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1.
Psychother Psychosom ; 93(3): 191-202, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38588654

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Stress affects many adolescents and is associated with physical and mental health symptoms that can have a negative impact on normative development. However, there are very few evidence-based, specific treatment approaches. The aim of the study was to investigate an eight-session group intervention using components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) enriched with elements of CBT (psychoeducation, problem solving) and art therapy, compared to a waitlist control (WLC) group, regarding its efficacy in reducing stress and associated symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in eight cohorts. Eligible participants were 13-18 years old with elevated stress levels. Via block-randomization (n = 70), participants were allocated to receive ACT (n = 38) or WLC (n = 32) and subsequent ACT. We used a multimodal assessment (self-reports, interviews, ecological momentary assessment, physiological markers) before treatment (T1), after the training of the ACT group (T2) and after subsequent training in the WLC group (T3). Primary outcome was perceived stress at T2 assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale. The trial was preregistered at the German Clinical Trials Register (ID: DRKS00012778). RESULTS: Results showed significantly lower levels of perceived stress in the ACT group at T2, illustrating superiority of ACT compared to WLC with a medium to large effect size (d = 0.77). Furthermore, the training was effective in the reduction of symptoms of school burnout and physical symptoms associated with stress. CONCLUSION: Indicated prevention, especially when based on the principles of ACT and CBT, seems efficient in significantly decreasing stress in adolescents with increased stress.


Subject(s)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy , Stress, Psychological , Humans , Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/methods , Adolescent , Female , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Male , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Art Therapy , Psychotherapy, Group/methods , Treatment Outcome
2.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38456934

ABSTRACT

Anxiety and depression among young people had already increased in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic and then experienced a significant increase again during the pandemic. In this article the different clinical forms of expression of these emotional syndromes are presented in detail and the developmental paths of a combination of both disorders are also explained. Even subclinical forms of anxiety and depression already have clear clinical implications and impair the developmental tasks of adolescence. The "avolitional depression" (depression with severe drive disorders) is mentioned as a special form. Pathogenetic building blocks-from genetic vulnerability to psychosocial stressors-come up for discussion in light of the fact that anxiety and depression are about twice as common in adolescent females as in males. The embedding of the disorders in current events shows the special importance of the self-reflective emotion of shame in the adolescent development process. The scarcity and dysfunctionality of emotional dialogue between significant caregivers and children must be cautioned against. Its role in adolescents' self-regulation and affect regulation should not be underestimated. Finally, an overview of the most important therapeutic measures for anxiety and depression in adolescence is presented.


Subject(s)
Depression , Pandemics , Male , Child , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/therapy , Germany , Anxiety , Anxiety Disorders
3.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38240837

ABSTRACT

Adaptive parent-child interaction plays a major role in healthy child development. Caregiver mental health problems can negatively impact parent-child interaction. In turn, interactional quality is often studied as a predictor of child outcome. However, child characteristics supposedly shape parent-child interactions as well. Given associations between child and caregiver mental health and child temperament, this study aimed at differentiating their effects on dyadic interaction quality in adolescence. Child temperament and character at age 5 were investigated as longitudinal predictors of observed mother-adolescent interactional quality at age 14 in a community sample (N = 76). It was examined whether these effects were independent of maternal and child mental health and earlier dysfunctional interaction. Lower novelty seeking, higher reward dependence, and higher cooperativeness separately predicted higher dyadic interactional quality at age 14. Controlling regressions for dysfunctional interaction at age 5, which was a significant negative predictor of later interactional quality, cancelled out the effects of novelty seeking and cooperativeness. Past or concurrent maternal or child psychopathology did not explain variance in mother-adolescent interaction. Applying backward selection, a model including reward dependence and dysfunctional interaction at age 5 and concurrent maternal stress showed the best fit for explaining dyadic interaction quality. Results suggest that enduring rather than transient child features predict interactional quality in a community sample. Effects of temperament are not better explained by those of psychopathology, but a combination of child, maternal, and dyadic features predicted dyadic behaviour best. Selective prevention should target parenting in the context of challenging child characteristics specifically.

4.
Psychopathology ; 57(3): 202-218, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38128510

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Recently, acceptance- and commitment therapy (ACT) gained increasing interest. Studies show good efficacy in the treatment of patients presenting with several psychologic and somatic complaints. The present systematic review and meta-analysis addresses effectiveness of ACT-based interventions to reduce stress in children, adolescents, and young adults compared to control conditions. METHODS: The meta-analysis was pre-registered at PROSPERO (CRD42019117440). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials (qRCT) in German or English language comparing the effects of ACT-based interventions to control conditions (e.g., treatment as usual, waitlist control) on stress-related outcome measures in youth were considered for inclusion. The target population was subjects 0-18 years of age. The databases PubMed, PsychInfo, Cochrane Database, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched systematically up to July 2023. A random effect meta-analysis and a risk of bias assessment according to the procedure outlined in the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews were conducted. RESULTS: The search resulted in 187 studies, of which eight studies with 976 participants were finally subjected to meta-analysis. Studies implemented ACT both in school-based group settings and in single settings and both as a universal and indicated prevention. Analyses yielded a significant main effect (Hedges' g = -0.20; 95% confidence interval [-0.36; -0.05]), indicating that interventions based on ACT resulted in greater reduction of stress compared to control conditions. CONCLUSION: ACT appears effective at reducing stress in youth. Further research is needed due to methodological shortcomings of existing studies. Small sample sizes, heterogenous studies, methodological shortcomings, and evidence of publication bias limit the conclusions that can be drawn from this meta-analysis.


Subject(s)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Stress, Psychological , Humans , Child , Adolescent , Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/methods , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Child, Preschool
5.
Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol ; 73(12): 510-515, 2023 Dec.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37709285

ABSTRACT

For families of chronically ill children with a high level of psychosocial stress, it is necessary to involve child and adolescent psychiatric or psychosomatic specialists directly in the pediatric treatment process. For this purpose, a family consultation was set up in the Heidelberg University Pediatrics as part of a model project, which deals with these families in an interdisciplinary and systemic way. It shows that the implementation of the consultation works despite a high organizational effort and is regularly used. The first evaluation results confirm the already described high levels of psychosocial stress in the affected families. They indicate a positive assessment of the consultation and a desire for a permanent offer. First follow-up results indicate a significant decrease in treatment-related concerns, uncertainty and a reduction in treatment-related problems. The lack of a viable funding model poses a challenge for long-term implementation.


Subject(s)
Psychophysiologic Disorders , Referral and Consultation , Adolescent , Child , Humans , Psychophysiologic Disorders/therapy , Chronic Disease
6.
Schizophr Res ; 260: 3-11, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37543008

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Despite extensive research, the etiology of negative symptoms is not well understood. Preliminary findings are linking motor disturbances to negative symptom severity. We aimed to further the understanding to what extent motor movement preparation influences negative symptom severity. METHODS: In a cohort of 31 subjects with schizophrenia and 20 control subjects we recorded the readiness potential amplitude over Cz during spontaneous movements of the right and left thumb. We further assessed negative and positive symptom severity (scale for the assessment of negative and positive symptoms) as well as neurological soft signs (NSS). RESULTS: In subjects with schizophrenia the severity of negative symptoms was best predicted by the readiness potential amplitude and the NSS subdomain motor coordination. The correlation between deficits in motor coordination and negative symptom severity was partially mediated by the readiness potential amplitude in subjects with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: Deficits in motor processing are linked to negative symptom severity in schizophrenia. The readiness potential may represent a biological marker of these basal deficits. In combination with the assessment of NSS, the readiness potential may be a marker of the course of negative symptom severity and help clarifying interdependencies between (pre)frontal networks for action initiation and coordination, as well as negative symptoms.


Subject(s)
Schizophrenia , Humans , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Contingent Negative Variation , Neurologic Examination , Cognition , Biomarkers
7.
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health ; 17(1): 94, 2023 Aug 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37550728

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Externalizing behavior problems are related to social maladjustment. Evidence indicates associations between prenatal stress and child behavioral outcomes. It remains unclear how psychological distress vs. biological correlates of stress (cortisol) differentially predict externalizing behavior, and how their effects might differ as a function of child sex. METHOD: 108 pregnant women from the community collected salivary cortisol and reported their perceived stress during each trimester of pregnancy. At child age 9 years (M = 9.01, SD = 0.55), 70 mothers and children reported on child behavior. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze how cortisol levels and perceived stress during pregnancy predicted current child externalizing behavior, considering the moderating effect of child sex. RESULTS: Perceived stress predicted higher externalizing behavior in boys (ß = 0.42, p = 0.009) and lower externalizing behavior in girls (ß = - 0.56, p = 0.014). Cortisol predicted lower externalizing behavior in boys (ß = - 0.81, p < .001) and was not related to girls' externalizing behavior (ß = 0.37, p = 0.200). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Prenatal stress affected externalizing behavior differently in girls vs. boys. These response patters in turn differed for indicators of psychological vs. biological maternal stress, encouraging an integrated approach. Findings indicate that perceived stress and cortisol may affect child development via different trajectories.

8.
Psychother Psychosom ; 92(4): 243-254, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37487473

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The "Cutting Down Programme" (CDP), a brief psychotherapeutic intervention for treating nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents, was comparable to high-quality treatment as usual (TAU) in a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the CDP over up to 4 years. METHODS: Assessments of NSSI, suicide attempts, borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, and quality of life took place 2 to 4 years (T3) after enrollment in a RCT. The evolution of NSSI, suicide attempts, depression, and quality of life was analyzed using (generalized) linear mixed-effects models. Ordered logistic regression was used for analyzing BPD diagnoses. Data from T0, T2, and T3 are reported. RESULTS: Out of 74 patients, 70 (95%) were included in the T3 assessment. The frequency of NSSI events alongside with suicide attempts and depression further decreased between T2 and T3 and BPD between T0 and T3 in both groups. Quality of life remained stable in both groups between T2 and T3. Both groups received substantial but comparable additional treatment between T2 and T3. More treatment sessions during the follow-up period were linked to larger improvements of NSSI. CONCLUSIONS: The CDP was found to be as effective as TAU in promoting recovery from NSSI and comorbid symptoms in the long term. Results suggest that treatment effects from a brief psychotherapeutic intervention may endure and even further improve after completion of the program. However, additional treatment seems to improve chances for recovery independent from CDP versus TAU.


Subject(s)
Borderline Personality Disorder , Self-Injurious Behavior , Humans , Adolescent , Follow-Up Studies , Self-Injurious Behavior/therapy , Self-Injurious Behavior/diagnosis , Suicide, Attempted/prevention & control , Comorbidity , Borderline Personality Disorder/epidemiology , Borderline Personality Disorder/therapy
9.
J Adolesc Health ; 73(2): 288-295, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37294250

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bullying and problematic Internet gaming (PIG) are two concerning phenomena among adolescents. Research suggests an association between them; however, longitudinal studies are scarce. Therefore, this study examined whether traditional and cybervictimization are prospective risk factors for PIG and how gender, school type, and age influence these relationships. METHODS: Adolescents (grades 5-13; N = 4,390) answered two surveys one year apart which were linked by individual codes. They were classified as "victims" based on the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire-Revised. Changes in PIG (T2-T1) were computed based on nine items reflecting the diagnostic criteria for DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder. RESULTS: Traditional and cybervictimization independently predicted changes in PIG. The emergence of traditional victimization only, cybervictimization only, and particularly, both forms of victimization simultaneously, was associated with an increase in PIG. A decrease in PIG was only found if victimization terminated in both contexts. Further, an additive effect was found if traditional victimization newly extended to cyberspace. For boys and B-level students, the emergence of traditional victimization was associated with a larger increase in PIG than for girls and A-level students, when compared to the absence of traditional victimization. For boys, this also applied for cybervictimization. DISCUSSION: The emergence of bullying victimization in either an offline or online context appears to be a risk factor for PIG. Importantly, victimization must be stopped in both contexts for a decrease in PIG. Therefore, prevention programs need to focus on bullying offline as well as online to counter PIG. Efforts should especially focus on boys and B-level students.


Subject(s)
Bullying , Crime Victims , Cyberbullying , Video Games , Humans , Prospective Studies , Internet
10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37041602

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Associations between parent and child cortisol levels ("cortisol synchrony") are often reported and positive synchrony may mark dyadic regulation on a physiological level. Although dyadic behavior during interaction and adolescent borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits are linked with individual and dyadic regulatory capacities, little is known about how both factors influence parent-adolescent cortisol synchrony. We hypothesized that cortisol synchrony would differ depending on behavioral synchrony, i.e., smooth reciprocal dyadic interaction patterns, adolescent BPD traits, and their interactions. METHODS: Multilevel state-trait modeling was implemented to investigate associations between concurrent mother-adolescent state cortisol and mother-adolescent average cortisol levels in a community sample of 76 mother-adolescent dyads. Three saliva samples were collected across interaction paradigms. Behavioral synchrony was observed, and adolescent BPD traits were evaluated using clinical interviews. RESULTS: First, behavioral synchrony and absence of BPD traits were linked with positive associations between adolescent and maternal state cortisol (positive synchrony), BPD traits with negative associations (negative synchrony). When interaction effects were examined, results were more nuanced. In low-risk dyads (higher behavioral synchrony, no BPD traits) asynchrony was found. When risk (BPD traits) and resource (higher behavioral synchrony) were combined, synchrony was positive. Lastly, in high-risk dyads (lower behavioral synchrony, adolescent BPD traits), negative synchrony was observed. Average adolescent and maternal cortisol levels were consistently positively associated in dyads with higher risk. CONCLUSIONS: Positive dyadic interaction patterns are associated with positive state cortisol synchrony in mother-adolescent dyads and could buffer the effect of BPD traits, possibly supporting the process of physiological regulation.

11.
Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry ; 32(9): 1745-1754, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35488938

ABSTRACT

Early detection and intervention can counteract mental disorders and risk behaviours among adolescents. However, help-seeking rates are low. School-based screenings are a promising tool to detect adolescents at risk for mental problems and to improve help-seeking behaviour. We assessed associations between the intervention "Screening by Professionals" (ProfScreen) and the use of mental health services and at-risk state at 12 month follow-up compared to a control group. School students (aged 15 ± 0.9 years) from 11 European countries participating in the "Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe" (SEYLE) study completed a self-report questionnaire on mental health problems and risk behaviours. ProfScreen students considered "at-risk" for mental illness or risk behaviour based on the screening were invited for a clinical interview with a mental health professional and, if necessary, referred for subsequent treatment. At follow-up, students completed another self-report, additionally reporting on service use. Of the total sample (N = 4,172), 61.9% were considered at-risk. 40.7% of the ProfScreen at-risk participants invited for the clinical interview attended the interview, and 10.1% of subsequently referred ProfScreen participants engaged in professional treatment. There were no differences between the ProfScreen and control group regarding follow-up service use and at-risk state. Attending the ProfScreen interview was positively associated with follow-up service use (OR = 1.783, 95% CI = 1.038-3.064), but had no effect on follow-up at-risk state. Service use rates of professional care as well as of the ProfScreen intervention itself were low. Future school-based interventions targeting help-seeking need to address barriers to intervention adherence.Clinical Trials Registration: The trial is registered at the US National Institute of Health (NIH) clinical trial registry (NCT00906620, registered on 21 May, 2009), and the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00000214, registered on 27 October, 2009).


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Mental Health , Adolescent , Humans , Europe , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/therapy , Risk-Taking , Surveys and Questionnaires
12.
Psychopathology ; 56(1-2): 127-137, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35490676

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine whether (a) cyberbullying has unique associations with mental health problems, risk-taking, and self-harm behavior in victims and perpetrators when compared to school bullying and (b) if cyberbullying is associated with an additional burden for students already involved in school bullying. METHODS: Data were collected from 6,561 students across 23 schools in Germany (grades 5-13). The sample was divided into the following four groups: cyber-only involvement (victims = 1.9%, perpetrators = 0.6%), school-only involvement (victims = 17.2%, perpetrators = 11.9%), dual involvement (victims = 5.7%, perpetrators = 2.9%), and noninvolvement (victims = 75.3%, perpetrators = 84.6%). Multilevel mixed-effects regression analysis was conducted to examine group differences in mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, KIDSCREEN-10), risk-taking, and self-harm behavior (e.g., substance use, suicide attempts). RESULTS: Cyber-only bullying had unique associations with mental health problems and risk-taking behavior in victims (lower levels of peer relationship problems: p < 0.001, greater substance use: p < 0.05) and perpetrators (higher levels of peer relationship problems: p < 0.05) when compared to school-only bullying. Dual victims and perpetrators reported significantly more mental health problems (victims: χ2(5) = 221.58, p < 0.001; perpetrators: χ2(5) = 116.40, p < 0.001) and were more likely to report risk-taking and self-harm behavior (victims: χ2(7) = 115.15, p < 0.001; perpetrators: χ2(7) = 38.79, p < 0.001) than students involved in school-only bullying. CONCLUSION: Cyber-only bullying appears to be related to specific mental health issues beyond those associated with school-only bullying. Cyberbullying and school bullying go along with additive mental health problems, risk-taking, and self-harm behavior in both victims and perpetrators. Thus, bullying prevention and intervention programs should also target cyberbullying.


Subject(s)
Bullying , Crime Victims , Cyberbullying , Self-Injurious Behavior , Humans , Adolescent , Cyberbullying/psychology , Crime Victims/psychology , Bullying/psychology , Schools , Internet
13.
Personal Disord ; 14(2): 172-181, 2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35357883

ABSTRACT

Persistent, interpersonal difficulties are a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Theories propose that these may result from an insufficient object constancy, for example, the insufficient capacity to maintain feelings of closeness (FC) toward a person when he or she is absent. Based on this assumption, this study examined whether FC toward the mother or the best friend were more dependent on previous contact in adolescents with BPD pathology compared with healthy controls. In addition, the influence of different contact modes was explored. N = 52 female adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (n = 24 with ≥ 5 BPD symptoms [full-threshold BPD], n = 10 with 1-4 BPD symptoms [subthreshold BPD], n = 18 healthy controls) completed up to 12 e-diaries a day on 2 consecutive weekends. Using multilevel mixed-effect regression analyses, we found that the more BPD symptoms a patient fulfilled, the more dependent were FC toward the best friend on actual contact. In contrast, BPD pathology did not influence the dependency of the FC toward the mother on actual contact. Finally, the mode of contact seems to matter: The more BPD symptoms a patient met, the more was the FC toward the best friend dependent on personal compared with written or no contact, whereas phone or written contact was no different from no contact. The present findings partially support the theory of an insufficient object constancy in BPD that seems to become apparent in adolescence mainly in relationships with peers. Replication of the findings, particularly with regard to the impact of mode of contact, in larger samples is required. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Borderline Personality Disorder , Humans , Adolescent , Female , Awareness , Emotions , Friends , Mothers
14.
Personal Disord ; 14(2): 196-206, 2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35549498

ABSTRACT

Research has established the diagnostic validity of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adolescence. The roots of BPD often lie in childhood; however, significantly less is known about the presence and correlates of BPD traits in school-age children and whether these are comparable with those observed in adolescents. Trained psychologists administered the Childhood Interview for Borderline Personality Disorder in a cohort of 14-year-old adolescents (n = 76) and a cohort of 9-year-old children (n = 70). We compared the prevalence of BPD traits in both cohorts and investigated common psychosocial correlates (comorbidity, impaired quality of life, emotional/behavioral problems, maternal distress, and observed mother-child interaction). Children and adolescents showed no significant differences regarding the type and frequency of BPD traits. In both cohorts, BPD traits were associated with comorbidity, emotional and behavioral problems, and lower quality of life. In contrast to adolescents, children's BPD traits were not significantly related to maternal distress and showed less relations to interaction patterns. Negative maternal and dyadic behavior were associated with more BPD traits in adolescents during a conflict discussion but not during fun day planning. Our study suggests that BPD traits in children are similarly frequent as in adolescents and accompanied by psychosocial impairment. However, age-related differences were revealed, mostly indicating weaker associations with the mother-child relationship. Mother-child interaction patterns in youth seem to be especially relevant during conflict discussion and provide a target for intervention. Our study provides preliminary support for potential early detection of BPD pathology among children and encourages further study of its life span perspective. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Borderline Personality Disorder , Humans , Adolescent , Child , Borderline Personality Disorder/psychology , Quality of Life , Mother-Child Relations , Emotions , Comorbidity
15.
Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr ; 71(7): 573-575, 2022 11.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36382742
16.
J Affect Disord ; 318: 191-195, 2022 12 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36057292

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a prevalent health problem among adolescents and commonly associated with psychological stressors such as childhood maltreatment and comorbid psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression). There is evidence that alterations of immunological markers may occur in the context of both environmental stress and psychopathological development. METHOD: Here, we investigated differences in plasma/serum leukocytes, cortisol, c-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in a large sample of female adolescents with NSSI (n = 155) and healthy controls (HC, n = 42). Further, we assessed correlations between inflammatory markers, depression severity and the severity of childhood maltreatment. RESULTS: The absolute number of leukocytes and the leukocyte/cortisol ratio (adjusted for body mass index and smoking) were significantly higher in NSSI as compared to HC, whereas interleukin-6 and CRP levels did not differ significantly between groups. Childhood maltreatment scores were significantly correlated with the leukocyte/cortisol ratio and depression severity was significantly correlated with both, absolute leukocyte numbers and the leukocyte/cortisol ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that an immune activation can be detected in female adolescents with NSSI. Depression and childhood maltreatment, which are commonly reported in NSSI, may potentially underlie immune activation and partially explain group differences.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Self-Injurious Behavior , Adolescent , C-Reactive Protein , Child , Child Abuse/psychology , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/metabolism , Interleukin-6 , Self-Injurious Behavior/psychology
17.
Neuroimage Clin ; 36: 103195, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36137498

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescence 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. METHODS: 98 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. RESULTS: Linear 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. CONCLUSIONS: Delays 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.


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , White Matter , Adolescent , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , White Matter/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Anisotropy
18.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35786323
19.
J Affect Disord ; 311: 55-62, 2022 08 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35550828

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a highly prevalent transdiagnostic psychiatric symptom in adolescents. Research in adults has begun to investigate neurocognitive processes associated with NSSI as potential underlying phenotypes. However, research on neurocognitive function in adolescent patients with NSSI is scarce. METHODS: In this study, we examined neurocognitive functioning in the domains of processing speed, attention, learning, working memory, and executive function in a relatively large sample of n = 240 adolescent patients engaging in NSSI and n = 49 healthy controls. Further, associations between neurocognitive performance and clinical characteristics in the patient group were examined. RESULTS: While conventional regression analyses showed somewhat weaker neurocognition in the NSSI group in several domains, propensity score matching for IQ showed little evidence that patients engaging in NSSI showed worse neurocognition when general intelligence was considered. Further, a random forest machine learning algorithm was not able to classify NSSI vs. control groups based on neurocognitive features. Within the patient group, linear regression and latent class analyses yielded little evidence that neurocognitive performance was related with clinical characteristics or phenotypes. LIMITATIONS: As the study did not include a clinical control group, findings might not be specific to NSSI. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings challenge the importance of specific neurocognitive measures related to the presence or severity of NSSI in adolescents. Future studies should consider general intelligence as an important confounding factor and should focus on domains of affective cognition. Finally, longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether low neurocognitive performance serves to inform prognosis of NSSI or psychopathology in general.


Subject(s)
Self-Injurious Behavior , Adolescent , Cognition , Humans , Psychopathology , Self-Injurious Behavior/psychology
20.
Psychodyn Psychiatry ; 50(1): 24-42, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35235398

ABSTRACT

This article is part of the ISPS (International Society for the Psychological Treatment of the Schizophrenias and other Psychoses) task force report on the PORT (Patients Outcome Research Team) recommendations for treatment of schizophrenia. It reviews psychological treatment approaches in psychosis to date and assesses recent trends. The most influential therapies have been psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral (CBT), and supportive therapy.


Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Psychoanalysis , Psychotic Disorders , Schizophrenia , Humans , Psychotherapy , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Schizophrenia/therapy
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