Search Results (413)

The aim of the evaluation was to gather information on parents’ experiences and attitudes towards the Irish National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP). An interviewer-administered survey was completed by 151 parents whose babies underwent newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) between 2023 and 2025 and for whom the screening result was normal. Results suggest that NBS is highly acceptable to parents, with 100% glad their baby underwent screening. The majority (95%) felt they were provided the information needed to understand the importance of NBS for their baby, and 93% are in favour of screening for more conditions. Positive aspects of NBS reported by parents included the following: blood sampling being undertaken in the home, the sample-taker being very nice and being advised in advance to keep the baby’s heel warm to ease the sampling process. Negative aspects of NBS reported included the following: having to return to the hospital for sampling, the baby becoming distressed, not receiving adequate information and not receiving the screening results. Parents were more likely to report negative experiences if the sample was not taken at home and if the sample was taken by a healthcare professional other than a public health nurse. Parents offered recommendations for improvements to the programme. This study provides important insights into parents’ experiences and attitudes towards NBS in Ireland. Full article

First Nations children remain dramatically over-represented in Australia’s Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) system, particularly in New South Wales (NSW), which continues to report the highest numbers nationally. This narrative review, grounded in a relational First Nations Standpoint Theory and decolonising research paradigms, to critically examine the systemic, structural, and historical factors contributing to these disproportionalities. Drawing on interdisciplinary evidence across law, criminology, education, health, governance studies, and public policy, the analysis centres Indigenous-authored scholarship and contemporary empirical literature, including grey literature, inquiries, and community-led reports. Findings reveal that the OOHC system reproduces the colonial logics that historically drove the Stolen Generations. Macro-level structural drivers—including systemic racism, Indigenous data injustice, entrenched poverty and deprivation, intergenerational trauma, and Westernised governance frameworks—continue to shape child protection policies and practices. Micro-level drivers such as parental supports, mental health distress, substance misuse, family violence, and the criminalisation of children in care (“crossover children”) must be understood as direct consequences of structural inequality rather than as isolated individual risk factors. Current placement and permanency orders in NSW further compound cultural disconnection, with ongoing failures to implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP). Contemporary cultural rights and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) frameworks highlight the urgency of restoring Indigenous authority in decision-making processes. The literature consistently demonstrates that cultural continuity, kinship networks, and ACCO-led models are sort to produce stronger long-term outcomes for children. The review concludes that genuine transformation requires a systemic shift toward Indigenous-led governance, community-controlled service delivery, data sovereignty, and legislative reform that embeds cultural rights and self-determination. Without acknowledging the structural drivers and redistributing genuine power and authority, the state risks perpetuating a cycle of removal that mirrors earlier assimilationist policies. Strengthening First Peoples governance and cultural authority is therefore essential to creating pathways for First Nations children to live safely, remain connected to family and kin, and thrive in culture. Full article

Background: Parents of youth with chronic health conditions face several challenges in supporting their children across contexts. Involvement of parents in a child’s pain management approach is accepted as best practice, yet there is little guidance on how to best parent the child with chronic pain. Prior studies have shown that parents require support and education to effectively care for their children and themselves. This quality improvement program evaluation aimed to evaluate group-level: (1) feasibility of the Creating Bonds program, (2) acceptability and perceived effectiveness of the program, and (3) suggestions for program improvements. Methods: In this quality improvement program evaluation, parents (N = 40) of youth with chronic pain from the United States and Europe were recruited online to participate in a virtual peer-support and educational program, Creating Bonds, offered through the nonprofit organization, Creative Healing for Youth in Pain. Creating Bonds is an 8-week, virtual, supportive, and educational program for parents and caregivers of youth with chronic pain led by a licensed clinical psychologist. A mixed methods approach evaluated the impact of and suggestions for improving the program. Independent samples t-tests were used to examine quantitative items related to understanding of pain, isolation, confusion, distress, relationships, and self-care. Qualitative responses were evaluated for common themes through an inductive thematic analysis. Results: Results indicated that Creating Bonds significantly improved parents’ level of understanding of chronic pain, relationships with others, and self-care, and significantly reduced confusion about parenting a child with chronic pain, stress, and anxiety levels (ps < 0.05). Levels of isolation moderately decreased. Parents qualitatively described the experience as validating, connecting, and educational, with both emotional relief and practical strategies emerging as benefits. Conclusions: Quantitative results and qualitative themes capture the dual role of the Creating Bonds program in providing tangible parenting tools alongside education and critical psychosocial support. Parents entered with uncertainty, a desire for strategies, and hope for connection, and they came away with validation, practical parenting tools, and a community facing similar experiences. Full article

Background/Objectives: Caring for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often associated with elevated psychological distress and reduced life satisfaction. Mindfulness-based interventions may offer substantial benefits by enhancing emotion regulation, reducing maladaptive cognitive patterns, and strengthening mindful parenting. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the effectiveness of an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program, enriched with mindful parenting practices, delivered to parents of children with ASD. The primary aim was to improve parental mental health, while secondary analyses explored potential indirect, parent-perceived changes in child behavior outcomes. Methods: Fifty-six parents of children with ASD were randomly assigned to an MBCT intervention group (n = 30) or a waitlist control group (n = 26). Parents completed assessments at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and at one-month follow-up (T2), including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21 (DASS-21), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). They also rated the overall severity of their child’s behavior problems to explore indirect treatment effects. Results: All parents receiving MBCT (100%) completed the program successfully and reported high acceptability. At baseline, no significant differences were observed between groups. At T1, the MBCT group demonstrated significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress, alongside increases in positive affect and life satisfaction. These improvements were maintained or strengthened at T2. However, the control group showed no significant changes over time. Additionally, parents in the MBCT group reported indirect improvements in their children’s behavioral adjustment at T1 and T2. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that MBCT constitutes an effective intervention for reducing parental psychopathology and indirectly supporting parent-perceived improvements in child behavior, emphasizing the importance of incorporating mindfulness and mindful parenting components into family-centered interventions for parents of children with ASD. Full article

Background/Objectives: In youth competitive sports, excessive parental expectations are frequently identified as critical external stressors that can impair athlete well-being. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study aimed to investigate specific psychological needs that mediate the relationship between parental expectations and competitive state anxiety, particularly within the context of adolescent tennis players. Methods: A sample of 420 adolescent tennis players participated in this study. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including the Parental Expectations Questionnaire for parental expectations, the Chinese version of the Basic Psychological Needs Scale for basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), and the Chinese version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 for competitive state anxiety. Data were analyzed using regression models and mediation analysis to test the hypothesized relationships. Results: Parental expectations significantly and positively predicted competitive state anxiety (B = 0.111, p < 0.01). Furthermore, high parental expectations were negatively associated with the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, specifically demonstrating a significant negative prediction of competence satisfaction (β = −0.18, p = 0.005). Mediation analysis revealed that the need for competence significantly and partially mediated the relationship between parental expectations and anxiety (B = 0.019, p < 0.001), whereas the indirect effects of autonomy and relatedness were non-significant. Conclusions: Findings indicate that parental expectations function both as a direct stressor and a psychological burden that specifically undermines the athlete’s sense of competence. These results highlight that in individual competitive sports, the erosion of self-efficacy is the primary psychological conduit linking parental pressure to pre-competitive distress. Full article

The authors examine the emotions contained in 2 Cor 7:5–16. They refer to the nativist approach, in particular to Jaak Panksepp’s theory of primary emotions and Jonathan Haidt’s five foundations of morality. The emotions of Paul, Titus, and the Corinthians described in 2 Cor 7:5–16 can be classified into Panksepp’s categories of FEAR/anxiety, GRIEF/separation distress, CARE/nurturing, and RAGE/anger. They serve as a response to the pain and threat posed by the community’s separation from Paul and aim to repair and strengthen the family/parental relationship with the apostle. Following Haidt’s typology, most of the emotions in 2 Cor 7:5–16 can be located in the care/harm module, related to Paul’s care about his spiritual children in Corinth. In addition, other modules can be engaged to link various emotions in 2 Cor 7:5–15: fairness/reciprocity, focused on reciprocal altruism, in-group/loyalty, reinforcing mutual loyalty, authority/respect, working for Paul’s authority in Corinth, and purity/sanctity serving the holiness of the community and their belonging to Christ. The nativist approach to Pauline emotions smoothly transitions into a socio-cultural approach, pointing to their complementarity. This combination allows for the appreciation for the role of emotions in making moral judgments and helps understand the similarities and differences between ancient and modern views of emotionality. It also aids in grasping the interconnectedness and adaptive functions of emotions, serving the individual and the community. Full article

Objective: This study on children in low-income families explored whether their mental health problems are attributable to distress from five socioeconomic disadvantage factors playing roles in the multiple disadvantage model. These factors are social disorganization, social structural factors, social relationships, health/mental health, and access to care factors. Methods: The present study employed data extracted from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health, describing 7540 low-income children. Weighted logistic regression was conducted (with robust standard errors). Results: It showed that such children were more likely to have mental health problems when seven variables were present. The variables were argumentative children, parents’ difficulty with parenting, children’s difficult peer relations, children being bullied, families’ problematic substance use, families’ use of public health insurance, and families’ difficulty accessing mental health services. In turn, children were less likely to have mental health problems in the presence of six variables: a rundown neighborhood, an unsafe neighborhood, children’s Hispanic ethnicity, children’s Asian ethnicity, children’s general good health, and parents’ good mental health. The present study’s findings support the multiple disadvantage model. Conclusions: That is, the five types of factors key to the model (social disorganization, social structural, social relationships, health/mental health, and access to care) were observed to be related to low-income children’s mental health problems. These findings’ three main implications for practice are that it is crucial to (a) ensure children receive mental health services they need; (b) facilitate effective parent–child communication; and (c) provide low-income families with psychoeducation. Their main implications for policy involve two domains. Improving physical environments and safety in poor neighborhoods is necessary, as is enforcing schools’ anti-bullying rules and using schools to foster students’ assertiveness. Full article

This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effects of enhanced midwifery care in reducing subclinical depression symptoms among women in ethnically diverse areas of the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD). A pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted among pregnant women attending the Fairfield and/or Liverpool antenatal clinic with an Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) score of 10–12 (i.e., just below the generally accepted clinical cut-off score of 13 to indicate subclinical depressive symptoms) during the first antenatal visit (i.e., before 26 weeks gestation). Participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group which received continuous and coordinated support from a dedicated Registered Midwife (RM) trained in counselling and linked with a multidisciplinary team, or the usual care group, which received standard maternity care from various providers without continuity or additional coordinated support. Primary outcomes included feasibility of recruitment, randomisation, intervention delivery and fidelity, and retention and follow-up. The secondary outcomes were improvement in depressive symptom severity assessed via EDS, psychological distress (Kessler’s psychological distress scale—K10), and parenting confidence (Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS). Descriptive analyses were used to assess the feasibility outcomes, whereas mixed-effects models were used to examine the effects of treatment on secondary outcomes. Thirty-seven mothers were recruited into the study, of which eighteen were randomised to the intervention group and nineteen to the usual care group. The intervention was delivered with good fidelity, and remote adaptations during COVID-19 ensured both continuity of care and high retention at 6-month follow-up. Findings of the mixed-effects models showed significant within-group reduction in EDS scores over time, with scores at 8 weeks postpartum (T2) significantly lower than at baseline (T0; β = −2.77, SE = 1.36, p < 0.05) but no significant differences between the groups (β = −0.02, SE = 1.63, p = 0.992) or time-by-group interactions at any timepoint for EDS, K10, and KPCS. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of enhanced midwifery care in a “hard to reach” population of SWSLHD and highlight the need for adequately powered trials to determine its effectiveness on maternal mental health and parenting outcomes. Full article

Aim: Assess transition readiness of adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) from adolescent, parental, and clinician perspectives. Methods: Cross-sectional study (n = 36, 20 Male/16 Female, 16–18 years, June 2023–June 2024, metropolitan paediatric centre). Adolescents had diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and diabetes distress measured. Parents had an assessment of knowledge, diabetes-related distress, and estimated the adolescent’s self-efficacy. Clinicians estimated adolescent self-efficacy. Results: Median HbA1c was 7.4% (IQR 6.6–8.4). One adolescent met the guidelines for multidisciplinary team (MDT) appointments. Paired sample t-tests showed that adolescents’ knowledge was comparable to parent levels (t(24) = −1.69, p = 0.10). Adolescents’ knowledge was strongly associated with higher self-efficacy (r = 0.80 p < 0.001). Higher adolescent self-efficacy was associated with lower adolescent distress (r = −0.368, p = 0.03). Adolescent distress was lower than parent distress (t(24) = −3.13, p = 0.005). Although adolescent self-efficacy was strongly correlated with parent and clinician evaluation (r = 0.76, p < 0.001; r = 0.80, p < 0.001), adolescents reported higher self-efficacy than estimates by parents (t(24) = 4.76, p < 0.001) or clinicians (t(24) = 8.39, p < 0.001). Parent knowledge was moderately correlated with adolescent self-efficacy (r = 0.62, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Diabetes knowledge may confer greater self-efficacy and reduce diabetes distress in adolescents. Distress levels are higher in parents than in adolescents. Engagement with MDT is poor. Transition efforts should focus on parents and adolescents while increasing engagement with MDT. Full article

This study explores how child emotion regulation (ER) and maternal overinvolvement contribute to the maintenance of anxiety disorders (ADs) in children. Building on the tripartite model on the impact of the family on children’s emotion regulation and adjustment, it experimentally examines the impact of maternal expectations on overinvolvement and child distress. 65 children with ADs (ages 8–15) and 64 healthy controls (HCs) and their mothers participated in a tangram task, with manipulated maternal expectations. Mother–child interactions were observed for maternal involvement and child behavior (ER, distress), with children reporting their emotional reactivity. Against expectations, maternal involvement did not differ between groups and was not influenced by expectations. HC children had better ER abilities than those with ADs. Emotional reactivity moderated the relationship between overinvolvement and ER problems. Children with ADs exhibited more distress, unaffected by maternal expectations. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between parental behavior and child behavior, particularly regarding emotional reactivity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pediatric migraine is a prevalent and disabling condition often accompanied by functional somatic symptoms and emotional dysregulation. Emerging evidence suggests that autonomic imbalance and insecure attachment patterns may both contribute to the development and maintenance of somatic distress. However, the interplay between physiological regulation and relational dynamics remains insufficiently understood, particularly in pediatric clinical populations. This study investigated whether attachment-related anxiety and avoidance toward both mother and father and resting Vagally Mediated Heart Rate Variability (vmHRV) were associated with somatic symptom severity in adolescents with migraine. Additionally, it tested whether attachment dimensions mediate the association between resting vmHRV and somatic symptoms. Methods: Sixty-one adolescents (aged 11–17 years) with a clinical diagnosis of migraine completed self-report measures assessing somatic symptoms (CSI-24) and attachment dimensions toward each parent (ECR-RC). Resting vmHRV (RMSSD) was recorded during a five-minute baseline. Correlational analyses, multiple regressions, and bootstrapped mediation models were conducted. Results: Higher somatic symptom severity was significantly associated with both attachment anxiety and avoidance toward both parents. Regression models showed that attachment anxiety and avoidance to the mother, along with attachment avoidance to the father, predicted somatic symptoms. Although vmHRV was not directly associated with symptom severity, mediation analysis revealed that attachment avoidance to the father fully mediated the relationship between lower resting vmHRV and increased somatic complaints. Conclusions: These findings highlight the relevance of relational factors in pediatric migraine and suggest that avoidant attachment—particularly toward the father—may serve as a psychological mechanism linking autonomic dysregulation to somatic symptomatology. The results support integrative, biopsychosocial models for understanding and treating primary headache in youth, emphasizing the potential of combining attachment-focused and physiological interventions in clinical practice. Full article

Problematic Internet use is an emerging concern in adolescent mental health and is closely linked to psychological distress and emotional regulation. This cross-sectional study analyzed self-reported data from 1550 adolescents aged 11–19 years in South Tyrol, a linguistically and culturally diverse region in Northern Italy. Problematic Internet use was measured using the validated Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS-2), along with standardized instruments for depressive symptoms (PHQ-2) and anxiety (SCARED-GAD). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that depression and anxiety symptoms were the strongest independent predictors of higher GPIUS-2 scores. In contrast, demographic factors such as gender, family language, urbanization, migration background, and parental education were not significantly associated with PIU. Modest associations were observed between GPIUS-2 scores and both perceived economic burden and parental use of digital control tools. Perceived family support showed a small protective effect. These findings underscore the central role of emotional vulnerability in adolescent PIU and suggest that interventions should focus on supporting mental health and adaptive coping rather than solely targeting screen time or structural family characteristics. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted the daily lives of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Lockdowns, therapy interruptions, and reduced access to educational and healthcare services significantly affected developmental progress and family functioning. This pilot study aimed to assess the long-term impact of the pandemic on children with ASD and ADHD in Northern Greece and to explore consequences for their families in the post-pandemic period. Methods: Parents or legal guardians of 72 children (ages 2–17 years) with confirmed diagnoses of ASD (n = 57) or ADHD (n = 15) participated. A structured 25-item questionnaire captured information on developmental, psychological, and social functioning, family well-being, therapy disruption, screen use, and access to online support. Data were collected across urban, semi-urban, and rural areas of Northern Greece over six months. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: Most participants were boys (77.8%) and in primary school (73.6%). Common co-occurring conditions included learning difficulties (33.3%), anxiety (8.3%), and epilepsy (6.9%). Nearly half of families (45.8%) reported therapy reductions exceeding 70%, while 29.2% accessed online therapy, often with limited perceived effectiveness. New behavioral symptoms emerged in 45.8% of children, including irritability, anxiety, and emotional instability. Parental psychological distress was reported by 29.2% of caregivers. Screen time increased in over 90% of cases, and 87.5% of parents perceived the pandemic as negatively affecting their child. Financial strain was noted by 37.5% of families. Conclusions: The findings highlight the significant developmental, psychological, and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for children with ASD and ADHD and their families. Service disruptions, unmet therapeutic needs, and increased caregiver burden emphasize the urgency of sustainable, flexible care models. Strengthening telehealth, integrating community-based interventions, and enhancing educational accommodations are essential for resilience in the post-pandemic era. Full article

Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress are increasingly prevalent among university students, raising concerns about the role of video gaming behaviors, social support, and academic factors in mental health. Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), recognized in international classifications, has been linked to psychological distress but remains underexplored in Portuguese higher education students. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships between IGD, social support, academic performance, and mental health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with Portuguese university students, collecting sociodemographic information, gaming habits, academic performance, social support, and mental health indicators. Data analyses included non-parametric tests, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression models to explore group differences, associations, and predictors of mental health outcomes. Results: No significant gender or age differences were observed in social support or mental health. Students living with parents, engaging in multiplayer gaming, and exercising regularly reported higher social support. Social support correlated negatively with depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas IGD correlated positively with these symptoms. Regression analyses identified academic performance, IGD, and intimacy as predictors of depression; family satisfaction as a predictor of anxiety; and family satisfaction and academic performance as protective factors against stress. Conclusions: Findings highlight the interplay of behavioral, social, and academic factors influencing students’ mental health. Effective interventions should reinforce family support and students’ academic self-efficacy, alongside fostering responsible gaming practices. Limitations include cross-sectional design and self-reported measures, indicating the need for longitudinal studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parents of children with language and speech disorders frequently face elevated psychological distress, which may hinder their caregiving capacity and overall well-being. In the Greek context, where research in this area remains limited, this study aimed to explore the relationship between parental self-compassion and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) among families of children diagnosed with such disorders. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 150 parents (aged 27–55) using the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews to gain deeper insight into parents’ emotional experiences, coping strategies, and support needs. Results: Quantitative analyses demonstrated a significant negative correlation between self-compassion and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The qualitative findings revealed themes of emotional burden, adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms, and the need for structured emotional support systems. Conclusions: The findings underscore the protective role of self-compassion in mitigating psychological distress among parents of children with communication disorders. Integrating self-compassion training and emotional support into family-centered intervention programs may enhance both parental well-being and child developmental outcomes. Full article