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Sijmen A Reijneveld

Publications and source records attributed to Sijmen A Reijneveld.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The association of behavioural and emotional problems with tobacco use in adolescence.

UNLABELLED: Smoking is a highly addictive behaviour, often initiated during adolescence. It is suggested that smoking is associated with behavioural and emotional problems. This study aims to assess the impact of psychosocial problems on smoking initiation and vice versa. METHOD: We obtained data on self-reported psychosocial problems and smoking of adolescents at the age of 13 years and 2 years later. The baseline questionnaire was completed by 1789 students. 68% of the baseline questionnaire could be linked to a questionnaire of the second measurement. RESULTS: 15% smoked at baseline and 29% two years later. Respectively 8% and 9% had a clinical Externalizing problem score or a clinical Internalizing problem score at baseline, 14% had these problems two years later. Externalizing problems at baseline predicted the onset of smoking two years later. Internalizing problems only predicted smoking among girls. This association between psychosocial problems and smoking is most obvious for the onset of regularly smoking and less for the onset of experimenting. Reversibly smoking at baseline is only associated with the onset of externalizing problems two years later. CONCLUSION: Clinical Externalizing and Internalizing problems make the initiation of regular smoking more likely. The effects on experimental smoking are less obvious.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Broadening the scope on health problems among the chronically neurologically ill with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine ICF items indicating health problems for patients with a chronic neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and neuromuscular disease. METHOD: A Delphi study using three disease-specific panels composed of patients and proxies, medical and non-medical health professionals (N = 98). Panels were asked to select items from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) reflecting relevant disease-specific health problems. Items appraised as relevant by the panel members were compared with items in established measures namely: the Minimal Record of Disability (MRD) and the Disability and Impact Profile (DIP). RESULTS: Sixty-eight ICF items were considered to be the most relevant, and belonged to four ICF domains. No significant differences were found between the appraisal of items by patients/proxies and health professionals. Agreement across the disease panels appeared to be (very) strong. Differences between the three disease-specific panels were found for the 'Body Functions and Structures' domain: consensus was reached by extension of the inclusion criteria. The ICF-item selection covers almost all items of the established measures. The largest contrast was shown in the item selection for the 'participation' and 'environmental factors' domains. CONCLUSIONS: Selected items indicate a broader scope in studying health problems compared with widely used health status measures in neurology, especially for the ICF domains 'Participation' and 'Environmental Factors'.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2006

Influence of parental employment status on Dutch and Slovak adolescents' health.

BACKGROUND: Recent research shows the possibility that the link between parental employment status and children's health can be affected by different cultural or societal settings. The aim of this study was to explore whether the effect of father's and mother's employment status on several aspects of adolescents' health differs between Slovakia and the Netherlands. METHODS: Two data sets were used: 2616 Slovak adolescents (mean age 14.9) and 2054 Dutch adolescents (mean age 16.3). Self-rated health, GHQ-12, long-term well-being and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used to assess the health of adolescents. Parental employment status was classified into the following categories: employed, unemployed, disabled, housewife (among mothers only). Logistic regression analyses were done separately for males and females. RESULTS: Results indicate that having an unemployed father negatively influences self-rated health and long-term well-being of Slovak male adolescents, but has no effect on the health of Dutch adolescents. Secondly, having a disabled father has a negative effect on the psychological well-being of Dutch males and the self-rated health of females, but does not influence the health of Slovak adolescents. Thirdly, having a mother who is disabled, unemployed or a housewife has a negative effect on the self-esteem of Slovak adolescents. Fourthly, Dutch males whose mother was a housewife had worse long-term well-being than those with an unemployed mother, whereas Dutch females whose mother was a housewife reported better psychological well-being than those with an employed mother. CONCLUSION: To conclude briefly our results, father's unemployment seems to be a better predictor of health for Slovak adolescents, father's disablement of health for Dutch ones. Mother's employment status seemed to be important for the self-esteem of Slovak adolescents and mother as a housewife for the health of Dutch ones. This suggests that the link between parental employment status and the health of their children may vary between countries, and therefore further studies involving various cultures are needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Use of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist for the detection of psychosocial problems in preventive child healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Early detection and treatment of psychosocial problems by preventive child healthcare may lead to considerable health benefits, and a short questionnaire could support this aim. The aim of this study was to assess whether the Dutch version of the US Pediatric Symptom checklist (PSC) is valid and suitable for the early detection of psychosocial problems among children. METHODS: We included 687 children (response 84.3%) aged 7-12 undergoing routine health assessments in nine Preventive Child Health Services across the Netherlands. Child health professionals interviewed and examined children and parents. Before the interview, parents completed an authorised Dutch translation of the PSC and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The CBCL and data on the child's current treatment status were used as criteria for the validity of the PSC. RESULTS: The consistency of the Dutch PSC was good (Cronbach alpha 0.89). The area under the ROC curve using the CBCL as a criterion was 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.92 to 0.96). At the US cut-off (28 and above), the prevalence rate of an increased score and sensitivity were lower than in the USA. At a lower cut-off (22 and above), sensitivity and specificity were similar to that of the US version (71.7% and 93.0% respectively). Information on the PSC also helped in the identification of children with elevated CBCL Total Problems Scores, above solely clinical judgment. CONCLUSION: The PSC is also useful for the early detection of psychosocial problems in preventive child healthcare outside the USA, especially with an adjusted cut-off.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Continuous admission to primary school and mental health problems.

BACKGROUND: Younger children in a school class have higher rates of mental health problems if admission to primary school occurs once a year. This study examines whether this relative age effect also occurs if children are admitted to school continuously throughout the year. METHODS: We assessed mental health problems based on parent-reports (using the Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL) and on professional assessments, among two Dutch national samples of in total 12,221 children aged 5-15 years (response rate: 86.9%). RESULTS: At ages 5-6, we found a higher occurrence of mental health problems in relatively young children, both for mean CBCL scores (p = 0.017) and for problems assessed by child health professionals (p < 0.0001). At ages 7-15, differences by relative age did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Continuous admission to primary school does not prevent mental health problems among young children, but may do so at older ages. Its potential for the prevention of mental problems deserves further study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Screening for psychosocial problems in 5-6-year olds: a randomised controlled trial of routine health assessments.

OBJECTIVE: Children's psychosocial problems are often not identified accurately. The present study addresses the effect of training of Child Health Doctors (CHDs) in a structured method to identify psychosocial problems on the accuracy of this identification in children aged 5-6. METHOD: The study was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a baseline and two follow-up measurements. A volunteer sample of 58 CHDs participated, randomly assigned to intervention or control condition. CHDs selected a population-based sample of 5-6-year-old children (n = 6375). RESULTS: The first follow-up showed that sensitivity had improved by 9% and specificity by 5% in the intervention condition, especially in children with severe problems (odds ratio = 3.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-11.8). The second follow-up showed a decrease in sensitivity and specificity in both conditions. CONCLUSION: The training improves identification of psychosocial problems, especially severe ones, although the availability of time and resources also influences the accuracy with which psychosocial problems are identified.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Area deprivation and child psychosocial problems--a national cross-sectional study among school-aged children.

BACKGROUND: We examined the association of area deprivation with the occurrence of psychosocial problems among children aged 4-16 in a representative national sample of children based on standardised measures of parent-reported problems and diagnoses made by doctors and nurses working in child healthcare (child health professionals, CHPs). METHODS: The study comprised 4480 children aged 4-16 years, eligible for a routine health assessment (response: 90.1 %), in 19 Child Healthcare Services across the Netherlands that routinely provided preventive child healthcare to nearly all school-aged children. Parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). CHPs examined the child and interviewed parents and child during their routine health assessments. Main outcome measures concerned psychosocial problems as reported by parents (i. e. a clinical score on the CBCL) and as identified by CHPs. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of psychosocial problems were 8.6% for parent-reported problems and 10.1 % for CHP-identified problems. They were much higher in the most deprived third of the areas. Odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) compared with the least deprived third were 1.93 (1.41-2.64) regarding parent-reported problems and 1.76 (1.30-2.38) regarding CHP-identified problems. Regarding parent reports, associations were slightly stronger for behavioural problems than for emotional problems. Less than a quarter of the area differences could be explained by individual and family characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Child psychosocial problems occur more frequently in deprived areas. Both preventive and curative health services should be better equipped for this concentration of child and adolescent morbidity in deprived areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The changing impact of a severe disaster on the mental health and substance misuse of adolescents: follow-up of a controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Disasters are believed to have large effects on the mental health of adolescents but the lack of prospective pre- and post-disaster data on affected and control populations have limited our knowledge on the validity of these claims. We examined the medium-term, 12 months' effects of a severe disaster on the mental health of adolescents, and compared them to effects after 5 months. METHOD: A café fire in The Netherlands injured 250 adolescents and killed 14. We obtained data 15 months before and 12 months after the disaster about behavioural and emotional problems (using the Youth Self-Report) and substance misuse, in 124 students of an affected school of whom 31 were present at the fire (response 77.5%) and 830 other students (56.4%); mean age at baseline, 13.8 years. RESULTS: We found differences between students from the affected school and others for excessive use of alcohol (odds ratio 3.42, 95% confidence interval 2.00-5.85, p < 0.0001), but not for behavioural and emotional problems and use of other substances. Effects had decreased compared to those after 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: In the long run, the effects of disaster decrease regarding self-reported behavioural and emotional problems, but they remain regarding alcohol misuse among those present at the disaster, and their peers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Unaccompanied adolescents seeking asylum: poorer mental health under a restrictive reception.

We assessed the effects of a stringent reception policy on the mental health of unaccompanied adolescent asylum seekers by comparing the mental health of adolescents in a restricted campus reception setting and in a setting offering more autonomy (numbers [response rates]: 69 [93%] and 53 [69%], respectively; mean age, 16 years). Unaccompanied adolescent asylum seekers in a restricted reception setting reported more emotional problems on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist than their counterparts in the more autonomy group (mean scores [SD]: restricted, 59.3 [13.1]; other, 53.4 [10.5]; p = 0.033, F test). Main effects concerned a rise in anxiety. Girls showed larger differences than boys. A restrictive reception may therefore affect the mental health of minor asylum seekers. Health care workers and policy makers should be aware of this adverse effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Exposure to tobacco smoke and infant crying.

AIM: To examine the association of excessive infant crying with maternal smoking during and after pregnancy, paternal smoking, and smoking by other people in the living environment of the infant. METHODS: We collected data on infant crying and smoking in a Dutch national sample of 5845 infants aged 0-3 mo (response 62.8%). We defined excessive crying as crying over 3 h a day on more than 3 d of the preceding week. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of excessive crying was 4.0% (95% CI 3.5 to 4.5%). Excessive crying occurred more frequently among infants of fathers smoking 15 + cigarettes/d (odds ratio (OR) 1.99, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.86) and of mothers smoking 10 + cigarettes/d during pregnancy (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.42). Infants whose parents were heavy current smokers or whose mothers had been so during pregnancy had a 69% higher prevalence of excessive crying than infants of non-smoking parents (rates: 6.3% and 3.7%, respectively; odds ratio 1.80; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.57). CONCLUSION: Parents stopping smoking may prevent excessive infant crying.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2005

Infant milk feeding practices in the Netherlands and associated factors.

AIM: The aim of the study was to describe infant feeding practices and associated factors, and to explore mothers' main reasons for starting and stopping breastfeeding. METHODS: We performed a national inquiry into milk feeding practices among 9133 Dutch infants aged < 7 mo by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: 78% of mothers initiated breastfeeding. At 1 and 4 mo, respectively, 51 and 25% of infants were fed primarily on human milk; after 6 mo, only 15% of mothers still provided human milk as the only source of milk feeding. During the whole 6-mo period, another 11 to 18% was fed on both breast and formula milk. Women initiating breastfeeding were more likely to be higher educated, have a higher-educated partner, be non-smokers, have a full-time job, and be primiparous. In addition, breastfeeding initiation rate was higher for women born outside the Netherlands. Longer duration of breastfeeding was mostly found amongst higher-educated, non-smoking women. The odds for continuation of breastfeeding after 4 mo increased when mothers' working hours did not exceed 16 h/wk. Infant delivery at home was associated with a higher initiation rate as well as longer duration of breastfeeding compared to hospital delivery. Infants born after 38 wk of gestation, with a birthweight of 3500 g had higher odds to be breastfed for a longer period. CONCLUSION: Only a minority of Dutch infants is breastfed for 6 mo. Maternal and infant characteristics are important predictors of breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Identification and management of psychosocial problems among toddlers in Dutch preventive child health care.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree to which preventive child health professionals (CHPs) identify and manage psychosocial problems among preschool children in the general population and to determine the association with parent-reported behavioral and emotional problems, sociodemographic factors, and mental health history of children. DESIGN: The CHPs examined the child and interviewed the parents and child during their routine health assessments. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was completed by the parents. SETTING: Sixteen child health care services across the Netherlands that routinely provided well-child care to nearly all preschool children. PATIENTS: Of 2354 children aged 21 months to 4 years who were eligible for a routine health assessment, 2229 (94.7%) participated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification and management of psychosocial problems by CHPs. RESULTS: In 9.4% of all children, CHPs identified psychosocial problems. Two in 5 of the CHP-identified children were referred for additional diagnosis and treatment. Identification of psychosocial problems and subsequent referral were much more likely in children with a clinical CBCL total problems score than in others (identification: 29% vs 7%; odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 5.40 [3.45-8.47]; referral: 15% vs 3%; odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 6.50 [3.69-11.46]). CONCLUSIONS: The CHPs frequently identify psychosocial problems in preschool children, although less than among school-aged children, but they miss many cases of parent-reported problems as measured by a clinical CBCL score. This general population study shows substantial room for improvement in the early identification of psychosocial problems.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed2003

The effect of a severe disaster on the mental health of adolescents: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Disasters greatly affect the mental health of children and adolescents, but quantification of such effects is difficult. Using prospective predisaster and postdisaster data for affected and control populations, we aimed to assess the effects of a severe disaster on the mental health and substance use of adolescents. METHODS: In January, 2001, a fire in a café in Volendam, Netherlands, wounded 250 adolescents and killed 14. In the 15 months before the disaster, all grade 2 students (aged 12-15 years) from a school in Volendam (of whom 31 were in the café during the fire), and from two other schools, had been selected as controls for a study. 124 Volendam students and 830 from the other two schools had provided data for substance use, and completed the youth self-report (YSR) questionnaire about behavioural and emotional problems. 5 months after the disaster, we obtained follow-up data from 91 (response rate 73.4%) Volendam adolescents and 643 (77.5%) controls from the other two schools. The primary outcome measures were changes in score in YSR categories of total problems, alcohol misuse, smoking, and substance use. We compared changes in scores between groups using logistic regression. FINDINGS: Volendam adolescents had larger increases in clinical scores than controls for total problems (odds ratio 1.82, 95% CI 1.01-3.29, p=0.045) and excessive use of alcohol (4.57, 2.73-7.64, p<0.0001), but not for smoking or use of marijuana, MDMA (ecstasy), and sedatives. Increases in YSR scores were largest for being anxious or depressed (2.85, 1.23-6.61), incoherent thinking (2.16, 1.09-4.30), and aggressive behaviour (3.30, 1.30-8.36). Intention-to-treat analyses showed significantly larger for increases in rates of excessive drinking and YSR symptom subscales in Volendam adolescents than controls. Effects were mostly similar in victims and their classmates. INTERPRETATION: Mental health interventions after disasters should address anxiety, depression, thought problems, aggression, and alcohol abuse of directly affected adolescents and their peer group.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Infant crying and abuse.

Child abuse and neglect are important causes of child morbidity and death. We assessed potentially detrimental parental actions induced by infant crying in 3259 infants aged 1-6 months, in the Netherlands. In infants aged 6 months, 5.6% (95% CI 4.2-7.0) of parents reported having smothered, slapped, or shaken their baby at least once because of its crying. The risks of detrimental actions were highest for parents from non-industrialised countries, those with either no job or a job with short working hours, and those who judged their infant's crying to be excessive. Clinicians should be aware of the risks of abuse in children known to cry a lot and should target interventions at parents to help them cope with this crying.

Child Abuse↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toward targeted hypertension screening guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for screening and subsequent treatment of hypertension vary widely between countries. Part of this variation can be attributed to systematic differences between populations, but little is known about the way in which guidelines should be targeted to the population of interest. Optimal guidelines should have high yield and low complexity. The goal is to fit procedures for screening and subsequent treatment of hypertension optimally to a specific population. METHODS: Simulation study on individual cardiovascular risk profiles, with drug treatment altering the 10-year cardiovascular risk. The analysis compares the consequences of various screening and treatment alternatives. The reference scenario consists of the Dutch hypertension guidelines for primary care. A representative sample of the Dutch population aged 20 years and older is taken as the target. Main outcome measures include incidence, quality-adjusted life years won, number needed to screen, and costs (prevention, morbidity, and mortality). The discount rate is 4%. RESULTS: Strict adherence to the current hypertension guidelines saves costs (i.e., the total prevention costs are less than the costs of prevented morbidity and mortality). The following changes increase its cost-effectiveness: use of lower blood pressure levels for screening and treatment, reduction of the number of screens from 5 to 3, and active call-up of high-risk patients. The adherence to guidelines has a large influence on actual cost-effectiveness achieved in practice. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate targeting of hypertension guidelines to a population and critical appraisal of the entire screening procedure can enhance cost-effectiveness.

Adult↗