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Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and, more generally, social fears are common in young people. Although avoidance behaviors are known to be an important maintaining factor of social anxiety, little is known about the severity and occurrence of avoidance behaviors in young people from the general population, hampering approaches for early identification and intervention. Symptoms, syndromes, and diagnoses of DSM-5 mental disorders including SAD were assessed in a random population-based sample of 14-21-year-olds (n = 1,180) from Dresden, Germany, in 2015/2016 using a standardized diagnostic interview (DIA-X-5/D-CIDI). An adapted version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale was used to ascertain the extent of social fears and avoidance. Diagnostic criteria for lifetime SAD were met by n = 82 participants, resulting in a weighted lifetime prevalence of 6.6%. Social anxiety was predominantly reported for test situations and when speaking or performing in front of others. Avoidance was most prevalent in the latter situations. On average, anxiety and avoidance first occurred at ages 11 and 12, respectively, with avoidance occurring in most cases either at about the same age as anxiety or slightly later. In the total sample, lifetime prevalence for most DSM-5 disorders increased with the severity of social anxiety and avoidance. Results underline the need for preventive or early intervention efforts especially regarding test anxiety and fear and avoidance of speaking in front of others. These situations are particularly relevant in youth. Avoidance behaviors may also be discussed as diagnostic marker for early case identification., Author(s): Julia Ernst [sup.1] , Theresa Magdalena Ollmann [sup.1] , Elisa König [sup.1] , Lars Pieper [sup.1] , Catharina Voss [sup.1] , Jana Hoyer [sup.1] , Frank Rückert [sup.1] , [...]

Background: Mental health (MH) problems in youth are prevalent, burdening, and frequently persistent. Despite the existence of effective treatment, the uptake of professional help is low, particularly due to attitudinal barriers. Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness and acceptability of 2 video-based microinterventions aimed at reducing barriers to MH treatment and increasing the likelihood of seeking professional help in young people. Methods: This study was entirely web based and open access. The interventions addressed 5 MH problems: generalized anxiety disorder, depression, bulimia, nonsuicidal self-injury, and problematic alcohol use. Intervention 1 aimed to destigmatize and improve MH literacy, whereas intervention 2 aimed to induce positive outcome expectancies regarding professional help seeking. Of the 2435 participants who commenced the study, a final sample of 1394 (57.25%) participants aged 14 to 29 years with complete data and sufficient durations of stay on the video pages were randomized in a fully automated manner to 1 of the 5 MH problems and 1 of 3 conditions (control, intervention 1, and intervention 2) in a permuted block design. After the presentation of a video vignette, no further videos were shown to the control group, whereas a second, short intervention video was presented to the intervention 1 and 2 groups. Intervention effects on self-reported potential professional help seeking (primary outcome), stigma, and attitudes toward help seeking were examined using analyses of covariance across and within the 5 MH problems. Furthermore, we assessed video acceptability. Results: No significant group effects on potential professional help seeking were found in the total sample (F 2,1385=0.99; P =.37). However, the groups differed significantly with regard to stigma outcomes and the likelihood of seeking informal help (F 2,1385=3.75; P =.02). Furthermore, separate analyses indicated substantial differences in intervention effects among the 5 MH problems. Conclusions: Interventions to promote help seeking for MH problems may require disorder-specific approaches. The study results can inform future research and public health campaigns addressing adolescents and young adults. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00023110; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00023110 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies show the high prevalence of child maltreatment in Germany and that assaults by hospital staff also pose a problem. Since 2020, the Joint Federal Committee has been calling for institutional safeguarding measures (ISM) to protect and support those affected in hospitals. The aim of this study is to analyze the level of knowledge and action competencies regarding child maltreatment among hospital staff and the extent to which ISM are implemented in hospitals., Methods: A survey was administered to 1011 participants before they took part in two online courses on child protection and protection measures in hospitals, with questions regarding self-assessed level of knowledge and competence on child protection and the occurrence of cases of maltreatment and protective measures in their own institution. Data were analyzed using descriptive methods., Results: It becomes apparent that the knowledge and competencies of hospital staff regarding child protection are in the middle range. In hospitals, cases of maltreatment that occur outside the institution are particularly common, but violence by staff or other patients of the same age also plays a significant role. Of the respondents, 93.6% stated that their institution had already developed at least one element of an ISM, but only 1.0% of respondents reported that all the elements surveyed had already been fully developed., Discussion: Hospitals in Germany seem to be largely on the path to better protect children and adolescents from maltreatment and to support those affected. However, there are still deficits in the competencies of employees and the implementation of the ISM elements. More resources need to be made available by hospital operators and the public sector for this purpose., (© 2024. The Author(s).)