Archive

Families of young people with first episode psychosis experience many challenges associated with help-seeking, many of which can be addressed by thoughtful health services. Rodell, S., & Parry, S. (2023). Family members’ experiences of seeking help for a young person with symptoms associated with the psychosis spectrum: A narrative review and synthesis. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 13591045231176701. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13591045231176701

Technology is here to stay, but our knowledge of its impact on children’s mental health is increasing by the day.  This editorial reviews technology’s pros and cons of technology based on current evidence. Thabrew, H., & Gega, L. (2023). Control alt delete–technology and children's mental health. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 28(1), 1-3. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/camh.1263

Digital self-harm is a relatively recently identified concept, which as demonstrated during this study of almost 5000 young people, is associated with suicidality. Clinicians should be aware of, and enquire about, this phenomenon. Patchin, J. W., Hinduja, S., & Meldrum, R. C. (2023). Digital self‐harm and suicidality among adolescents. Child and adolescent mental health, 28(1), 52-59. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/camh.12574

Concern about young people’s internet use is understandable, but do schools have the right to doom-monitor student’s online activities?  This paper explores the issue.  Kikerpill, K., & Siibak, A. (2023). Schools engaged in doom‐monitoring students' online interactions and content creation: an analysis of dominant media discourses. Child and adolescent mental health, 28(1), 76-82. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/camh.12621

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers has been around for a number of years and remains a strong screener for autism, as evident by the results of this systematic review of 50 studies that found a pooled sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 94%. Wieckowski AT, Williams LN, Rando J, Lyall K, Robins DL. Sensitivity and Specificity of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Original and Revised): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. Published online...

Although autonomic dysfunction was not shown to be associated with emotional dysregulation in this systematic review of 12 studies, reduced vagal control at rest may be a transdiagnostic marker of emotional dysregulation among young people and a potential target for new treatment approaches. Bellato, A., Sesso, G., Milone, A., Masi, G., & Cortese, S. (2023). Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Altered Autonomic Functioning in Youths With Emotional Dysregulation. Journal of the ...

A study conducted across 62 hospitals in 25 countries found that young youth presentations to emergency departments with self-harm doubled during the COVID-10 pandemic. Wong, B. H. C., Cross, S., Zavaleta-Ramírez, P., Bauda, I., Hoffman, P., Ibeziako, P., ... & Ougrin, D. (2023). Self-harm in children and adolescents who presented at emergency units during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international retrospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Ps...

The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) and Computerised Adaptive Screen for Suicidal Youth (CASSY) were both effective at predicting suicide attempts and further hospital attendance in this longitudinal study.  The CASSY had greater predictive validity among young people with psychiatric symptoms. Brent DA, Horowitz LM, Grupp-Phelan J, et al. Prediction of Suicide Attempts and Suicide-Related Events Among Adolescents Seen in Emergency Departments. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6...

A Systematic Review Social network use disorder is a relatively new diagnosis.  This paper identifies the Social Media Disorder Scale Short Form (SMDS-SF) and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale Short Form (BSMAS-SF) as being valid tools with which to identify the disorder among children and young people. Schlossarek S, Schmidt H, Bischof A, et al. Psychometric Properties of Screening Instruments for Social Network Use Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Revie...

A systematic review and meta-analysis This systematic review of 32 studies form 16 countries found that 22% of children and adolescents showed disordered eating.  Although most are unlikely to have come to the attention of clinical services, this figure is concerning from a public health perspective. López-Gil JF, García-Hermoso A, Smith L, et al. Global Proportion of Disordered Eating in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis . JAMA Pedi...