There are 12 shelter children aged between 13 and 18 years old. The main problem faced by the administrators and facilitators of RSG is the existence of various psychosocial problems of children who are relatively quite complex while the administrators and facilitators of RSG do not have the basic skills to handle them. The solution program provided is a Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training or Dampingan Psikologis Awal (DPA) to equip administrators and shelter children facilitators to provide initial psychological assistance for troubled shelter children. The implementation method is training and hands-on practice as well as online mentoring for 1 month. The results obtained are the development of 10 shelter children facilitators who understand and are able to practice the basics of PFA to shelter children. From the evaluation carried out, the value of the participant's satisfaction level is above 4.7 from a score of 5. the average increase in knowledge from the average pre-test score of 5 to an average of 8 in each session.

Assessing psychosocial problems of orphan children in social service health development organizations

This study was designed to assess the psychosocial problems experienced by orphan children, in Addis Ababa town. To meet this objective, the researcher drew 50 out of 420 orphan children selected as the sample participant of the study by using simple random sampling techniques. The questionnaire with open-ended and close-ended items was distributed to all the participants to assess orphan children's psychosocial problems. The research design is a quantitative and qualitative research approach. The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistical measures such as percentage, frequency, tabulation, and tables, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed through structured interviews respectively. The study revealed that the major causes of death among orphan children’s families were natural illness, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and car accidents with known reasons and unknown reasons respectively. The study also revealed that orphans suffer from social problems such as poor interrelationships, living with others, talking with strangers or others, and suffering from the absence of assistance. Keywords: Assessment; children; health; psychosocial; social service; orphan.

Caregiver Perceptions of Children's and Adolescents' Psychosocial Functioning During the Stringent COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions in Shanghai: Cross-sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a global health crisis. The Shanghai municipal government in China implemented strict and comprehensive pandemic control strategies in the first half of 2022 to eliminate a wave of COVID-19 infection. The pandemic and the resulting government responses have led to abrupt changes to families' daily lives, including the mental health of children and adolescents. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of COVID-19 exposure and the stringent lockdown measures on the daily life and mental health of children and adolescents and to provide suggestions on maintaining their mental health when similar public health emergencies occur in the future. In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous survey was distributed online in May 1-15, 2022, in Shanghai. Individuals were eligible to participate if they were currently the caregiver of a child or adolescent (aged 4-17 years). Outcomes were psychosocial functioning of children and adolescents, as reported by parents, using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17. COVID-19 exposure and life changes were also reported. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for poor psychosocial functioning. In total, 2493 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The rate of positive scores on the global Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 scale was 16.5% (n=411). Internalizing, attention, and externalizing problem subscale positivity rates were 17.3% (n=431), 10.9% (n=272), and 8.9% (n=221), respectively. Caregivers reported that 64.2% (n=1601) and 20.7% (n=516) of the children's interactions with friends or peers and parents deteriorated, respectively. Compared with male caregivers, female caregivers were less likely to report psychosocial problems in children and adolescents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.68; 95% CI 0.53-0.88). Older children and those with lower COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Scales scores were less likely to have psychological problems (aOR 1.15; 95% CI 1.10-1.21). Compared with children with screen times <1 hour per day for recreation, those using screens for >3 hours had higher odds of psychological distress (aOR 2.09; 95% CI 1.47-1.97). Children who spent 1-2 hours exercising and had better interactions with friends or peers and parents showed a trend toward lower odds of psychological problems. Children and adolescents with worse sleep compared with preclosure were more likely to have psychological problems. The prevalence of psychosocial problems among children and adolescents is relatively high. Being young, having more COVID-19 exposure, and having more screen times (>3 h/day), less exercise time (<30 min), worse sleep, and deteriorated interactions with friends or peers and parents were risk factors for poor psychosocial functioning. It is necessary for governments, communities, schools, and families to take appropriate countermeasures to reduce the negative impact of the stringent control measures on caregivers' parenting and psychosocial functioning of children and adolescents.

Validation of the Pictorial Pediatric Symptom Checklist – Filipino Version for the Psychosocial Screening of Children in a Low-income Urban Community

Rationale. The timely identification of children with psychosocial problems is very important in facilitating early intervention. Detection of these children in the community setting requires thedevelopment of an easy-to-use screening tool that can be used by community health workers.Objective. To develop a valid and reliable screening tool that can be easily used by community health workers for the detection of psychosocial problems in Filipino children. Specifically, 1) To develop a Filipino version of the Pictorial Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PPSC) for use by community health workers; and 2) To culturally validate the PPSC-Filipino version in a low-income urban community.Methods. This study consisted of three phases: Phase 1 (Exploratory Study) consisted of focus group discussions and key informant interviews for content validation. Phase 2 (Questionnaire Development) involved refinement of the Filipino translation of the PPSC. In Phase 3 (Actual Survey), the PPSC was administered by health workers to 127 primary caregivers of children aged 4 to 7 years residing in a low-income community in Pandacan, Manila. Data gathered were subjected to reliability testing andfactor analysis for construct validation. Chi-square analyses were done to determine the association of sociodemographic factors to overall PPSC results.Results. Construct and content validity were confirmed. The Filipino PPSC showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.89). Factor analysis resulted in three new domains: 1) Attention &amp;Externalizing Problems, 2) Internalizing Problems, and 3) School &amp; Learning Problems. Among the 127 children screened, 24 (18.9%) were positive for psychosocial problems. Externalizing behaviors (fighting, rule-breaking, teasing) dominated among those who screened positive. The child’s age and number of siblings were the factors significantly associated with the overall PPSC results.Conclusions. The Pictorial Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Filipino Version is a valid and reliable tool in screening for psychosocial problems in children aged 4 to 7 years old residing in a lowincome urban community. Administration by community health workers is feasible and its use in the community setting is particularly relevant since many cases of psychosocial disorders remain undetected.

How to Improve Developmental Tasks and Prevent Psychosocial Problems Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic in School-Age Children?

Psychosocial problems due to COVID-19 can threaten children who contribute to mental disorders in adulthood. Psychosocial problems in children due to the pandemic in children include fear, difficulty, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood swings, depression, even thoughts of suicide. The purpose of writing this scientific paper is to find out the application of therapeutic group therapy and family psychoeducation in achieving work development tasks and preventing psychosocial problems due to the Covid-19 pandemic in school-age children. The method used is a case series by applying therapeutic group therapy and family psychoeducation to 19 school-age children. The results obtained indicate that therapeutic group therapy and family psychoeducation can improve the tasks and developmental aspects of school-age children and prevent the risk of psychosocial problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This action is recommended to promote development and prevent psychosocial problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic in school-age children.

Prevalence of Psychosocial Problems among School-going Children aged 4-10 Years: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: A substantial proportion of the Indian population comprises children under 15 years of age. The prevalence of psychosocial disorders in children is increasing, coinciding with a decrease in infection-related morbidities. Psychosocial disorders may not only have short-term effects but also have long-lasting effects on the child’s well-being. Aim: To assess the prevalence of psychosocial disorders in children aged 4-10 years and compare it before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted as an online survey originating from Rukmani Birla Hospital, a tertiary care centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. A total of 171 children aged between 4-10 years were included in the study, from February 2021 to June 2021. A structured survey questionnaire was distributed using Google Forms. The Childhood Psychopathological Measurement Schedule (CPMS) was used to assess psychosocial problems in children. CPMS scoring was performed for both the pre-pandemic period (before March 2020) and the post-pandemic period (from March 2020 until the form was filled out) for the same children. The Chi-square test was used to compare the association of demographic variables with the CPMS score. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of the children was 6.82±2.06 years, with 47.4% (81/171) being females. A majority of the children, 158 (92.4%), were from an urban setting. The average CPMS score significantly increased from 6.66±7.46 to 11.9±10.8 (p-value &lt;0.05) after one year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, 28 (16.37%) children had an abnormal CPMS score, while after the pandemic, 73 (42.69%) had an abnormal score. Prior to the pandemic, 96 (56.14%) children had a screen time of 1-2 hours per day, but after the pandemic, 94 (55%) had a screen time of more than four hours. Psychosocial problems were significantly higher in nuclear families before the pandemic (p-value &lt;0.05) and significantly higher in children with increased screen time after the pandemic (p-value &lt;0.01). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in psychosocial disorders among children. There is an urgent need to address these issues in children at an early stage so that early interventions can be implemented.

General practitioners' everyday clinical decision-making on psychosocial problems of children and youth in the Netherlands.

Psychosocial problems in children and youth are common and may negatively impact their lives and the lives of their families. Since general practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in detecting and intervening in such problems, it is clinically necessary to improve our insight into their clinical decision-making (CDM). The objective of this study was to explore which mechanisms underlie GPs' everyday CDM and their options for management or referral. This was a mixed methods study in which qualitative (interview substudy) and quantitative (online survey substudy) data were collected from GPs. Using a question framework and vignettes representative of clinical practice, GPs' CDM was explored. GPs were selected by means of an academic research network and purposive sampling. Data collection continued in constant comparison between both substudies. Using grounded theory, data from both substudies were triangulated into a flowchart consisting of mechanisms and management/referral options. CDM-mechanisms were divided into three groups. GP-related mechanisms were GPs' primary approach of the problem (somatically or psychosocially) and their self-assessed competence to solve the problem based on interest in and knowledge about youth mental health care. Mechanisms related to the child and its social context included GPs' assessment whether there was psychiatric (co)morbidity, their sense of self-limitedness of the problem and assessed complexity of the problem. Whether GPs' had existing collaboration agreements with youth care providers and how they experienced their collaboration were collaboration-related mechanisms. The current study contributes to a relatively unexplored research area by revealing GP's in-depth thought processes regarding their CDM. However, existing research in this area supports the identified CDM mechanisms. Future initiatives should focus on validating CDM mechanisms in a larger population. If confirmed, mechanisms could be integrated into GP training and may offer guidelines for regulating proper access to mental health care services.

Evaluating the Social Anxiety Depression Levels and Accompanying Psychosocial Problems in Children Diagnosed with Enuresis.

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate the accompanying psychosocial problems in enuresis as well as the social anxiety-depression levels in children diagnosed with enuresis.Methods: This descriptive study investigating depression and social anxiety levels of children diagnosed with enuresis was carried out with 167 children who were followed up for at least six months following their enuresis diagnosis. All participating children had no other physical or mental illnesses and were aged five years or older. Data were collected using three measurement tools and evaluated using descriptive, correlational analyzes.Results: In this study, 69.4% of the children diagnosed with enuresis were aged 7-12 years. 38.3% of their parents used “reward”, while 37.1% preferred “punishment” as a method for toilet training their children. The children’s depression and social anxiety mean scores were 21.48±7.29 and 54.58±8.84, respectively. A strong positive correlation was found between the children’s mean depression and social anxiety scores (r=0.677, p<0.001). The median depression scores of children were found to be statistically significantly different according to the children’s type of family, night sleep characteristics, type of enuresis, school success, and family life (p<0.05). Those with fragmented families (p=0.049), who did not sleep deeply at night (p=0.031), who slept for about 5-7 hours a day (p<0.01), and those whose school success was negatively affected by enuresis (p=0.021) and those who were exposed to negative family life (p=0.034) all obtained statistically significantly higher median depression scores.Conclusion: Children with enuresis had low depression and moderate social anxiety and their depression increased as their social anxiety increased. The children experienced psychosocial difficulties due to enuresis. When treating children with enuresis, it is necessary to consider both the affected child and their families through the adoption of a holistic approach, and also to evaluate the children both physically and psychosocially.

PSYCHO-SOCIAL PROBLEMS AMONG CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH LAW: AN EXPLORATION AND SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTION STUDY IN PUNE CITY

Child is the pride to parents as well as to the nation also. Biologically, child is defined as a human being between the stages of birth and puberty or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. Juvenile in Conflict with Law is the term used for unlawful acts and other violations of law by children and young person below the age of adulthood. It is become the social problem across the globe Rapid industrialization and urbanization leads to this problem. Due to rapid growth of slums in the city area the problem of Children in Conflict With Law becomes most severe day by day. It was observed primarily in the Western countries after the Second World War. The present research paper will focus on the psycho social problems of Children in Conflict with Law. The main objective of this paper are; to study socio economic profile of Children in Conflict with Law; to understand the unlawful act done by Children in Conflict with Law; and to suggest the social work intervention strategies. For the present research paper the descriptive research design will be used to describe psycho social causes of Children in Conflict with Law and the simple random sampling method will be adopted, in which systematic random sampling method will be used for selection of sample.

Assessment of Growth and Psychosocial Problems of Children with Bronchial Asthma

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the growth and psychosocial problems of children with bronchial asthma. Background: India establishes 3–5% of the global burden on childhood asthma. Psychosocial problems such as emotional, behavioral, and educational problems are highly prevalent among children and can severely interfere with everyday functioning. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. It was conducted among 140 children with bronchial asthma between the age group of 4–12 years and their caregivers who satisfied the sampling criteria. The tools used were socio-personal and clinical data sheet, an anthropometric measurement sheet, and Pediatric Symptom Checklist. Results: In growth monitoring, 11.4% of children had stunting, 6% of children were above the 97th percentile of height, 7.1% of children were underweight and 1.5% of children were above the 97th percentile of weight. It was found that 4.3% of children were having difficulty in psychosocial functioning. It was also seen that 12.9%, 4.3%, and 5% of children were having difficulty functioning in the domains of internalizing, attention, and externalizing, respectively. Conclusion: Early detection and management of growth problems and psychosocial dysfunction are essential to prevent growth faltering and abnormal psychosocial development of children with bronchial asthma.

Psychosocial Problems of Children with Chronic Diseases: A Review Focusing on Pediatric Social Work Interventions

Psychosocial Problems of Children with Chronic Diseases: A Review Focusing on Pediatric Social Work Interventions

Prevalence of psychosocial problems in children with and without epilepsy: A comparative cross-section study.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of psychosocial problems in children with and without epilepsy. Study Design: Comparative Cross Sectional study. Settings: The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health Multan (CH &amp; ICH). Period: July 2019 to December 2019. Material &amp; Methods: Fifty-nine patients of either gender, 5 -12 years of age, diagnosed as Epilepsy were included in group A. For the group B the patient of same number, age and gender without epilepsy visiting the general outpatient department of the hospital with acute illness were included. The children having known psychiatric disorder, and intellectual disability were excluded. Educational level of parents, socioeconomic status, Time of onset, type, outcome of epilepsy, number of antiepileptic medicines used and EEG findings were noted. Intelligence Quotient of each patient was calculated. A Pediatric Symptom Checklist was used for psychosocial problems in all children. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Result: Out of 118 patients (59 in group A and 59 in group B), 68% (n=73) were male. Mean age of the participants was 10.2years (st dev.±11.1). Patients age ranging between 5-9 years constituted 32% (n=38) while 68% (n=80) were more than 9 to 12 years. Most of the children belonged to low socioeconomic status 66% (n=78). Educational level of parents was below matric in 67.8% (n=80) and 32.2% (n=38) were above matric. In Group A 64.41% (n=38) patients had generalized tonic clonic type of epilepsy, 28.81% (n=17) partial/focal type and 3.39% (n= 2) myoclonic type. In 42% (n=52) of patient’s epilepsy was controlled while in 58% (n=7) patients it was uncontrolled. Psychosocial problems were detected in 59.3% (n=35) patients in epileptic group A while in 23.7% (n=14) in non-epileptic group B. Single use of antiepileptic was important factor causing psychosocial problems in epileptic children. Conclusion: Psychosocial problems are more common in Epileptic children, so psychological evaluation and management must be integral part of their therapy.

Simply too much: the extent to which weight bias internalization results in a higher risk of eating disorders and psychosocial problems

PurposeWeight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with negative health consequences such as eating disorders and psychosocial problems in children. To date, it is unknown to what extent WBI considerably raises the risk of negative outcomes.MethodsAnalyses are based on cross-sectional data of 1,061 children (9–13 years, M = 11, SD = 0.9; 52.1% female) who filled in the WBI scale (WBIS-C). First, ROC analyses were run to identify critical cut-off values of WBI (WBIS-C score) that identify those who are at higher risk for psychosocial problems or eating disorder symptoms (as reported by parents). Second, it was examined whether WBI is more sensitive than the relative weight status in that respect. Third, to confirm that the cut-off value is also accompanied by higher psychological strain, high- and low-risk groups were compared in terms of their self-reported depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem.ResultsWBIS-C scores ≥ 1.55 were associated with a higher risk of disturbed eating behavior; for psychosocial problems, no cut-off score reached adequate sensitivity and specificity. Compared to relative weight status, WBI was better suited to detect disturbed eating behavior. Children with a WBIS-C score ≥ 1.55 also reported higher scores for both depressive and anxious symptoms, higher body dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem.ConclusionThe WBIS-C is suitable for identifying risk groups, and even low levels of WBI are accompanied by adverse mental health. Therefore, WBI is, beyond weight status, an important risk factor that should be considered in prevention and intervention.Level of evidenceLevel III, cross-sectional analyses based on data taken from a well-designed, prospective cohort study.