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Background: Epidemiological evidence shows a substantial increase in adolescent emotional problems in many countries, but reasons for this increase remain poorly understood. We tested change in emotional problems in a national sample of young people in Wales in 2013, 2017 and 2019 using identical symptom screens, and examined whether trends were accounted for by changes in youth friendship quality and bullying. Methods: The present study of 230,735 11–16‐year olds draws on repeat cross‐sectional data obtained on three occasions (2013, 2017 and 2019) in national school‐based surveys in Wales (conducted by the School Health Research Network). Emotional problems were assessed with a brief validated symptom screen (the SCL‐4). Results: There was a significant increase in emotional problem scores between 2013 and 2019 (b[95% CI] = 1.573 [1.380, 1.765]). This increase was observed for all ages and was more pronounced for girls than boys (interaction b [95% CI] = 0.229 [0.004, 0.462]) and for young people from less affluent families (interaction b [95% CI] = −0.564[−0.809, −0.319]). Of the total sample, 14.2% and 5.7% reported frequent face‐to‐face and cyberbullying respectively. There were modest decreases in friendship quality and increases in rates of bullying between 2013 and 2019, but accounting for these changes did not attenuate estimates of the population‐level increase in emotional problems. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of a substantial increase in emotional problems among young people in Wales, particularly for young people from less affluent backgrounds. Changes in bullying or friendship quality did not explain this increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Neurocognitive impairments are associated with child and adult ADHD in clinical settings. However, it is unknown whether adult ADHD symptoms in the general population are associated with the same pattern of cognitive impairment. We examined this using a prospective, population-based cohort spanning birth to age 25 years. Methods: We examined associations between self-reported adult ADHD symptoms and cognitive task performance (attention and response inhibition) in adulthood and childhood. Results: Self-rated ADHD symptoms at age 25 were associated with poorer performance in age 25 cognitive tasks capturing ADHD-related functioning (attention B = −0.03, 95% CI [0.05, −0.01], p =.005; response inhibition B = −0.03, 95% CI [−0.05, −0.01], p =.002). Conclusions: Neurocognitive impairments linked to adult ADHD symptoms in the general population, are similar to those found in people with childhood ADHD symptoms and are consistent with findings in adult ADHD clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental depression increases risk for anxiety and depression in offspring. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a common risk period for onset of such disorders. However, relatively few studies have considered development of these disorders from childhood to adulthood including multiple assessments during this transition period. Method: Offspring of depressed parents aged 9–17 years at baseline were followed prospectively for 13 years (n = 337). Average length of follow‐up was 16 months between the first and second waves, 13 months between the second and third, and 8 years between the third and fourth. Current (3‐month) psychopathology was assessed at each wave using diagnostic interviews. We derived estimates of 3‐month prevalence, age at first diagnosis, course and comorbidity of disorders. Social functioning in adult life was assessed at the final wave and we assessed how prior and current disorder impacted adult functioning. Results: A quarter of young people met criteria for a mood disorder and a third for anxiety disorder at least once. Mood and anxiety disorder prevalence increased from 4.5% and 15.8% respectively in childhood (9–11 years) to 22.3% and 20.9% respectively by age 23–28. Increased prevalence across the transition from adolescence to adulthood was particularly marked in males, while prevalence increased earlier in adolescence in females. Age at first diagnosis varied widely (mood disorder mean = 16.5 years (range 9–26); anxiety disorder mean = 14.5 years (range 9–28)). Over half (52%) reported functional impairment in early adulthood, 31% harmful alcohol use, and 10% self‐harm or a suicide attempt. Both previous and current mood or anxiety disorder were associated with functional impairment in early adulthood. Conclusions: There is a prolonged risk period for mood and anxiety disorders in this group, with prevalence peaking in early adulthood. This highlights the need for prolonged vigilance and effective targeted interventions in the offspring of depressed parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence from Western countries indicates marked increases in diagnosis and treatment of childhood psychiatric disorders in recent years. These could reflect changes in prevalence of mental health problems, changes in their impact or increased clinical recognition and help-seeking. Epidemiological cross-cohort comparisons are required to test possible changes in prevalence, but are lacking for pre-adolescent children in Great Britain. Methods: Parent and teacher Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) ratings were used to compare rates of emotional, conduct and hyperactivity problems in 7-year-old children across three nationally representative British samples assessed in 1999 (n = 1033), 2004 (n = 648) and 2008 (n = 13 857). The SDQ impact supplement was used to assess associated distress, social, and educational impairment. Stratified analyses examined trends by gender and socio-economic group. Results: There was a decline in mean problem scores and a fall in the percentages scoring in the "abnormal" range for all symptom types across the period of study. This decline was observed for all demographic groups, for parent and teacher reports, and was more marked for boys than girls. Both parent- and teacher-rated impact scores differed across the three cohorts for boys. Teacher-rated impact scores differed across cohorts for girls. Conclusions: The first decade of the 21st Century saw a reduction in perceived levels of emotional and behaviour problems in pre-adolescent children in Great Britain. The threshold at which mental health problems have an impact on children's distress and classroom learning has changed over time. Continued monitoring of child mental health remains a priority.

Background: Adolescent mental health problems have lasting impacts on health and social functioning later in life. Evidence to date mostly comes from studies of specific diagnostic categories/dimensions, but hierarchical models can elucidate associations with general as well as specific dimensions of psychopathology. We provide evidence on long‐term outcomes of general and specific dimensions of adolescent psychopathology using both parent and teacher reports. Methods: Parents and teachers from the Isle of Wight study completed Rutter behaviour scales when participants were 14–15 years old (n = 2,275), assessing conduct, emotional and hyperactivity problems. Metric‐invariant bifactor models for parents and teachers were used to test domain‐specific and domain‐general associations with 26 self‐reported psychosocial outcomes at mid‐life (age 44–45 years, n = 1,423). Analyses examined the individual and joint contributions of parent and teacher reports of adolescent psychopathology. All analyses were adjusted for covariates (gender, IQ and family social class) and weighted to adjust for the probability of nonresponse. Results: Parent‐ and teacher‐reported general factors of psychopathology (GFP) were associated with 15 and 12 outcomes, respectively, across the socioeconomic, relationship, health and personality domains, along with an index of social exclusion. Nine outcomes were associated with both parent‐ and teacher‐reported GFP, with no differences in the strength of the associations across reporters. Teacher‐reported specific factors (conduct, emotional and hyperactivity) were associated with 21 outcomes, and parent‐reported specific factors were associated with seven. Five outcomes were associated with the same specific factors from both reporters; only one showed reporter differences in the strength of the associations. Conclusions: These findings confirm the relevance of the GFP and the utility of teacher as well as parent reports of adolescent mental health in predicting psychosocial outcomes later in the life course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental depression is common and is a major risk factor for depression in adolescents. Early identification of adolescents at elevated risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD) in this group could improve early access to preventive interventions. Methods: Using longitudinal data from 337 adolescents at high familial risk of depression, we developed a risk prediction model for adolescent MDD. The model was externally validated in an independent cohort of 1,384 adolescents at high familial risk. We assessed predictors at baseline and MDD at follow‐up (a median of 2–3 years later). We compared the risk prediction model to a simple comparison model based on screening for depressive symptoms. Decision curve analysis was used to identify which model‐predicted risk score thresholds were associated with the greatest clinical benefit. Results: The MDD risk prediction model discriminated between those adolescents who did and did not develop MDD in the development (C‐statistic =.783, IQR (interquartile range) =.779,.778) and the validation samples (C‐statistic =.722, IQR = −.694,.741). Calibration in the validation sample was good to excellent (calibration intercept =.011, C‐slope =.851). The MDD risk prediction model was superior to the simple comparison model where discrimination was no better than chance (C‐statistic =.544, IQR =.536,.572). Decision curve analysis found that the highest clinical utility was at the lowest risk score thresholds (0.01–0.05). Conclusions: The developed risk prediction model successfully discriminated adolescents who developed MDD from those who did not. In practice, this model could be further developed with user involvement into a tool to target individuals for low‐intensity, selective preventive intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]