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Intervention Efforts (intervention + effort)
Selected AbstractsDoes disturbance of self underlie social cognition deficits in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders?EARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2009Barnaby Nelson Abstract Aim: Although the different approaches to psychosis research have made significant advances in their own fields, integration between the approaches is often lacking. This paper attempts to integrate a strand of cognitive research in psychotic disorders (specifically, social cognition research) with phenomenological accounts of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Method: The paper is a critical investigation of phenomenological models of disturbed selfhood in schizophrenia in relation to cognitive theories of social cognition in psychotic disorders. Results: We argue that disturbance of the basic sense of self, as articulated in the phenomenological literature, may underlie the social cognition difficulties present in psychotic disorders. This argument is based on phenomenological thinking about self-presence (,ipseity') being the primary or most basic ground for the intentionality of consciousness , that is, the directedness of consciousness towards others and the world. A disruption in this basic ground of conscious life has a reverberating effect through other areas of cognitive and social functioning. We propose three routes whereby self-disturbance may compromise social cognition, including dissimilarity, disruption of lived body and disturbed mental coherence. Conclusions: If this model is supported, then social cognition difficulties may be thought of as a secondary index or marker of the more primary disturbance of self in psychotic disorders. Further empirical work examining the relationship between cognitive and phenomenological variables may be of value in identifying risk markers for psychosis onset, thus contributing to early intervention efforts, as well as in clarifying the essential psychopathological features of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. [source] Individual, partner and relationship factors associated with non-medical use of prescription drugsADDICTION, Issue 8 2010Gregory G. Homish ABSTRACT Aims The objective of the current report was to examine individual, partner and relationship factors (e.g. relationship satisfaction) associated with the non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) in a community sample of married adults. Design The current report used two waves of data from an ongoing study of couples who were recruited at the time they applied for their marriage license and are now in the 10th year of follow-up. Logistic regression models examined the relation between individual, partner and relationship factors and NMUPD. Participants This report is based on 273 couples. Measurements Participants completed questionnaires that assessed prescription drug use, alcohol use, other substance use, depression, marital satisfaction and socio-demographic factors. Findings Among wives, there was evidence that a partner's prescription drug use and relationship factors were associated with increased risk for NMUPD. There was some evidence suggesting that it was the increased access or availability, and not the partner's use per se, that was related to the NMUPD. These results persisted after controlling for other illicit drug use, heavy drinking, depressive symptomatology and socio-demographic factors. Among men, neither partner use nor relationship factors were associated with NMUPD after considering the impact of individual-level risk factors. Conclusion Prevention and intervention efforts directed at reducing the risk for NMUPD should consider the influence of partner and relationship factors in addition to individual-level risk factors. [source] Sexual orientation, substance use behaviors and substance dependence in the United StatesADDICTION, Issue 8 2009Sean Esteban McCabe ABSTRACT Aims To assess past-year prevalence rates of substance use behaviors and substance dependence across three major dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, attraction and behavior) in a large national sample of adult women and men in the United States. Design Data were collected from structured diagnostic face-to-face interviews using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule DSM-IV version IV (AUDADIS-IV). Setting Prevalence estimates were based on data collected from the 2004,2005 (wave 2) National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Participants A large national sample of 34 653 adults aged 20 years and older: 52% female, 71% white, 12% Hispanic, 11% African American, 4% Asian and 2% Native American. Findings Approximately 2% of the population self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual; 4% reported at least one life-time same-sex sexual partner and 6% reported same-sex sexual attraction. Although non-heterosexual orientation was generally associated with a higher risk of substance use and substance dependence, the majority of sexual minority respondents did not report substance use or meet criteria for DSM-IV substance dependence. There was considerable variation in substance use outcomes across sexual orientation dimensions; these variations were more pronounced among women than among men. Conclusions Results support previous research findings of heightened risk of substance use and substance dependence among some sexual minority groups and point to the need for research that examines the reasons for such differences. Results also highlight important gender differences and question previous findings indicating uniformly higher risk for substance dependence among sexual minorities. Risks appear to vary based on gender and how sexual orientation is defined. Findings have implications for more effective prevention and intervention efforts that target subgroups at greatest risk. [source] Non-medical use of prescription stimulants among US college students: prevalence and correlates from a national surveyADDICTION, Issue 1 2005Sean Esteban McCabe ABSTRACT Aims To examine the prevalence rates and correlates of non-medical use of prescription stimulants (Ritalin, Dexedrine or Adderall) among US college students in terms of student and college characteristics. Design A self-administered mail survey. Setting One hundred and nineteen nationally representative 4-year colleges in the United States. Participants A representative sample of 10 904 randomly selected college students in 2001. Measurements Self-reports of non-medical use of prescription stimulants and other substance use behaviors. Findings The life-time prevalence of non-medical prescription stimulant use was 6.9%, past year prevalence was 4.1% and past month prevalence was 2.1%. Past year rates of non-medical use ranged from zero to 25% at individual colleges. Multivariate regression analyses indicated non-medical use was higher among college students who were male, white, members of fraternities and sororities and earned lower grade point averages. Rates were higher at colleges located in the north-eastern region of the US and colleges with more competitive admission standards. Non-medical prescription stimulant users were more likely to report use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and other risky behaviors. Conclusions The findings of the present study provide evidence that non-medical use of prescription stimulants is more prevalent among particular subgroups of US college students and types of colleges. The non-medical use of prescription stimulants represents a high-risk behavior that should be monitored further and intervention efforts are needed to curb this form of drug use. [source] Parental Deployment and Youth in Military Families: Exploring Uncertainty and Ambiguous Loss,FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 2 2007Angela J. Huebner Abstract: Parental deployment has substantial effects on the family system, among them ambiguity and uncertainty. Youth in military families are especially affected by parental deployment because their coping repertoire is only just developing; the requirements of deployment become additive to normal adolescent developmental demands. Focus groups were used to inquire about uncertainty, loss, resilience, and adjustment among youth aged 12,18 that had a parent deployed, most often to a war zone. The nature of uncertainty and ambiguous loss was explored. Response themes included overall perceptions of uncertainty and loss, boundary ambiguity, changes in mental health, and relationship conflict. These accounts suggest that ambiguous loss is a useful concept for understanding the experiences of these youth and for structuring prevention and intervention efforts. [source] Family Caregivers' Patterns of Positive and Negative Affect,FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 1 2007Suzanne M. Robertson Abstract: Stressful and positive family caregiving experiences were examined as predictors of caregivers' patterns of positive and negative affect in a sample of families providing care for a relative with dementia (N= 234). Four affect pattern groups were identified: (a) Well Adjusted (i.e., high positive affect, low negative affect); (b) Ambiguous (i.e., low on both positive and negative affect); (c) Intense (i.e., high on both positive and negative affect); and (d) Distressed (i.e., high negative affect, low positive affect). A multivariate model that included demographic characteristics and indicators of stressful and positive experiences of caregiving yielded 2 significant discriminant functions that served to classify caregivers correctly into their known affect groups. Implications for improving intervention efforts targeting family caregivers are discussed. [source] Characterizing violence in health care in British ColumbiaJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 8 2009Rakel N. Kling Abstract Title.,Characterizing violence in health care in British Columbia. Background., The high rate of violence in the healthcare sector supports the need for greater surveillance efforts. Aim., The purpose of this study was to use a province-wide workplace incident reporting system to calculate rates and identify risk factors for violence in the British Columbia healthcare industry by occupational groups, including nursing. Methods., Data were extracted for a 1-year period (2004,2005) from the Workplace Health Indicator Tracking and Evaluation database for all employee reports of violence incidents for four of the six British Columbia health authorities. Risk factors for violence were identified through comparisons of incident rates (number of incidents/100,000 worked hours) by work characteristics, including nursing occupations and work units, and by regression models adjusted for demographic factors. Results., Across health authorities, three groups at particularly high risk for violence were identified: very small healthcare facilities [rate ratios (RR) = 6·58, 95% CI =3·49, 12·41], the care aide occupation (RR = 10·05, 95% CI = 6·72, 15·05), and paediatric departments in acute care hospitals (RR = 2·22, 95% CI = 1·05, 4·67). Conclusions., The three high-risk groups warrant targeted prevention or intervention efforts be implemented. The identification of high-risk groups supports the importance of a province-wide surveillance system for public health planning. [source] Toward a refined view of aggressive fantasy as a risk factor for aggression: interaction effects involving cognitive and situational variablesAGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 4 2009Craig E. Smith Abstract Over three decades of research have established a positive connection between fantasizing about aggression and enacting aggression. Such findings have provided strong evidence against the catharsis view of aggressive fantasy. However, little attention has been paid to the potentially nuanced nature of the link between fantasy aggression and actual aggression. In the present article, we examined the influence of four variables in the aggressive fantasy,aggressive behavior link: gender, exposure to violence, fantasy absorption, and level of fantasy about harm befalling loved ones and the self (dysphoric fantasy). Using data from a diverse, community-based sample of 7,14-year olds and their mothers, we replicated the general finding that aggressive fantasy is positively associated with real-world aggressive behavior. However, we also found that the interaction of aggressive fantasy and exposure to violence related significantly to aggression, as did the relation between aggressive fantasy and dysphoric fantasy. When exposure to violence was low, even high levels of aggressive fantasizing did not predict aggressive behavior, and, when aggressive fantasizing was low, even high levels of exposure to violence did not predict aggressive behavior. Similarly, when dysphoric fantasy was high, the connection between fantasy aggression and real aggression was markedly attenuated. The implications of these findings for intervention efforts and future research are considered. Aggr. Behav. 35:313,323, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Patterns of injury in nonaccidental childhood fatalitiesJOURNAL OF FORENSIC NURSING, Issue 1 2009L. Sue Gabriel MSN, SANE-A Abstract Annually as many as 2,000 children die as a result of abuse. This study details the patterns of injury described in the autopsy reports of nine young children who died as a result of abuse. This information will help healthcare professionals recognize the signs of abuse and initiate child abuse prevention and intervention efforts. [source] Social and Financial Resources and High-Risk Alcohol Consumption Among Older AdultsALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2010Rudolf H. Moos Background:, This study examined long-term mutual predictive associations between social and financial resources and high-risk alcohol consumption in later life. Method:, A sample of 55- to 65-year-old older adults (n = 719) was surveyed at baseline and 10 years and 20 years later. At each contact point, participants completed an inventory that assessed social and financial resources and alcohol consumption. Results:, Over the 20-year interval, there was evidence of both social causation and social selection processes in relation to high-risk alcohol consumption. In support of a social causation perspective, higher levels of some social resources, such as participation in social activities, friends' approval of drinking, quality of relationship with spouse, and financial resources, were associated with a subsequent increased likelihood of high-risk alcohol consumption. Conversely, indicating the presence of social selection, high-risk alcohol consumption was associated with subsequent higher levels of friends' approval of drinking and quality of the spousal relationship, but lower quality of relationships with extended family members. Conclusions:, These findings reflect mutual influence processes in which older adults' social resources and high-risk alcohol consumption can alter each other. Older adults may benefit from information about how social factors can affect their drinking habits; accordingly, information about social causation effects could be used to guide effective prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing the risk that late-life social factors may amplify their excessive alcohol consumption. [source] Detecting Alcohol-Related Problems in Developing Countries: A Comparison of 2 Screening Measures in IndiaALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2009Madhabika B. Nayak Background:, There is inadequate recognition of alcohol misuse as a public health issue in India. Information on screening measures is critical for prevention and early intervention efforts. This study critically evaluated the full and shorter versions of the AUDIT and RAPS4-QF as screening measures for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in a community sample of male drinkers in Goa, India. Methods:, Data from male drinking respondents in a population study on alcohol use patterns and sexual risk behaviors in randomly selected rural and urban areas of North Goa are reported. Overall, 39% (n = 743) of the 1899 screened men, age 18 to 49, reported consuming alcohol in the last 12 months. These current drinkers were administered the screening measures as part of detailed interviews on drinking patterns and AUD symptoms. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted for each combination of screening measure and criterion (alcohol dependence or any AUD). Reliability and correlations among the 4 measures were also examined. Results:, All 4 measures performed well with area under the curves of at least 0.79. The full screeners that included both drinking patterns and problem items (the AUDIT and the RAP4-QF) performed better than their shorter versions (the AUDIT-C and the RAPS4) in detecting AUDs. Performance of the AUDIT and RAPS4-QF improved with lowered and raised thresholds, respectively, and alternate cut-off scores are suggested. Scores on the full measures were significantly correlated (0.80). Reliability estimates for the AUDIT measures were higher than those for the RAPS4 measures. Conclusions:, All measures were efficient at detecting AUDs. When screening for alcohol-related problems among males in the general population in India, cut-off scores for screeners may need to be adjusted. Selecting an appropriate screening measure and cut-off score necessitates careful consideration of the screening context and resources available to confirm alcohol-related diagnoses. [source] Initiating Sexual Experiences: How Do Young Adolescents Make Decisions Regarding Early Sexual Activity?JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 4 2005Tricia M. Michels Understanding how young adolescents make decisions to engage in early sexual activities is vital for intervention efforts aimed at fostering positive youth development and reducing the negative outcomes of adolescent sexual behavior. In-depth interviews with 42 suburban, mostly White, ninth-grade adolescents (52% females, mean age=14.1, SD=.45) elicited accounts of their early sexual decisions. We adapted grounded theory methodology to build a model of sexual decision making from the adolescents' narratives. Six dominant categories emerged: contextual factors (relationship and personal characteristics), consideration of risks and benefits, boundary setting, boundary communication, the sexual experience, and evaluation. Our model of early sexual decision-making processes, developed from the perspectives of young adolescents, highlights active consideration of health and social risks and benefits, as well as the generation of options regarding sexual activity. The model also shows that young adolescents set clear boundaries of sexual limits and evaluate sexual experiences, suggesting a dynamic process of decision making. [source] Differences in Services Utilization Between White and Mexican American DUI ArresteesALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2001Cheryl J. Cherpitel Background: Hispanics traditionally have been considered an underserved population in relation to medical care and related services utilization. Methods: Selected health and social services utilization (both alcohol-specific and non-alcohol-specific) during the last year was compared between a sample of 249 Mexican American (half of whom were born in Mexico) and 250 white participants interviewed in all five DUI (driving under the influence) treatment programs in one northern California county. Results: Among those who met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and/or alcohol abuse, 49% of the white subjects compared with 59% of the Mexican American subjects reported no utilization, 77% of whites and 82% of Mexican Americans reported no utilization in which drinking was a factor, and 70% of whites and 80% of Mexican Americans reported no contact with an alcohol program. Mexican Americans were also significantly less likely to report contact with more than one program, and among Mexican Americans, those born in Mexico were significantly less likely to report utilization than those born in the U.S. Conclusions: The data suggest that despite the higher rates of heavy drinking found among Mexican American DUI arrestees (especially those born in Mexico) in this sample, Mexican Americans with an alcohol use disorder are less likely to use health and social services than whites, and this may be related to country of birth and related variables that include health insurance. Significance: The data suggest that DUI programs may offer one of the few opportunities Me-ican American problem drinkers have of establishing contact with the health and social service system and, as such, would be well positioned to also offer other types of alcohol-related health and social services and referrals to this underserved population. These findings have implications for intervention efforts for problem drinking and prevention of DUI among Me-ican Americans, which are a rapidly growing ethnic minority in California. [source] Posttraumatic stress in AIDS-orphaned children exposed to high levels of trauma: The protective role of perceived social support,JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 2 2009Lucie Cluver Poor urban children in South Africa are exposed to multiple community traumas, but AIDS-orphaned children are at particular risk for posttraumatic stress. This study examined the hypothesis that social support may moderate the relationship between trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress for this group. Four hundred twenty-five AIDS-orphaned children were interviewed using standardized measures of psychopathology. Compared to participants with low perceived social support, those with high perceived social support demonstrated significantly lower levels of PTSD symptoms after both low and high levels of trauma exposure. This suggests that strong perception of social support from carers, school staff, and friends may lessen deleterious effects of exposure to trauma, and could be a focus of intervention efforts to improve psychological outcomes for AIDS-orphaned children. [source] Perceived barriers to adherence among adolescent renal transplant candidatesPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2008Nataliya Zelikovsky Abstract:, Non-adherence to medical regimens is a ubiquitous hindrance to quality health care among adolescent transplant recipients. Identification of potentially modifiable barriers to adherence when patients are listed for organ transplant would help with early intervention efforts to prepare adolescents for the stringent medication regimen post-transplant. Fifty-six adolescents listed for a kidney transplant, mean age 14.27 (s.d. = 2.2; range 11,18 yr), 73.2% male, 62.5% Caucasian participated in a semi-structured interview, the Medical Adherence Measure, to assesses the patient's knowledge of the prescribed regimen, reported adherence (missed and late doses), the system used to organized medications, and who holds the primary responsibility over medication management. Better knowledge of the medication regimen was associated with fewer missed doses (r = ,0.48, p < 0.001). Patients who perceived more barriers had more missed (r = 0.38, p = 0.004) and late (r = 0.47, p < 0.001) doses. Patients who endorsed "just forget," the most common barrier (56.4%), reported significantly more missed (z = ,4.25, p < 0.001) and late (z = ,2.2, p = 0.02) doses. Only one-third of the transplant candidates used a pillbox to organize medications but these patients had significantly better adherence, z = ,2.2, p = 0.03. With regard to responsibility over managing the regimens, adolescents missed fewer doses when their parents were in charge than when they were solely responsible, z = ,2.1, p = 0.04. Interventions developed to prepare transplant candidates for a stringent post-transplant regimen need to focus on ensuring accurate knowledge of as simple a regimen as possible. Use of an organized system such as a pillbox to establish a routine and facilitate tracking of medications is recommended with integration of reminders that may be appealing for this age group. Although individuation is developmentally normative at this age, parent involvement seems critical until the adolescent is able to manage the responsibility more independently. [source] Occupational fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and related economic loss in the wholesale and retail trade sectorAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 7 2010Vern Putz Anderson PhD Abstract Background The wholesale and retail trade (WRT) sector employs over 21 million workers, or nearly 19% of the annual average employment in private industry. The perception is that workers in this sector are generally at low risk of occupational injury and death. These workers, however, are engaged in a wide range of demanding job activities and are exposed to a variety of hazards. Prior to this report, a comprehensive appraisal of the occupational fatal and nonfatal burdens affecting the retail and wholesale sectors was lacking. The focus of this review is to assess the overall occupational safety and health burden in WRT and to identify various subsectors that have high rates of burden from occupational causes. Ultimately, these findings should be useful for targeted intervention efforts. Methods We reviewed Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2006 fatality, injury, and illness data for the WRT sector and provide comparisons between the WRT sector, its' subsectors, and private industry, which serves as a baseline. The BLS data provide both counts and standardized incidence rates for various exposures, events, and injury types for fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. In an effort to estimate the economic burden of these fatalities, injuries, and illnesses, a focused review of the literature was conducted. Results and Conclusion In 2006, WRT workers experienced 820,500 injuries/illnesses and 581 fatalities. The total case injury/illness rate for the retail sector was 4.9/100 FTE and for the wholesale sector 4.1/100 FTE. The WRT sector represents 15.5% of the private sector work population in 2006, yet accounts for 20.1% of nonfatal injuries and illnesses of the private sector. In 2003, the disparity was only 2% but increased to 3% in 2004 and 2005. Three WRT subsectors had injury/illness rates well above the national average: beer/wine/liquor (8.4/100); building materials/supplies (7.6/100); and grocery-related products (7.0/100). Occupational deaths with the highest rates were found in gasoline stations (9.8/100,000), convenience stores (6.1/100,000), and used car dealers (5.5/100,000). In terms of actual numbers, the category of food and beverage stores had 82 fatalities in 2006. Based on 1993 data, costs, both direct and indirect, in the WRT sector for fatal injuries were estimated to exceed $8.6 billion. The full economic loss to society and the family has not been adequately measured. Overexertion and contact with objects/equipment represent the top two events or exposures leading to injury or illness. Together they account for 57% of the events or exposures for nonfatal WRT injuries and illnesses. This sector is important because it is large and pervasive as a result, even a relatively small increase in injury rates and accompanying days away from work will have significant impact on working families and society. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:673,685, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative: Pinellas County, FloridaPSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 5 2003Kathleen Hague Armstrong The Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) Initiative in Pinellas County, FL, emerged as a part of a broader local effort to implement creative educational and mental health programs to support children and families. This initiative focused on capacity building, prevention, and intervention efforts and comprehensive evaluation to address the barriers to learning and enhance healthy development. This article describes Pinellas County's plan, and highlights the instrumental roles played by school psychologists, which included grant writing, program and resource coordination, clinical services, program evaluation, staff training, parent advocacy, and steering committee membership. Promising outcomes and generalization of these findings to other communities is also discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 489,501, 2003. [source] Relationship of stress management skill to psychological distress and quality of life in adults with cancer,PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Leigh Anne Faul Abstract Background: Distress is common among cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy. Although skill in stress management is often the target of intervention efforts, its relationship to distress and quality of life in patients about to begin cancer treatment has not been examined. Objective: To examine the relationship of pre-treatment skill in stress management to patient distress and quality of life. Methods: One hundred and ten adults diagnosed with stage I,IV cancer and ECOG,2 provided data on perceived stress management skill, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life prior to their initial chemotherapy infusion. Results: As predicted, greater skill in stress management was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression and better overall mental quality of life. These relationships were generally independent of demographic and clinical variables also found to be associated with distress and quality of life. Conclusions: Findings confirm that skill in stress management is related to pre-chemotherapy distress and quality of life and suggest the importance of assessing this variable as part of efforts to link distressed patients to appropriate psychosocial services. Findings also raise the possibility that assessing extant stress management skills could be used to match patients to the type of intervention most likely to benefit them. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Maternal Transmission of Nicotine Dependence: Psychiatric, Neurocognitive and Prenatal FactorsTHE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS, Issue 1 2001Raymond Niaura Ph.D. This paper reviews the literature on maternal influences on smoking behaviors of offspring from the perspective of neuropsychiatric deficits that may be transmitted from mother to child. In particular, we review what is known regarding associations between: (1) in-utero exposure to smoking, (2) adolescent neurocognitive functioning and psychiatric comorbidity, and (3) the patterns of smoking and progression of nicotine dependence. Furthering our knowledge of these differences in susceptibility to nicotine dependence among youth will provide additional avenues for prevention and intervention efforts targeted toward those at high risk for dependence. [source] Association between depression and anxiety in high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders and maternal mood symptomsAUTISM RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010Carla A. Mazefsky Abstract Research suggests that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their relatives have high rates of depression and anxiety. However, relatively few studies have looked at both factors concurrently. This study examined the potential relationship between maternal mood symptoms and depression and anxiety in their children with ASD. Participants were 31 10- to 17-year-old children with an ASD diagnosis that was supported by gold-standard measures and their biological mothers. Mothers completed the Autism Comorbidity Interview to determine whether the child with ASD met criteria for any depressive or anxiety diagnoses and a questionnaire of their own current mood symptoms. As expected, many children with ASD met criteria for lifetime diagnoses of depressive (32%) and anxiety disorders (39%). Mothers' report of their own current mood symptoms revealed averages within the normal range, though there was significant variability. Approximately 75% of children with ASD could be correctly classified as having a depressive or anxiety disorder history or not based on maternal symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety, depression, and anxiety. The results provide preliminary evidence that maternal mood symptoms may be related to depression and anxiety in their children with ASD. Although the design did not allow for testing of heritability per se, the familial transmission patterns were generally consistent with research in typical populations. While larger follow-up studies are needed, this research has implications for prevention and intervention efforts. [source] | ||||||||||||||||