European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Children’s mental health symptoms over three decades (1993–2022): a comparison of population-based cross-sectional samples - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Concerns have been raised about an increase in children’s mental health symptoms over the past 30 years, including after COVID-19 lockdowns. Yet, few studies have investigated variations over generations, while considering sex and socioeconomic status. We aimed to address this gap by comparing mental health symptoms (emotional distress, impulsivity/hyperactivity/inattention, disruptive behaviours) reported by classroom teachers of 11-year-olds in three population-based, prospective, representative cohorts in Quebec, Canada. Analyses included 1665 (83%) of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children, in 1993; 1305 (62%) of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, 2009; and 3871 (100%) of the Quebec Survey of Child Development in Kindergarten, 2022; ~50% boys. Teacher-rated symptoms on the validated Social Behavior Questionnaire showed higher scores of emotional distress and impulsive/hyperactive/inattentive symptoms in 2022 than 2009, and higher in 2009 than 1993 (very small-to-small effect sizes: Cohen’s d 0.12 and 0.26 for emotional distress, 0.06 and 0.25 for impulsive/hyperactive/inattentive symptoms, respectively; P < 0.001). Disruptive behaviour symptoms scored lower in 2022 than 2009, though higher in 2009 than 1993, with very small effect sizes (Cohen’s d: -0.15 and 0.09, respectively). Boys presented more impulsive/hyperactive/inattentive and disruptive behaviour symptoms than girls; girls showed more emotional distress than boys. Children from economically disadvantaged households (lowest 20% of income distribution) presented higher symptoms rates than advantaged children. These findings provide novel and timely evidence about variations in children’s mental health symptom rates over three decades, underscoring the need for preventive interventions as early as elementary school, tailored differentially for boys and socioeconomically disadvantaged children.

Children’s mental health symptoms over three decades (1993–2022): a comparison of population-based cross-sectional samples by Collet et al now available online and #openaccess in our #ECAP journal:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#mentalhealth #childmentalhealth

Risk factors for developmental delays in small for gestational age children at age of 24–36 months - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Long-term neurodevelopmental/socioemotional risks in small for gestational age (SGA) children lack robust evidence, especially maternal/neonatal predictors. The study aims to identify independent maternal and neonatal risk factors associated with atypical neurodevelopmental and socioemotional outcomes in SGA children. This longitudinal cohort study included 412 singleton SGA infants born at Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing from January 2020 to December 2022. Participants underwent 24–36 months follow-up median 30 months, with neurodevelopmental and socioemotional outcomes evaluated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ: SE). These assessments categorized SGA children into normal/atypical development groups for both domains. Through assessment, there were 292 cases (70.9%) of development on track SGA children. The atypical neurodevelopment group included 92 cases (22.3%), among which 38 cases (9.2%) exhibited atypical development in one domain and 54 cases (13.1%) in ≥ 2 domains. The atypical socioemotional development group included 48 cases (11.7%). Additionally, 20 cases (4.9%) of SGA children exhibited both atypical neurodevelopment and atypical socioemotional development. Multivariable regression analysis showed that maternal pre-pregnancy underweight (OR = 6.93, 95% CI = 2.76–17.41), maternal inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) (OR = 4.63, 95% CI = 2.15–9.99), maternal excessive GWG (OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.14–5.55), preterm infant (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.03–1.55), severe SGA (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.47–5.90) and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome Peking University People’s Hospital (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.06–1.57) were independently related to the occurrence of atypical neurodevelopment outcomes in SGA children; maternal pre-pregnancy underweight (OR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.11–7.27), maternal inadequate GWG (OR = 3.60, 95% CI = 1.32–8.84), preterm infant (OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.09–7.17) and male (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.05–4.75) were independently related to the occurrence of atypical socioemotional development in SGA children. Monitoring and promoting of maternal appropriate weight gain or the maternal health would improve outcome of SGA infants.

Risk factors for developmental delays in small for gestational age children at age of 24–36 months by Yimin Zhang, Shuming Shao, Jiong Qin, Jie Liu, Guoli Liu, Zheng Liu & Xiaorui Zhang now published online and #openaccess in our #ECAP journal:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Effects of interventions for self-harm in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Self-harm, including nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide attempts, is common among youth, associated with elevated psychopathology, suicide risk, and increased demand for clinical services. Despite advances in understanding and treatment, few interventions have demonstrated efficacy in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are considered the gold standard for evaluating treatment effects by randomly assigning participants to intervention or control groups. Building on prior meta-analyses, this study conducted a meta-analysis of RCTs to evaluate the efficacy of interventions in adolescents across three outcomes: self-harm regardless of suicidal intent, suicide attempts, and nonsuicidal self-injury. Systematic searches in PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Medline identified RCTs evaluating interventions for self-harm in youth under 18 years who engaged in self-harm at least once in the past six months. Studies were included if 80% met these criteria. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects modeling, primarily to account for heterogeneity across studies, as this approach accommodates variation in effect sizes that may arise from differences in for example study populations, and interventions. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Of 6497 screened records, 21 studies met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that across three studies, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) reduced the number of adolescents engaging in self-harm behaviors (risk difference [RD]=–0.12, 95% confidence interval: − 0.22 to − 0.02), with moderate certainty. Meta-analysis of two studies found Internet-delivered Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (IERITA) reduced both the episodes (mean difference =–4.65, − 8.04 to − 1.25) and occurrence of nonsuicidal self-injury at treatment end (RD=–0.20, − 0.34 to − 0.07), with low certainty of evidence. DBT-A appears effective in preventing repeated self-harm, supported by findings across multiple research groups. The less resource-intensive therapy IERITA may be beneficial for adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury. Larger sample sizes and consensus on definitions and measurement approaches will benefit future research and clinical practice.Prospero registration: ID CRD42023480178.

Effects of interventions for self-harm in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Johansson et al now available online and #openaccess in our #ECAP journal:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined insomnia as a side effect of antidepressant treatment using data from 20 studies of children and adolescents with depression (N = 5,357). https://twp.ai/4irll6

ESCAP President Jörg M. Fegert opening this year's Residential course in Catania. We are wishing all attendees and our speakers a great event!

@paul-klauser.bsky.social

A social ecological approach to social contagion of self-harm among young people

Review by Xue Wen, Shufang Sun, Danhua Lin, Weihua Yue & Runsen Chen

Web: go.nature.com/4nTGV0V
PDF: rdcu.be/eH9T2

Some adolescents experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors choose not to share them with certain family members, peers, or even anyone in their lives. https://twp.ai/4ipQTa
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Self-harm is common in adolescents and linked to higher risks of repeated self-harm and suicide. https://twp.ai/4ipRnf
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Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) can occur in children as young as preschool age, yet there are few tools to identify those at risk. https://twp.ai/4ipQTR
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Parental education level and ADHD diagnosis in childhood and adolescence: the moderating roles of gender, age, and family history of ADHD - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Low parental education has been suggested as a risk factor for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the associations may differ by gender and age, as boys are diagnosed more often and ...

Parental education level and ADHD diagnosis in childhood and adolescence: the moderating roles of gender, age, and family history of #ADHD by Volotinen et al, now published online and #openaccess in our #ECAP journal:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation of children and adolescents: a retrospective analysis of Athens public prosecutor’s office for minors records - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry This retrospective study examines emergency involuntary psychiatric admission procedures for minors in Athens (2018–2022), using case records accessed through collaboration between the ‘postgraduate M...

Involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation of children and adolescents: a retrospective analysis of Athens public prosecutor’s office for minors records by Stylianidou et al now available online and #openaccess in our #ECAP journal:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Beyond Self-Reports: Integrating Cortisol Measurement in Psychotherapy Process Research among Adolescents with Borderline Personality Pathology Abstract. Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for adolescent Borderline Personality Pathology (BPP), yet its mechanisms remain unclear. Given potential self-report biases due to alexithymia and imp...

Full paper now in press with Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2/2

karger.com/pps/article/...

Why Young People With Eating Disorder Symptoms Do Not Seek Help—Exploring Barriers to Help‐Seeking Objective Rates of help-seeking and treatment uptake are low in eating disorders. Delayed initiation of treatment has a negative impact on prognosis and treatment outcome and leads to a higher burde...

Of the many challenges we face, the lack of help-seeking for mental health problems, is a major barrier to reach those in need. Here we adressed factors associated with help seeking in a fairly large sample of adolescents with eating disorder symptoms. 1/2

Associations between childhood maltreatment, self-harm, and pain sensitivity in care-experienced adolescents living in the UK: a cross-sectional study Childhood maltreatment is a major public health issue and associated with self-harm in adolescents. Self-harm is the strongest recognised predictor of…

Our group discovered a unique association between the history of sexual abuse self-harm and pain hyposensitivity www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation amongst unaccompanied young refugees: a machine learning approach - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Background Suicidality is a major public health concern worldwide. Evidence on the prevalence and risk factors of suicidality amongst unaccompanied young refugees (UYRs), a population already at risk ...

Now available online and #openaccess in our #ECAP journal: Prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation amongst unaccompanied young refugees: a machine learning approach by Keller et al:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#psychiatryresearch #youthmentalhealth

A green graphic with a large yellow pie chart showing a tiny 2% slice highlighted in blue. Text reads: “Mental health gets just 2% of health budgets. No change in 8 years. No excuse.”

Mental health gets just 2% of health budgets—unchanged since 2017.

💸 Spending: >$50 in rich nations, <$1 in poorer ones.
👥 Only 13 mental health workers per 100K people globally.

This is a global equity crisis. Let's invest in #MentalHealth! 👉 bit.ly/3Vr2mtR

Impact of maternal stress and COVID-19 exposure during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment: signature cohort 12 month follow-up - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented global challenges. Amid the crisis, the potential impact of COVID-19 exposure on the neurodevelopment of offspring born to infected mothers emerged as a cri...

Now published online and #openaccess in our #ECAP journal:

Impact of maternal stress and COVID-19 exposure during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment: signature cohort 12 month follow-up by Garrido-Torres et al:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#COVID #neurodevelopment #psychiatryresearch

This study examined whether exposure to self-harm content on social media impacts teens’ self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, using intensive monitoring data. https://twp.ai/4ipQU2
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We're delighted to introduce our new Research Academy Organizing team: Koen Bolhuis, Assia Riccioni & Héloïse Young! They'll be in charge of our 2027 event which takes place on 22-23 June 2027 in Athens, prior to our ESCAP congress. Save the date!
Find out more: www.escap.eu/escap-commun...

JAMA Special Communication: Reducing Barriers to Mental Health Care for Physicians - An Overview and Strategic Recommendations. Published online August 14, 2025. Discusses challenges physicians face in seeking mental health care.

Eliminating barriers to #mentalhealth care for physicians is essential to prevent untreated conditions and suicides, improve well-being, and maintain high-quality patient care.

ja.ma/3V8opFB

As they are stepping down as the organizers of the ESCAP Research Academy, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to @paul-klauser.bsky.social and Alexis Revet for their great work over the years!

Our September newsletter went out earlier today:
mailchi.mp/escap/escap-...

And if you haven't already: sign up here to get the next one delivered straight to your inbox: escap.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

#ESCAP

Duration effects of micronutrients in children with ADHD: Randomised controlled trial vs. Open-Label extension - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry A 10-week randomised controlled trial (RCT) showed efficacy of micronutrients in improving symptoms associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study investigated duration ef...

New research: Duration effects of micronutrients in children with #ADHD: Randomised controlled trial vs. Open-Label extension by Chand et al:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#ECAP #ESCAP #openaccess

Did you know that even if someone is born with a high #GeneticRisk for an #EatingDisorder, this does not mean that they are destined to experience one?

Discover what is known about the genetic component of #EatingDisorders from @helenadavies.bsky.social‬ here: https://bit.ly/3D4JISV

@who.int published two new mental health reports yesterday:
➡️ World mental health today: iris.who.int/bitstream/ha...
➡️ Mental Health Atlas 2024: iris.who.int/bitstream/ha...

#mentalhealth #youthmentalhealth #mentalhealthpolicy

Indirect associations between adolescent ADHD and/or oppositional defiant disorder symptoms and adult incomes: the mediating roles of education and co-occurring psychiatric disorders - European Child ... This longitudinal, population-based cohort study examines the direct and indirect associations between adolescent Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (...

New research: Indirect associations between adolescent #ADHD and/or oppositional defiant disorder symptoms and adult incomes: the mediating roles of education and co-occurring psychiatric disorders by Seppä et al:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#openaccess #ECAP

See the blogpost summarizing the paper by Stringaris et al below. For the original paper: mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1...

#youthmentalhealth #depressiontreatment #depression

New paper! Excellent work by @bignardi.bsky.social and @minafazeloxford.bsky.social, who leads the Oxwell study

The prevalence of food insecurity and its relationship with wellbeing in a large, cross-sectional study of children and young people in England

Out soon. Preprint:
osf.io/preprints/ps...

What are the likely causes of #Depression in adolescence?

Explore the key features and prevalence of adolescent depression, and why early prevention matters with this interesting talk on ACAMH Learn from Prof Andrew Lewis.

Watch now! https://bit.ly/4k1oJRs

The August issue of our #ECAP journal is out now!
View the whole issue here: www.escap.eu/ecap-journal...

#childpsychiatry #adolescentpsychiatry #ESCAP #psychiatryresearch #mentalhealth