Group Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Emotional Problems: A Review of The Literature

Group interventions play an important role in therapeutic programs with children and adolescents withemotional problems or disorders, which have high rates of comorbidity and can persist into adulthood.The aim of this study was to review literature in the area of group interventions for children andadolescents, particularly with regard to emotional problems. Relevant studies were reviewed with regard tomethodology, findings and implications. Gaps in existing literature, particularly within the Indian context,have been highlighted. Recent literature trends towards the use of brief closed group interventions, the useof transdiagnostic protocols, and varying levels of parental involvement. The implications of carrying outgroup interventions in various settings have been described.

Outcome of children with school refusal.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prospectively the psychiatric diagnostic status, psychosocial correlates, and short-term outcome of youngsters with school refusal. METHODS: Thirty-three subjects (8-16 years) presenting with school refusal to a tertiary Child and Adolescent Psychiatry service were evaluated. Instruments administered at baseline and after 3 months (including an outcome measure at 3 months) were: The Missouri Assessment of Genetics Interview for Children (MAGIC) to ascertain psychiatric diagnoses, a modified version of Parent Interview Schedule (PIS), and the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). RESULTS: Twenty-nine subjects (87.9%) had a psychiatric diagnosis at baseline. Depressive disorder (63.6%) was commonest followed by specific phobias (30.3%). Psycho-social factors influenced school refusal in a majority (87.9%). Twenty of the thirty subjects (66.6%) who could be followed-up had returned to school. Psychiatric diagnosis persisted in 16 subjects. Younger age, being last-born, no or one diagnosis, and good baseline functioning predicted a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric morbidity is high in a clinic population of youngsters with school refusal. It is associated with temperamental, family, and other environmental adversities. Short-term outcome in these children is largely favourable in terms of return to school and global functioning.

Quality of life issues in caregivers of youngsters with thalassemia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of psychiatric problems, concerns regarding the illness to Quality of Life (QOL) in caregivers. METHODS: Forty four caregivers were screened for psychiatric problems using the General Health Questionnaire 12 item version (GHQ-12) and their concerns and QOL were assessed using the Concerns Checklist and the EQ5D respectively. Clinical psychiatric interview was conducted for those qualifying for GHQ caseness and a psychiatric diagnosis was ascribed. These were correlated with the Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule/ GHQ- 12 scores (as appropriate) and the EQ5D score of the youngster. RESULTS: Fifty seven percent of the caregivers had psychiatric problems, with depressive disorders in 19/44 (45%) QOL was affected in 50% (Pain/ discomfort (n =19, 45%), Mobility (n = 7, 17%), Depression and Usual activities dimensions (n= 6, 14% each). The greatest concerns were regarding the future (91%), illness (80%) and finances (73%). CONCLUSION: Caregiver support through psychological interventions or medication would alleviate psychiatric problems and concerns and contribute towards a better QOL.

Epidemiological study of child & adolescent psychiatric disorders in urban & rural areas of Bangalore, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on child mental health needs in our country. Therefore, an epidemiological study to determine the prevalence rates of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders was initiated as a two-centre (Bangalore and Lucknow) study by the Indian Council of Medical Research. It also aimed to study the psychosocial correlates of the psychiatric disorders. We present here the findings of Bangalore Centre. METHODS: In Bangalore, 2064 children aged 0-16 yr, were selected by stratified random sampling from urban middle-class, urban slum and rural areas. The screening stage was followed by a detailed evaluation stage. The ICD-10 DCR criteria were used to reach a penta-axial diagnosis. RESULTS: The results indicated a prevalence rate of 12.5 per cent among children aged 0-16 yr. There were no significant differences among prevalence rates in urban middle class, slum and rural areas. The psychiatric morbidity among 0-3 yr old children was 13.8 per cent with the most common diagnoses being breath holding spells, pica, behaviour disorder NOS, expressive language disorder and mental retardation. The prevalence rate in the 4-16 yr old children was 12.0 per cent. Enuresis, specific phobia, hyperkinetic disorders, stuttering and oppositional defiant disorder were the most frequent diagnoses. When impairment associated with the disorder was assessed, significant disability was found in 5.3 per cent of the 4-16 yr group. Assessment of felt treatment needs indicated that only 37.5 per cent of the families perceived that their children had any problem. Physical abuse and parental mental disorder were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Prevalence rates of psychiatric morbidity in 0-16 yr old children in India were found to be lower than Western figures. Middle class urban areas had highest and urban slum areas had lowest prevalence rates. The implications for clinical training, practice and policy initiatives are discussed.