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Children
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New Insights in Pediatric Mental Healthcare
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New Insights in Pediatric Mental Healthcare

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2025 | Viewed by 4501

Special Issue Editors

Dr. India Bryce

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4300, Australia
Interests: child trauma and childhood adversity and maltreatment; cumulative harm
Dr. Govind Krishnamoorthy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Manna Institute, School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
Interests: educational psychology; clinical psychology; child and youth mental health; trauma-informed care; recovery-oriented care and digital health
Prof. Dr. Leonard Bickman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
2. College of Arts, Sciences & Education, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
Interests: child and youth mental health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite substantial investment by governments, the prevalence of mental health disorders in developed countries remains unchanged over the past 20 years. As 50% of mental health conditions present before 14 years of age, access to high-quality pediatric mental healthcare is crucial. There have been significant developments in research and practice in pediatric mental health in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The way we provide services has evolved to include more online and telehealth provisions, emergency departments are learning more about the nature of pediatric mental health presentations, and research has begun to focus on characterizing the new mental health problems created by the pandemic for child and adolescent mental wellbeing. Clinicians and service users continue to identify barriers to accessing pediatric mental health, including high costs and long wait times, difficulty navigating the health system, and a lack of recognition of the existence and/or severity of the child’s mental health disorder. Despite constant debate, child and youth mental health services continue to mirror adult mental health services, which fail to meet the needs of children and young people. Due to its far-reaching social and global implications, it is vital that we investigate this crucial issue through this Special Issue, bringing together diverse, cutting edge research on the topic of pediatric mental health.

This Special Issue of Children will showcases the emerging literature and new insights into pediatric mental health, examining the needs, pressures, and potential practice solutions to challenges in pediatric mental health, including innovative proposals, service delivery, strategies, and interventions. Please submit any articles for consideration with this in mind.

Dr. India Bryce
Dr. Govind Krishnamoorthy
Prof. Dr. Leonard Bickman
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • child mental health
  • inequalities
  • child abuse
  • technological advances
  • society
  • developmental trauma
  • neurodevelopmental problems

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
The Strategies of Picture Books as a Mode of Health Communication for Young Children with Coeliac Disease
by Lydia McKeon, Jessica Gildersleeve and Amy B. Mullens
Children 2025, 12(5), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12050530 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 504
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Coeliac disease, a chronic and lifelong health condition, is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. However, it is also one of the most under-recognised conditions, and emotionally and cognitively appropriate materials are especially lacking for young children and their families who [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Coeliac disease, a chronic and lifelong health condition, is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. However, it is also one of the most under-recognised conditions, and emotionally and cognitively appropriate materials are especially lacking for young children and their families who are coping with this disease. Effective health communication is essential for educating and supporting children living with coeliac disease as well as their families and communities. Picture books can serve as useful and accessible educational and health promotion tools, promoting adaptive coping strategies for dealing with a potentially traumatic condition. Methods: This study aimed to fill a critical gap in the literature by examining a range of picture books (n = 9) aimed at children three to eight years of age diagnosed with coeliac disease. Reflective thematic and structural narrative analyses were applied to explore strategies and themes used in these books and how they align with the current literature on developing coping through children’s narratives. Results: Four themes were developed and measured against an existing model of coping narratives to find a more specific model that recognises the specific concerns of coeliac disease. The four themes found were Information Provision; Promotion of CD Management; Anxiety and Hypervigilance Reduction, with two subthemes of Validating Feelings and Reducing Concerns; and Community and Connection. Conclusions: The findings have likely implications for the following applications: incorporation into clinician training (as a therapeutic and health promotion intervention), support within schools, authors of similar books for children coping with chronic illness, and coping approaches for individuals/families to promote health literacy/support regarding living with coeliac disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Pediatric Mental Healthcare)
15 pages, 843 KiB  
Article
The Role of Caregivers in Promoting Connectedness in Youth with Mental Health Concerns
by Brody Andrews, Govind Krishnamoorthy, Vicki C. Dallinger and Darryl Maybery
Children 2024, 11(12), 1469; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11121469 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1077
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mental health concerns among youth represent a critical global public health issue. Research has found that youth with mental health concerns are often reliant on their caregivers while being isolated from peers. Guided by the recovery model of mental health care, this [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mental health concerns among youth represent a critical global public health issue. Research has found that youth with mental health concerns are often reliant on their caregivers while being isolated from peers. Guided by the recovery model of mental health care, this study investigates the often-overlooked role of caregivers in fostering ‘connectedness’ in youth; Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine caregivers of youth with mental health issue; Results: Thematic analysis underscored three tasks in the role of caregivers in promoting connectedness in youth: (a) understanding the nature and quality of social networks, (b) supporting readiness to engage in social relationships, and (c) promoting their youth’s social problem solving and self-efficacy; Discussion: These tasks highlight the complex dialectics faced by caregivers in supporting youth recovery. The findings hold key implications for developing interventions, resources and policies designed for caregivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Pediatric Mental Healthcare)
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Review

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23 pages, 626 KiB  
Review
Conversational AI in Pediatric Mental Health: A Narrative Review
by Masab Mansoor, Ali Hamide and Tyler Tran
Children 2025, 12(3), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12030359 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1313
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mental health disorders among children and adolescents represent a significant global health challenge, with approximately 50% of conditions emerging before age 14. Despite substantial investment in services, persistent barriers such as provider shortages, stigma, and accessibility issues continue to limit effective care [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mental health disorders among children and adolescents represent a significant global health challenge, with approximately 50% of conditions emerging before age 14. Despite substantial investment in services, persistent barriers such as provider shortages, stigma, and accessibility issues continue to limit effective care delivery. This narrative review examines the emerging application of conversational artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric mental health contexts, mapping the current evidence base, identifying therapeutic mechanisms, and exploring unique developmental considerations required for implementation. Methods: We searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, and Scopus) for literature published between January 2010 and February 2025 that addressed conversational AI applications relevant to pediatric mental health. We employed a narrative synthesis approach with thematic analysis to organize findings across technological approaches, therapeutic applications, developmental considerations, implementation contexts, and ethical frameworks. Results: The review identified promising applications for conversational AI in pediatric mental health, particularly for common conditions like anxiety and depression, psychoeducation, skills practice, and bridging to traditional care. However, most robust empirical research has focused on adult populations, with pediatric applications only beginning to receive dedicated investigation. Key therapeutic mechanisms identified include reduced barriers to self-disclosure, cognitive change, emotional validation, and behavioral activation. Developmental considerations emerged as fundamental challenges, necessitating age-appropriate adaptations across cognitive, emotional, linguistic, and ethical dimensions rather than simple modifications of adult-oriented systems. Conclusions: Conversational AI has potential to address significant unmet needs in pediatric mental health as a complement to, rather than replacement for, human-delivered care. Future research should prioritize developmental validation, longitudinal outcomes, implementation science, safety monitoring, and equity-focused design. Interdisciplinary collaboration involving children and families is essential to ensure these technologies effectively address the unique mental health needs of young people while mitigating potential risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Pediatric Mental Healthcare)
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Other

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12 pages, 559 KiB  
Systematic Review
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Girls and the Risk of Unplanned Pregnancies
by Florina Rad, Alexandra Mariana Buică and Nicolae Gică
Children 2025, 12(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12010062 - 7 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1128
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although ADHD in adults has become visible and inclusive in recent years in diagnostic manuals, research is still limited regarding the long-term outcomes of patients with this disorder. The main objective of this research was to address the many facets of predictor [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although ADHD in adults has become visible and inclusive in recent years in diagnostic manuals, research is still limited regarding the long-term outcomes of patients with this disorder. The main objective of this research was to address the many facets of predictor variables in girls with ADHD facing unplanned pregnancies at young ages in order to improve the management of pre-, peri-, and postnatal complications that may occur, as well as for early psychiatric diagnosis and effective intervention. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science Databases were used to perform literature research, and a total of 27 records were selected and used for data extraction. Results: Related articles have included the persistence of ADHD symptoms comorbid with other disorders among girls with ADHD as a risk factor for teenage pregnancies. Conduct disorders and substance use disorders are the main co-occurrent diagnoses that increase the likelihood for teenage childbirth. Unplanned pregnancies at young ages are associated with unfavorable psychosocial trajectories both for the mother and the child. Conclusions: In this review, we emphasize the importance of predisposing factors for risky sexual behaviors and unplanned pregnancies in cases of girls with ADHD. The topic of the article draws attention to the need for uniform national individualized care of girls with ADHD, the implementation of programs to prevent academic failure and early parenthood as well as addressing comorbid obstetrical and psychiatric conditions, especially in regions where the rate of adolescent births continues to be high. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Pediatric Mental Healthcare)
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