bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preschoolers of Dysphoric Mothers
Authors: Lang Claudia , Field Tiffany , Pickens Jeffrey , Martinez Alex , Bendell Debra , Yando Regina , Routh Donald
Published: December 2006

Dysphoric mothers rated their preschool children as having more internalizing and externalizing behavior problems than children of nondysphoric mothers. Observers rated the dysphoric mothers as having more negative affect during play interactions, although their children's affect was not rated more negatively. The dysphoric mother‐infant dyads were also rated as having a poorer quality interaction. These data suggest that mothers’ chronic dysphoria (75% were chronically dysphoric) has a negative impact on the mothers’ perceptions of their children as well as the mothers’ and children's interaction behavior.
Relationships Between Serum Free Fatty Acids and Zinc, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Research Note
Authors: Bekaroǧlu Mehmet , Asian Yakup , Gedik Yusuf , Deǧer Orhan , Mocan Hilal , Erduran Erol , Karahan Caner
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships between serum free fatty acids (FFA) and zinc, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty eight children with ADHD (33 boys, 15 girls) were included in the patient group and 45 healthy volunteer children (30 boys, 15 girls) constituted the control group. The mean serum FFA level in the patient group was 0.176 ± 0.102 mEq/L and in control group, 0.562 ± 0.225 mEq/L (p < .001). The mean serum zinc level of patient group was 60.6 ± 9.9 μg/dl and that of the control group. 105.8±13.2 μg/dl (p < .001). A statistically significant correlation was found between zinc and FFA levels in the ADHD group. These findings indicate that zinc deficiency may play a role in aetiopathogenesis of ADHD. Although we observed decreased FFA levels in ADHD cases, it is necessary to determine whether this condition is a principal cause of ADHD or is secondary to zinc deficiency.
Adolescent Resiliency to Family Adversity
Authors: Fergusson David M. , Lynskey Michael T.
Published: December 2006

The factors associated with adolescent resiliency to childhood adversity were examined in a birth cohort of 940 New Zealand adolescents studied to the age of 16 years. Resilient teenagers were defined by: (a) high exposure to family adversity during childhood and (b)an absence of a wide range of externalising problems during adolescence including substance abuse, juvenile offending and school problems. Resilient teenagers were characterised by significantly higher IQ (p >.001), lower novelty seeking (p >.01) and lower affiliations with delinquent peers (p > .005) with these factors acting accumulatively to influence the probability of resilience to externalising problems.
Subtypes of Incarcerated Delinquents Constructed via Cluster Analysis
Authors: Sorensen Erik , Johnson Eric
Published: December 2006

The MMPI and Jesness Inventory were used to construct groupings of juvenile delinquents homogeneous with respect to personality characteristics. Subjects were 191 incarcerated juvenile delinquents, aged 12 to 19. All participants had been adjudicated on one or more serious offenses. Five subtypes of delinquents were identified. They included an alienated, unsocialized group, an insecure‐anxious group, a group reporting limited difficulties with peers hut alienated from adults, a group with no apparent emotional disturbance, and a group with multiple elevations. Significant differences between clusters with regard to self‐reported explosiveness. suicidality, gang activities, substance abuse. history of sexual abuse, and delusions and hallucinations were identified. Discriminant function analysis was then used to support the generalizability of the classification system to an independent sample. Eighty per cent of the second sample were accurately classified. The subtypes identified are compared to delinquent classification systems developed previously.
Test‐Retest Reliability for False‐Belief Tasks
Authors: Mayes Linda C. , Klin Ami , Tercyak Kenneth P. , Cicchetti Domenic V. , Cohen Donald J.
Published: December 2006

Despite notable variations in children's rate of success on theory of mind tasks and the presumed theoretical implications drawn from a child's success or failure on such tasks, there have been no studies of the test‐retest reliability of children's performance on these tasks. Twenty‐three children (mean age 49.6 months, SD 8.6) watched three videotaped stories illustrating a false‐belief situation: the standard experimenter narrated false‐belief task, a minor variant replacing the narration of the story with a dialogue among the characters, and a third version involving a humorous situation. The time elapsed between test and retest was 2–3 weeks and the order of presentation was counterbalanced. Results corroborated previous findings of a developmental trend in the understanding of false‐belief questions but, despite a general improvement in children's comprehension of the stories, the test‐retest reliability for the false belief questions was poor. Although changes recorded between test‐retest sessions frequently occurred in the direction of children answering correctly questions they had previously failed, a subset of children incorrectly answered questions they had initially passed. These findings underscore the need for validation assessments of techniques for studying children's developing theories of mind.
What's Real in Children's Fantasy Play?: Fantasy Play Across the Transition to Becoming a Sibling
Authors: Kramer Laurie
Published: December 2006

This study examined children's fantasy enactments during the critical life transition of becoming a sibling to determine the degree to which the thematic content of fantasy play reflects children's realistic concerns. Thirty 3–5‐year‐old children played with their best friend at two pre‐ and three post‐birth intervals. Mothers kept diary records of children's concerns, worries, and events they were excited about during 3‐day periods surrounding the five play sessions. Raters then evaluated the degree to which the thematic content of the fantasy play was consistent with their concerns as reported by mothers. Overall, little convergence was apparent between the themes of fantasy play and children's perceived concerns. However, a modest relationship was found between acting out positive conce ns in play and sibling relationship quality. Although these results lend limited support for the notion that children's concerns are reflected in the content of their spontaneous play, they do suggest that ‘playing it out’ is beneficial for children.
Annotation: Behaviour Phenotypes: A window On to the Biology of Behavior
Authors: Flint Jonathan
Published: December 2006

Characteristic behavioural pattern (including cognitive processes and social interactions) have been reported in a number of syndromes arising from genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, suggesting that molecular analysis of the underlying defect could reveal the biological basis of the behavioural phenotype. Because of the rarity of many of the syndromes, and the complexity of their genetic basis, there are great difficulties in establishing The validity of the association between syndrome and behavioural phenotypes. Nevertheless, evidence from animal studies with relevance to human behavioural phenotypes shows that the pathway from genotype to phenotype may be accessible by careful delineation of behavioural phenotypes.
Rating Child Psychiatric Caseness From Detailed Case Histories
Authors: Goodman Robert , Yude Carole , Richards Hilary , Taylor Eric
Published: December 2006

Novel operationalized criteria were used to rate detailed psychiatric case histories on 151 schoolchildren with hemiplegia. Ratings of psychiatric caseness or non‐caseness were reliable and valid; the method may be widely applicable. Caseness was defined both narrowly (in terms of social incapacity for the child) and broadly (in terms of disruption lo others and distress too). Both definitions could be applied reliably lo children of normal intelligence but broadly defined caseness was more reliable lor children with low intelligence. Barely half of the psychiatric cases met operatinnalized criteria for one or more DSM‐IV or ICD‐10 diagnosis. The others mostly had partial or mixed syndromes that could, with clinical judgement, be assigned lo ‘not otherwise specified’ diagnoses. Even with clinical judgement, however, a substantial minority of children with low intelligence had clinically significant but undiagnosable abnormalities in social relatedness,
An Investigation of Risk and Protective Factors in a Sample of Youthful Offenders
Authors: Hoge Robert D. , Andrews D. A. , Leschied Alan W.
Published: December 2006

The study explored a set of a potential risk and protective factors in relation to criminal activity and adjustment with a group of delinquent youths. The results indicated, first, that risk variables reflecting family relationship and parenting problems were associated with heightened rates of re‐offending and lower overall adjustment. Second, the presence of protective factors relating to positive peer relations, good school achievement, positive response to authority and effective use of leisure time was associated with more positive outcomes with controls for the risk variables. Third, there was no evidence of interaction between risk and protective factors; the latter operated similarly at low and high levels of risk. These results are discussed in terms d their theoretical and applied significance.
Fear, Anxiety and Perceived Control in Children of Agoraphobic Parents
Authors: Capps Lisa , Sigman Marian , Sena Rhonda , Heoker Barbara , Whalen Carol
Published: December 2006

Sixteen children (M= 11 years) of agoraphobic parents were compared with no children of parents with no history of psychopathology, matched on age. gender and socioeconomic status The majority (68%) of children of agoraphobic parents met DSM‐III‐R diagnostic criteria, anxiety disorders being must common. They reported more fear and anxiety and less control over various risks than did comparison children. Groups’ perceptions of the prevalence and their vulnerability to these risks did nut differ. Agoraphobic mothers reported more separation anxiety than did comparison mothers, and maternal separation anxiety was negatively correlated with children's perceived control. Results are related to models of anxiety transmission.
Long‐Term Stability of Individual Differences in the Emotional Responsiveness of Children with Autism
Authors: Dissanayake Cheryl , Sigman Marian , Kasari Connie
Published: December 2006

The results of two studies designed to investigate the short‐ and long‐term stability of autistic children's responsiveness to displays of negative emotions in others are reported here. In the first study we measured the attention and behavioural responses of 22 autistic children to another's distress about a year and a half after initial assessments in a similar situation. In the second study, the children were re‐assessed in two affective contexts over 5 years after initial testing. Individual differences in early responses to affect predicted affective responsiveness at each follow‐up. Emotional responsiveness was positively associated with concurrent cognitive skills al each point of assessment. Furthermore, autistic children discriminated between affective and non‐affective contexts when this discrimination was tested at the second follow‐up.
Theory of Mind and Rule Use in Individuals With Down's Syndrome: A Test of the Uniqueness and Specificity Claims
Authors: Zelazo Philip David , Burack Jacob A. , Benedetto Elizabeth , Frye Douglas
Published: December 2006

The relationship between Theory of Mind (ToM) and rule use was explored in adults with Downs Syndrome (DS) and in non‐handicapped pre‐schoolers. Twelve low‐functioning individuals with DS (mean mental age = 5.1 years, mean chronological age = 22.7) performed worse than 12 MA‐matchcd non‐handicapped children (mean MA =5.1 years) on several standard ToM tasks and on a color‐shape card‐sorting task in which subjects were required to switch between two incompatible sets of rules. On the ToM tasks, people with DS tended to focus on a single slate of affairs (e.g. the present situation). Likewise, on the card sort. these subjects tended to use a single set of rules on all trials. Performance in the two types of [ask was positively correlated when MA was partialed out. The results are inconsistent with the claim that ToM reflects a domain‐specific psychological function and the notion that deficits in ToM are unique to individuals with autism. Copyright © 1996 Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
The Emanuel Miller Memorial Lecture 1995 Children's Relationships: Bridging the Divide Between Cognitive and Social Development
Authors: Dunn Judy
Published: December 2006

Recent research that bridges the divide between cognitive and social development in early childhood illuminates, but also sets challenges, for both fields. The implications of recent studies of children's social interactions for research on cognitive development–in particular, the development of understanding mind and emotion–are considered, then the implications of new cognitive research for understanding social development are discussed. An example of longitudinal research on children's relationships with family and friends between 2 and 7 years is described, highlighting links between individual differences in cognitive and social development.
Physical Symptoms and Illness Attitudes in Adolescents: An Epidemiological Study
Authors: Eminson Mary , Benjamin Sidney , Shortall Anne , Woods Tracey , Faragher Brian
Published: December 2006

A secondary school population of 805 11‐16‐year‐olds reported lifetime prevalence of 31 physical symptoms and illness attitudes. Girls had a median of six symptoms (range 0–22) and boys five (range 0–22); 67 (8.3%) had 13 or more. Older girls reported more symptoms than younger ones. The excess of symptoms in older girls was related to reporting painful periods rather than simply to age or the menarche. High symptom scorers of both sexes had significantly higher scores on seven Illness Attitude Sub‐Scales (Kellner, 1987), with more distress about illness and more treatment experience. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Temperament and Psychopathology Amongst Siblings of Probands with Depressive and Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Kelvin R. G. , Goodyer I. M. , Altham P. M. E.
Published: December 2006

Thirteen (42%) of 31 siblings of 29 probands with depression (n= 21) or anxiety disorders (n= 8) attending a clinic met DSM‐IIIR criteria for psychiatric disorder, a rate nearly three times greater than reported from community studies. The diagnoses were heterogeneous. Compared with probands, sibling cases had half the level of comorbidity and significantly lower levels of psychosocial impairment. Comparisons of temperamental characteristics showed that higher levels of emotionality, but no other aspect of temperament, was associated with an increased likelihood of a sibling being a case. Higher emotionality in all cases (sibs and probands) was associated with greater comorbidity in general and the diagnoses of dysthymia and separation anxiety in particular.
How Local is the Impact of a Specific Learning Difficulty on Premature Children's Evaluation of Their Own Competence?
Authors: Jongmans Marian , Dubowitz Lilly , Demetre James D. , Henderson Sheila E.
Published: December 2006

The aim of this study was to determine whether children's perceptions of their own competence levels reflected their actual strengths and weaknesses (Specificity Hypothesis) or transcended these (Generality Hypothesis). Harter and Pike's measure of self‐perception was administered to 163 prematurely born 6‐year‐olds with or without motor co‐ordination and/or reading problems. Associations between children's self‐perceptions and their scores on standardised tests of motor co‐ordination and reading were assessed in three distinct ways. These analyses produced converging results: self‐perceptions of physical competence were associated specifically with performance on the Movement ABC Test, and self‐perceptions of cognitive competence were associated specifically with performance on the BAS Word Reading Scale. Our results support the Specificity Hypothesis.
Is a Maturational Lag Associated with Left‐Handedness? A Research Note
Authors: Eaton Warren O. , Chipperfield Judith G. , Ritchot Kathryn F. M. , Kostiuk Joanna H.
Published: December 2006

One element of Coren and Halpera's controversial theory [Psychological Bulletin, 109, 90‐106 (1991)] that left‐handedness is associated with shorter lifespans is the hypothesis that sinistrality is accompanied by a developmental lag. Perinatal traumas could interfere with the normal developmental shift to right‐sided lateral preferences during childhood, leading to an association between maturational lag and left‐handedness. In a test of this hypothesis, we assessed current stature, predicted adult stature and relative stature, an index of physical maturity, for elementary school‐aged children in three separate, large‐sample studies. No relations between hand preference and the three measures of physical status were found. Repeated failures to confirm the hypothesis with pre‐adolescent samples raise serious doubt about the viability of the left‐handed developmental lag hypothesis.
Practitioner Review: Developmental Language Disorders: A Clinical Update
Authors: Rapin Isabelle
Published: December 2006

Non‐specialists can identify three types of developmental language disorder. (1) mixed receptive/expressive disorders, which impair phonology, syntax, and semantics. Children who understand nothing are nonverbal, in others speech is sparse, nonfluent, poorly intelligible, and agrammatic; (2) expressive disorders with adequate comprehension affect phonologic production‐predominantly. Children with verbal dyspraxia, the most severe variant, may also be nonverbal but comprehend well; (3) higher order processing disorders affect semantics, pragmatics, and discourse. Semantics and pragmatics are invariably affected in preschool autistic children in whom isolated expressive deficits do not occur. Etiology of developmental language disorders is predominantly genetic. Structural brain lesions detectable by neuroimaging are exceptional. Severe receptive deficits require a sleep EEG to detect subclinical epilepsy. Early educational intervention is both critical and efficacious.
Precision, Reliability and Accuracy in the Dating of Symptom Onsets in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
Authors: Angold Adrian , Erkanli Alaattin , Costello E. Jane , Rutter Michael
Published: December 2006

Dates of onset of psychiatric symptoms are required in determining whether diagnostic criteria are met for a number of disorders and for a variety of research questions. However, little attention has been paid to the precision and reliability of their recall by parents and children. We present data from two studies indicating that when symptoms have lasted longer than around 3 months, the month of onset usually cannot be accurately reported, while with symptoms that have lasted a year or more, the year of onset is usually uncertain. The implications of these findings for diagnosis and research are discussed.
Working Memory in Children with Autism and with Moderate Learning Difficulties
Authors: Russell James , Jarrold Christopher , Henry Lucy
Published: December 2006

We asked whether children with autism are specifically impaired on tests of working memory. Experiment 1 showed that children with autism were at least as likely as normal children to employ articulatory rehearsal (criterion: evincing the “word length effect”) and that they had superior spans to that of children with moderate learning difficulties. In Experiment 2, participants were given “capacity tasks” in order to examine group differences in the capacity of the central executive of working memory. The performance of the children with autism was inferior to that of the normally developing group and similar to that of the children with moderate learning difficulties.
Using MZ Differences in the Search for Nonshared Environmental Effects
Authors: Pike Alison , Reiss David , Hetherington E. Mavis , Plomin Robert
Published: December 2006

Behavioural genetic research has shown that environmental influences relevant to the development of individual differences are largely nonshared in origin. That is, environmental influences do not make children in the same family similar to one another, however, little is known about which specific aspects of the environment are responsible. Identical (MZ) twins provide a uniquely powerful tool to search for specific nonshared environmental influences independent of nonshared genetics because such twins do not differ genetically. The sample consisted of 93 MZ twin pairs aged 10–18 years from the Nonshared Environment and Adolescent Development (NEAD) project. Reports of parental negativity and adolescent adjustment were obtained from parents, ratings of videotaped observations, and the adolescents themselves. Relative differences of mothers’ and fathers’ negativity within MZ pairs correlated significantly with MZ differences in antisocial behaviour. The correlations were moderate for within‐reporter associations, but were negligible for associations between reporters. Possible interpretations for these source‐specific findings are discussed.
Tracking Procedures and Attrition Containment in a Long‐Term Follow‐Up of a Community‐Based ADHD Sample
Authors: Hartsough Carolyn S. , Babinski Leslie M. , Lambert Nadine M.
Published: December 2006

Strategies are discussed for locating and interviewing a community‐based sample of 492 adults, approximately half of whom were diagnosed in 1974 with ADHD. Completion rates, reasons for attrition, and amount of time and intensity of effort associated with subject location are reported. We found that 81% of the original sample had been located after 28 months, and that the reconstituted sample closely resembled the original larger childhood sample in background characteristics. Findings confirm that staff persistence was an important factor in containing attrition, and that longer contact intervals are likely to be a necessary feature of follow‐up with socially and behaviorally disordered samples.
The Association Among Negative Life Events, Perceived Problem Solving Alternatives, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescent Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Adams Jerry , Adams Michael
Published: December 2006

Previous research demonstrated that the combination of a negative life event (NLE) and less constructive perceived problem solving alternatives (PPSAs) was associated with more depression in unselected adolescents. This study investigated these variables and their association with suicidal ideation in 80 adolescent psychiatric patients. Depressed patients reported more negative effects from NLEs, particularly family conflict and academic failure, and were more likely to consider self‐destructive PPSAs than their less depressed counterparts. The impacts of NLEs and negative PPSAs were independently associated with both depression and suicidal ideation for this population, in contrast to non‐patients.
Children's Methods of Coping with Stress: A Twin Study of Genetic and Environmental Influences
Authors: Mellins Claude Ann , Gatz Margaret , Baker Laura
Published: December 2006

The relative importance of environmental and hereditary factors in how children cope with stress was examined. Emotion‐focused, problem‐focused, and additional coping variables were assessed in 44 monozygotic (MZ) and 30 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, aged 9–16 years. The effects of heritability, shared environment, and unshared environment were examined in structural modelling analyses. Genetic factors accounted for a majority of the reliable variance in four of seven coping variables, while effects of twins’ shared environment were negligible for all but one coping variable. Environmental factors important to individual differences in coping strategies were primarily unique to each child (unshared between the twins), highlighting the importance of individual experiences in shaping coping behaviors.
Twin Children with Unfamiliar Partners: Genotypic and Gender Influences on Cooperation
Authors: Segal Nancy L. , Connelly Sharon L. , Topoloski Tari D.
Published: December 2006

This study applied a social‐genetic perspective to examine hypotheses concerning displays of cooperation. The sample included children from 14 monozygotic and 16 dizygotic twin pairs, organized into 30 unfamiliar partnerships. Two puzzle completion sessions were videotaped and evaluated on five dimensions of cooperation. Repeated measures of analysis of variance indicated significantly higher ratings among female than male pairs on Overall Cooperation, Mutuality of Goal and Accommodation. Contrary to expectation, social‐interactional differences between unfamiliar MZ and DZ dyads were not detected. Findings are discussed with reference to new research perspectives on cooperative behavior.
Are Only Children Different? A Study of Child Psychiatric Referrals. A Research Note
Authors: Richards Hilary , Goodman Robert
Published: December 2006

For this study, 683 only children seen in a psychiatric clinic were compared with 2364 children from two‐child families seen in the same clinic. From the age of 5 years, there were no differences between the two groups. Among the under‐5s, a higher proportion of only children had problems which did not warrant a psychiatric diagnosis, and their parents were more often rated as being over‐protective. Our findings suggest, however, that the parents of only children differ from other parents not in being more over‐protective but in being more willing or able to seek medical advice.
Theory of Mind in Non‐Retarded Children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. A Research Note
Authors: Dahlgren Sven Olof , Trillingsgaard Anegen
Published: December 2006

In the present study, 20 non‐retarded children with autism and 20 non‐retarded children with Asperger's syndrome, individually matched to the group of children with autism, participated. No statistically significant differences between the groups were found in the theory of mind tasks. In fact, the two groups performed almost as well as a group of normal children. These findings suggest that the theory of mind model has its limitations in explaining autism and that children with Asperger's syndrome are not more competent in theory of mind tasks than children with autism within the normal range of intelligence.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on the Covariation Between Hyperactivity and Conduct Disturbance in Juvenile Twins
Authors: Silberg Judy , Rutter Michael , Meyer Joanne , Maes Hermine , Hewitt John , Simonoff Emily , Pickles Andrew , Loeber Rolf , Eaves Lindon
Published: December 2006

Structural equation models were applied to the maternal ratings of 265 MZ and 163 DZ male‐male, 347 MZ and 160 DZ female‐female, and 262 male‐female twin pairs, aged 8‐16 years, who participated in the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD). Substantial additive genetic influences and contrast effects were found for hyperactivity, and additive genetic and shared environmental effects or positive comparison effects (particularly for the girls) for oppositional/conduct disturbance. Bivariate model fitting showed that the covariation between hyperactivity and oppositional/conduct problems in both younger and older boys and girls is almost entirely attributable to genetic factors. However, whereas in the younger males and females the same set of genes explain all the variation in hyperactivity and conduct disturbance, in the older cohort at least some of the genetic effects are behavior‐ and gender‐specific.
Life Events, Social Support and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Authors: Ford R. P. K. , Hassall I. B. , Mitchell E. A. , Scragg R. , Taylor B. J. , Allen E. M. , Stewart A. W.
Published: December 2006

The effects of a lack of maternal social support and stressful life events on the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) were examined by case‐control design: 390 cases and 1592 control infants. A seven item index of mother's social support was used. A possible 21 life events experienced by each family were summed and then put into one of three categories: 0‐2, 3‐5, and 6 or more life events. Similar levels of maternal social support were found for both groups. SIDS families experienced significantly more stressful life events than control families, but once social factors had been taken into account this association was lost.
The Relation of Medical Risk and Maternal Stimulation with Preterm Infants' Development of Cognitive, Language and Daily Living Skills
Authors: Smith Karen E. , Swank Paul R. , Denson Susan E. , Landry Susan H. , Baldwin Constance D. , Wildin Susan
Published: December 2006

High‐risk (HR) and low‐risk (LR) preterm infants (N=212) and full‐term infants (FT, N=128) from low socio‐economic homes were studied with their mothers in the home at 6 and 12 months of age. Infants’ cognitive, language and daily living skills were evaluated in relation to mothers’ warm sensitivity, use of strategies which maintained the infants’ attention and directiveness. Higher levels of maternal attention‐maintaining were positively related to infant development for all groups. During toy play, attention‐maintaining was most strongly related to expressive language skills for the HR infants; during toy play and daily activities, this maternal behavior was more strongly related to cognitive and language skills for both preterm groups than for the FT infants.
Disembedding Performance and Recognition Memory in Autism/PDD
Authors: Brian Jessica A. , Bryson Susan E.
Published: December 2006

This study explored the claim that superior disembedding performance in autism reflects “less capture by meaning” and/or reduced “central coherence” [Shah & Frith, Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 24, 613–620 (1983); Shah & Frith, Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 34, 1351–1364 (1993)]. Meaningless as well as meaningful disembedding contexts were used, and memory for contextual information was examined. Neither qualitative (search strategy) nor quantitative (RT or accuracy) data indicated that high‐functioning individuals with autism/PDD were superior to younger, developmentally matched controls. For both groups, disembedding was slowest from meaningful contexts, which generally were remembered best. No evidence was provided for “less capture by meaning” or reduced “central coherence” in autism/PDD, raising the possibility that earlier findings reflect a developmental, rather than a stable autism‐specific, phenomenon.
Practitioner Review: Assessment and Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Stores Gregory
Published: December 2006

Sleep disorders in children are diverse in type, common, often serious in their effects yet neglected in professional education. They complicate many psychiatric disorders and can cause various cognitive and behavioural problems as well as more widespread difficulties in the family as a whole. Accurate assessment allows an appropriate choice from the various types of treatments that are now available but often under used. Diagnostic points and treatment approaches are outlined for the three main categories of childhood sleep disorder: sleeplessness; excessive sleepiness; and episodic disturbances related to sleep (parasomnias). The need for more widespread awareness of and provision for sleep disorders is emphasized.
Child Care Quality and Children's Behavioral Adjustment: A Four‐Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Pinkerton Relana , Scarr Sandra
Published: December 2006

Studies of extensive, full‐time child care in infancy and early childhood have shown negative, positive and no effects on children's social‐emotional development. The current study explored the prediction of children's behavioral adjustment 4 years after assessments of daycare center quality (e.g. caregiver‐child interactions, caregiver‐to‐child ratios) and of the home and family environment (e.g. parental stress, discipline). Participants included 141 school‐age children (73 girls) and their employed mothers (91% Euro‐American) who had made use of full‐time child care when the children were toddlers or preschoolers. Home environment factors and earlier behaviors were predictive of individual differences in adjustment 4 years later, particularly for maternal ratings of child behaviors. By contrast, indicators of center quality were generally unrelated to mother and teacher ratings of behavioral adjustment.
Visual Signals and the Communication Abilities of Children
Authors: Doherty‐Sneddon G. , Kent G.
Published: December 2006

The communication abilities of children of differing ages (4‐ 6‐, and 11 years) were compared. The children performed two communication tasks and were interviewed in both face‐to‐face and audio‐only contexts. While older children adapted to the loss of visual signals the younger age groups did not and their communication suffered. It appears that a significant amount of information which young children transmit occurs in a nonverbal format, and that visual signals are less demanding for young listeners. Such findings have implications for professionals working with young children since they show the importance of addressing both the child's visual signals and one's own.
Physical and Sexual Abuse and their Relation to Psychiatric Disorder and Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents who are Psychiatrically Hospitalized
Authors: Cohen Yifat , Spirito Anthony , Sterling Cheryl , Donaldson Deidre , Seifer Ronald , Plummer Barry , Avila Ruscinda , Ferrer Kathy
Published: December 2006

Adolescents who were psychiatrically hospitalized (N= 105) were classified as sexually abused, physically abused, both sexually and physically abused, or not abused, and studied to determine the prevalence of suicidal behavior and psychiatric disorders. Self‐reports of hopelessness, depression, coping, and self‐concept were also examined. No difference in suicidal behavior or psychiatric disorder, based on abuse history, was found, with one exception. Adolescents who were sexually abused, particularly those who experienced the most severe sexual abuse, used negative coping strategies more often than those not sexually abused. Findings suggest that symptomatology of adolescents who are psychiatrically hospitalized does not differ markedly based on history of abuse.
Reputation Enhancement Theory and Adolescent Substance Use
Authors: Odgers Peta , Houghton Stephen , Douglas Graham
Published: December 2006

Data pertaining to self‐reported substance use, reputation enhancement, self‐concept and coping strategies were obtained from 1,204 Western Australian metropolitan state high school adolescents using the High School Student Activity Questionnaire. Previous research has identified low self‐concept levels and inadequate coping strategies as being major contributors to adolescent substance use. The findings of the present research offer some support for this. A 4 × 2 × 3 MANOVA revealed, however, that reputation enhancement differentiated between current substance users, ex‐users and non‐users to a greater extent than either self‐concept levels or coping strategies. Differences between male and female students, however, were identified more through self‐concept and coping variables than by reputation enhancement variables. No interaction effect and no main effect for year group were present. The implications for drug education are discussed.
Economic Evaluations and Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems
Authors: Knapp Martin
Published: December 2006

Economic evaluations of interventions for children and adolescents with mental health problems are comparative rare, although the growing need For them is now quite widely recognized. This review paper first explains how demands for such evaluations have built up and for what reasons, and then considers the response from evaluators. The various modes of economic evaluation are introduced and illustrated. Previous and current research is discussed by reference lo five generic research questions commonly addressed in the wider health economies field: What treatment should be provided? When? Where? To whom? How? The review concludes with recommendations as to how economic evaluations should be taken forward in this increasingly important area of intervention
Cognitive Neuropsychology and Its Application to Children
Authors: Temple Christine M.
Published: December 2006

Cognitive neuropsychology has been used successfully in the analysis of adult neuropsychological disorders in both verbal and nonverbal domains. When applied to children, it aims lo construct models on the basis of functional lesions manifest within developing systems find provides a theoretical framework within which patterns of intact and deficient skills can be charted over time. These patterns constrain possible underlying models la highlighting potential individual differences in the acquisition of skills and indicating intact skills within subjects, cognitive neuropsychology may also enable a precise description of the locus of difficulty and potential circumventory routes for remediation around it.

The theoretical assumptions of cognitive neuropsychology and issues relevant to its methodology are discussed, including the terminology and principles of modularity, the significance of individual differences and the use of case studies, the dynamics of developing systems, current views on plasticity and distinctions between developmental and acquired disorders.

The application of cognitive neuropsychology to children is discussed in relation to three cognitive areas: face recognition disorders, language disorders and arithmetical disorders. These illustrate the similarities that there are between many developmental cognitive neuropsychological disorders and those seen in adults following brain injury. Models derived from studies of adults are helpful in enabling understanding of both face recognition disorders and arithmetical disorders in childhood. Within language systems, a variety of different types of disorder are evident, which not only relate to receptive and productive difficulties but differentially affect the core components of the language system.

All of the disorders discussed illustrate the limitations of functional plasticity m development. In each case, there is not a generalised deficit resulting from degradation of capabilities independent of task requirements Rather, there are focal and selective disorders which affect subcomponents of cognitive systems. In some eases, genetic factors may constrain compensatory mechanisms.
Psychopathology in Infancy
Authors: Zeanah Charles H. , Boris Neil W. , Scheeringa Michael S.
Published: December 2006

The first three years of life present unique challenges to the study of psychopathology. We highlight four of the issues in a selective review of the developmental psychopathology of early childhood, including lack of specificity of risk and outcome variables, measurement difficulties, rapid developmental changes and the centrality of the relationship context in early childhood. We also highlight issues relevant to conceptualizations of disorders of infancy, emphasizing especially the need for efforts to validate clinical disorders. We consider two major domains of infant development that we believe are especially relevant to a discussion of psychopathology, namely, regulation of emotion and infant caregiver attachment Discussions of these two domains of infant development and their psycho‐pathological extremes allow us to consider conceptualizations of psychopathology from the dual perspectives of developmental psychopathology and clinical disorders. We conclude by suggesting a number of strategies to build upon previous research.
Psychiatric Aspects of Hearing Impairments
Authors: Hindley Peter
Published: December 2006

Hearing impairment is a multifaceted condition with medical, social and cultural aspects, Children with hearing impairments follow many different developmental pathways, some growing up to join the Deaf community. Children with fluctuating hearing impairments are at greater risk of behavioural problems and language and reading delay. Children with permanent hearing impairment experience the same range of mental health problems as hearing children but their presentation, treatment and outcome can differ because of differences in communication and language use.
Pathogenesis of Tourette's Syndrome
Authors: Leckman James F , Peterson Bradley S. , Anderson George M. , Arnsten Amy F. T. , Pauls David L. , Cohen Donald J.
Published: December 2006

This review presents a model of disease pathogenesis in the context of CNS development M begins with an exploration of the clinical features and natural history of Tourette's syndrome. This is followed by a consideration of the role of genetic and non gene tic factors. An effort is then made to review the anatomical organization of the basal ganglia and related cortical sites. These circuits are intimately involved in (he normal processing of sensorimotor, cognitive, and emotionally laden information. Evidence implicating these circuits in the pathobiology of Tourette's syndrome is then considered. The review closes with the prospects for advances in interdisciplinary research and therapeutics using this model as a guide.
Practitioner Review: Practitioner Review: The Aftercare of Adolescents with Deliberate Self‐harm
Authors: Brent David A.
Published: December 2006

The evaluation and aftercare of the adolescent suicide attempter is described. The assessment of suicidal risk is aimed at the identification of those factors present in the patient and environment that make repetition of suicidal behavior likely. These factors, along with the motivation and precipitant for the suicide attempt, are used to determine the intensity of care and targets of treatment. Important elements of treatment include: obtaining a no‐suicide Contract, addressing potential sources of noncompliance. determining proper intensity of treatment, provision of family psycho education addressing ongoing family difficulties, treatment of co‐occurring psychopathology and remediation of social skills and problem‐solving deficits.
The Emanuel Miller Memorial Lecture 1994
Authors: Kovacs Maria
Published: December 2006

To convey an impressionistic landscape of depressive disorders in childhood, studies of clinically referred and diagnosed patients as well us community samples, and data from experimental investigations are used to consider five questions: Are depressive syndromes morbid slates in childhood? Should we be concerned a should depression in childhood? How do very early‐onset depressions arise? What happens lo depressed children as they grow up and how can we help youngsters who suffer from depression? The information is discussed with respect to this implications for the management of clinically depressed children, as well as the prevention of very early‐onset depressive disorders.
Adolescent Dieting: Healthy Weight Control or Borderline Eating Disorder?
Authors: Patton G. C. , Carlin J. B. , Shao Q , Hibbert M. E. , Rosier M. , Selzer R. , Bowes G.
Published: December 2006

Dieting in adolescent girls is ubiquitous but its health significance is uncertain. On the one hand it might be seen as promoting healthy weight control and on the other it might be considered as a risk, factor for eating disorders. Dieting levels were systematically assessed in a representative group of 252? Australian teenagers and classified using item response theory. In this group, 38% of girls and 12 % of boys we re categorised as intermediate dieters; 7% of girls and 1% of boys fell into a group of extreme dieters. Body mass carried a strong post the association with intermediate dieting. Most female dieters, nevertheless, fell within a normal weight range. Psychiatric morbidity was the clearest factor associated with extreme dieting and 62 % of extreme dieters reported high levels of depression and anxiety. Extreme dieting might reasonably be viewed as lying on a spectrum with clinical eating disorders. Most dieting is unjustified on the grounds of appropriate weight control and appears to reflect a widespread striving of teenage girls towards body shapes at the lower end of age‐adjusted norms.
Mothers' Representations of Their Infants Assessed Prenatally: Stability and Association with Infants' Attachment Classifications
Authors: Benoit Diane , Parker Kevin C. H. , Zeanah Charles H.
Published: December 2006

The stability and predictive validity of Classifications of mothers' representations of their infants as determined by the Working Model of the Child Interview (WMCI) were examined. Concordance between mothers' representations of their infants assessed prenatally and again one year later and infant Strange Situation (SS) attachment classifications at 12 months was also examined. WMCI classifications were stable over 12 months in 80% of mothers, compared to 51 % expected by chance alone. Pregnancy WMCIs predicted infant SS classifications in 74% of cases, compared to 54% expected by chance. Concordance between 11‐month WMCI and 12‐month SS classifications was 73 % (vs. 55% expected by chance). Problems with the skewed distribution of the sample, the low concordance between pregnancy and 11 months for one of the three classifications, and future directions for research are discussed.
Behavioural Adjustment in School of Very Low Birthweight Children
Authors: Sykes Donald H. , Hoy Elizabeth A. , Bill John M. , McClure B. Garth , Halliday Henry L. , Reid Mark McC.
Published: December 2006

The school‐based behavioural adjustment at 7–8 years of a cohort of 243 prematurely born. very low birthweight (< 1501 g) children and their normal birthweight controls is reported, The findings indicate that the children born preterit) (both male and female) were rated by their teachers as expressing more behaviour problems than their controls, and were less well adjusted to the school environment. The deficits noted in the preterms applied across the social classes, with no amelioration noted in preterms of higher social class, It is speculated that the problem behaviours reflect a failure in self‐regulatory functions.
Autism and the Immune System
Authors: van Gent Tiejo , Heijnen Cobi J. , Treffers Philip D. A.
Published: December 2006

As our knowledge of the interactions of the immune, nervous and endocrine systems progresses, complex links with the origin and course of psychopathology in childhood are revealed. In this article the neuroimmunological literature on autism is reviewed. Relevant aspects of immune functioning and the neuroendocrine‐immune network are described. We present the immunological findings in autistic patients within two related conceptual frameworks: a viral and an autoimmune hypothesis. Interpretation of data is hampered by conceptual and methodological differences between studies. Both the clinical significance of the immune changes and the causal connection between immune changes and psycho‐pathological phenomena in autism remain to he elucidated. Recommendations for further research are given.