Elin Olsson, Per Andrén, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Kajsa Dellgran, Oscar Cardona Castro, Annika Möttus, David Mataix-Cols, Sabina Gušić, Sean Perrin, Eva Serlachius, Matti Cervin
{"title":"Stepped Care Versus Stratified Care for Youth with Anxiety Disorders: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Elin Olsson, Per Andrén, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Kajsa Dellgran, Oscar Cardona Castro, Annika Möttus, David Mataix-Cols, Sabina Gušić, Sean Perrin, Eva Serlachius, Matti Cervin","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01908-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01908-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anxiety disorders are common in children and adolescents, but access to evidence-based treatment is limited. Most clinical guidelines recommend stratified care, where less complex patients are offered low intensity interventions and complex patients more intensive options. Stepped care, where all patients initially receive low-intensity treatment, has gained traction due to its potential cost-effectiveness. Research on care models for youth with anxiety disorders is very limited. In this pre-registered (NCT06016907) pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), we examined the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a trial comparing stepped and stratified care for youth with anxiety disorders. In stepped care, all began with internet-delivered CBT. In stratified care, complex cases (based on a baseline risk score incorporating symptom severity, co-existing disorders, functional impairment, and family conflict) started with in-person CBT. Non-responders in both groups were offered in-person CBT. Over six months, 51 youth with anxiety disorders were enrolled (mean age = 14.18 years, range = 9.25-17.50; 71% girls), with 80% meeting criteria for more than one mental disorder. Treatment adherence (≥ 50% completion) was 78-84% across interventions. Masked outcome assessments were attended by 96% of participants. No serious adverse effects were reported. At the primary endpoint, 40% of participants in stepped care and 75% in stratified care were classified as treatment responders. However, the trial was not powered to detect efficacy differences, and no between-group comparisons were conducted. Results indicate that a definitive trial comparing stepped and stratified care for youth anxiety disorders is feasible.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144944969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sophia Young, Amanda Jensen-Doss, Grace S Woodard, Megan Brady, Jesslyn Jamison, Emily M Becker-Haimes
{"title":"Improving Accurate Detection of Mental Health Treatment Needs for Youth Through a Standardized Feedback Report.","authors":"Sophia Young, Amanda Jensen-Doss, Grace S Woodard, Megan Brady, Jesslyn Jamison, Emily M Becker-Haimes","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01907-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01907-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Evidence-based assessments (EBAs) are key to accurately detecting youth who would benefit from exposure therapy (EXP), but EBA is underused, and clinicians struggle to know when EXP is appropriate. Improving clinician case conceptualization may improve appropriate use of EXP. We tested whether viewing a simulated feedback report synthesizing results of standardized assessments and implicated treatment recommendations would impact clinicians' case conceptualizations. Using a survey design, 102 clinicians (M age = 36.85, 85% female; 92% master's degree) were randomized to one of four conditions in which they read one of two clinical vignettes describing a teen with either clear or vague youth anxiety symptoms. They then were shown one of two feedback reports suggesting anxiety as the primary treatment target and recommending EXP or a report showing a non-anxiety target. Clinicians who viewed the feedback report suggesting anxiety as the primary target tended to maintain or strengthen their ratings of anxiety as a primary treatment target and were more likely to state they would use EXP as a primary intervention strategy; effects were stronger when the initial case vignette described vague symptoms. Overall, clinicians rated the perceived utility of the report highly. Results of this analog study suggest a diagnostic feedback report may be highly acceptable and impact clinician case conceptualizations for anxious youth. Future work to develop and test this feedback report further is indicated.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144944927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura de la Roche, Daphne Korczak, Alice Charach, Catherine Birken, Kimberley Tsujimoto, Jennifer Crosbie, Katherine Cost, Anett Schumacher, Evdokia Anagnostou, Sunseeta Monga, Elizabeth Kelley
{"title":"Influential Factors on Participation in Mental Health Research:Directing Future Research Methods.","authors":"Laura de la Roche, Daphne Korczak, Alice Charach, Catherine Birken, Kimberley Tsujimoto, Jennifer Crosbie, Katherine Cost, Anett Schumacher, Evdokia Anagnostou, Sunseeta Monga, Elizabeth Kelley","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01894-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01894-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research on pediatric mental health treatment outcomes require continued participant engagement typically involving the caregivers; however, these studies report high rates of attrition. To increase participant retention, an understanding of participants' experiences that influence their participation is necessary. The current study employed qualitative methods to understand the reasons behind participation of parents enrolling in pediatric longitudinal mental health research targeting their child's mental health. Participants were recruited from a longitudinal study that provided mental health resources to families. Data from 49 parent interviews were analyzed using interpretive description, which generated two themes: influential factors behind parent enrollment and factors impacting retention or attrition. Our findings inform the content and dissemination of recruitment material targeting parent participation in youth mental health research. Further, our findings may inform what information related to the study (e.g., participant responses) should be provided to participants and how dissemination of findings may increase future participation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144944939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Efficacy of Early Adolescent Skill for Emotions Intervention in Psychological Distress among Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.","authors":"Virgilio Astori, Beatriz Westphalen Pomianoski, Daniela Lopes Vieira, Maurício Prätzel Ellwanger, Mateus Frizzo Messinger, Daniel Prates-Baldez","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01904-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01904-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Disparities in mental health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) profoundly affect adolescent's well-being. To address this issue, the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) program may offer enhanced psychological support. Therefore, this study assessed the efficacy of EASE compared to Enhanced Treatment as Usual (ETAU) in adolescents aged 10 to 15 years living in LMIC and experiencing psychological distress.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a systematic review with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024564497). We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane. The outcomes of interest included the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Total (PSC-T), with Internalization (PSC-I) as primary outcome, along with Attention (PSC-A), Externalization (PSC-E), and well-being measures (WEMWBS and SWEMWBS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included seven RCTs. The groups that received EASE showed significantly reduced PSC-I scores compared with ETAU (MD = - 0.38; 95% CI [- 0.63, -0.13]; P < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences between these groups in PSC-T (MD = 0.26; 95% CI [-2.35-1.84]; P = 0.81), PSC-E (MD = -0.02; 95% CI [- 0.56-0.51]; P = 0.93), PSC-A (MD = -0.04; 95% CI [- 0.53-0.45]; P = 0.88), and Well-being (SMD = -0.01; 95% CI [-0.14-0.13]; P = 0.86) scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We found that EASE was an intervention that significantly reduced internalizing symptoms in adolescents when compared to ETAU. However, our study did not find that EASE was superior to ETAU in reducing externalizing symptoms, attention, or well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F Vogel, C Fromm, J Reichert, C M Schwenck, S Rupp
{"title":"An Adaptation of Perceived Causal Networks for Children and Adolescents (PECAN-CA): An Evaluation of its Reliability and Feasibility.","authors":"F Vogel, C Fromm, J Reichert, C M Schwenck, S Rupp","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01900-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01900-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The network theory of psychopathology allows for personalized psychotherapy through individualized symptom networks, but constructing such networks remains methodologically challenging. Perceived Causal Networks (PECAN) offers a promising approach by capturing individuals' perceived symptom relations. This study adapted PECAN for children and adolescents (PECAN-CA) and assessed its reliability and feasibility in N = 75 subclinically socially anxious participants (10-21 years, M = 15.23, SD = 4.07). Participants created networks based on a past social situation. Retest reliability was tested immediately and after four weeks, comparing results to prior studies applying PECAN to adults and adolescents. Networks generated were comparably reliable to those from PECAN studies with adults and more reliable than those from PECAN studies with adolescents. Centrality measures, critical for clinical decisions, showed high reliability (r = 0.89-0.95). Older age and better understanding of network concepts improved outcomes. Selecting fewer symptoms increased reliability. Most participants found the method feasible. Overall, PECAN-CA appears suitable for generating reliable personalized networks in youth, though adaptations such as psychoeducation and reducing number of selected symptoms may be necessary for younger individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144854742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevalence of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Iranian Elementary School Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Zahra Tabibi, Sajad Ayoubi, Elham Rabbaniparsa","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01899-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01899-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to estimate the overall prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among Iranian elementary school children, with a particular focus on potential variations by gender and diagnostic tools. A systematic review of nine studies meeting eligibility criteria was conducted, including data from 9,138 children aged 6 to 12 years. The results indicate a pooled ADHDt prevalence of 11.2% (95% CI: 9.4-13.2%), with a significantly higher prevalence observed in boys (10.1%) compared to girls (7%). The choice of diagnostic instrument was also a source of variability in results, with the Conners' Questionnaire indicating a prevalence of 10.9% and the CSI-4 Questionnaire yielding a prevalence of 12.1%. The study highlights notable heterogeneity across the studies (I² = 87.6%), influenced by differences in sample size, location and diagnostic methodology. These findings highlight the necessity for the standardization of diagnostic practices in order to enhance the accuracy and consistency of estimates regarding the prevalence of ADHD in Iran. Additional research should concentrate on the elucidation of the social and cultural determinants. This will enable a deeper comprehension of these elements and the interwoven relationship between culture, society, and child mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144854743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carl Waitz, Sherry Paden, Ethan Anglemyer, Yohanis Anglero-Diaz, Billy Zou, Annmarie Caracansi, Patricia Ibeziako
{"title":"Toward Personalizing Care in Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Units: A Latent Profile Analysis.","authors":"Carl Waitz, Sherry Paden, Ethan Anglemyer, Yohanis Anglero-Diaz, Billy Zou, Annmarie Caracansi, Patricia Ibeziako","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01901-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01901-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research on youth Inpatient Psychiatric Units (IPUs) is increasing, yet much remains unknown about the treatment setting. Youth IPU research often treats all patients as part of observable groups (e.g., diagnosis), which may miss unobserved patterns in patient needs. To examine differences in patients in youth IPUs in a nuanced, person-centered way, this study uses Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to examine profile patterns in Patient Reported Outcome Measures administered at admission to youth aged 12-17 on an IPU (n = 496). The LPA identified five profiles characterizing patients: High Internal Distress, Moderate Internal Distress, High Family and Environmental Distress, Moderate Family and Environmental Distress, and Mild Distress. We analyzed these profiles based on race/ethnicity, sex assigned at birth, insurance type, diagnoses, age, length of stay, and treatment satisfaction at discharge. Treatment implications of the LPA and significant findings are discussed and methods of advancing personalization of care are recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144854744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Psychometric Assessment of the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5 Brief Form in a Clinical Sample of Turkish Youth.","authors":"Abdurrahman Cahid Örengül, Rana Selin Küçükardalı, Beyza Nur Karal, Vahdet Gormez","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01905-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01905-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Childhood trauma is a significant public health concern linked to increased psychiatric morbidity. In clinical practice, timely and accurate identification of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children is essential, yet comprehensive diagnostic assessments are often time-consuming and resource-intensive. Therefore, there is a need for brief, reliable screening tools adapted for diverse populations. The UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5 Brief Form (RI-5-BF) is one such tool, though its use in non-Western contexts remains understudied. This study examined the psychometric properties of the RI-5-BF in a Turkish clinical sample of children exposed to at least one traumatic event. The RI-5-BF demonstrated strong internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and diagnostic accuracy. These findings support its utility as a culturally appropriate, efficient screening measure for identifying children in need of further PTSD assessment and intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144834219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Imogene G Calteaux, David L Neumann, Lara J Farrell
{"title":"Therapeutic Processes that Impact Child Outcomes Following Exposure Therapy for Child Specific Phobias.","authors":"Imogene G Calteaux, David L Neumann, Lara J Farrell","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01902-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01902-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the relationship between therapeutic process variables and child outcomes following exposure therapy for specific phobias (SPs) in children. SPs are a common childhood disorder and a predictor of future mental health conditions. While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and One-Session Treatment (OST) are effective in treating SPs, a notable percentage of children do not fully respond. The study examined key therapeutic process variables among a sample of 52 children and their parents who participated in the broader Preschoolers' Overcoming Phobias randomised controlled trial. Variables included child and parent therapeutic alliances, child motivation, homework adherence, therapist treatment fidelity, parent satisfaction, and parental confidence in implementing exposure and managing their own fears. Results indicated that child therapeutic alliance and parental confidence in managing fears were significant predictors of child outcomes at six months post-treatment. Specifically, parental confidence mediated the relationship between their ability to conduct exposure and the child's approach behaviour. This suggests that effective SP treatments should focus on both the child's direct therapy and supporting parents in managing their child's anxieties.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144834220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Introduction to the Special Issue: Measurement Based Care in Youth Depression and Suicidality.","authors":"Holli Slater, Andrew G Guzick","doi":"10.1007/s10578-025-01890-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-025-01890-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Herein we introduce the Collection \"Measurement Based Care in Youth Depression and Suicidality.\" Measurement-based care (MBC), or the systematic use of measurement tools to inform treatment decisions, has been identified as a key component of providing evidence-based psychiatric care. However, the implementation of MBC at the clinic or health system level is not trivial; barriers to successful implementation are widespread but can be overcome. This Collection presents five manuscripts that cover a range of topics related to the implementation of MBC. The first two articles provide guidance to clinicians and researchers in careful selection of validated measurement tools for depression and suicidality. Next, our authors describe an effort to assess the fidelity of MBC use across the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network registry study, a statewide longitudinal cohort of depressed and suicidal youth. The following article outlines the benefits, barriers, and implementations strategies to implementing MBC at the health system level. Our final article details the implementation of MBC into a health system and provides data on screening outcomes and related clinical associations.</p>","PeriodicalId":10024,"journal":{"name":"Child Psychiatry & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144803719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}