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The symposium entitled “Encounters with Kampo medicine and its use in current position” was held at the annual congress of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine (JSOM) on June 2, 2024, in Osaka, Japan. Five presenters had encountered Kampo medicine and its benefits in various medical settings according to their areas of expertise: primary care and community health, post‐emergency care, child psychiatry, research, and general medicine. The current work of the five presenters and their use of Kampo medicine may aid the many participants both in their learning of Kampo medicine and in their careers. This paper summarizes the contents of the enthusiastic presentations and discussions at this symposium. We hope that a similar symposium or presentation will be a regular occurrence at the annual congress of JSOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, several theoretical models have been proposed to explain how the expected and natural grief processes turns into psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of empirical research examining the basic assumption of psychoanalytic theory regarding pre-death conflict and bereavement related guilt. Accordingly, the current study aimed to investigate the mediator role of bereavement related guilt in the relationship between the pre-death conflict and maladaptive grief process. The sample consisted of 447 bereaved adults who lost a loved one due to death in the last 5 years. The Unfinished Business in Bereavement (UBBS), Bereavement Guilt Scale (BGS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13) scales were administered. The results indicated that the UBBS scores were positively correlated with both BDI and PG-13 scores, and BGS scores mediated these relationships. Obtained findings were discussed in relation to psychoanalytic theory and existing studies in the grief literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of childhood trauma (violence, injury/illness, loss) in low-resource settings is high, although the effect of trauma on children's mental and cognitive health is under-researched. Child gender may moderate the association between trauma and outcomes; boys are more likely to experience trauma, but girls are more likely to show distress following trauma. Methods: We draw on data from the Bachpan cohort (n = 888), a sample of mother-child dyads in rural Pakistan, to investigate these associations among 6-year-old children in a South Asian, low-resource setting. Mothers reported on children's lifetime exposure to 15 possible traumas and their current mental health. In addition, children were assessed for their verbal skills, working memory, and inhibitory control. We estimated trauma prevalence and used generalized estimating equations to test the association between number of traumatic events and child mental health and cognitive skills in the overall sample and by gender. Results: 90.5% of children experienced at least one trauma. The most common traumas were death of a loved one (47%) and hearing about war/terrorism on the TV/radio (48%). On average, boys experienced more traumas (M = 3.00) than girls (M = 2.67). Specifically, boys were more likely than girls to experience an injury or hospitalization (30% vs. 21%, p <.05) and to hear about war/terrorism on the TV/radio (52% vs. 43%, p <.05). Trauma was associated with increased mental health difficulties and increased anxiety scores. There was little evidence that trauma exposure was associated with child cognitive skills. The strength of association between trauma and outcomes was similar for boys and girls. Conclusions: Findings show that childhood trauma exposure is common in this setting and associated with worse mental health problems among young boys and girls. Results suggest that trauma-informed interventions are important for supporting child mental health in South Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, are established risk factors for early maladaptive schemas in adulthood. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between adults' recollections of caregiver mental illness and substance use in childhood and current early maladaptive schemas. A total of 404 participants residing in Western countries (M age = 40.69 years, SD = 15.68; 45.8% female) completed the Young Schema Questionnaire – Short Form Version 3 and items from the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire via an online survey. Regression analyses indicated that having a caregiver who was too drunk or high to take care of the family, showed small to moderate associations with all five schema domain scores, whilst controlling for covariates. Caregiver mental illness showed small associations with disconnection rejection and impaired autonomy and competence domain scores, but not when parental substance use was included in the models. The finding that parental substance use that impacted caregiving was more strongly associated with schemas is consistent with Young's theory that thwarted emotional needs are fundamental to schema formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Verbal fluency, the capacity to generate words from a designated category, predicts myriad cognitive and life outcomes. The study investigated verbal fluency in children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and comorbid ADHD and ASD, to understand how ADHD- and ASD-related symptoms individually and jointly predict verbal fluency, and the underlying linguistic and cognitive substrates. Method: Thirty-three school-aged children with ADHD, 27 with ASD, 25 with comorbid ADHD and ASD, and 39 with typical development, were assessed for ADHD and ASD symptoms and completed a semantic verbal fluency task. Results: Findings indicated that ADHD and ASD symptoms, especially ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms and language-related ASD symptoms, interactively predicted verbal fluency across diagnostic groups. Conclusion: The study implicated the potential cognitive and linguistic mechanisms underlying verbal fluency differences in ADHD and/or ASD, and clinical practices on enhancing verbal fluency in these clinical groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, older adults whose only child has died are known as shiduers ; these people are not only deeply impacted by their individual bereavement from losing their child but are also influenced by macro institutional factors. To further investigate this unintended consequence of the one-child policy and to illustrate the mechanism of influence of institutional factors on the sufferings and grief experiences of this population, this study conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 shiduers in Wuhan, China. In line with Ulrich Beck's theory of risk society, the findings argue that the crises inherent in institutional factors not only affect the post-loss experiences of shiduers in harmful ways but also pose a number of life difficulties that are difficult to control and mitigate. More importantly, most shiduers ' life difficulties are rationalized, gradually transforming into manufactured and widespread shidu risks that persist long-term throughout their aging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study involved 17 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), 21 with ADHD, 30 with both (ASD + ADHD), and 28 typically developing children (TD). Methods: The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) was measured as a regional brain function index. Intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) was also analyzed using the region of interest (ROI) identified in ALFF analysis. Statistical analysis was done via one-way ANCOVA, Gaussian random field (GRF) theory, and post-hoc pair-wise comparisons. Results: The ASD + ADHD group showed increased ALFF in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG.L) compared to the TD group. In terms of global brain function, the ASD group displayed underconnectivity in specific regions compared to the ASD + ADHD and TD groups. Conclusion: The findings contribute to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying ASD + ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We leveraged common genetic variation underlying ADHD, educational attainment (EA) and cognition (COG) to understand the nature of the Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Functions (BRIEF) and its relationship to academic functioning. Method: Participants were 991 youth, ages 7 to 17, consecutively referred for neuropsychiatric evaluation. Polygenic scores (PGS) for ADHD, EA, and COG were related to the BRIEF using regression analyses. Structural equation models were used to examine the associations between the PGS, BRIEF and academic outcomes (math, reading, and special education services [EDPLAN]). Results: After modeling the PGS together, only the EA and ADHD PGS significantly associated with the BRIEF. The BRIEF partially mediated the relationships between EA PGS with math and EDPLAN and fully mediated the relationship between ADHD PGS and EDPLAN. Conclusion: Genetic data extend evidence that the BRIEF measures a construct relevant to educational success that differs from what is indexed by cognitive testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Late preterm infants (LPIs) are at risk of neurodevelopmental delay. Research on their cognitive development is helpful for early intervention and follow-up. Methods: Event-related potential (ERP) and resting electroencephalography (RS-EEG) were used to study the brain cognitive function of LPIs in the early stage of life. The Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS) was used to track the neurodevelopmental status at the age of 1 year after correction, and to explore the neurophysiological indicators that could predict the outcome of cognitive development in the early stage. Results: The results showed that mismatch response (MMR) amplitude, RS-EEG power spectrum and functional connectivity all suggested that LPIs were lagging behind. At the age of 1 year after correction, high-risk LPIs showed no significant delay in gross motor function, but lagged behind in fine motor function, language, personal social interaction and adaptability. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the predictive role of MMR amplitude in the brain cognitive development prognosis at 1 year, showing a sensitivity of 80.00% and a specificity of 90.57%. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.788, with a P-value of 0.007. Conclusions: Based on our findings we supposed that the cognitive function of LPI lags behind that of full-term infants in early life. Preterm birth and perinatal diseases or high risk factors affected brain cognitive function in LPIs. MMR amplitude can be used as an early predictor of brain cognitive development in LPIs. Trial registration: This clinical trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR). Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100041929. Date of registration: 2021-01-10. URL of the trial registry record: https://www.chictr.org.cn/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jeffrey Young assumes that people suffering from personality disorders differ from healthy ones in schema modes intensity but not diversity. Besides, healthy people also present behaviours typical for personality disorders, but to a lesser extent. However, research lacks the interrelationships between modes, especially in healthy individuals. The presented study aimed to investigate the mutual relations between the schema modes using path analysis to understand better problematic behaviour in borderline and narcissistic types in a non-clinical sample and to verify Young assumption about the continuum of the schema modes. A sample of 467 healthy adults aged 18–50 (M = 32.87, SD = 10.56), 52.9% of whom were women, completed SMI 1.1 and SCID-II. Descriptive statistics, matrix of correlation and structural equation modelling were used. Results confirmed the significance of the theoretically assumed and previously empirically proved schema modes also for healthy people. The most important modes for both borderline and narcissistic behaviours are the Punitive Parent, the Angry Child and the Enraged Child modes. For borderline behaviour, the Detached Protector coping mode, connected to a sense of emptiness, is significant. Narcissistic behaviour relates to Bully and Attack, and Self-Aggrandiser modes and is connected to aggressive and dominant behaviour. The obtained models explain 47% of the variance in borderline and 44% in narcissistic behaviours. The study indicates the validity of analysing the modes among people with lower intensity of behaviours typical for personality disorders and also confirms Young's assumptions about the universality of schema modes. Results are discussed in the context of their relevance for practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Today, various questionnaires are available to assess Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in children; however, it is uncertain if these questionnaires are comprehensive in addressing adversities of vulnerable subgroups, specifically refugee children. This review's objectives are to (1) identify current ACE questionnaires and determine if they are suitable in assessing refugee children's adversities, and (2) identify those previously used within a refugee population. A systematic literature search was conducted across five databases for articles published since 2010, including studies using an ACE-questionnaire that recognized multiple adversities in healthy children and were published in English. A total of 103 ACE questionnaires were identified in 506 studies. Only 14 of the 103 questionnaires addressed a refugee-specific adversity. Their ability to capture refugee children's experiences was limited: available questionnaires used a maximum of three items to assess refugee-specific adversities, covering only a fraction of forms of adversities relevant to refugee children. Psychometric characteristics were rarely reported. In addition, only two ACE questionnaires were used within a refugee population. With the tools currently available, it is not possible to comprehensively assess the exposure to and severity of the adversities faced by refugee children. The perpetuation of ongoing crises necessitates assessing refugee children's adversities to understand how their wellbeing is affected and to identify children at risk., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In this chapter, we review scientific findings that form the basis for neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers for ADHD diagnosis and treatment. We then highlight the different challenges in translating mechanistic findings into biomarkers for ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Population heterogeneity is a primary barrier for identifying biomarkers of ADHD diagnosis, which requires shifts toward dimensional approaches that identify clinically useful subgroups or prospective biomarkers that can identify trajectories of illness, function, or treatment response. Methodological limitations, including emphasis on group level analyses of treatment effects in small sample sizes, are the primary barriers to biomarker discovery in ADHD treatment. Modifications to clinical trials, including shifting towards testing biomarkers of a priori prediction of functionally related brain targets, treatment response, and side effects, are suggested. Finally, future directions for biomarker work are discussed., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Body image has an important role in the health and development of adolescents. Body dissatisfaction and dieting can become chronic and continue into adulthood. There is a lack of recent, comprehensive studies on ongoing trends on body dissatisfaction. This study assessed time-trend changes in self-reported body dissatisfaction and dieting among Finnish adolescents at four assessment points. Representative samples of adolescents (N = 6660) aged 13–16 years participated in school-based, cross-sectional studies in 1998 (N = 1458), 2008 (N = 2044), 2014 (N = 1809), and 2018 (N = 1349), respectively. The studies were similar in design, methodology, and geographical recruitment areas. Body dissatisfaction and dieting were assessed with a questionnaire including items derived from the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. From 1998 to 2018, dieting and fears related to gaining weight decreased among females. Body dissatisfaction reduced among females, and their wishes to become thinner became less prevalent. Consuming large amounts of food at one time consistently decreased among females and males and there were no changes in the rates of willful vomiting. The number of females in the 90th percentile with the most severe symptoms decreased. The results indicate that body dissatisfaction and disturbed dieting improved among females during the 20-year study. Despite these positive developments, the overall level of symptoms among females remained substantial, indicating that females have much higher levels of body dissatisfaction and dieting than males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sleep quality is a complex phenomenon with quantitative and subjective aspects that vary during adolescence. The prevalence of sleep disorders is not known in Tunisia due to the lack of validated tools., Aim: To translate and validate the questionnaire Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) into Tunisian Arabic in middle school students., Methods: We translated the PSQI into Tunisian Arabic based on the translation back-translation method. We conducted a cross-sectional study on a sample of 560 adolescents. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to study construct validity. To test reliability, the global internal consistency of the scale was computed., Results: The construct validity was verified by factor analysis, proving that a single factor explained 30.3% of the overall variance. This model produced a good factor load for all the components. The analysis of the reliability showed an acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.6)., Conclusion: The Arabic Tunisian version of the PSQI is a psychometrically valid measure. The PSQI could be useful for the detection and evaluation of symptoms of sleep disorders, as well as for further studies and researches about associated factors with poor sleep quality in adolescent and youth.