Child Psychiatry Hum Dev [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Parent Perspectives on the Lights Out Online Program and Implications for Improvement.
Etel E, Joynt T, Uhlmann L … +3 more , Farrell LJ, Waters AM, Donovan CL
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42377757 · Publisher ↗
The aim of this study was to gather participant feedback to enhance the Lights Out Online Program, a 4-session, self-directed, web-based parent intervention targeting behavioural sleep problems in preschool-aged children...
The aim of this study was to gather participant feedback to enhance the Lights Out Online Program, a 4-session, self-directed, web-based parent intervention targeting behavioural sleep problems in preschool-aged children using evidence-based strategies. Specifically, we sought to (1) understand parents' experiences with the program itself, including their level of satisfaction and their implementation of program strategies, and (2) gain feedback from parents regarding possible program improvements, to inform improvements and adjustments to the program. Data were collected using session satisfaction surveys at the end of each session, complemented by videoconference interviews with a subset of participants to understand implementation of program strategies following program completion. Twenty-four parents of children aged 3-6 years with sleep problems participated in the program, six of whom also participated in a semi-structured interview. Deductive organisation of survey responses revealed that the program was practical, and that the strategies were easy to implement; however, parents found sessions most helpful when the content related to their child's specific problem. Using a reflexive thematic analysis, four main themes were captured in the interviews: (1) the cascade of positive changes following program completion, (2) the gradual process required for successful implementation and change, (3) the invitation for all parents to be on the same page, and (4) the need for flexibility in delivery. The areas for improvement suggested by parents were incorporated into the revised online program. This revised version of Lights Out Online has the potential to increase acceptability, engagement, and long-term adoption of the program.
The Contributions of Various Types of Aggression and Belonging on Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Middle School Students.
Baca SA, Fite PJ, Bains JS … +1 more , Solano C
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42377756 · Publisher ↗
While the link between aggression and internalizing concerns is well-established, additional work is needed to understand when these links are most pronounced, particularly by evaluating the intersection of how and why o...
While the link between aggression and internalizing concerns is well-established, additional work is needed to understand when these links are most pronounced, particularly by evaluating the intersection of how and why one aggresses. Variables that might buffer such associations, such as peer and family belonging, also warrant investigation. Data from 243 middle school students (M = 12.22; 46.5% female) were collected to evaluate the unique and interactive influences of the various forms and functions of aggression and family and peer belonging on symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results indicated that the link between aggression and internalizing concerns varies based on the form and function of aggression. Specifically, reactive overt aggression and peer belonging were uniquely linked to symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Family belonging was uniquely associated with depression. Proactive functions of aggression were not significantly associated with internalizing symptoms. Both family and peer belonging moderated reactive aggression-anxiety links, but not depression. In general, low levels of belonging were associated with high levels of anxiety regardless of levels of reactive aggression. The lowest levels of anxiety were evident at low levels of aggression and high levels of belonging. However, high levels of belonging did not buffer the links between aggression and anxiety. Findings underscore the importance of examining aggression using a more differentiated approach; they also highlight the relevance of belonging in understanding reactive aggression-anxiety links among middle school youth.
Cost-Effectiveness of Stepped Care Versus Stratified Care for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: A Pilot Evaluation in Routine Care.
Saha S, Olsson E, Andrén P … +5 more , Gušić S, Thorsson M, Serlachius E, Gerdtham UG, Cervin M
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42374010 · Publisher ↗
Anxiety disorders are common in children and adolescents, but constrained resources limit access to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Stepped and stratified care models offer different ways to organize care. Stepped ca...
Anxiety disorders are common in children and adolescents, but constrained resources limit access to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Stepped and stratified care models offer different ways to organize care. Stepped care starts with lower-resource CBT and escalates when needed, whereas stratified care matches CBT format to patient complexity from the outset. Economic evidence comparing these models remains scarce. We conducted a pilot economic evaluation alongside an RCT of 51 youths with anxiety disorders to examine the feasibility of health-economic evaluation and generate preliminary cost-effectiveness estimates. Participants were randomized to stepped care (guided internet-delivered CBT [iCBT] with escalation to in-person CBT if needed, n = 25) or stratified care (baseline allocation to guided iCBT or in-person CBT with escalation to in-person CBT if needed, n = 26). Health outcomes and costs from the healthcare and societal perspectives were collected over 6 months, with the base case analysis estimating the change in utility scores. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated using non-parametric bootstrapping. Stratified care yielded greater, though not statistically significant, health gains than stepped care and was dominant from the societal perspective. From the healthcare perspective, the AUC-derived quality-adjusted life years (QALY) sensitivity analysis yielded an ICER of USD 6,878 per QALY gained, although estimates remained uncertain given the small pilot sample. Subgroup analyses by age, sex, and treatment response generally supported these patterns while highlighting heterogeneity. These findings support the feasibility of conducting economic evaluations of care models in routine youth mental health care, but larger trials are needed to provide more precise cost-effectiveness estimates and inform service-delivery policy.
Accessible Communication in Psychological Evaluation Reports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Hite J
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371382 · Publisher ↗
Psychologists' evaluation reports communicate diagnoses, findings, and recommendations that guide educational and health decisions for children and adolescents. Research has long shown that many of these reports are tech...
Psychologists' evaluation reports communicate diagnoses, findings, and recommendations that guide educational and health decisions for children and adolescents. Research has long shown that many of these reports are technical, test-focused, and hard for families, educators, and clinicians to use. This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled experiments in which readers compared accessible and traditional versions of the same, or closely matched, evaluation information. It included 14 experiments (N = 1,283 readers) across educational and clinical settings. Accessible reports used plain language, clearer organization, concrete examples, and reduced technical terminology, whereas traditional reports used technical language and conventional test-by-test organization. Accessible reports improved reader outcomes, with a moderate-to-large benefit (Hedges' g = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [0.60, 1.06]). Every experiment favored the accessible version. Accessible report writing is an evidence-supported communication practice for psychological evaluation reports.
Early Formal Childcare and Adolescent Psychological Wellbeing in the Millennium Cohort Study: The Role of Socio-economic Position.
Burdenski K, Petherick E, Costa S … +1 more , Johnson W
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371381 · Publisher ↗
Little research has analysed the relation between childcare and positive psychological wellbeing, e.g., self-esteem and life satisfaction. Using data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, this paper investigates the assoc...
Little research has analysed the relation between childcare and positive psychological wellbeing, e.g., self-esteem and life satisfaction. Using data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, this paper investigates the association of the age of starting and intensity of formal childcare with self-esteem trajectories between 11 and 17 years and life satisfaction at 11 and 14 years (N = 5,484). Proportional odds for having greater psychological wellbeing and odds ratios for having good compared to poor psychological wellbeing (lowest 25% scores) were estimated. After controlling for children's socio-economic position, childcare was not associated with self-esteem or life satisfaction. Changes in estimates after adjustment show that children from a lower socio-economic position attended less childcare and had lower odds of later psychological wellbeing.
Longitudinal and Bidirectional Relationships Between Reading Ability, Internalising Symptoms, and Academic Self-Concept in Adolescence: Evidence from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
Jones A, Johnco C, Beyersmann E … +2 more , Robidoux S, McArthur G
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42347913 · Publisher ↗
Poor reading ability is associated with internalising symptoms in children; however, little research has been done with adolescents. The current study used self- and parent-report data from two cohorts of the Longitudina...
Poor reading ability is associated with internalising symptoms in children; however, little research has been done with adolescents. The current study used self- and parent-report data from two cohorts of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC; N = 2222 and N = 2213) to test the longitudinal and bidirectional relationships between reading ability and internalising symptoms across adolescence (10/11 years, 12/13 years, 14/15 years, 16/17 years), and whether academic self-concept mediated these relationships. Adapted cross-lagged panel models found no significant longitudinal relationships between reading ability and later internalising symptoms or between internalising symptoms and later reading ability. There was a significant relationship between reading ability at 12/13 years and academic self-concept at 14/15 years, but no significant relationship between academic self-concept at 14/15 years and internalising symptoms at 16/17 years. Poor reading ability does not appear to increase adolescents' risk of mental health problems either directly or indirectly.
The Lived Experience and Psychosocial Impact of Caring for a Child with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): A Mixed Methods Systematic Review.
Cuming S, Kangas M
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42347912 · Publisher ↗
Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is characterized by the abrupt onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or restricted food intake, in response to infection or...
Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is characterized by the abrupt onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or restricted food intake, in response to infection or other triggers. This mixed methods systematic review synthesized evidence on the lived experience and psychosocial impacts of caring for a child with PANS. Seventeen publications of moderate to high quality met eligibility criteria. Four synthesized findings emerged from the qualitative meta-aggregation: (i) broad psychosocial impacts on caregivers and families; (ii) shock and ongoing uncertainty arising from the sudden, severe onset and unpredictable symptom flares; (iii) pervasive systemic barriers to timely diagnosis, treatment, and educational support; and (iv) caregivers' proactive responses to the challenges of navigating PANS. Narrative synthesis of quantitative findings highlighted increased caregiver burden, and elevated psychological distress and relationship dissatisfaction. Disease activity, diagnostic and treatment delays, and disruption to schooling and employment were associated with greater impact. Implications for improving clinical recognition and supporting caregiver and family wellbeing are discussed.
How Can Refugee Parents Be Supported to Help Their Young Children with Mental Health Needs? Parents' and Stakeholders' Perspectives.
Rashid L, Bowes L, Halligan SL … +1 more , Creswell C
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42347911 · Publisher ↗
Refugee and asylum-seeking parents face distinct challenges in supporting their children's mental health during resettlement. Although elevated child mental health risks and barriers to service access are well documented...
Refugee and asylum-seeking parents face distinct challenges in supporting their children's mental health during resettlement. Although elevated child mental health risks and barriers to service access are well documented, less is known about how parents could best be supported to help their children. This study explored parent and stakeholder perspectives to inform family-centred support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 refugee parents (ENRICH) and 30 stakeholders across health, education, local authority and voluntary sectors (ESTEEM) in the UK. Data were analysed using Reflexive Template Analysis. Four levels of support were identified: basic stability; belonging through community, language and play; understanding and trust; and specialist psychological support. Three overarching system conditions shaped whether families could access and use support: coordination, communication and competence; responsiveness; and the right setting. Parents also identified specific specialist supports, including practical guidance, family-centred and joint parent-child approaches, and culturally responsive therapeutic spaces. Services were often described as reactive, fragmented and culturally mismatched, limiting engagement and reducing support effectiveness. Effective support for refugee parents to help their children requires attention not only to what is provided but how it is delivered. Coordinated systems, culturally and linguistically responsive practices, timely support, and delivery through trusted community settings are central to enabling parents to support their children's mental health. Together, these findings provide a practical framework to inform the development of family-centred approaches during resettlement.
Preliminary Evidence of Changes in Diurnal Cortisol Following Exposure to a School-Based Curriculum Featuring Yoga and Mindfulness.
McCurdy BH, Weems CF, Bradley T … +2 more , Matlow R, Carrión VG
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42329542 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Research and theory suggest that neuroendocrine functioning, such as diurnal cortisol rhythms, plays an important role in emotional development and expression, but that this functioning can be impacted under c...
OBJECTIVE: Research and theory suggest that neuroendocrine functioning, such as diurnal cortisol rhythms, plays an important role in emotional development and expression, but that this functioning can be impacted under conditions of elevated stress. Although mindfulness-based interventions show promise for improving emotional functioning, their effects on cortisol regulation in children remain unclear despite a solid theoretical foundation. This study provides preliminary data from a sample of children (n = 57; mean age = 10 years) on changes in diurnal cortisol rhythms associated with exposure to the Pure Power curriculum which is designed to teach youth yoga techniques, mindfulness, and emotion regulation. METHODS: A non-randomized comparison design examined outcomes and diurnal cortisol levels among participants from schools that completed the intervention (n = 27) and from students in comparison schools (n = 30) assessed at three time points approximately one year apart. RESULTS: Modeling of diurnal patterns indicated that youth in the intervention schools demonstrated a relative change in their cortisol levels at Time 2 towards a diurnal rhythm associated with less stress. CONCLUSIONS: The data provide initial evidence for an association between exposure to a yoga and mindfulness curriculum and neuroendocrine function. The conclusions are limited by the non-randomized design and small sample. Replication with randomized designs and larger samples is needed.
The Role of Family Environments in Parent-Adolescent Discrepancies in Adolescents' Depressive Symptoms.
Lee H, Haddock SA
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42322543 · Publisher ↗
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health problems in adolescence. Due to the covert nature of depressive symptoms, parents play an important role in recognizing distress and seeking intervention for their ch...
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health problems in adolescence. Due to the covert nature of depressive symptoms, parents play an important role in recognizing distress and seeking intervention for their child. However, research often reports discrepancies between parent and adolescent reports of depressive symptoms, and integrating and interpreting these discrepancies remains a challenge. The present study used a trifactor model to isolate sources of variance stemming from shared and unique perspectives in a sample of 583 parent-adolescent dyads (59% male; M= 14.22, SD = 1.81). Consensus between parents and adolescents was characterized by feelings of sadness, whereas unique views of adolescent depressive symptoms highlighted somatic symptoms (e.g., overtiredness), with adolescents generally reporting more symptoms. Adolescents' attachment security and family affective responsiveness were associated with lower depressive symptoms reported by adolescents, whereas parents' reports of problem-solving skills were associated with lower depressive symptoms reported by parents. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the degree of parent-adolescent agreement regarding adolescent mental health and educating parents to raise awareness of their adolescents' mental health, which could facilitate early detection and intervention. Furthermore, prevention and intervention efforts should target promoting family functioning through open and affective communication.
A Brief Group-Based Emotion Regulation Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Emotion Dysregulation: A Pilot Feasibility Study.
Fol J, Gutierrez Bastidas C, Pham E … +7 more , Meuleman B, Savary V, Pictet A, Dieben K, Perroud N, Edan A, Piguet C
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42301367 · Publisher ↗
Adolescence and emerging adulthood are developmental periods marked by rapid biological, cognitive, and social changes during which emotion dysregulation may intensify and be accompanied by maladaptive cognitive and/or b...
Adolescence and emerging adulthood are developmental periods marked by rapid biological, cognitive, and social changes during which emotion dysregulation may intensify and be accompanied by maladaptive cognitive and/or behavioral strategies. This single-arm pilot study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of a brief group-based emotion regulation program for adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 20. Forty-six participants were recruited from outpatient child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry services within a university hospital setting. Clinician-administered diagnostic interviews, including the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Axis II Disorders, were conducted at baseline only, whereas self-report measures and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale were administered at baseline, post-intervention, and at three-month follow-up. Feasibility was supported by acceptability and engagement, reflected in attendance and retention rates. Participants reported a significant increase in adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire). Suicidal ideation and behaviors showed a marked and sustained decrease over time. These preliminary findings support the feasibility of this brief group-based intervention and suggest potential clinical benefits that would warrant further confirmation in controlled trials.
Targeting Self-Oriented Perfectionism Through a School-Based CBT-Informed Program Integrating Excellencism: A Pilot Study in Final-Year High School Girls.
Bissett RM, Clough BA, Hood M … +2 more , Sluis RA, Waters AM
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42289620 · Publisher ↗
Adolescent academic pressures may intensify self-critical perfectionistic processes, particularly in senior-secondary cohorts navigating high-stakes transitions. Excellencism has been proposed as an alternative motivatio...
Adolescent academic pressures may intensify self-critical perfectionistic processes, particularly in senior-secondary cohorts navigating high-stakes transitions. Excellencism has been proposed as an alternative motivational construct, but its viability within school-based interventions remains untested. This pilot examined feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a four-session classroom-delivered CBT-informed program augmented with excellencism principles for final-year girls (N = 80 at baseline). Linear mixed models examined self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) and excellencism as co-primary outcomes, with anxiety, depression, and positive affect as secondary outcomes. SOP showed a small pre-post reduction (d = 0.25) not maintained at follow-up, while excellencism remained stable, consistent with the Scenario 4 preservation pattern of the Juxtaposed Effect Framework. Secondary outcomes were stable. Acceptability indicated modest learning and enjoyment. Without a randomised control, findings are interpreted as preliminary signals. They support integrating CBT with excellencism in school delivery and offer preliminary evidence of a Scenario 4 preservation pattern.
Comparative Efficacy and Acceptability of Non-pharmacological Therapies and Novel Pharmacotherapies for Autism: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
Ma C, Wang Y, Ding Z … +8 more , Liang X, Yuan M, Liu X, Li Q, Lv H, Qiao N, Zhao Y, Liu X
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42277537 · Publisher ↗
To assess the efficacy and acceptability of non-pharmacological therapies, novel pharmaceuticals, and their combination for autism and explore the preferred treatment options for autism. A thorough search was conducted a...
To assess the efficacy and acceptability of non-pharmacological therapies, novel pharmaceuticals, and their combination for autism and explore the preferred treatment options for autism. A thorough search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Medline databases to collect all studies associated with randomized controlled trials on non-pharmacological or new pharmacological interventions for autism, up to October 2024. Two researchers will independently conduct literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. The primary outcome will be assessed by the severity of core autistic symptoms using validated scales and standardized mean differences (SMDs). In contrast, the secondary outcome will focus on the acceptability of the treatment. We performed a network meta-analysis within a frequentist framework, utilizing the network package in statistical software Stata 18. 106 RCTs were involved, including 5986 patients, and data from 21 interventions were analyzed. Compared with placebo, the following interventions improved the core symptoms of autism: exercise (SMD = -1.05, 95%CI: -1.55 to -0.55), acupuncture and moxibustion (SMD = -0.87, 95%CI: -1.13 to -0.60), tDCS (SMD = -0.86, 95%CI: -1.58 to -0.13) and bumetanide (SMD = -0.57, 95%CI: -1.12 to -0.01). The cannabinoids group has a lower acceptance rate than most of the other groups. Exercise, acupuncture, non-invasive brain stimulation, and bumetanide can improve the core symptoms of autism and can be used as an alternative or adjunct to autism treatment, but more clinical trials are still needed to support this outcome.
Preliminary Psychometric Validation of the Greek Version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales for Youth (DASS-Y).
Alexiou E, Raftopoulou G, Karakasidou E
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42274956 · Publisher ↗
Accurate assessment of depression, anxiety, and stress during adolescence is essential for early identification of emotional difficulties and the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies. The prese...
Accurate assessment of depression, anxiety, and stress during adolescence is essential for early identification of emotional difficulties and the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies. The present study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and examine the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales for Youth (DASS-Y). A cross-sectional validation design was employed in a school-based community sample of 302 Greek adolescents (47.4% female; M age = 14.62 years, SD = 1.52). Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate competing structural models. Results supported the expected three-factor correlated structure representing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress, which demonstrated superior fit relative to the single-factor model and good fit according to conventional criteria (e.g., CFI = 0.997, RMSEA = 0.057, SRMR = 0.051). Substantial inter-factor correlations (r = .76-0.83) indicated considerable shared variance among the negative emotional dimensions, consistent with broader internalizing distress conceptualizations reported in previous DASS research. Internal consistency was high across subscales (Cronbach's α = 0.83-0.89; McDonald's ω = 0.84-0.90). Evidence for convergent validity was indicated by positive associations with measures of anxiety, depression, and negative affect, whereas discriminant validity was supported by negative associations with positive affect, self-compassion, life satisfaction, and self-efficacy. Overall, the findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the reliability and construct validity of the Greek DASS-Y as a brief screening instrument suitable for research and school- based assessment of adolescent emotional symptoms. Further research is needed to examine longitudinal stability, measurement invariance, bifactor structure, and clinical applicability.
Parental Companionship Shapes Children's Attentional Functions and Academic Achievement.
Huo X, Du L, Wu T … +1 more , Chen C
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42268490 · Publisher ↗
For elementary school students, parental companionship plays a complex role-potentially providing support while sometimes creating interference-resulting in dual impacts on academic achievement. We propose that effects o...
For elementary school students, parental companionship plays a complex role-potentially providing support while sometimes creating interference-resulting in dual impacts on academic achievement. We propose that effects on children's attention may be a key underlying mechanism. This study examined this hypothesis through two complementary studies with Chinese elementary school students. Study 1 employed a questionnaire method with Chinese elementary school students (N = 871,mean age = 11.52 years-old). Questionnaire data confirmed that positive dimensions (communication/interaction, accompanying) and negative dimensions (neglect, interference) of parental companionship had dual impacts on academic achievement. Attention mediated these relationships differently: partially for communication/interaction, completely for accompanying and interference, with no mediation for neglect. Study 2 utilized the Attention Network Test to analyze specific attention functions, comparing children with high (N = 53) and low (N = 53) parental companionship groups. Children in the low companionship group exhibited a significantly larger alerting effect compared to those in the high companionship group, suggesting they develop compensatory mechanisms to detect environmental cues. These findings suggest that attention may represent a cognitive pathway linking different dimensions of parental companionship to academic outcomes and highlight the critical importance of balanced parental involvement that enhances attention development without causing interference.
Helping Parents Explain War to Children: Simplification and Modulated Disclosure.
Ben-Atar E
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42258120 · Publisher ↗
Armed conflict forces parents to balance truth-telling with emotional protection to maintain children's sense of security. This study evaluates the "Children's Dictionary for War Situations", a tool developed during the...
Armed conflict forces parents to balance truth-telling with emotional protection to maintain children's sense of security. This study evaluates the "Children's Dictionary for War Situations", a tool developed during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war to assist parents in mediating complex reality. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, 81 parents of children aged 4-16 were surveyed regarding the tool's efficacy, missing concepts, and age-appropriateness. Findings indicate significant gaps in addressing highly charged traumatic concepts, specifically "kidnapped" and "hostage". Parents reported difficulty navigating "modulated disclosure", the tension between accurate information and emotional shielding. Results underscore the critical role of parental mediation in buffering trauma and highlight the need for clinically informed, developmentally appropriate communication tools. These findings offer implications for fostering child resilience and supporting parental guidance strategies during ongoing military crises.
A Person-Centred Approach to Determine the Links Between Parent Mental Health, Behavior and Family Functioning with Child Irritability.
Henry-Gordon SS, Bedard AV, Jenkins J … +1 more , Andrade BF
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42234259 · Publisher ↗
Chronic child irritability is a core dimension of externalizing behavior associated with significant short- and long-term risk. Mothers of children with externalizing disorders show considerable variability in mental hea...
Chronic child irritability is a core dimension of externalizing behavior associated with significant short- and long-term risk. Mothers of children with externalizing disorders show considerable variability in mental health, parenting practices, and family functioning, yet links between these parental characteristics and elevated levels of child irritability and impairment remain unclear. Latent profile analysis was used to identify parent profiles based on self-report data from 385 mothers of clinic-referred children with disruptive behavior aged 6-12 years. Three profiles emerged: Mental Health Difficulties, Relatively Low Difficulties, and High Difficulties, varying in positive parenting, discipline practices, supervision, family functioning, and maternal mental health. The High Difficulties and Mental Health Difficulties groups showed the highest mother- and teacher-reported child irritability and the highest mother-reported child functional impairment. Child irritability did not mediate associations between parental profile membership and functional impairment. Findings highlight the importance of identifying parental and family-level factors as treatment targets related to elevated child irritability.
Ethnicity, Poverty, and Academic Success and Self-Esteem at the End of Primary School: Family and Child Processes of Agency and Emotion.
Rentzelas P, Papachristou E, Flouri E
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42234258 · Publisher ↗
This study examined how family poverty and child ethnicity influence self-esteem, academic performance, and school behavior at the end of primary school, focusing on the developmental mechanisms that mediate these relati...
This study examined how family poverty and child ethnicity influence self-esteem, academic performance, and school behavior at the end of primary school, focusing on the developmental mechanisms that mediate these relationships. Using data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study (n = 7,334), we tested a serial mediation model that included maternal psychological distress, maternal locus of control, and child self-regulation (independence and emotional dysregulation) as pathways linking family poverty and ethnicity to child outcomes. Results showed that family poverty was associated with increased maternal distress as well as lower maternal locus of control, both assessed in infancy, which in turn predicted lower independence and higher emotional dysregulation in early childhood. These child-level processes were significant predictors of self-esteem, academic performance, and school behavior at age 11. In contrast, ethnic minority status was not associated with maternal distress and showed largely direct effects on outcomes, with most ethnic minority groups reporting higher self-esteem than their white peers, and some groups showing better academic behavior or performance. These findings highlight the importance of addressing both structural inequalities and psychological mechanisms across developmental stages to promote equitable educational outcomes and psychosocial wellbeing in childhood.
Exploring the Link Between Temperament, Sensory Processing, and Characteristics of Autism in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children.
Ertekin Z, Périard-Larivée D, Meilleur A … +4 more , Dubois-Comtois K, Cyr C, Couture MM, Bussières ÈL
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42225903 · Publisher ↗
Examining temperamental and sensory processing characteristics in autism may help in understanding variability in the spectrum. The first aim of this study was to investigate the temperamental characteristics, including...
Examining temperamental and sensory processing characteristics in autism may help in understanding variability in the spectrum. The first aim of this study was to investigate the temperamental characteristics, including surgency, negative affectivity, and effortful control, of both non-autistic and autistic children. Second, the association between sensory processing (measured as sensory discomfort with the Short Sensory Profile Scale) and temperament was examined across the groups. Third, the relationship between temperament, sensory processing, and characteristics of autism was examined in autistic children. Participants included 55 non-autistic and 66 autistic preschoolers. The study revealed no differences in negative affectivity and surgency between the two groups after controlling for child age and family income, but autistic children had lower scores for effortful control. Furthermore, higher negative affectivity scores were linked to more sensory discomfort. Finally, lower scores for effortful control and higher sensory discomfort were associated with more autism characteristics in the autistic group. This study revealed temperamental differences between the groups and demonstrated that the joint contribution of temperament and sensory processing helps explain individual differences in autism.
The Mediating Effect of Entertainment-Oriented Smartphone Use on The Relationship Between Rejecting Parenting and Smartphone Addiction Using Latent Growth Modeling.
Jin SY, Bae SM
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev · 2026 Jun · PMID 42223824 · Publisher ↗
This study examined the longitudinal impact of rejecting parenting on smartphone addiction and verified the mediating effect of recreational smartphone use between rejecting parenting and smartphone addiction. The study...
This study examined the longitudinal impact of rejecting parenting on smartphone addiction and verified the mediating effect of recreational smartphone use between rejecting parenting and smartphone addiction. The study utilized data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute. Using a multivariate latent growth model, the structural relationships between the rejecting parenting, smartphone addiction, entertainment-oriented smartphone use were investigated. The results showed that rejecting parenting and smartphone addiction significantly increased as the grade level progressed. The initial values and rates of change in rejecting parenting were found to have a significant positive impact on the intercept and slope of entertainment-oriented smartphone use and smartphone addiction. Entertainment-oriented smartphone use mediated the relationship between rejecting parenting and smartphone addiction. This study suggests the importance of understanding parenting attitudes and whether smartphones are used for recreational purposes in comprehending smartphone addiction during early adolescence.
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