The protective value of trait mindfulness for mothers' anxiety during the perinatal period.

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety is highly prevalent in the perinatal period and can have negative consequences for the mother and the child. Extensive research has been done on risk factors for anxiety during the perinatal period, but less is known about protective factors. The current study aims to determine the relative contribution of trait mindfulness as a protective factor for anxiety. METHODS: A longitudinal study design was used, with four measurement points: 12, 22, and 32 weeks of pregnancy (T0, T1, and T2, respectively), and 6 weeks postpartum (T3). General anxiety was measured at T1, T2, and T3, pregnancy-specific distress was measured at T1 and T2, mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, non-reacting, and non-judging) and partner involvement were measured at T1, and other known risk factors for anxiety were measured at T0. Multilevel regression models were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Mindfulness facets measured at T1 were negatively associated with anxiety at T1, T2, and T3, and pregnancy-specific distress at T1 and T2. Of the mindfulness facets, non-judging was shown to have the largest protective effect against anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. Also compared to partner-involvement and known risk factors, non-judging showed the largest effect on anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. CONCLUSIONS: For pregnant women who are at risk for developing or experiencing high levels of anxiety, it may be beneficial to participate in a mindfulness training with special attention for the attitudinal aspects of mindfulness.

The Development and Validation of a Subscale for the School-Age Child Behavior CheckList to Screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The first aim of this study was to construct/validate a subscale-with cut-offs considering gender/age differences-for the school-age Child Behavior CheckList (CBCL) to screen for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) applying both data-driven (N = 1666) and clinician-expert (N = 15) approaches. Further, we compared these to previously established CBCL ASD profiles/subscales and DSM-oriented subscales. The second aim was to cross-validate results in two truly independent samples (N = 2445 and 886). Despite relatively low discriminative power of all subscales in the cross-validation samples, results indicated that the data-driven subscale had the best potential to screen for ASD and a similar screening potential as the DSM-oriented subscales. Given beneficial implications for pediatric/clinical practice, we encourage colleagues to continue the validation of this CBCL ASD subscale.

Examining an individualized, group-based social skills training using a mixed-methods design: A feasibility study.

Tailoring treatments to individual needs may be beneficial for treatment adherence and treatment effects. However, individualizing a group-based Social Skills Training (SST) may be complicated. Therefore, in this feasibility study, we examined outcomes after engagement in an individualized SST provided to 33 children aged 7-11 years (M = 9.39, SD = 1.09; 13 girls), who were referred to a mental health care center for various psychosocial problems. To analyze outcomes, we combined a top-down (including researcher-chosen measures: Questionnaires on pro-social, socially inadequate, and problem behavior) and a bottom-up (including participant-driven measures: Ratings of personal goals and evaluation reports) approach and used a mixed-methods design. After the SST, personal goals and pro-social behavior increased (large and small effects respectively). Also, socially inadequate behavior and problem behavior decreased (both small effects). Evaluation reports mainly showed improvements in social responsiveness, emotion regulation, and internalizing problems. At the same time, however, most parents also reported limitations (e.g., a lack of generalization). Altogether, we can conclude that (1) tailoring a group-based SST to the individual needs of children, as well as measuring progress on personal goals, is feasible and (2) mixed-method designs to study intervention effectiveness should be encouraged.

Brief report: The effectiveness of Dutch Cell Dogs: A multiple case experimental study.

Prison-based dog training programs (DTPs) aim to improve successful rehabilitation after detention. However, empirical evidence for their effectiveness is lacking. To evaluate the effectiveness of a DTP-Dutch Cell Dogs (DCD)-on externalizing behavior, stress, self-esteem, empathy, and treatment motivation, a pilot study with a Multiple Case Experimental Design in six adolescents residing in a juvenile justice center (JJC) was conducted. Results did not provide convincing evidence for DCD's effectiveness. Further research is needed to determine whether and for whom DCD could be a useful addition to regular JJC programming.