Problems In Social Functioning Research Articles

Quality of life in overweight and obese young Chinese children: a mixed-method study.

BackgroundObesity among young children in Hong Kong has become a public health problem. This study explored associations between Chinese parent reported children’s quality of life (QoL), socio-demographics and young children’s weight status from 27 preschool settings.MethodsA mixed-method approach, including quantitative and qualitative tools, was employed for this cross-sectional study. Quantitative data were collected from 336 Chinese parents of children aged 2–7 years. Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL, v 4.0) and a questionnaire about parents’ socio-demographics were used. In-depth interviews with mothers, teachers and children from a larger sample were the basis of 10 case studies. Quantitative data were analysed using chi-square analysis, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression. Qualitative data were analysed according to a multi-level framework that established linkages with quantitative data.ResultsThe children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) ranged from 11.3 to 28.0 kg/m2 and was classified into four weight groups. ANOVAs showed that the normal-weight children had significantly higher PedsQL scores in Physical Functioning than obese children (mean difference = 14.19, p < .0083) and significantly higher scores in School Functioning than overweight children (mean difference = 10.15, p < .0083). Results of logistic regression showed that relative to normal-weight children, obese children had a 2–5 times higher odds of showing problems in Physical, Social Functioning and School Performance. Overweight children had 2 times higher odds of problems in Social Functioning, and underweight children had a 2 times higher odds of problems in Physical Functioning. Children’s age (χ2 = 21.71, df = 3, p < 0.01), and housing (χ2 = 33.00, df = 9, p < 0.01) were associated with their weight. The case studies further act as a supplement to the quantitative data that children showed emotional problems across different abnormal weight statues; and the association between children’s weight status and well-being might be affected by multiple childcare arrangements and familial immigration status.ConclusionsThis study is one of only a few studies that have examined parents’, teachers’ and young children’s own perceptions of the children’s quality of life across different weight statuses. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for intervention.

1280 – Neuroticism and posttraumatic stress disorder of bosnia-herzegovina adolescents from three different regions after the 1992–1995 war

To estimate the neuroticism and its relations towards psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) adolescents after the war 1992-1995. The sample of 217 pupils (108 females and 109 males) aged 15.1±2.1 years divided in three groups from: Srebrenica (n= 69), Zvornik (n= 79), and Bijeljina (n= 69), who were exposed to the war catastrophes in the 1992-1995 war and became refugees and internally displaced persons during and after the war, were assessed on war traumatic events, PTSD presence, neuroticism, and its’ associations. Data collection took place in June 1999 in the adolescents’ schools, with the ethical aproval. Srebrenica pupils were significantly more introverted. The prevalence of PTSD statistically significantly differed between groups: Srebrenica (73.9%), Zvornik (60.8%) and Bijeljina (47.6%)(Chi-square=9.854, df=2, p= 0.007). The PTSD prevalence, PTSD symptoms’ and social dysfunction were the most severe in Srebrenica, than in Zvornik and finally in Bijeljina group. In Srebrenica group neuroticism significantly associated with PTSD cluster symptoms and problems in social functioning. Adolescents with PTSD, in all three groups and in whole sample, were more nervous. Los of father significantly increased introversion of adolescents in all three groups, and decreased adolescent's sociability in Zvornik and Bijeljina. Bosnia-Herzegovina refugee and internally displaced adolescents, suffer very frequently from PTSD 3.5 years after war. PTSD prevalence is highly reported and significantly differed between groups. PTSD associated positively with neuroticism and introversion. Los of father significantly increased adolescents’ introversion in all three groups, and it decreased adolescent's sociability in Zvornik and Bijeljina.

Illness Perceptions and Quality of Life in Japanese and Dutch Women with Breast Cancer

Knowledge on cross-cultural quality of life (QOL) and illness perceptions may help women with breast cancer cope more effectively. The self regulation model (SRM) guided the current exploratory longitudinal pilot-study. Central to SRM is the perception of health threats and their effects on QOL. Illness perceptions and QOL were assessed in 22 Dutch and 21 Japanese patients with breast cancer who filled out questionnaires before, 1 week, and 8 weeks after the first chemotherapy course. The questionnaires assessed QOL and illness perceptions. Patients’ scores were compared with groups of patients with other chronic somatic illnesses (asthma, diabetes). Patients in both samples reported major impact of chemotherapy on global health status, physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, constipation and diarrhea. Differences between Japanese and Dutch patients were limited to social functioning and financial problems. Japanese patients expressed stronger concerns about their illness than Dutch patients. Results of the Japanese and Dutch patients with breast cancer differed from data in patients with asthma on consequences, timeline, concern and emotional response. Results of Japanese patients differed from patients with type 2 diabetes on timeline and concern, whereas Dutch patients differed on timeline and consequences. Japanese and Dutch breast cancer patients have—overall—similar illness perceptions and QOL responses and are aware of the typical characteristics of their disease. The results support the feasibility of cross-cultural psychosocial research in oncology and offer implications for clinical interventions which impact on self-efficacy to empower patients with breast cancer.

Neuropsychological profile in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1 compared to a control group

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common inherited autosomal dominant condition, characterised by multiple café-au-lait macules, axillary and/or inguinal freckling, iris Lisch nodules and tumours of the nervous system such as neurofibromas and optic pathway gliomas. At the same time, NF1 is frequently associated with intellectual disabilities across several neuropsychological domains. Existing neuropsychological data in NF1 adults are limited and sometimes contradictory. Moreover, most studies use a non-IQ-controlled norm group for comparison. This study sought to investigate specific neuropsychological characteristics in intellectual abilities unrelated to the global intellectual capacity. Twenty NF1 adults and an IQ-, age- and gender-matched control group completed a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery composed of specific cognitive tests investigating visual-spatial abilities and memory, auditory memory, selective and sustained attention and executive functioning. A short version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - III was also administered to both groups. Norm comparison showed that both groups perform poorly on most neuropsychological functions, except for sustained attention. However, comparison with the IQ-matched control group showed significantly lower scores on visual-spatial abilities and memory, on auditory working memory and on tests for cognitive flexibility in NF1 adults. Nevertheless, as the significant difference in average estimated IQ score between the NF1 group and the selected control group almost reaches the 5% significance level, further analysis is needed to include IQ as a covariate. Eventually, problems in visual-spatial skills and auditory long-term memory seem to be specific NF1-related deficits, while problems in attention and executive functioning are particularly related to their general lowered intellectual abilities. Taking into account that primary visual perception problems could be part of a more general central coherence deficit while interpreting auditory memory problems as possibly related to deficits in language use and comprehension, this idea also fits with the observation of several problems in social information processing and functioning of NF1 persons.

Schizotypy, social cognition, and interpersonal sensitivity.

Social cognition in relation to schizophrenia liability remains largely uncharted terrain. Successful social interactions involve sensitivity to the feelings and behavior of others, and the ability to convey and communicate cues to elicit desired responses from others. Disruption in any part of this process will affect social interactions and functioning, including occupational functioning. Individuals who do better on tasks measuring interpersonal sensitivity are more interpersonally skilled and better adjusted (Hall, Andrzejewski, & Yopchick, 2009), and those who perform poorly on tasks of interpersonal sensitivity, such as patients with schizophrenia, have known interpersonal and social functioning deficits (e.g., Toomey, Schuldberg, Corrigan, & Green, 2002). Schizotypic subjects were compared to depression vulnerable and normal control subjects on a well-established dynamic test of interpersonal sensitivity, the Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (PONS; Rosenthal, Hall, DiMatteo, Rogers, & Archer, 1979, 2011). Results revealed a deficit for schizotypes relative to both the depression-risk and normal control groups on the PONS. Our examination of the interpersonal sensitivity in schizotypes may shed light on the social functioning problems seen in patients with schizophrenia in a translational research framework.

Outcome measures in peripheral neuropathies

The aim of this review is to inform and educate clinicians through statements about the most important clinimetric requirements for outcome measures in peripheral neuropathies. The basic needs of an outcome measure (simple, valid, reliable, and responsive) are generally well known by physicians. However, techniques such as the Rasch methodology offer modern additional requirements, particularly in the development of interval-based outcome measures. Peripheral neuropathies are chronic disorders that generally cause deficits at the body level (impairments, e.g. weakness and sensory deficit) and may lead to problems in daily life and social functioning with a reduction in quality-of-life expectations. Fundamental steps should be taken in the design of clinical studies in peripheral neuropathies to ameliorate these deficits, of which the choice of a proper outcome measure representing the level of interest is considered a crucial one. However, choosing a proper outcome is not only dependent on the proposed research purpose, but perhaps more importantly, on the fulfilment of the clinimetric needs by the scale of interest. All outcome measures should be rigorously examined to determine their scientific soundness before being generally used. Respecting the basic needs of an outcome measure like being simple, valid, reliable, and responsive, this review will highlight through statements the modern scientific essentials in the design and evaluation of an outcome measure. The Rasch method as a modern vehicle will also be addressed, accentuating the need to shift towards a more modern clinimetric era. The presented findings could be applied to all forms of peripheral neuropathies.

NEUROTICISM AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN BOSNIAN INTERNALLY DISPLACED AND REFUGEE ADOLESCENTS FROM THREE DIFFERENT REGIONS AFTER THE 1992-1995 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WAR

Objective – To estimate neuroticism and its relationship with psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) refugee and internally displaced adolescents after the 1992-1995 war. Subjects and methods – A sample of 217 pupils (108 females and 109 males) aged 15.1±2.1 years was divided into three groups from the north-eastern BH regions: Srebrenica (n=69), Zvornik (n=79), and Bijeljina (n=69), who were exposed to the trauma of the 1992-1995 war and became refugees or internally displaced persons for the duration of the whole war and after it were evaluated for assessment of war trauma, the presence of PTSD, neuroticism, and its associations. Data collection took place in June 1999 in the classrooms of the adolescents’ schools, with the written permission of the Tuzla Canton Ministry for Culture, Sport and Education. Results – Srebrenica pupils were significantly more introverted. The prevalence of PTSD differed statistically significantly between the groups: Srebrenica (73.9%), Zvornik (60.8%) and Bijeljina (47.6%)(Chi-square=9.854, df=2, p=0.007). The PTSD prevalence, PTSD symptoms and social dysfunction were the most severe in Srebrenica, then in Zvornik and finally in the Bijeljina group. In the Srebrenica group neuroticism was significantly associated with PTSD cluster symptoms and problems in social functioning. Adolescents with PTSD, in all three groups and in the whole sample, were more neurotic. Loss of father significantly increased introversion of the adolescents in all three groups, and decreased the adolescents’ sociability in Zvornik and Bijeljina. Conclusions – Refugee and internally displaced adolescents from Bosnia-Herzegovina suffered very frequently from PTSD 3.5 years after war. The PTSD prevalence is highly reported and differed significantly between groups. PTSD associated positively with neuroticism and introversion. Loss of father significantly increased the adolescents’ introversion in all three groups, and it decreased the adolescents’ sociability in Zvornik and Bijeljina.

Effectiveness of an Individual School-based Intervention for Children with Aggressive Behaviour: A Randomized Controlled Trial

For elementary school-children with aggressive behaviour problems, there is a strong need for effective preventive interventions to interrupt the developmental trajectory towards more serious behaviour problems. The aim of this RCT-study was to evaluate a school-based individual tailor-made intervention (Stay Cool Kids), designed to reduce aggressive behaviour in selected children by enhancing cognitive behavioural skills. The sample consisted of 48 schools, with 264 fourth-grade children selected by their teachers because of elevated levels of externalizing behaviour (TRF T-score>60), randomly assigned to the intervention or no-intervention control condition. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing reactive and proactive aggressive behaviour as reported by children, mothers, fathers or teachers, with effect sizes ranging from .11 to .32. Clinically relevant changes in teacher-rated externalizing behaviour were found: the intervention reduced behaviour problems to (sub) clinical or normative levels for significantly more children than the control condition. Some aspects of problems in social cognitive functioning were reduced and children showed more positive self-perception. Ethnic background and gender moderated intervention effects on child and teacher reported aggression and child response generation. The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness on outcome behaviour and child cognitions of an individual tailor-made intervention across informants under real-world conditions.

Attenuated modulation of brain activity accompanies emotion regulation deficits in alexithymia

The personality trait alexithymia has been associated with deficits in emotion regulation; nevertheless, experimental investigations on this research question are sparse. We investigated reappraisal as one emotion regulation strategy in 44 healthy participants with high (HDA) versus low (LDA) degrees of alexithymia. High density EEG and spatiotemporal current density reconstruction were used to characterize the time course of emotion regulation and to identify brain regions involved. Main results were that reappraisal was accompanied by reduced arousal and significant amplitude reduction of P3 and slow wave in the LDA group only. In contrast to the LDA group, reappraisal was not associated with an increase of activation in fusiform gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus in the HDA group. We demonstrate profound deficits in emotion regulation, which might contribute to everyday problems of social functioning in alexithymia.

Diminished disgust reactivity in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that impacts emotion and social behavior. Using laboratory measures of emotional reactivity, our past work has found that reactivity to loud noises and to thematically simple happy and sad emotional films are preserved in the early stages of the disease while other emotional responses (e.g., embarrassment) are severely compromised. In the present study we examined disgust, an emotion whose function is to distance us from offending objects and situations. We measured disgust reactivity in 21 patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD, a subtype of frontotemporal dementia characterized by emotional blunting) and 25 neurologically healthy controls. Disgust is an emotion of particular interest in bvFTD, due to caregiver and clinician reports that patients engage in acts that suggest this emotion may be compromised; in addition, the pattern of neurodegeneration in bvFTD includes atrophy of key frontotemporal structures (e.g., anterior insula) with known roles in visceral emotions such as disgust. In the present study, participants had their emotional facial behavior, physiology, and self-reported emotional experience measured while watching a disgust-eliciting film. We found that behavioral, physiological, and self-reported experiential responses were all reduced in bvFTD patients compared to controls (with behavioral and physiological differences still found after controlling for patients’ cognitive deficits). We discuss the implications of these findings for bvFTD patients’ problems in social functioning and their typical patterns of neurodegeneration.

A randomized-controlled trial of intensive case management emphasizing the recovery model among patients with severe and enduring mental illness

There is increasing interest in the application of recovery principles in mental health services. We studied the implementation of a programme of intensive case management (ICM) emphasizing recovery principles in a community mental health service in Ireland. Eighty service attenders with severe and enduring illness characterized by significant ongoing disability were randomized into (1) a group receiving a programme of ICM and (2) a group receiving treatment as usual (TAU). Groups were compared before and after the programme for general psychopathology using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (clinician rated) and How are You? scale (self-rated). The Functional Analysis of Care Environments (FACE) scale provided assessment of multiple functional domains. The overall group (mean age 44.5 ± 13.2 years; 60% male) had mean total Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) scale scores of 10.5 ± 4.6, with problems in social functioning especially prominent (mean social subscale score 5.0 ± 2.7). The ICM group were younger (p < 0.01) with higher baseline scores on the HoNOS social subscale and BPRS (p < 0.05). An analysis of covariance, controlling for these baseline differences, indicated greater improvement in BPRS scores (p = 0.001), How are You? scores (p = 0.02) and FACE domains for cognition, symptoms and interpersonal relationships (all p < 0.001) in the ICM group. The ICM group underwent greater changes in structured daily activities that were linked to improved BPRS scores (p = 0.01). A programme of ICM emphasizing recovery principles resulted in significant improvement across psychopathological and functional domains. Improvements were linked to enhanced engagement with structured daily activities. Recovery-oriented practices can be integrated into existing mental health services and provided alongside traditional models of care.

P-753 - Sotos Syndrome - case Study

Sotos syndrome, also known as cerebral gigantism, was first described by Juan Sotos in 1964 in five patients with prenatal and postnatal overgrowth, characteristic facial appearance, advanced bone age and developmental delay. Some patients have serious clinical manifestations, such as congenital heart defects, dysplastic kidneys, severe mental retardation and leukemia. A wide spectrum of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties occur in patients with Sotos syndrome, who have a high risk of developing attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, and temper tantrums. Other cases have been described in which affected children have feeding and sleeping problems, phobias, and irritability. Many Sotos syndrome children exhibit adaptive problems in social functioning, and some present autistic features. In this study authors present a 30-year-old woman with Sotos syndrome and behavioural difficulties. The patient had Sotos syndrome diagnosed at childhood, with typical facial gestalt, macrocephaly, advanced bone age, scoliosis, kidney abnormalities, pulmonary chronic disease and migraine. At the age of 26 she developed irritability with marked impulsivity, episodes of agressivity and later of self-harm (skin-picking). She was treated with atypical anti-psychotics with positive clinical response. Clinical and laboratory examinations should be performed to prevent and manage any unusual medical aspect of the syndrome. Facial gestalt and macrocephaly, rather than advanced bone age, are the strongest indications for clinical diagnosis.

Health-Related Quality of Life During the 10 Years After Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study

To compare long-term quality of life (QoL) of colorectal cancer survivors with QoL in the general population and investigate changes in QoL of survivors during the 10 years after diagnosis. Health-related QoL was assessed 1, 3, 5, and 10 years after diagnosis in a population-based cohort starting with 439 patients with colorectal cancer from Saarland, Germany, using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. QoL after 5 and 10 years and time course of QoL during the 10 years after diagnosis were compared with controls from the general population of Germany, after controlling for sex and age. Overall, 234 and 196 patients were still alive after 5 and 10 years, respectively. Of these survivors, 178 (76%) responded in the 5-year follow-up, 133 (68%) in the 10-year follow-up, and 117 (60%) participated in all follow-ups. Over the entire follow-up, younger survivors (age at diagnosis, < 60 years) reported restrictions in role, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning and specific problems like constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, and insomnia. Older survivors (age at diagnosis, ≥ 70 years) reported comparable or even better QoL than controls within the first 3 to 5 years after diagnosis and comparable to worse QoL 5 to 10 years after diagnosis. Although younger survivors continuously reported detriments in various QoL dimensions during the 10-year period after diagnosis, detriments in older survivors became apparent in the long run only.

The impact of treatment, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on health-related quality of life among Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors: a systematic review

Cancer survivors are at risk of experiencing adverse physical and psychosocial effects of their cancer and its treatment. Both Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) survivors face problems that can affect their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The authors systematically reviewed the literature on HRQoL among HL and NHL survivors. A PubMed and PsychINFO literature search for original articles published until May 2011 was performed. Twenty-four articles, which met the predefined inclusion criteria, were subjected to a quality checklist. HL survivors showed the most problems in (role) physical, social and cognitive functioning, general health, fatigue and financial problems. In addition, HL survivors treated with a combination of therapies, with older age and female sex reported worse HRQoL. NHL survivors showed the most problems in physical functioning, appetite loss, vitality and financial problems. Having had chemotherapy was negatively associated with HRQoL, but no differences in chemotherapy regimens were found. Furthermore, in NHL survivors not meeting public exercise guidelines, HRQoL is low but can be improved with more exercise. More research on the longitudinal comparison between HL and NHL survivors and healthy controls should be performed in order to better understand the long-term (side) effects of treatment on HRQoL and possibilities to alleviate these.

The impact of political violence on psychosocial functioning of individuals and families: the case of palestinian adolescents.

The impact of political violence on the psychosocial functioning of adolescents and their families was compared for surveyed populations from two regions of Palestine. A randomly-selected sample of 971 adolescents (521 from the West Bank and 450 from the Gaza Strip regions, 42% male/57% female) completed scales measuring traumatic event, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), peer relations, mental health, aggression, and family functioning. (1) West Bank participants reported a significantly higher level of exposure to political violence and significantly more aggression, mental health symptoms, problems in family and social functioning; (2) Participants exposed to greater political violence reported higher levels of depression, hostility, paranoid ideation, and PTSD; (3) Economic status and level of parental education were related to reduced levels of mental health symptoms and greater family functioning; (4) There were gendered differences. The study provides a starting point to begin to compare the experiences and outcomes between Palestinian adolescents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and a basis for considering implications for service delivery and policy makers concerned with the well being of Palestinian communities.

Gender differences in subjective well‐being, self‐esteem and psychosocial functioning in adolescents with symptoms of anxiety and depression: Findings from the Nord‐Trøndelag health study

Gender differences in the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression during adolescence are well documented. However, little attention has been given to differences in subjective well-being, self-esteem and psychosocial functioning between boys and girls with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in the associations between such symptoms and subjective well-being, self-esteem, school functioning and social relations in adolescents. Data were taken from a major population-based Norwegian study, the Nord-Trøndelag Health study (HUNT), in which 8984 (91% of all invited) adolescents, aged 13-19 years, completed an extensive self-report questionnaire. Although prevalence rates of symptoms of anxiety and depression were higher in girls than in boys, a significant interaction between gender and symptoms of anxiety and depression was found in respect of each of the following outcome variables: subjective well-being, self-esteem, academic problems, frequency of meeting friends and the feeling of not having enough friends. These interactions indicate that the associations between symptoms of anxiety and depression and lower subjective well-being and self-esteem, more academic problems in school and lower social functioning were stronger for boys than for girls. Our findings may contribute to an earlier assessment and more efficient treatment of male adolescent anxiety and depression.

Parent Involvement and Children’s Academic and Social Development in Elementary School

Data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Childcare and Youth Development (N = 1,364) were used to investigate children's trajectories of academic and social development across 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine within- and between-child associations among maternal and teacher reports of parent involvement and children's standardized achievement scores, social skills, and problem behaviors. Findings suggest that within-child improvements in parent involvement predict declines in problem behaviors and improvements in social skills but do not predict changes in achievement. Between-child analyses demonstrated that children with highly involved parents had enhanced social functioning and fewer behavior problems. Similar patterns of findings emerged for teacher and parent reports of parent involvement. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

RELACIONAMENTO FAMILIAR EM PESSOAS IDOSAS: ADAPTAÇÃO DO ÍNDICE DE RELAÇÕES FAMILIARES (IFR)

Even if ageing is not necessary related with disease and incapacity, degenerative chronic diseases are often found in the elderly and this fact is related with great functional incapacity that determines consequences at the individual, family and community levels. The Family Relationship Index (Hudson, 1993) is an instrument that assesses the magnitude of problems in personal and social functioning in subjects family adjustment and, as such, is considered a measure of intra-family stress according to the author. This article presents the adaptation of IFR in a sample of older people living in the community. Results show a high internal consistency (α = .95) and the study of validity has determined the removal of one item while all the others saturate a unique factor that explains 46,86% of total variance. IFR shows good construct and discriminant validity. Based on the results, the scale presents good psychometric qualities and may be used in the elderly population living in the community. In terms of construct validity, results showed that intra-familial stress was negatively correlated with quality of life and positively with depression.

Parental Depression in the Context of Divorce and the Impact on Children

The impact of divorce on children has been well documented over the past 30 years. Divorcing parents who are also experiencing clinical depression often have a compromised ability to parent well and to give the children needed support. Children are then impacted both by the divorce itself and the effects of parental depression. They are at higher risk of numerous problems including poorer physical health, deficits in academic performance not attributable to intellectual limitations, poor social functioning, conduct disorder and other disruptive behavior problems, phobias, and other anxiety disorders. Because children of depressed parents are at higher risk for depression themselves, they should be monitored for depressive symptoms. If there are concerns, the child should be assessed by a mental health professional.

Social Information Processing Skills in Children with Histories of Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Based on caregiver report, children with prenatal alcohol exposure have difficulty with social functioning, but little is known about their social cognition. The current study assessed the social information processing patterns of school-age children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure using a paradigm based on Crick and Dodge’s reformulated six-stage model. Fifty-two children (aged 7–11) with and without heavy prenatal alcohol exposure were tested using a structured interview measure of social information processing involving 18 videotaped vignettes of children in group entry and provocation situations. Alcohol-exposed children displayed maladaptive processing patterns on the goal, response generation, and response evaluation steps in group entry situations, and encoding, attribution, response evaluation, and enactment steps during provocation situations. Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure also had difficulty on the Test of Problem Solving, and performance correlated with social information processing measures. Such difficulties may lead to problems in social functioning and warrant early intervention.