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In the transition to parenthood, the COVID-19 pandemic poses an additional strain on parental well-being. Confirmed infections or having to quarantine, as well as public health measures negatively affect parents and infants. Contrary to previous studies mainly focusing on the well-being of school-aged children and their parents during lockdown periods, the present study investigated how mothers of infants respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and whether this is related to maternal well-being, maternal socio-emotional investment, and infant regulation. Between April and June 2021, 206 mothers of infants (M

Infant temperament is usually considered biologically driven and a precursor of personality. Despite being conceived as trait measures, parent reports for assessing infant temperament use short timescales, for example, the past 7 days, implying variability in temperament traits' expressions. In two daily diary studies, we use the perspective of whole-trait theory to investigate whether infant temperament is observable on a daily basis and to what degree infant temperament varies within-person across days. In Study 1, N = 137 mothers of infants aged 6-18 months reported on their infant’s daily (state) temperament (median number of days: 8, total observations: 984). The results suggest a substantial within-person variation in daily infant temperament (ICCs: .41 to .54). Study 2 (N = 199 mothers, median number of days: 7, total observations: 1375) replicated these results on the variability in infant state temperament (ICCs: .41 to .51). In addition, infant state temperament was related to infant trait temperament. However, certain temperament items – primarily those assessing surgency – were frequently rated as not applicable and did not seem suitable for daily assessments. Across both studies, results indicate substantial within-person variability in daily infant temperament and a strong trait component.

Culture is a key determinant of children’s development both in its own right and for understanding the generalizability of developmental phenomena. Studying the role of culture in development requires information about participants’ demographic backgrounds. However, both reporting and treatment of demographic data are limited and inconsistent in child development research. A barrier to reporting demographic data in a consistent fashion is that no standardized tool currently exists to collect these data. Variation in cultural expectations, family structures, and life circumstances across communities make the creation of a unifying instrument challenging. Here, we present a framework to standardize demographic reporting for early child development (birth to 3 years of age), focusing on six sociodemographic construct categories: biological information, gestational status, health status, community of descent, caregiving environment, and socioeconomic status. For each, we discuss potential measurement items and provide guidance for their use and adaptation to different contexts. These items are stored in a repository of context-adapted questionnaires that provide a consistent approach to obtaining and reporting demographic information so that these data can be archived and shared in a more standardized format. The public significance of this work is to facilitate diversification of participants within developmental psychology by providing a framework for capturing demographic diversity.

In light of the promising neuroprotective properties of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHEpo), the Swiss EPO Neuroprotection Trial was started to investigate its effect on neurodevelopment in very preterm infants. The results of the primary and secondary outcome analysis did not show any effect of RHEpo on cognitive performance, neuromotor outcomes, or somatic growth of the study participants at ages 2 or 5 years.To investigate whether early high-dose RHEpo improves behavioral outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at age 5 years.This was a prespecified secondary analysis of the double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter Swiss EPO Neuroprotection randomized clinical trial, which was conducted at 5 level-III perinatal centers in Switzerland. Infants born between 26 weeks 0 days' and 31 weeks 6 days' gestation were recruited between 2005 and 2012 and followed-up until age 5 years (last follow-up in 2018). Data were analyzed from January 6 to December 31, 2021.Infants were assigned to receive either RHEpo (3000 IU/kg) or placebo (saline, 0.9%) intravenously 3 times within the first 42 hours after birth.The prespecified parent-reported measures of behavioral outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of their children at the age of 5 years were assessed by two standardized questionnaires: the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (behavioral outcomes) and the KIDSCREEN-27 (HRQoL).Among 448 randomized infants, 228 infants were assigned to the RHEpo group and 220 infants were assigned to the placebo group. Questionnaire data were available for 317 children (71%) at a mean (SD) age of 5.8 (0.4) years (mean [SD] gestational age at birth, 29.3 [1.6] weeks; mean [SD] birth weight 1220 [340] grams; 128 [40%] female infants). At the age 5 years follow-up, the mean (SD) total difficulties score in the RHEpo group (8.41 [5.60] points) was similar to that of the placebo group (7.76 [4.81]) (P = .37). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in any other outcome measures.This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial showed no evidence for an effect of early high-dose RHEpo administration on behavioral outcomes or HRQoL in children born very preterm at early school age.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00413946.

Aim We systematically reviewed the literature on the influence of low and moderate amounts of prenatal alcohol and nicotine exposure on early child development. This paper also suggests possible directions for future research in order to tackle the controversial findings identified. Methods The PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases were searched together with the reference lists of the selected papers. Empirical studies were included if they focused on the effects of low or moderate exposure, reported outcomes on child development within the first 2 years of life and were published in English between January 2009 and December 2019. The eligibility of the included studies was based on three authors reading the full text. Results The final sample comprised 17 papers. Of these, 13 focused on the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and they reported decreased sensory sensibility, smaller body sizes and increased cognitive capacities. The other four looked at prenatal nicotine exposure, and they primarily found impairments in children's orienting, communication and motor skills. Conclusion Any amount of prenatal alcohol and nicotine exposure appeared to risk healthy child development. There were many reasons for consumption and numerous effects on the child, but representative data from interdisciplinary research were missing.

ADHD is regarded as a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with deficits in executive functions (EF). The presence of these deficits is associated with increased symptom severity. However, so far there is little knowledge, whether deficits in EFs relate to a reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with ADHD. Hence, n = 100 children with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis were compared with a non-cases group (n = 100) with regard to their HRQoL (6–12 years old). The clinical group was divided into ADHD-specific drug treatment intake (drug treatment: n = 42; no drug treatment: n = 58) or deficits in EF (n = 29; no deficits in EF: n = 71). Children with ADHD (without medication) reported a significantly worse HRQoL than healthy children (d = .72), when controlled for age and sex. Even if they were treated with drug treatment, they reported a lower HRQoL than the non-case group in the area Family (d = .53). Drug treatment of ADHD leads to a significant difference in HRQoL in school area (d = .39). Children with ADHD and EF problems reported impairments in the social context of HRQoL compared to healthy children (d = .51 to .70). In addition, a significant negative association between set-shifting and HRQoL in children with ADHD (without drug treatment) was demonstrated (r = − .27 to r = − .35). By assessing the HRQoL, an impairment in the functioning of children with ADHD can be detected, which is essential for the diagnosis. Furthermore, executive problems have an influence on the social sphere, which should be clarified and improved in therapy with the involvement of parents.

Despite intending to eat healthy foods, people often yield to temptation. In environments rife with unhealthy food options, a positive implicit evaluation of unhealthy foods may inadvertently influence unhealthy choices. This study investigates if and under which conditions implicit evaluations of unhealthy and healthy foods can be influenced by a computer-based Go/No-Go (GNG) training.Undergraduate student participants (Implicit evaluations of chips and grapes were assessed using the Extrinsic Affective Simon Task.This GNG training impacted implicit evaluations of chips, but not grapes. GNG training effects were stronger for participants with lower sensitivity for behavioural inhibition measured with the Behavioural Inhibition System scale.GNG training might help people change implicit food evaluations. More research is needed to understand how individual and training characteristics affect outcomes with the goal of tailoring and optimising the GNG training to produce the strongest effect.

Abstract. Background: Religiosity can foster mental health after traumatic experiences. Yet, religiosity among Muslim immigrants has also been linked to separation-oriented acculturation, which is linked to reduced mental health. Therefore, the function of religiosity for resilience in Middle Eastern refugee and immigrant adolescents might differ as their migration contexts differ in terms of traumatic experiences and the nature of cultural interactions . Aims: This study examined whether religiosity is associated with better mental health after traumatic experiences, particularly among young refugees. In addition, it was explored whether religiosity is associated with better mental health among refugees through less marginalization and whether religious immigrant peers show worse mental health through stronger separation. Method: 135 adolescents ( MAge = 18.25 years, SD = 1.73; nrefugees = 75, nimmigrants = 60) completed self-reports on religiosity, mental health, trauma, and acculturation orientations. Regression analyses were calculated examining group-specific differences in potential moderating effects of religiosity on the relationship between trauma exposures and internalizing symptoms. Furthermore, potential indirect effects of religiosity on internalizing symptoms via acculturation orientations were investigated. Results: Stronger religiosity was associated with better mental health following trauma exposure. No group-specific differences were observed. While religious refugee adolescents reported less marginalization associated with fewer internalizing symptoms, religious immigrant peers reported more separation and internalizing symptoms. Limitations: Results are limited to male Muslim adolescents in Germany. The cross-sectional nature prohibits any implications for causal dynamics in the associations. Conclusion: Religiosity is generally protective against post-traumatic consequences, but associations with acculturation differ across migration contexts.

ObjectiveTo investigate how patient perception of procedural fairness in primary care physician communication among diverse patients with obesity is associated with the patient’s willingness to follow recommendations, self-efficacy beliefs, and lifestyle behaviors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of 484 primary care patients (43.6% Black, 40.7% Hispanic/Latino, 56.4% Female, Mage=50 years) with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 enrolled in a weight management study in two New York City healthcare systems. To evaluate direct and indirect associations between PF and outcome variables, we used ordinary least squares path analyses with bootstrapping procedures controlling for age and gender. Results Patients who perceived their primary care physician as fairer reported higher willingness to follow recommendations and higher dietary self-efficacy, which were associated with healthier dietary behaviors (willingness: indirect=.08, SE=.03; 95% CI[.04 to .14]; dietary self-efficacy: indirect=.03, SE=.01; 95% CI[.01 to .05]). Higher perceived PF was also associated with higher exercise self-efficacy, which was associated with increased physical activity (indirect=.03, SE=.01; 95% CI[.01 to .05]).ConclusionPF was associated with lifestyle behaviors via willingness to follow recommendations and self-efficacy beliefs. PF holds promise as a novel communication target to enhance patient-physician communication related to weight management in primary care.

Zusammenfassung. Die Geburt eines ersten Kindes geht mit diversen Herausforderungen für die Paarbeziehung der Eltern wie neuen Rollen, Schlafmangel und weniger Zeit füreinander einher. Dies kann zu einer erhöhten Anzahl an Konflikten und einer Abnahme der Beziehungsqualität bei den Eltern führen, was nicht nur ein Risiko für die Paarbeziehung, sondern auch für die sozial-emotionale Entwicklung des Kindes in den ersten Lebensjahren darstellt. Dahingegen geht eine gelungene, resiliente Adaptation der Eltern und ihrer Beziehung an die neuen Herausforderungen mit entwicklungsförderndem Elternverhalten wie hoher Sensitivität, hohem elterlichen Engagement und konstruktiven Konfliktlösestrategien einher. Anhand von Annahmen gemäß des Vulnerabilitäts-Stress-Adaptations-Modells und des Family Stress Models wird der Zusammenhang von elterlicher Beziehungsqualität und frühkindlicher sozial-emotionaler Entwicklung dargelegt. Dieser Zusammenhang wird über Aspekte der Eltern-Kind-Interaktion, wie emotionale Sicherheit, Spillover von Emotionen und Modelllernen sowie über das Coparenting-Verhalten der Eltern vermittelt. Anschließend werden verschiedene Möglichkeiten zur Stärkung der Beziehungsqualität der Eltern im Übergang in die Elternschaft vorgestellt. Dies schließt neben strukturellen, staatlichen Fördermöglichkeiten gezielte klinisch-pädagogische Präventions- und Interventionsmaßnahmen ein.

Impulsive behaviours occurring as a central deficit in connection with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated with social and academic impairment in children. Whereas impulsivity was shown to be related to both delay aversion and deficient timing skills, the mutual relation between the latter two has hardly been investigated. The present study therefore examined the interplay of delay aversion, timing skills, and impulsivity in a sample of eighty-eight children aged between seven and fourteen, twenty-one of them diagnosed with ADHD. Children participated in a delay aversion and a tapping task, while parents reported about their impulsiveness. The results showed that both delay aversion and deficient timing skills were related to impulsivity. Contrasting prior assumptions, delay aversion and timing skills were also shown to be related, even when controlling for impulsivity. Implications for interventions aiming to reduce children's impulsivity as well as methodological considerations regarding whether to view ADHD as a category or a continuum are discussed.

Zusammenfassung. Kinder sind bereits im Mutterleib sensitiv für Umwelteinflüsse. Pränataler Alkoholkonsum zählt dabei zu den einflussreichsten Risikofaktoren für die frühkindliche Entwicklung. Das Ziel ist es, einen Überblick über die aktuelle Forschungslage zum Thema Alkoholkonsum während der Schwangerschaft zu geben. Darüber hinaus wird der Forschungsstand zu Belastungen und Folgeschäden für die frühkindliche Entwicklung durch pränatale Alkoholexposition, aber auch zu weiteren Risikofaktoren zusammengefasst. Es wird gezeigt, dass das Wissen um die Prävalenz für Alkoholkonsum während der Schwangerschaft sowohl für die Erforschung der Folgen als auch für das Umsetzen von präventiven Maßnahmen ausschlaggebend ist. Die Prävalenzen unterscheiden sich nicht nur regional, sondern können auch durch andere Faktoren beeinflusst werden. Es wird deutlich, dass der Risikofaktor Alkohol und dessen mögliche Auswirkungen auf die frühkindliche Entwicklung nicht isoliert, sondern in Abhängigkeit von weiteren genetischen und Umweltfaktoren betrachtet werden müssen. Denn auch Folgen von weiteren perinatalen Risikofaktoren machen sich in den ersten beiden Lebensjahren bemerkbar. Beispiele für Entwicklungsstörungen in dieser Entwicklungsspanne sind externalisierendes Verhalten und kognitive Beeinträchtigungen. Inwieweit sich perinatale Risikofaktoren jedoch auf Entwicklungsverläufe von Kindern, die durch pränatalen Alkoholkonsum belastet sind, auswirken, erfasst eine umfassende Diskussion. Diese Lücke gilt es zu schließen um das Zusammenspiel perinataler Risiken genauer zu verstehen und adäquat entgegenwirken zu können.

Zusammenfassung. Externalisierende Verhaltensauffälligkeiten sind mit hohen gesellschaftlichen Kosten verbunden. Damit wirksame Präventions- und frühe Therapieprogramme entwickelt werden können, ist es notwendig, bereits in den ersten Lebensjahren Risiken für einen externalisierenden Entwicklungsverlauf zu identifizieren. In einer systematischen Literaturrecherche konnten aus 21 Publikationen zu 12 längsschnittlichen Geburtskohorten mit insgesamt 55 077 Kindern frühe Risiken bezogen auf eine elterliche Psychopathologie, einen niedrigen sozio-ökonomischen Status und ungünstige Eltern-Kind-Interaktionen identifiziert werden. Insbesondere eine mütterliche Depression, ein niedriger sozio-ökonomischer Status und ein harsches Erziehungsverhalten in den ersten Lebensjahren waren prädiktiv für externalisierende Verhaltensauffälligkeiten im Kindergarten und bei Schuleintritt. Implikationen für die klinische Praxis werden vorgestellt.

One reason why people fail to eat healthily is that they lack control over unwanted actions. Another largely ignored reason might be that they fail to engage control when encountering temptations. Accordingly, we tested (N=511) if how responsive people are to conflict between healthy and unhealthy food is an important part of eating regulation. We developed a conflict sensitivity measure that indicates responsiveness to conflict between healthy and unhealthy food via post-conflict slowing. We then show that the stronger participants are committed to healthy eating, the more they slowed down after relevant conflict (Study 1, 2) but not after irrelevant conflict (Study 2). Furthermore, increasing commitment to healthy eating increased post-conflict slowing compared to when the goal was not activated (Study 3). Importantly, post-conflict slowing predicted subsequent healthy eating in participants’ everyday life (Study 2). Our findings suggest that conflict responses might be an important part of healthy eating.

Human milk is considered the most advantageous source of nourishment for infants. Even though there is no ideal composition of human milk, it still contains a unique combination of components that contribute to brain development. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the possible correlation of human milk with the neurodevelopment of infants, with a special emphasis on myelination and epigenetic modifications. Research in human milk is a rapidly expanding field and cutting-edge technologies might contribute to identify specific mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects on human milk on neurodevelopment.

The present study uses a prospective longitudinal study design to investigate the development of maternal self-efficacy in the transition phase to parenthood, drawing on a large sample of socially and/or culturally disadvantaged families (N = 292). Parity, maternal education, migration, informal and formal social support are considered as potential predictors. Results indicate that previous birth experience, being born abroad, and higher levels of formal and informal social support during pregnancy jointly predict higher levels of maternal self-efficacy three months after birth. First-time mothers and mothers born in Germany (where the study was conducted) benefit more from formal support than mothers with previous experience and mothers born outside of Germany. Overall, maternal self-efficacy increases significantly. Implications for prenatal maternal care are discussed.El presente estudio usa un diseño de estudio longitudinal potencial para investigar el desarrollo de la auto efectividad materna en la fase de transición a ser madre. Usando una muestra grande de familias desfavorecidas social y/o culturalmente (N = 292). Se consideran como potenciales factores de predicción la paridad, la educación materna, la migración, y el apoyo social informal y formal. Los resultados indican que una previa experiencia de dar a luz, el haber nacido en el extranjero, así como altos niveles de apoyo social formal e informal durante el embarazo predicen en conjunto altos niveles de auto efectividad materna tres meses después del parto. Las madres primerizas y las madres nacidas en Alemania (donde se llevó a cabo el estudio) se beneficiaron más del apoyo formal que las madres con experiencia previa y las madres nacidas fuera de Alemania. En general, la auto efectividad materna aumentó significativamente. Se discuten las implicaciones para el cuidado materno prenatal.Cette étude utilise un plan d’étude prospectif longitudinal pour se pencher sur le développement de l'auto-efficacité maternelle dans la phase de transition à la parenté, en utilisant un grand échantillon de familles socialement et/ou culturellement défavorisées (n = 292). La parité, l’éducation maternelle, la migration, le soutien social informel et formel sont considérés comme des prédicteurs potentiels. Les résultats indiquent qu'une expérience de la naissance antérieure, le fait d’être née à l’étranger et des hauts niveaux de soutien social formel et informel durant la grossesse prédisent ensemble des niveaux élevés d'auto-efficacité maternelle après la naissance. Les mères étant mères pour la première fois et les mères nées en Allemagne (où l’étude a été faite) ont plus bénéficié d'un soutien formel que les mères ayant déjà donné naissance à un enfant et que les mères nées en dehors de l'Allemagne. Dans l'ensemble l'auto-efficacité maternelle a augmenté de manière importante. Les implications pour le soin maternel prénatal sont discutées.Entwicklung mütterlicher Selbstwirksamkeit von der Schwangerschaft bis drei Monate nach der Geburt In der vorliegenden Studie wurde ein prospektives Längsschnittdesign verwendet, um die Entwicklung mütterlicher Selbstwirksamkeit in der Übergangsphase zur Elternschaft anhand einer großen Stichprobe sozial und/oder kulturell benachteiligter Familien (N = 292) zu untersuchen. Parität, mütterliche Bildung, Migration, sowie informelle und formelle soziale Unterstützung wurden als potenzielle Prädiktoren betrachtet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass vorherige Erfahrungen mit Geburt, im Ausland geboren zu sein und ein höheres Maß an formeller und informeller sozialer Unterstützung während der Schwangerschaft gemeinsam ein höheres Maß an mütterlicher Selbstwirksamkeit drei Monate nach der Geburt vorhersagten. Erstgebärende und in Deutschland (wo die Studie durchgeführt wurde) geborene Mütter profitierten stärker von formeller Unterstützung als Mütter, die schonmal geboren hatten oder selbst im Ausland geboren wurden. Insgesamt nahm die Selbstwirksamkeit von Müttern deutlich zu. Implikationen für die pränatale Betreuung von Müttern werden diskutiert.妊娠中から出産後3ヵ月までの母親の自己効力感の発達 本研究では、社会的・文化的に恵まれない家庭の大規模サンプル(N=292)を用いて、親への移行期における母親の自己効力感の発達について前向き縦断研究デザインを用いて調査した。妊娠経験、母親の教育、移住、非公式および公式の社会的支援が潜在的な予測因子として検討された。その結果、前に出産経験があること、外国で生まれたこと、そして妊娠中のより高いレベルの公式および非公式の社会的支援が、共同で出産後３ヵ月の母親のより高いレベルの自己効力感を予測することが示された。初産婦とドイツ(研究実施国)で生まれた母親は、出産経験のある母親やドイツ以外で生まれた母親よりも、公式の支援の恩恵を受けた。全体として、母親の自己効力感は優位に増加した。産前の母親ケアへの影響について論じられる。.本研究采用前瞻性纵向研究设计, 以社会或文化弱势家庭 (N = 292) 为样本, 研究了在向为人父母过渡阶段母亲自我效能的发展。平等、母系教育、移民、非正式和正式的社会支持被认为是潜在的预测因素。结果表明, 以往的生育经历、在国外出生以及更高水平的正式和非正式社会支持, 共同预测了在产后三个月更高水平的母亲自我效能。与有生育经历和在德国以外出生的母亲相比, 首次生育的母亲和在德国出生的母亲 (该研究是在德国进行的) 从正式支持中受益更多。总体而言, 母亲自我效能显著提高。研究还讨论了对产前母亲护理的影响。.تطور الكفاءة الذاتية للأم من الحمل إلى ثلاثة أشهر بعد الولادة تستخدم الدراسة الحالية تصميم دراسة طولية استطلاعية للتحقيق في تطور الكفاءة الذاتية للأم في المرحلة الانتقالية إلى الأمومة ، باستخدام عينة كبيرة من العائلات المحرومة اجتماعياً أو ثقافياً (N = 292) ويعتبر التكافؤ ، وتعليم الأم ، والهجرة ، والدعم الاجتماعي غير الرسمي والرسمي عوامل تنبؤية محتملة. تشير النتائج إلى أن تجربة الولادة السابقة ، والولادة في الخارج ، والمستويات الأعلى من الدعم الاجتماعي الرسمي وغير الرسمي أثناء الحمل تتنبأ بشكل مشترك بمستويات أعلى من الكفاءة الذاتية للأم بعد ثلاثة أشهر من الولادة. استفادت الأمهات للمرة الأولى والأمهات اللواتي ولدن في ألمانيا (حيث أجريت الدراسة) من الدعم الرسمي أكثر من الأمهات ذوات الخبرة السابقة والأمهات المولودات خارج ألمانيا. بشكل عام ، زادت الكفاءة الذاتية للأم بشكل ملحوظ. تناقش الدراسة تطبيقات النتائج على الرعاية الأمومية قبل الولادة.

Objective This study examined the mental health of Middle Eastern male unaccompanied refugee adolescents in Germany in relation to the mental health of accompanied refugee peers, first- and second-generation immigrant and native peers. In particular, it was investigated whether differences in the mental health of unaccompanied and accompanied refugees and immigrant peers were related to differences in the perception of post-migration stress, and whether this association changed with different acculturation orientations. Method In a cross-sectional study, 193 adolescents (Mage = 18.1 years, SD = 1.74 years; nrefugees = 74, nmigrants = 59, nnatives = 60) completed self-report measures of mental health, trauma, acculturation styles, and post-migration stress. Results Analyses of variance revealed that unaccompanied refugees suffered most from internalizing and trauma symptoms, while accompanied peers, first- and second-generation immigrant and native adolescents did not differ significantly in internalizing symptoms. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that more integrated adolescents were generally associated with lower internalizing symptoms and integration also buffered against detrimental effects of post-migration stressors. Marginalized adolescents showed more internalizing symptoms, especially in the lights of more post-migration stress. Both assimilation and separation had no direct effects on internalizing symptoms. However, assimilation buffered against detrimental effects of post-migration stress on internalizing symptoms, whereas separation amplified these effects. Conclusion An involvement in host society and an orientation towards the host culture fosters mental health of acculturating Middle Eastern adolescents in Germany when post-migration stress is perceived, particularly for unaccompanied refugee adolescents. Moreover, additionally maintaining the culture of origin seems to be in general most beneficial.

Background Children younger than 7 years can develop mental disorders that might manifest differently than in older children or adolescents. However, little is known about the prevalence of mental disorders at this early age. Methods We systematically searched the literature in the databases Web of Science, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, MEDLINE, and Embase to identify epidemiological studies of community samples published between 2006 and 2020. A series of meta-analyses was conducted to estimate the pooled worldwide prevalence of mental disorders in general, specific mental disorders, and comorbidity in young children. Results A total of ten epidemiological studies reporting data on N = 18,282 children (12-83 months old) from eight countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of mental disorders in general was 20.1%, 95% CI [15.7, 25.4]. Most common disorders were oppositional defiant disorder (4.9%, 95% CI [2.5, 9.5]) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (4.3%, 95% CI [2.5, 7.2]). The prevalence of any anxiety disorders was 8.5%, 95% CI [5.2, 13.5], and of any depressive disorders was 1.1%, 95% CI [0.8, 1.6]. Comorbidity was estimated at 6.4%, 95% CI [1.3, 54.0]. Conclusions The literature search reveals that the epidemiology of mental disorders in children younger than 7 years is still a neglected area of research. The findings also indicate that there are a significant number of young children suffering from mental disorders who need appropriate age-adapted treatment.

Zusammenfassung. Defizite in Exekutivfunktionen und insbesondere in der Inhibitionsfähigkeit gelten verschiedenen Modellen zufolge als Kerndefizite einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS). Die Defizite sind sowohl auf einer Verhaltensebene als auch auf neurobiologischer Ebene belegt, finden aber bislang kaum Einzug in die klinische Diagnostik. Verschiedene Erhebungsverfahren werden vorgestellt und die Probleme im Bereich der klinischen Diagnostik skizziert. Viele Aufgaben messen nicht eine spezifische Exekutivfunktion, sondern umfassen immer auch andere kognitive Prozesse wie zum Beispiel Aufmerksamkeit oder Test- und Leistungsmotivation. Die Sensitivität vieler Aufgaben ist aufgrund der Heterogenität von ADHS durch verschiedene Entwicklungspfade oft nicht gewährleistet und Defizite in Exekutivfunktionen und der Inhibitionsfähigkeit sind auch nicht spezifisch für ADHS. Dennoch ist eine Diagnostik auffälliger Exekutivfunktionen und insbesondere von Defiziten in der Inhibitionsfähigkeit angebracht, da nur so Aussagen über zugrunde liegende Prozesse und Ursachen einer ADHS getroffen werden können, welche die Voraussetzung für gezielte Interventionen darstellen, wie zum Beispiel Inhibitionstrainings oder Neurofeedback.

Zusammenfassung. Der vorliegende Beitrag legt Zusammenhänge zwischen Temperament in der frühen Kindheit und der Entstehung externalisierender Störungen im weiteren Entwicklungsverlauf dar. Dafür erfolgte eine eingehende Recherche über Temperament und dessen Erfassung im Alter von 0 bis 6 Jahren sowie über die prognostische Validität entsprechender Erhebungsinstrumente. Es wurde untersucht, inwiefern Temperamentsfragebögen in der klinischen Praxis diagnostisch genutzt werden können. Es zeigte sich, dass bestimmte Temperamentsmerkmale, die von verschiedenen theoretischen Modellen eingeschlossen werden, einen Beitrag zur Vorhersage der Entwicklung externalisierender Störungen leisten. Bereits in den ersten Lebensmonaten können Temperamentsmerkmale erhoben und prognostisch genutzt werden. Temperamentsbezogene Elternfragebögen können die Diagnostik zum aktuellen Zeitpunkt zwar sinnvoll ergänzen, liegen zum Teil allerdings nicht für den deutschsprachigen Raum vor und weisen mitunter psychometrische und praktische Unzulänglichkeiten auf.

Objective: This study examines the interrelations of parenting practices, emotional climate, and household chaos in families with children with and without ADHD. In particular, indirect pathways from children’s ADHD symptomatology to inadequate parenting and negative emotional climate via household chaos were investigated. Method: Parenting, emotional climate, and household chaos were assessed using questionnaires and a speech sample of parents of 31 children with and 53 without ADHD, aged 7 to 13 years. Results: Group differences were found for certain parenting dimensions, the parent–child relationship, critical comments, and household chaos. While we found significant indirect effects between children’s ADHD and certain parenting dimensions through household chaos, no effects were found for any aspect of emotional climate. Conclusion: Children’s ADHD symptoms translate into inadequate parenting through household chaos, which underlines the need for interventions to improve household organization skills in parents of children with ADHD.

Zusammenfassung. Die Popularität des Resilienzbegriffes in der Forschung und Praxis begünstigt, dass dieser Begriff uneinheitlich verwendet wird. Dabei wird in der Regel das Ergebnis einer gesunden Entwicklung trotz widriger Umstände mit den zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen und Prozessen der Gesunderhaltung konfundiert. Ausgehend von einem Verständnis von Resilienz als einem Label für eine gesunde Entwicklung trotz widriger Umstände werden drei mögliche Entwicklungsverläufe von Resilienz vorgestellt: (1) Resilienz durch Resistenz, (2) Resilienz durch Kompensation und (3) Resilienz durch Restrukturieren. Die Bedeutung der unterschiedlichen Verläufe für die Gestaltung von Resilienzförderprogrammen wird für unterschiedliche Zielgruppen diskutiert.

The formation of early regulatory behavior during the first years is an important developmental task and predictive for self-regulatory abilities in later life. Although parental behavior is thought to be highly influential in this developmental trajectory, associations between infant regulatory behavior and parental behavior have been diverse. The current paper systematically reviews the empirical research on the relationship between behavioral indicators of infant regulation–temperamental characteristics, sleeping, crying, feeding–and parental behavior during the first two years of life. After screening 4254 articles obtained from Web of Science and PsycINFO, 107 studies were included in the systematic review. The studies fell short of integrating negative parental behavior, paternal variables and further demographic information into the research and did not reveal consistent findings. However, the studies indicated a positive relationship between parental behavior and infant regulation with differences according to age and measurement method. It appears that the use of semi-structured methods to measure infant regulation is most appropriate during the first year of life, whereas the use of structured measures is more advisable during the second year of life. In contrast, parental reports measuring infant regulation failed to show significant findings with parenting behavior at any given time. The association was more powerful when infant regulation was predicted by parental behavior than vice versa. However, the number of studies regarding the latter direction was limited. This review, thus, underlines the importance of using different measurement methods according to age, and discusses the ways to improve future research.

The large number of adolescent refugees around the world constitutes a great challenge for societies. However, current models of acculturation have been developed for migrants, but not specifically for adolescent refugees. Crucial factors to describe adolescent refugee acculturation, such as intentions to return to their homeland, especially with respect to adolescent refugees with temporary residency and experiences of potentially traumatic events, are missing. Hence, the Multidimensional Intercultural Training Acculturation (MITA) model is introduced. The model proposes that two major concerns for adolescent refugees, which are socio-cultural adjustment and mental health, are predicted by intercultural and social–emotional competence, intentions to return to their homeland, and experiences of traumatic events. Moreover, the effects of three modes of acculturation are also proposed in the model. It is expected that these variables mediate the effects of intercultural competence, social–emotional competence, intentions to return to the homeland, and experiences of traumatic events on socio-cultural adjustment as well as mental health. Finally, it is also expected that in-group social support and out-group social support moderate the direct connection between the experiences of traumatic events and mental health.

The term compensation is widely used in the context of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet, it is neither defined nor theory driven. Adapting a model of psychological compensation (Bäckman and Dixon, 1992) to fit ADHD research is the aim of this review: we will (1) introduce the existing theoretical framework of psychological compensation, (2) discuss its applicability to ADHD and adapt the model to fit ADHD research, and (3) set up requirements for research on psychological compensation in ADHD. According to the framework psychological compensation can be inferred if a deficit (i.e., a mismatch between skill and environmental demand) is counterbalanced by the investment of more effort, the utilization of latent skills, or the acquisition of new skills. The framework has to be adapted because ADHD deficits are developmental and in individuals with ADHD compensation can appear independent of awareness of the deficit. A better understanding of psychological compensation in ADHD could foster diagnosis and interventions. Therefore, we suggest that future studies should follow a research design incorporating independent measures of deficit, compensation, and outcome as well as include individuals who compensate for their ADHD related deficits.

Mental contrasting of a desired future with the present reality strengthens goal pursuit when expectations of success are high, and weakens goal pursuit when expectations of success are low. We hypothesized that mental contrasting effects on selective goal pursuit are mediated by a change in the meaning of the present reality as an obstacle towards reaching the desired future. Using explicit evaluation of reality (Study 1), implicit categorization of reality as obstacle (Study 2), and detection of obstacle (Study 3) as indicators, we found that mental contrasting (versus relevant control groups) fostered the meaning of reality as obstacle when expectations of success were high, but weakened it when expectations of success were low. Importantly, the meaning of reality as obstacle mediated mental contrasting effects on goal pursuit (Studies 1, 2). The findings suggest that mental contrasting produces selective goal pursuit by changing the meaning of a person's reality.

The ability to delay gratification, to wait for a larger but delayed reward in the presence of a smaller but constantly available reward, has been shown to be predictive for various aspects of everyday life. For instance, preschool children who were better able to delay gratification achieved better school grades, a higher education, a better ability to cope with stress, as well as a reduced risk for being overweight or consume drugs up to 30 years later ( Mischel et al., 2011 ). However, despite the importance of delay of gratification cognitive factors underlying individual differences are only poorly understood. Wittmann and Paulus (2008) suggested that individuals who overestimate the duration of time intervals experience waiting times as more costly and are, therefore, less likely to delay gratification. Furthermore, a recent study revealed an association between less accurate internal clock speed and a behavioral choice delay task (Corvi, Juergensen, Weaver, & Demaree, 2012). Further evidence for an association between temporal processing and delay of gratification can be derived from studies using clinical samples. For instance, children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) consistently prefer smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards and show impaired temporal processing (Sonuga-Barke, Bitsakou, & Thompson, 2010). However, no study has directly tested an association between a measure of temporal processing and a classical delay of gratification task in children with and without ADHD so far. As part of a larger study, 64 children (29 with ADHD) aged between 8 to 12 years performed a version of an auditory duration discrimination task and a delay of gratification task. In the duration discrimination task, the children were presented with two unfilled intervals indicated by two brief tones each. The baseline interval lasted for 400 ms, while the comparison interval was always longer and adjusted up or down in 10 ms steps securing an accuracy of 80%. In the delay of gratification task, the children were instructed that they could either opt for one chocolate bar immediately or that they could wait to receive two chocolate bars. Unbeknownst to the children, the waiting time lasted 25 minutes but children were told that they could decide for the immediate chocolate bar at any time by ringing a bell. Children with ADHD did not differ in their performance from children without ADHD in the duration discrimination task or the delay of gratification task. However, in the whole sample of children with and without ADHD, children who waited for the additional chocolate bar showed a better duration discrimination than children who failed to wait for the additional chocolate bar [t(62) = -2.52, p = .01]. We demonstrated an association between temporal processing ability and the ability to delay gratification. These results need to be replicated in further studies with larger sample sizes. Moreover, different tasks measuring temporal processing and delay of gratification should be used to further clarify the relationship of temporal processing, delay of gratification, and ADHD.