Hanna Ahrnberg, Kaija Appelqvist-Schmidlechner, Pekka Mustonen, Sari Fröjd, Katja Aktan-Collan
{"title":"Evaluating the efficacy of a school-based Finnish Gutsy Go programme in enhancing adolescents' positive mental health, experience of social inclusion, and social competence.","authors":"Hanna Ahrnberg, Kaija Appelqvist-Schmidlechner, Pekka Mustonen, Sari Fröjd, Katja Aktan-Collan","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2277770","DOIUrl":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2277770","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> The Finnish Gutsy Go programme is a positive youth development intervention designed to enhance adolescents' psychosocial well-being by enabling eighth-grade students to develop and execute good deeds within the community.<i>Objective:</i> This study aimed to explore the effect of the Gutsy Go programme on adolescents' positive mental health, experience of social inclusion, and social competence using a quasi-experimental study design.<i>Methods:</i> Data were collected with electronic questionnaires at baseline (<i>n</i> = 236 programme participants and <i>n</i> = 303 controls) and follow-up two weeks after the programme (<i>n</i> = 126, 54.2% programme participants and <i>n</i> = 103, 34.1% controls). Analyses included paired samples <i>t</i>-tests and mixed ANOVA analyses.<i>Results:</i> A statistically significant intragroup change across time was detected in the level of cooperation skills among programme participants (<i>t</i>(127) = -2.460, <i>p</i> = 0.015) but not among controls (<i>t</i>(102) = 1.088, <i>p</i> = 0.279). Statistically significant main effects were found for the intervention group on the experience of social inclusion (<i>F</i>(1, 1) = 9.34, <i>p</i> = 0.003, η<i><sub>p</sub></i><sup>2</sup> = 0.040), cooperation skills (<i>F</i>(1,1) = 5.28, <i>p</i> = 0.020, η<i><sub>p</sub></i><sup>2</sup> = 0.020), and empathy (<i>F</i>(1,1) = 6.44, <i>p</i> = 0.010, η<i><sub>p</sub></i><sup>2</sup> = 0.030) across time.<i>Conclusion:</i> The Gutsy Go programme could be beneficial in improving adolescents' experience of social inclusion, cooperation skills, and empathy. More studies are needed to address the effects of the programme more firmly.</p>","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":" ","pages":"53-69"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140177037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eslavath Rajkumar, Jayashree Mitra, Reethika Yadav, P V Hareesh, Alakananda Gangadharan, M C Gopika, Anamika Ben Christa, Allen Joshua George, Aswathy Gopi, Romate John, S Arya, John Abraham, L Rajashekaran
{"title":"Family violence during COVID-19 and its impact on mental health of children: A systematic review.","authors":"Eslavath Rajkumar, Jayashree Mitra, Reethika Yadav, P V Hareesh, Alakananda Gangadharan, M C Gopika, Anamika Ben Christa, Allen Joshua George, Aswathy Gopi, Romate John, S Arya, John Abraham, L Rajashekaran","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2261992","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2023.2261992","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unanticipated challenges that could impact how the family system operates across the world. Restrictions imposed to control the rapid spread of the virus substantially increased violence in families. The current study aims to review violence in the family and its impact on the mental health of children during the pandemic. Method: A systematic search was conducted using keywords in the electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, and a manual search was conducted on Google Scholar for articles from January 2020 to January 2021. Of the 50 records identified, seven studies that met eligibility criteria were selected for final analysis. Results: Results revealed that family violence during the pandemic has escalated the mental health problems of children, including aggressive and self-harming behaviours. Lockdown restrictions, social detachment, financial instability, fear of infection, and unemployment led to increased parental stress. Parents with a higher level of stress were more likely to maltreat their children. Conclusions: Exposure to short and long-term family violence can adversely impact the mental health of children and can negatively affect a child’s present and future life. Recommendations for researchers, mental health practitioners, public health authorities, and other service providers are also outlined.","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":"33 1-3","pages":"75-89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138470969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Resilience in Iranian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychometric Evaluation of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.","authors":"Hamid Sharif-Nia, Long She, Erika Sivarajan Froelicher, Gökmen Arslan, Sima Hejazi, Fatemeh Khoshnavay Fomani, Daniyal Kohestani, Elham Akhlaghi","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2274339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2023.2274339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Resilience is a measure of the ability to cope with stress and the accurate measurement of it is critical. This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale in Iranian adolescents during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.<i>Methods:</i> In this cross-sectional study, after the scale translation, the content and construct validity were assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, internal consistency, composite reliability, and invariance measurement were evaluated.<i>Results:</i> The content validity ratio was greater than 0.49, and the modified kappa coefficient for all items was higher than 0.6. With exploratory factor analysis, two factors were extracted consisting of 16 items and explaining 43% of the total variance. The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the model. Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability for both factors were greater than 0.7. Although there is no significant difference (<i>p</i> = 0.09) in the average resilience of adolescents in different provinces, boys (42.64 ± 10.90) had a significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001) higher resilience score than girls (40.10 ± 11.92).<i>Conclusion:</i> The study results showed that the Persian 16-item version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale has acceptable reliability and validity in the Iranian adolescent population.</p>","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":"33 1-3","pages":"111-122"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138470970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Teachers' views and experiences of student mental health and well-being programmes: A systematic review.","authors":"John Goodwin, Laura Behan, Niamh O'Brien","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2229876","DOIUrl":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2229876","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> In schools, teachers are often tasked with implementing mental health and well-being programmes. However, little is known about teachers' views on and experiences with implementing these programmes.<i>Aim:</i> The aim of this systematic review was to explore teachers' views and experiences of mental health and well-being intervention programmes developed to promote and protect student mental health.<i>Methods:</i> A systematic review of the empirical literature was conducted using the following databases: Academic Search Complete, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, British Education Index, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson), ERIC, Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson), and SocINDEX with Full Text.<i>Findings:</i> Seven papers met the inclusion criteria. Teachers reported several challenges to the successful implementation of mental health and well-being programmes, including a lack of time allotted in the curriculum, insufficient training, and inadequate interagency support. There was evidence of conflicting opinions regarding the role of teachers in supporting students.<i>Conclusion:</i> It is recommended that mental health and well-being are viewed as central to schools' ethos and that teachers are adequately prepared to implement programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":" ","pages":"55-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10309348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploration of witnessing community violence and recent death on child behavioural outcomes.","authors":"Doneila McIntosh, Allan D Tate, Jerica M Berge","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2270724","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2023.2270724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Researchers are increasingly interested in understanding potentially traumatic experiences in children's lives, such as witnessing community violence (WCV) and the recent death of a close family member or friend. These experiences can be distressing and have adverse effects on children's psychological and behavioural adjustment, including externalising behaviours and internalising symptoms.<i>Methodology:</i> This paper reports the results of an exploratory study aimed to address knowledge gaps, particularly among children aged 5-9 years (<i>n</i> = 1 283), by examining the associations between WCV, recent death, and child behavioural outcomes. Additionally, the study explores the potential moderating roles of peer support and family functioning.<i>Findings:</i> The results indicate significant associations between WCV, recent death, and child behaviours.<i>Conclusion:</i> The findings underscore the important need for future research to examine the impact of WCV and recent death on children ages 5-9 years.</p>","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":"33 1-3","pages":"42-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138470968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Primary caregivers' perspectives of the disruptive behaviour of their children attending Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, South Africa.","authors":"Lanél Maré, Werdie van Staden, Junaid Hassim","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2022.2058952","DOIUrl":"10.2989/17280583.2022.2058952","url":null,"abstract":"While practitioners might engage caregivers on their understandings of the disruptive behavioural disorders of their children, their perspectives are yet to be examined in a qualitative study. This study explored perspectives of primary caregivers on the disruptive behaviour of children who attended the child unit of Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, in South Africa. Qualitative methods were used in a case study design. Nineteen participants were purposively sampled. The participants were interviewed using individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using typological and bracketed grounded theory methods. Both methods revealed these themes: confusion, emotional build-up towards a meltdown; loss of others; spiritual and cultural (dis)connectedness; behaviour of others towards the children; something being wrong medically; behavioural difficulties when “I want my way”; emotional turmoil of caregivers; and corrective responses. Differences yielded by the analytic methods were a yearning for a better future, and the perspective that trauma had impacted the child’s behaviour. These findings suggest that practitioners may anticipate and support caregivers in their experiences of emotional turmoil, uncertainty and confusion. Caregivers may be informed regarding emotional dysregulation and that a therapeutic resource may be found in the knowledge that the caregivers have a yearning for a better future for their children.","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":"1 1","pages":"17-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45354828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Coping strategies and mental health of adolescents impacted by parental HIV and AIDS in rural South Africa.","authors":"Comfort Asanbe, Maretha Visser, Anne-Gloria Moleko, Catherine Makwakwa","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2022.2058951","DOIUrl":"10.2989/17280583.2022.2058951","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Objective:</i> The study explored whether orphanhood status as well as coping strategies predicted mental health outcomes in orphans and vulnerable adolescents who participated in an NGO-supported programme in rural South Africa.<i>Method:</i> Participants comprised 175 adolescents (aged 11-18 years) from a low-resource community, and included non-orphans (<i>n</i> = 57), orphans due to AIDS (<i>n</i> = 62) and orphans due to other causes (<i>n</i> = 56). All participants rated themselves on the age-appropriate Youth Self-Report scales and 95 completed the Children's Coping Strategies Checklist (CCSC). Little's test of data missing completely at random revealed that the CCSC missing data did not display a specific pattern.<i>Results:</i> Active coping negatively predicted internalising, externalising and general psychological problems, while avoidant coping predicted general psychological problems. Orphanhood group status, sex and age did not predict coping strategies used. A higher proportion of orphans by AIDS had elevated scores of internalising problems and all participants on somatic complaints.<i>Conclusions:</i> Active coping strategies minimise the risk for emotional and behavioural problems among the participants. Our findings suggest that agencies and non-governmental organisations that provide services to vulnerable adolescents can facilitate active coping skills to enhance their psychological well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":"1 1","pages":"3-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43484228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Common mental health problems among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Gari Hunduma, Yadeta Dessie, Biftu Geda, Tesfaye Assebe Yadeta, Negussie Deyessa","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2266451","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2023.2266451","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background and aim</i>: This review examined the prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.<i>Methods:</i> The review included studies indexed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases, supplemented by a search on Google Scholar and tracking of references from articles identified. A total of 725 articles were found, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. Finally, 22 eligible studies were reviewed.<i>Findings:</i> The pooled current prevalence of mental health problems was 23% (95% CI: 18; 28, I<sup>2</sup> = 99.41%). Any depression, 19% (95% CI: 9; 30, I<sup>2</sup> = 99.64%), and anxiety, 20% (95% CI: 01; 31, I<sup>2</sup> = 99.64%), were the most common mental health problems reported. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 5% (95% CI: 3; 7, I<sup>2</sup> = 97.60%), and conduct disorders, 15% (95% CI: 8; 22, I<sup>2</sup> = 99.58%), were also significant mental health problems among adolescents in the region.<i>Conclusion:</i> About one in five adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from one or more mental health problems. The findings have important implications for policy and practice as they indicate that mental health problems are a major public health issue among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and that there is a need for effective and context-specific interventions that address mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":"33 1-3","pages":"90-110"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138470966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Challenges and coping strategies of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Eswatini.","authors":"Fanele Nkonyane, Thavanesi Gurayah, Thanalutchmy Lingah","doi":"10.2989/17280583.2023.2259428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2023.2259428","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Research shows that the debilitating effects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) not only have an impact on the child, but on the parents and caregivers as well. This study aimed to explore the challenges and coping strategies of parents of children with ASD in Eswatini.<i>Methodology:</i> An exploratory, descriptive qualitative study that used purposive sampling to interview parents of children with ASD was utilised. Data were gathered using two focus groups, three dyads, and two semi-structured interviews. There were 18 participants in this study. Data were interpreted by thematic analysis, and considered according to Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping.<i>Findings:</i> The themes were in alignment with the aim of this study, namely the \"challenges of parents of children with ASD\" and \"coping strategies of parents of children with ASD\". Significant personal and societal difficulties, the severity of the symptoms of ASD, and challenges in the health and education systems were subthemes identified under the \"challenges of parents\" theme. The subthemes that emerged from the \"coping strategies\" theme were adaptive coping and maladaptive coping. Factors associated with adaptive coping included acceptance of the ASD diagnosis, optimism and faith in God, social support, and celebrating milestones. Maladaptive coping strategies encompassed using corporal punishment, avoidance, social withdrawal, and keeping the child locked in.<i>Conclusion:</i> Recommendations made to mitigate the challenges included strengthening research into ASD, increasing awareness in communities, and training professionals working in the field of ASD.</p>","PeriodicalId":45290,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health","volume":"33 1-3","pages":"32-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138470965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}