Biomedical subjects

F Almqvist

Publications and source records attributed to F Almqvist.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Psychiatric disorders, performance level at school and special education at early elementary school age.

We assessed the relationship between psychological deviance and performance level at school among 8-year-old children. The use of special education among children with psychiatric disorders was also studied. In Stage 1, 5813 children were studied using the Rutter Parent Questionnaire (RA2), the Rutter Teacher Questionnaire (RB2) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). In Stage 2, a subsample (n = 424) of these children were interviewed, using the Isle of Wight Interview. In Stage 1, more children defined as low achievers (LAs) came from low SES families than did average (NAs) and high achievers (HAs). They also had more psychiatric symptoms, and they scored above the cutoff (13 points on the RA2, nine points on the RB2 and 17 points on the CDI) more commonly than other children. In Stage 2, two thirds of children who received special education had some psychiatric disorder. The probability of a child with psychiatric disorder obtaining some extra tutoring or special education was 3.1-fold when compared with children without psychiatric disorders. Depressive children and children with attention deficit disorders most commonly had extra tutoring (4.8-fold) when compared with children without psychiatric disorders. The probability of getting special education was highest for attention deficit disorders (6.2-fold), thereafter for anxiety (3.1-fold), and for oppositional/conduct disorders (2.8-fold).

Achievement↗

PubMed1999

Behavioural/emotional symptoms among 8-9-year-old children with somatic symptoms or illnesses as reported by their teacher.

The aim of this study was to assess children's behavioural/emotional symptoms at school and to compare these symptoms of somatically healthy children with those of children with somatic illnesses or symptoms. The Rutter Teacher Questionnaire (RB2) was used for measuring psychiatric symptoms in 5813 children aged 8-9 years. The parents reported the somatic symptoms and illnesses of their children during the previous 12 months. One hundred and sixty one children had a marked or serious chronic illness, 292 had a mild chronic illness, and 92 had one or several symptoms. The findings suggest that boys with a marked or serious chronic somatic illness are prone to manifest psychiatric symptoms in their interactions with peers and teachers at school and that boys with a mild chronic illness have less psychiatric symptoms than healthy boys.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Are twins' behavioural/emotional problems different from singletons'?

We compared twins with singletons in the National Epidemiological Child Psychiatric Study, which included 122 twins and 5455 singletons, born in 1981 and selected at random. Behavioural and emotional symptoms were assessed in 1989 on the basis of questionnaires filled in by the parents (Rutter Parent Questionnaire) (RA2), teachers (Rutter Teacher Questionnaire) (RB2) and the children themselves (Children's Depression Inventory) (CDI). Parents' reported proportions of probable behavioural/emotional disorders did not differ between the twin and singleton girls, but among the twin boys there was a nonsignificant trend of being more often probably disturbed. Twins were reported to be less disturbed than singletons according to the teachers' assessments. No difference was found between twins and singletons in their self-reports. When analysing parents' reported values of various sum scores, the twin boys obtained slightly higher scores than singletons, while twin girls scored significantly lower on total and emotional disturbances. Twin boys obtained lower mean scores than singletons for probable disorder in the teachers' evaluations, the differences arising mostly in the emotional area. The same type of trend, however nonsignificant, was found among the teachers' evaluations of girls. No significant difference was found in the mean scores for hyperactivity. This large population-based sample suggests that twins may have a lower rate of behavioural problems in childhood than singletons, a finding that has to be taken into account in behavioural genetic studies.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Smoking and drinking habits in adolescence--links with psychiatric disturbance at the age of 8 years.

Smoking and drinking habits were studied among 1098 14-15-year-old adolescents using a mailed questionnaire. The subjects were drawn from a representative population of 5813 randomly selected 8-year-old children previously studied in the National Epidemiological Child Psychiatry Study in Finland in 1989. The questionnaire included items on the adolescents' smoking habits and alcohol consumption. Regular smoking was more common among boys (and girls) who, in childhood, had been rated by their parents (Rutter Parent Questionnaire) (RA2) as disturbed, 14.6% (30.3%), than among the nondisturbed, 6.6% (8.4%). Similarly, more of the previously disturbed (according to the RA2) adolescent boys drank alcohol regularly, 19.7%, as compared to the nondisturbed boys, 9.3%. Among girls, regular alcohol consumption was more common among those who previously had behavioural or mixed type problems (according to the RA2), 70.7%, as compared to those who previously had emotional or no problems, 12.2%. More of the previously depressed girls smoked regularly, 45.1%, than those who had not been depressed, 7.9%. Behavioural and emotional problems in childhood seemed to predispose to smoking and drinking in adolescence. The parents were more sensitive than the teachers in recognising the long-lasting problems of their children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Psychiatric symptoms in children with intellectual disability.

In a sample of almost 6000 8-year-old children, we found that 1.5% attended special schools for the educationally subnormal, or training schools. Psychiatric symptoms were studied by means of three screening instruments: the Rutter Parent Questionnaire (RA2) for the parents, the Rutter Teacher Questionnaire (RB2) for the teachers, and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) for the children. The prevalence rate of children identified as possibly suffering from a psychiatric disturbance was 32.2% according to the RA2. The corresponding prevalence rate for the RB2 was 34.2%. According to the CDI 11.0% had depressive disturbance. All types of disturbances were more frequent among the intellectually disabled children as compared to the nondisabled children. The differences were statistically significant for emotional and mixed types of disturbance on the RA2, and for emotional and conduct types of disturbance on the RB2.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Teacher-rated psychiatric problems in 8-year-old children and parental quality of previous day-care.

In this study behavioural/emotional problems in 95 8-year-old schoolchildren were assessed by using the Rutter Parent Questionnaire (RB2) for teachers and related to earlier day-care periods. A relatively low proportion of behavioural/emotional problems was found among those children whose parents reported only moderate dissatisfaction with the first day-care period. Behavioural/emotional problems were associated with high numbers of day-care periods and short day-care periods. The proportion of problems was high among children with a moderate mean length of periods as compared with those with no day-care short periods or very long periods. The differences in behavioural/emotional problems were related to the degree of parental satisfaction with the quality, as well as to the continuity of day-care. However, the results of logistic regression analysis found no significant associations related to stability when the background factors were controlled for. These results may reflect the consequences of continuity versus discontinuity in the relationships between children, parents and caregivers.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Four-year course of teacher-reported internalising, externalising and comorbid syndromes in preadolescent children.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the nature of comorbidity between internalising and externalising syndromes and its meaning in the course of these syndromes from 8 to 12 years of age in a school setting. The children in the cohort (N = 1320) were born in 1981. They were first surveyed in second grade (N = 1284) and followed up in sixth grade (N = 906). Teachers were the informants, and the study was carried out by means of a questionnaire. Data from both points of time were available on 861 subjects. The Rutter Teacher Questionnaire (RB2) measured behavioural and emotional symptoms at Time 1, and the Teacher Report Form (TRF) at Time 2. Comorbidity was more prevalent in boys than girls. Childhood comorbidity predicted externalising syndrome and comorbidity, but not internalising syndrome in early adolescence. It changed the course of boys' internalising syndromes to an externalising direction over time. The data suggest a gender difference in the pattern of comorbidity. When comorbidity was partialled out, it was very rare for internalising and externalising syndromes to develop into contrasting syndromes over time. The recovery rate for childhood comorbidity was poor. Special attention should be paid to making schools recognise and help these children.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Emotional and behavioural symptoms in 8-9-year-old children in relation to family structure.

The association between family structure and behavioural and emotional symptoms in prepubertal children was studied in an epidemiological survey conducted in Finland. Five thousand eight hundred thirteen children aged 8 and 9 years were screened using the Rutter Parent Questionnaire (RA2) for parents and the Rutter Teacher Questionnaire (RB2) for teachers. Information concerning family type, birth order and sibship size were obtained from the parents. The majority of the children (84%) in the sample lived with both their biological parents, 10% with a single parent, and around 5% with a biological parent and a stepparent. Around 1% of the children lived outside their original home. The prevalence of behavioural and emotional symptoms was lowest in children living with both their biological parents and highest among children living outside their original home according to both parents' and teachers' reports. Children living with a parent and a stepparent had problems more often at home, but less often at school than children living with a single parent. Living with a single father was associated with having more externalizing, school-related problems, while living with a stepfather was associated with having more internalizing, home related problems. Having younger siblings seemed to be associated with fewer problems at school, and being the youngest child with having less problems both at home and at school.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Children's behavioural/emotional problems: a comparison of parents' and teachers' reports for elementary school-aged children.

This study assessed the agreement between parents and teachers concerning behavioural/emotional symptoms of children. 5671 children born in 1981 (mean age 8.5 years at the time of study) were studied using the Rutter Parent Questionnaire (RA2) and the Rutter Teacher Questionnaire (RB2). Boys had more behavioural symptoms on both scales, 3.6% of the boys and 2.3% of the girls were deviant on both scales. Agreement between parents and teachers on single behaviours was better for deviant girls than for deviant boys. The factors constructed from the Rutter scale items (separately of each scale) represented externalizing, internalizing and hyperactivity behaviours. For all children, moderate correlations between parents' and teachers' ratings were found in externalizing behaviour and hyperactivity. Correlations of the factors were clearly higher for deviant girls than for deviant boys. Scoring high on one of the scales increased the probability of scoring high on the second scale. The discussion focuses on factors that may affect agreement between parents and teachers when behavioural symptoms are assessed.

Child↗

PubMed1998

Psychiatric disturbances among prepubertal children in southern Finland.

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among prepubertal children in Southern Finland was studied in a two-stage epidemiological survey. In the first stage of the study 3397 children aged 8 or 9 were screened with the Rutter A2 scale for parents, Rutter B2 scale for teachers and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). In the second stage a random sample of the children screened was drawn for more detailed assessment. Altogether 279 children were interviewed with the Finnish version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC), and their parents with the Isle of Wight Interview Schedule. In the parental interview the prevalence of psychiatric disturbance among children was 15.1%. The rate was higher for boys (23.7%) than for girls (5.3%). The prevalence of psychiatric disturbance verified with the child interview was 14.9%. The prevalence of psychiatric disturbance in boys based on the child interview was 20.5%. For girls the prevalence of psychiatric disturbance based on the child interview was 8.7%. The spectrum of psychiatric disturbance differed in the two interviews. Attention deficit disorder, depression and conduct disorder were the most common diagnoses in the parent interview, while anxiety disorder and depression were most common according to the child interview. In only 24% of the cases both the parent and child interview gave the same diagnosis.

Child↗

PubMed1998

Validity of child psychiatric screening methods.

The Parent Questionnaire (scale A2), the Teacher Questionnaire (scale B2) by Rutter, and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were validated using ROC-analysis. The material was collected from an epidemiological study of a normal population of 5664 8-9 year-old children. The screening results were compared with the corresponding parent, teacher, and child (DISC) interviews. In addition to this traditional way of validating the combined interview, results from all three interviews were also used. We found that the Teacher Questionnaire scale B2 was the most valid, and had the best overall power to discriminate psychiatric disturbances. The Teacher Questionnaire (scale B2) may be recommended when screening child psychiatric disturbances. The Parent Questionnaire (scale A2) was also found to be a valid instrument. Our results do not support the use of CDI as a sole screening instrument of psychiatric disturbances in children.

Child↗

PubMed1998

Bullying and psychiatric symptoms among elementary school-age children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess bullying and psychological disturbance among 5,813 elementary school-aged children. METHOD: The data consisted of information given by the parents, teachers, and children themselves (Rutter A2 Scale, Rutter B2 Scale and Children's Depression Inventory). Children involved in bullying (as bullies, bully-victims, and victims) were compared to other children. RESULTS: More boys than girls were found to be involved in bullying. Bully-victims scored highest in externalizing behaviour and hyperactivity, and they themselves reported feelings of ineffectiveness and interpersonal problems. Victims scored highest in internalizing behavior and also psychosomatic symptoms, and they themselves reported anhedonia. Some gender differences in psychiatric symptomatology were also found. Children involved in bullying, especially children who both bullied and were bullied themselves, were psychologically disturbed. More children involved in bullying than others were referred for psychiatric consultation. The probability of being referred was highest among bully-victims (6.5 fold for males and 9.9 for females when compared to children not involved in bullying). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that bullying is a common phenomenon among children who are psychologically disturbed. Bullying also elevates the probability of being referred for psychiatric consultation.

Aggression↗

PubMed1998

A follow-up of enuresis from childhood to adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and treatment of enuresis in a national population-based follow-up study of children aged 8-14 years, to evaluate possible factors that enhance or hamper the attainment of continence and to examine the relationships between enuresis and psychiatric disturbance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An initial study was carried out in 1989 as part of the Finnish Child Psychiatric National Epidemiological Study. Three types of questionnaires were used; the Rutter Scale A for completion by parents, including a question about enuresis, the Rutter scale B for completion by teachers and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), completed by the children. Parents were also asked about demographic and family issues, teachers about school achievements and children about additional psychosomatic symptoms. In a follow-up in 1995, the target population comprised all previous enuretics and their controls, matched by age, gender, class and school, in the first phase of the study. Replies were received from 315 enuretic boys and 186 girls, with the corresponding values for controls being 310 and 183. The parents were asked about the adolescents' present enuresis and for permission for a treatment trial, if needed. The adolescents completed the CDI, and a questionnaire about enuresis, previous treatments and possible willingness for a treatment trial. They also reported basic somatic data, their life events and living habits. RESULTS: In the initial study, the enuretic children had higher total and subscores as reported by parents, teachers and themselves, except for emotional items reported by the teachers. Additionally, a significantly greater proportion of these children soiled, had sleeping difficulties and difficulties in falling asleep. Enuretic boys had more frequent nightly arousal and early morning waking, while the enuretic girls had more nightmares than non-enuretic girls. At 14 years old, the parents reported that 13 adolescents were enuretic; from the children's replies, nine boys and seven girls were enuretic. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of enuresis in those previously enuretic was surprisingly low, probably because of the efficient treatment methods, conditioning and medication. There were evident connections between childhood enuresis and mental well-being.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Children with symptoms of depression--what do the adults see?

In order to find out whether parents and teachers report depressive symptoms in children with self-reported depression and which features are connected with sought psychiatric care, a sample of 5682 prepubertal children was assessed with the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Rutter A2 scale (RA) and Rutter B2 scale (RB). In stepwise regression analysis of parent report, depressed mood, unpopularity, social withdrawal, disobedience, inattentiveness, and stealing were associated with high CDI scores. The items of the teacher report associated with high CDI scores included poor school performance, restlessness, somatic complaints, unresponsiveness, being bullied, and absenteeism from school. Although the parents and teachers readily saw and reported depressive symptoms in children, only for a small minority of children with multiple depressive symptoms had psychiatric care been sought or even considered. The symptoms associated with sought psychiatric care for depressed children were somatic (soiling, asthma) and behavioural (disobedient, restless). The results indicate that a large number of children with multiple depressive symptoms are left without necessary psychiatric assessment and help.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Should depression in young school-children be diagnosed with different criteria?

In a two-stage epidemiological study 5686 randomly selected 8 to 9-year-old children were screened using the CDI (Children's Depression Inventory), of whom 418 were questioned with the DISC-C1 (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children). According to DSM-III criteria the prevalence of MDD (Major Depressive Disorders) was 0.48% and of DD (Dysthymic Disorder) 0.06%. The prevalence rates did not change when DSM-III-R and DSM-IV criteria were employed. Fifteen children reported suicidal thoughts but according to DSM-III criteria only 1 of these children was depressed. Duration and frequency of depressive symptoms are essential for making a diagnosis of depressive disorder by the DSM-III, but children's reliability in reporting them is questionable. Omitting the duration and frequency of symptoms from the DSM-III criteria raised the prevalence of MDD to 4.0% and of DD to 2.2%. Eight of the children with suicidal thoughts were depressed. By the adapted DSM-III-R and DSM-IV criteria the prevalence rate of MDD was 4.0% and of DD 9.7%.

Child↗

PubMed1988

Mental health in young people in relation to child welfare and institutional care in childhood.

This study shows that children with experience of child welfare and institutional care are clearly more disturbed than their peers who lived without external intervention and with their original families. The results indicate that child welfare intervention has only been of limited help to disadvantaged children especially for children with psychiatric and educational problems. Preventive measures have to be extended and psychotherapeutic interventions intensified before child welfare can compensate the handicaps and drawbacks of seriously disadvantaged children and secure the quality of life for them.

Achievement↗

PubMed1988

Disadvantaged adolescents in psychiatric treatment.

In a prospective epidemiological study, a cohort of all children born in 1955 in Helsinki have so far been surveyed into their youth. On the basis of the present seven-year follow-up in adolescence, it was observed that the cumulative incidence of public psychiatric treatment is 9.1%. Marital status of the biological parents deviating from normal or the death of a parent as well as a low social status of the father are factors connected with an elevated risk of required psychiatric treatment during youth. The combined effects of such social risk factors are additive. The risk of necessary treatment was observed to be three times greater in young people who exhibited both risk factors during childhood. The results of the study indicate how preventive measures might be directed. At the same time, the need for more detailed studies in the future to allow preventive measures to be directed more accurately than hitherto, at children and families requiring them, is emphasized.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Psychiatric hospital treatment of young people.

To develop and extend psychiatric work among the young, information is required on, e.g., the manner and extent to which young people have so far made use of psychiatric hospital services. In this study report, psychiatric hospital treatment from age 15-21 years is described epidemiologically. The percentage of young people treated in psychiatric institutions during the 7-year follow-up period was 2.7. Of all the young psychiatric patients in this cohort, only some 20% required institutional care. A small group of about 0.7% of the total young population accounted for some 70% of the total number of psychiatric hospital days involving young people.

Adolescent↗