[Levels of structural integration in adolescents and the relationship to later mental disorders - A longitudinal study]. / Psychisches Strukturniveau im Jugendalter und der Zusammenhang mit späterer psychischer Erkrankung ­ eine Langzeitstudie.

Levels of structural integration in adolescents and the relationship to later mental disorders - A longitudinal study Abstract. Objective: Psychological disorders frequently manifest during adolescence. Because of the multifactorial influencing factors, the courses of the diseases are heterogeneous, from relapsing-remitting to chronic. This study investigated whether the level of structural integration of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics in Childhood and Adolescence (OPD-CA) correlates with later symptomatic burden. Method: This long-term study assessed the levels of structural integration according to the OPD-CA of 60 adolescents (mean age = 15.6; SD = 0.9). Seven years later, we then measured symptomatic burden (SCID axis I and II) and overall burden (GAF, BSI-GSI) (73.3 % follow-up participation rate). Results: The results showed high correlations between deficient structural integration in adolescence and later symptoms and overall burden in early adulthood. Conclusion: The follow-up examination after a 7-year time period showed significant correlations, which argue for the predictive value of structural integration. This suggests that early specific treatment, e.g., in the form of intensive psychotherapy, be urgently recommended in order to influence this course.

Brief report: CANTAB performance and brain structure in pediatric patients with Asperger syndrome.

By merging neuropsychological (CANTAB/cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery) and structural brain imaging data (voxel-based-morphometry) the present study sought to identify the neurocognitive correlates of executive functions in individuals with Asperger syndrome (AS) compared to healthy controls. Results disclosed subtle group differences regarding response speed on only one CANTAB subtest that is thought to tap fronto-executive network functions (SWM/spatial working memory). Across all participants, SWM performance was significantly associated with two brain regions (precentral gyrus white matter, precuneus grey matter), thus suggesting a close link between fronto-executive functions (SWM) and circumscribed fronto-parietal brain structures. Finally, symptom severity (ADOS total score) was best predicted by response speed on a set-shifting task (IES) thought to tap fronto-striatal functions (corrected R2 56%).

[Inter-rater reliability and validity of the OPD-CA axes structure and conflict]. / Reliabilität und Validität der OPD-KJ-Achsen Struktur und Konflikt.

The manual of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics in childhood and adolescence (OPD-CA) is an instrument meanwhile widespread in the clinical practice to assess psychodynamic dimensions. Publications of inter-rater agreement and validity are still outstanding. This study assessed the interrater-reliability and validity for the axis structure and the axis conflict. 60 adolescents between 14 and 17 years, with and without psychic disorders, were diagnosed with the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics in childhood and adolescence (Arbeitskreis OPD-KJ, 2007) and SCID-II-interviews and questionnaires. A partial sample of 36 OPD-CA-interviews was the data basis for the assessment of inter-rater agreement. Calculations of validity for axis structure and axis conflict were made with the whole sample. Inter-rater agreement for the axis structure and the axis conflict showed good to very good weighted Kappa coefficients among the trained raters. Validity of the axis structure showed good results. The Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics in childhood and adolescence (OPD-CA) allows a reliable diagnostic of axis structure and axis conflict, if the ratings are done on the basis of semistructured videotaped interviews by trained raters. The axis structure shows validity, while the results concerning the validity of the axis conflict remain unclear.

[Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among homeless adolescents]. / Prävalenz psychiatrischer Erkrankungen bei wohnungslosen Jugendlichen.

Various studies show a high prevalence of mental disorders among homeless people. So far most of these studies deal solely with single men, mainly affected by homelessness. Few data exist for women, children, adolescents and whole families that are more and more affected by poverty and homelessness. This study, conducted in Innsbruck/Austria, determined the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among homeless adolescents. The adolescents were recruited in a counselling centre and homeless shelter specifically founded for homeless youth. Mental disorders were diagnosed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SKID-I). 40 adolescents and young adults ranging from 14-23 years (mean 17.9 years) were included in the study. The results show that 58% of the homeless adolescents were exposed to continuous violence in their families and that violence was a major reason for them to leave home. The overall prevalence of diagnosed psychiatric disorders was 80% in the whole sample; the leading disorder was substance abuse/dependence (65%), followed by mood disorders (42.5%), anxiety disorders (17.5%) and eating disorders (17.5%). 57.5% of the adolescents had a history of self-harm and 25% reported at least one suicide attempt. Duration of homelessness had the greatest influence on the prevalence of mental disorders. Longer duration of homelessness was associated with a higher risk of psychiatric disorder or self-harm. These results demonstrate the urgent need for early psychosocial and psychiatric help for homeless adolescents.