Recent Submissions

  • Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: The Association Between Newer-Generation Antidepressants and Insomnia in Children and Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder

    Türkmen, Cagdas; Machunze, Noah; Lee, Alycia M; Bougelet, Emilie; Ludin, Nicola M; de Cates, Angharad N; Vollstädt-Klein, Sabine; Bach, Patrick; Kiefer, Falk; Burdzovic Andreas, Jasmina; et al. (Elsevier, 2025-01)
    Objective: To examine the association between newer generation antidepressants and insomnia as an adverse event (AE) in the treatment of children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). Method: A systematic search was performed in major databases (inception to August 31, 2023) to retrieve double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the safety of 19 antidepressants in the acute treatment (initial 6-12 weeks) of children and adolescents ≤18 years of age with MDD (primary analyses). RCTs in anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were retrieved from a recent meta-analysis and included in complementary analyses. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to compare the frequency of insomnia in the antidepressant relative to the placebo group. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Results: In total, 20 trials in MDD (N = 5,357) and 8 trials in anxiety disorders and OCD (N = 1,271) evaluating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were included. In MDD, antidepressant treatment was associated with a modest increase in the odds of insomnia compared with placebo (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.21-2.27, p = .002), with no significant difference between SSRIs and SNRIs. The RCTs showed low risk of bias or minor concerns for the assessment of insomnia. The odds of treatment-emergent insomnia were significantly lower in MDD (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.21-2.15) compared to anxiety disorders and OCD (OR = 2.89; 95% CI = 1.83-4.57) for treatment with SSRIs (p = .03). Among individual antidepressants with evidence from ≥3 studies, sertraline had the highest OR (3.45; 95% CI = 1.91-6.24), whereas duloxetine had the lowest OR (1.38; 95% CI = 0.79-2.43). Conclusion: Children and adolescents are at a modestly increased risk for experiencing insomnia during the first 6 to 12 weeks of treatment with SSRIs and SNRIs. Antidepressant- and disorder-specific variability in the risk of treatment-emergent insomnia may be relevant to consider in clinical decision making. Study preregistration information: The association between newer generation antidepressants and insomnia in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk; CRD42023330506.
  • Insulin resistance and obesity, and their association with depression in relatively young people: findings from a large UK birth cohort

    Perry, Benjamin Ian; Khandaker, G. M.; Marwaha, Steven; Thompson, A.; Zammit, Stanley; Singh, Swaran P; Upthegrove, Rachel; Thompson, A.; Singh, Swaran P.; Psychiatry; et al. (Cambridge University Press, 2019-03-11)
    Background Depression frequently co-occurs with disorders of glucose and insulin homeostasis (DGIH) and obesity. Low-grade systemic inflammation and lifestyle factors in childhood may predispose to DGIH, obesity and depression. We aim to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations among DGIH, obesity and depression, and to examine the effect of demographics, lifestyle factors and antecedent low-grade inflammation on such associations in young people. Methods Using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort, we used regression analyses to examine: (1) cross-sectional and (2) longitudinal associations between measures of DGIH [insulin resistance (IR); impaired glucose tolerance] and body mass index (BMI) at ages 9 and 18 years, and depression (depressive symptoms and depressive episode) at age 18 years and (3) whether sociodemographics, lifestyle factors or inflammation [interleukin-6 (IL-6) at age 9 years] confounded any such associations. Results We included 3208 participants. At age 18 years, IR and BMI were positively associated with depression. These associations may be explained by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. There were no longitudinal associations between DGIH/BMI and depression, and adjustment for IL-6 and C-reactive protein did not attenuate associations between IR/BMI and depression; however, the longitudinal analyses may have been underpowered. Conclusions Young people with depression show evidence of DGIH and raised BMI, which may be related to sociodemographic and lifestyle effects such as deprivation, smoking, ethnicity and gender. In future, studies with larger samples are required to confirm this. Preventative strategies for the poorer physical health outcomes associated with depression should focus on malleable lifestyle factors.
  • Cystic fibrosis, lockdown and CFTR modulators - a perfect storm

    Hufton, M.; Hussaini, Y.; Desai, M.; Saleem, N.; Srikantaiah, R.; Fairbank, J.; Cooper, S.; Paskin, L.; Hussaini, Y.; Community Children's Nursing; et al. (Elsevier, 2022-06)
    Conference abstract WS20.05 in the section 'Complex psychosocial/nursing case studies' of the oral sessions of the 45th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, 8-11 June 2022, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  • A Parenting Programme for Muslims

    Thomson, Kathryn; Hussein, Hanan; Roche-Nagi, Kathleen; Butterworth, Ruth; Butterworth, Ruth; Children's Services; Additional Professional Scientific and Technical Field; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust; Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Approachable Parenting; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust; University of Birmingham (Media Shed, 2018-03)
    Universal parenting intervention courses often fail to recruit and retain Muslim families. The practice of targeting specific populations in parenting programs is not well established. Parents from minority backgrounds are rarely offered culturally relevant, accessible or effective courses. Here, Thomson et al evaluate the impact of the faith-based Five Pillars of Parenting program in the UK.
  • The psychosis risk timeline: can we improve our preventive strategies? Part 1: early life

    Romain, Karen; Eriksson, Alexandra; Onyon, Richard; Kumar, Manoj; Romain, Karen; Eriksson, Alexandra; Onyon, Richard; Psychiatry; Medical and Dental; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust; Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust; University of Keele (Cambridge University Press, 2019-06-21)
    Psychosis is a complex presentation with a wide range of factors contributing to its development, biological and environmental. Psychosis is a feature present in a variety of psychiatric disorders. It is important for clinicians to keep up to date with evidence regarding current understanding of the reasons psychosis may occur. Furthermore, it is necessary to find clinical utility from this knowledge so that effective primary, secondary and tertiary preventative strategies can be considered. This article is the first of a three-part series that examines contemporary knowledge of risk factors for psychosis and presents an overview of current explanations. The articles focus on the psychosis risk timeline, which gives a structure within which to consider key aspects of risk likely to affect people at different stages of life. In this first article, early life is discussed. It covers elements that contribute in the prenatal and early childhood period and includes genetic, nutritional and infective risk factors.
  • Adaptation and validation of the On Your Own Feet - Transition Experiences Scale evaluating transitions to adult services among adolescent mental health service users in Europe.

    Gerritsen, Suzanne E; van Bodegom, Larissa S; Overbeek, Mathilde M; van Staa, AnneLoes; Maras, Athanasios; van Amelsvoort, Therese Amj; Wolke, Dieter; de Girolamo, Giovanni; Franić, Tomislav; McNicholas, Fiona; et al. (Elsevier, 2024-07-19)
    Purpose: Experiences of young people transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) have mostly been investigated qualitatively. This study adapts and validates the On Your Own Feet - Transition Experiences Scale (OYOF-TES) in a sample of CAMHS users in Europe and describes young people's and parents' experiences with transition and end of care at CAMHS. Methods: The OYOF-TES was adapted to a mental health setting and translated. An End Of Care (OYOF-EOC) version (self- and parent-report) was developed. A total of 457 young people and 383 parents completed an OYOF-TES or OYOF-EOC. Psychometric properties and descriptives are presented. Results: The Cronbach's alphas of the OYOF-TES and OYOF-EOC parent/self-report ranged from 0.92 to 0.94. The two-factor structure was confirmed. The mean overall satisfaction reported by young people was 6.15 (0-10; SD=2.92) for transition and 7.14 (0-10; SD=2.37) for care ending. However, 26.7%-36.4% of young people were unsatisfied. Discussion: The OYOF-TES and OYOF-EOC can be used reliably in mental healthcare settings to capture young people's and parents' transition experiences. The majority of young people and parents was satisfied with the process of transition and care ending, yet a third of young people had negative experiences.
  • Mapping transitional care pathways among young people discharged from adolescent forensic medium secure units in England

    Livanou, Maria; Singh, Swaran P; Liapi, Fani; Furtado, Vivek; Singh, Swaran P; Psychiatry; Medical and Dental; Kingston University; Warwick Medical School; Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust; University of Bedfordshire (Sage Journals, 2019-11-10)
    This study tracked young offenders transitioning from national adolescent forensic medium secure units to adult services in the UK within a six-month period. We used a mapping exercise to identify eligible participants moving during the study period from all national adolescent forensic medium secure units in England. Young people older than 17.5 years or those who had turned 18 years (transition boundary) and had been referred to adult and community services were included. Of the 34 patients identified, 53% moved to forensic adult inpatient services. Psychosis was the most prevalent symptom among males (29%), and emerging personality disorder symptomatology was commonly reported among females (18%) followed by learning disability (24%). The mean time for transition to adult mental-health services and community settings was eight months. There were no shared transition or discharge policies, and only two hospitals had discharge guidelines. The findings highlight the need for consistency between policy and practice among services along with the development of individualised care pathways. Future qualitative research is needed to understand and reflect on young people’s and carers’ experiences to improve transition service delivery.
  • Managing the link and strengthening transition from child to adult mental health Care in Europe (MILESTONE): background, rationale and methodology.

    Tuomainen, H; Schulze, U; Warwick, J; Paul, M; Dieleman, G C; Franić, T; Madan, J; Maras, A; McNicholas, F; Purper-Ouakil, D; et al. (BioMed Central, 2018-06-04)
    Background: Transition from distinct Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) is beset with multitude of problems affecting continuity of care for young people with mental health needs. Transition-related discontinuity of care is a major health, socioeconomic and societal challenge globally. The overall aim of the Managing the Link and Strengthening Transition from Child to Adult Mental Health Care in Europe (MILESTONE) project (2014-19) is to improve transition from CAMHS to AMHS in diverse healthcare settings across Europe. MILESTONE focuses on current service provision in Europe, new transition-related measures, long term outcomes of young people leaving CAMHS, improving transitional care through 'managed transition', ethics of transitioning and the training of health care professionals. Methods: Data will be collected via systematic literature reviews, pan-European surveys, and focus groups with service providers, users and carers, and members of youth advocacy and mental health advocacy groups. A prospective cohort study will be conducted with a nested cluster randomised controlled trial in eight European Union (EU) countries (Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, UK) involving over 1000 CAMHS users, their carers, and clinicians. Discussion: Improving transitional care can facilitate not only recovery but also mental health promotion and mental illness prevention for young people. MILESTONE will provide evidence of the organisational structures and processes influencing transition at the service interface across differing healthcare models in Europe and longitudinal outcomes for young people leaving CAMHS, solutions for improving transitional care in a cost-effective manner, training modules for clinicians, and commissioning and policy guidelines for service providers and policy makers.
  • Interventions for mental health problems in children and adults with severe intellectual disabilities: a systematic review.

    Vereenooghe, Leen; Flynn, Samantha; Hastings, Richard P; Adams, Dawn; Chauhan, Umesh; Cooper, Sally-Ann; Gore, Nick; Hatton, Chris; Hood, Kerry; Jahoda, Andrew; et al. (BMJ, 2018-06-19)
    Objective: Mental health problems are more prevalent in people with than without intellectual disabilities, yet treatment options have received little attention. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacological and psychological interventions in the treatment of mental health problems in children and adults with severe and profound intellectual disabilities, given their difficulties in accessing standard mental health interventions, particularly talking therapies, and difficulties reporting drug side effects. Design: A systematic review using electronic searches of PsycINFO, PsycTESTS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, ASSIA, Science Citation Index, Social Science Citation Index and CENTRAL was conducted to identify eligible intervention studies. Study selection, data extraction and quality appraisal were performed by two independent reviewers. Participants: Study samples included at least 70% children and/or adults with severe or profound intellectual disabilities or reported the outcomes of this subpopulation separate from participants with other levels of intellectual disabilities. Interventions: Eligible intervention studies evaluated a psychological or pharmacological intervention using a control condition or pre-post design. Outcomes: Symptom severity, frequency or other quantitative dimension (e.g., impact), as assessed with standardised measures of mental health problems. Results: We retrieved 41 232 records, reviewed 573 full-text articles and identified five studies eligible for inclusion: three studies evaluating pharmacological interventions, and two studies evaluating psychological interventions. Study designs ranged from double-blind placebo controlled crossover trials to single-case experimental reversal designs. Quality appraisals of this very limited literature base revealed good experimental control, poor reporting standards and a lack of follow-up data. Conclusions: Mental ill health requires vigorous treatment, yet the current evidence base is too limited to identify with precision effective treatments specifically for children or adults with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. Clinicians therefore must work on the basis of general population evidence, while researchers work to generate more precise evidence for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities.
  • Psychological interventions for adoptive parents: a systematic review

    Harris-Waller, Jayne; Granger, Charlotte; Hussain, Misbah; Harris-Waller, Jayne; Clinical Psychology; Additional Professional Scientific and Technical Field; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust; Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust; South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Sage Journals, 2018-03-23)
    A systematic review methodology was used to evaluate research regarding psychological interventions for adoptive parents. The effectiveness of the diverse intervention models scrutinised was found to be mixed with regard to a range of parent and child outcomes. When service user feedback was sought, psychological interventions were found to be acceptable to adoptive parents. Overall, findings were weakened by multiple sources of potential bias in the studies reviewed. Further research is needed, with particular attention to the method, site and timing of outcome measurement, before firm clinical recommendations can be made regarding the relative benefit of specific models of psychological intervention for adoptive parents. Implications for future research are discussed with reference to the unique contextual challenges of conducting clinical studies with adoptive families.
  • Dysglycaemia, Inflammation and Psychosis: Findings From the UK ALSPAC Birth Cohort

    Perry, Benjamin Ian; Upthegrove, Rachel; Thompson, Andrew; Marwaha, Steven; Zammit, Stanley; Singh, Swaran Preet; Khandaker, Golam; Perry, Benjamin Ian; Thompson, Andrew; Marwaha, Steven; et al. (Oxford University Press, 2018-04-09)
    Background: Psychosis is associated with both dysglycaemia and low-grade inflammation, but population-based studies investigating the interplay between these factors are scarce. Aims: (1) To explore the direction of association between markers of dysglycaemia, inflammation and psychotic experiences (PEs); and (2) To explore whether dysglycaemia moderates and/or mediates the association between inflammation and PEs. Method: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort were modeled using logistic and linear regression to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between markers of dysglycaemia (ages 9 and 18), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (age 9), and PEs (ages 12 and 18). We tested for an interaction between dysglycaemia and IL-6 on risk of PEs at age 18, and tested whether dysglycaemia mediated the relationship between IL-6 and PEs. Results: Based on 2627 participants, at age 18, insulin resistance (IR) was associated with PEs (adjusted OR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.37-3.97). IR was associated with IL-6 both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Interaction analyses under a multiplicative model showed that IR moderated the association between IL-6 at age 9 and PEs at age 18 (adjusted OR for interaction term = 2.18; 95% C.I., 1.06-4.49). Mediation analysis did not support a model of IR mediating the relationship between IL-6 and PEs. Implications: IR is associated with PEs in young people even before the onset of clinical psychosis. Metabolic alterations may interact with childhood inflammation to increase risk of PEs. The findings have implications for clinical practice and future research. Keywords: ALSPAC; dysglycaemia; inflammation; insulin resistance; psychosis; risk; schizophrenia.
  • Review: Systematic review and meta-analysis - financial incentives increase engagement with parenting programs for disruptive behavior problems

    Hodson, Nathan; Majid, Madiha; Richard, James; Graham, Eileen; Mroczek, Daniel; Beidas, Rinad; Majid, Madiha; CAMHS; Medical and Dental; University of Warwick; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust; Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, DE, USA; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA. (Wiley, 2025-02)
    Background: To evaluate the effect of financial incentives on engagement in parenting programs for disruptive behavior disorders, as well as effect on child behavior. As a secondary aim, demographic differences were investigated as effect modifiers. Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, Cochrane Trials, and PsycINFO for randomized controlled trials and quasi experimental studies offering parents a financial incentive for engagement with parenting programs targeting disruptive behavior in children aged under 18, vs no incentive. Engagement in each group was evaluated at four stages: connection, attendance, participation, and enaction. Per protocol (CRD42022336210) random effects meta-analysis was conducted using Stata-16. Meta-analyses of binary data used a log odds ratio and continuous data was standardized using Hedges' g. Results: We identified 2438 papers and screened 35 at full length. We included eight independent cohorts from seven papers. Parents invited to incentive arms were more likely to complete a threshold of sessions than parents invited to control arms (odds ratio 2.51 95% CI 1.42-4.48). Parents were more likely to agree to participate when they knew they were joining the incentive program (odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.20-1.65) and parents in the incentive group were more likely than parents in the control group to reach a completion threshold of sessions (odds ratio 1.76 95% CI 1.17-2.66). Conclusion: Incentives increase parenting programs engagement among parents who are invited and among parents who have begun attending programs. Incentives are an effective potential tool for increasing engagement but further research is needed to establish acceptability and optimal design.
  • (Overcoming) attacks on thinking: the importance of psychoanalytic thinking in surviving systemic fragmentation of the public mental health sector

    Norris, James; Norris, James; CAMHS; Additional Professional Scientific and Technical Field; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (Taylor & Francis, 2025-02-03)
    In the last 15 years, the public mental health sector has been subject to two big policy shifts that have impacted the ability of Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) and Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) clinics to deliver therapeutic services. This paper discusses the impact of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) policy and the Health and Social Care Act (2012) on these services and the various barriers to effective treatment that they have created. The author then proposes that, as psychoanalytic psychotherapists, with our particular awareness of unconscious and group processes, we are well-placed to support multidisciplinary colleagues in overcoming feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and impotence that these policy shifts create and takes inspiration from potentially analogous situations with patients as a method to approaching the systemic aspects of our work.
  • A systematic review of the literature on ethical aspects of transitional care between child- and adult-orientated health services.

    Paul, Moli; O'Hara, Lesley; Tah, Priya; Street, Cathy; Maras, Athanasios; Ouakil, Diane Purper; Santosh, Paramala; Signorini, Giulia; Singh, Swaran Preet; Tuomainen, Helena; et al. (BioMed Central, 2018-07-18)
    Background Healthcare policy and academic literature have promoted improving the transitional care of young people leaving child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Despite the availability of guidance on good practice, there seems to be no readily accessible, coherent ethical analysis of transition. The ethical principles of non-maleficence, beneficence, justice and respect for autonomy can be used to justify the need for further enquiry into the ethical pros and cons of this drive to improve transitional care. The objective of this systematic review was therefore to systematically search for existing ethical literature on child- to adult-orientated health service transitions and to critically appraise and collate the literature, whether empirical or normative. Methods A wide range of bioethics, biomedical and legal databases, grey literature and bioethics journals were searched. Ancestral and forward searches of identified papers were undertaken. Key words related to transition, adolescence and young adulthood, ethics, law and health. The timeframe was January 2000 to at least March 2016. Titles, abstracts and, where necessary, full articles were screened and duplicates removed. All included articles were critically appraised and a narrative synthesis produced. Results Eighty two thousand four hundred eighty one titles were screened, from which 96 abstracts were checked. Forty seven full documents were scrutinised, leading to inclusion of two papers. Ancestral and forward searches yielded four further articles. In total, one commentary, three qualitative empirical studies and two clinical ethics papers were found. All focused on young people with complex care needs and disabilities. The three empirical papers had methodological flaws. The two ethical papers were written from a clinical ethics context rather than using a bioethical format. No literature identified specifically addressed the ethical challenges of balancing the delivery of transitional care to those who need it and the risk of pathologizing transient and self-limited distress and dysfunction, which may be normal during adolescence. Conclusions There is very little research on ethical aspects of transitional care. Most existing studies come from services for young people with complex care needs and disabilities. There is much scope for improvement in the amount and quality of empirical research and ethical analysis in this area.
  • Observation and comparison of mealtime behaviors in a sample of children with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders and a control sample of children with typical development

    Aldridge, Victoria K.; Dovey, Terence; El Hawi, Nicole; Martiniuc, Antonie; Martin, Clarissa I.; Meyer, Caroline; Meyer, Caroline; Applied Psychology; Additional Professional Scientific and Technical Field; De Montfort University; University College London; Brunel University; Midlands Psychology, Stafford; University of Warwick; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (Wiley, 2018-06-28)
    Despite widespread use of behavioral observations to evaluate child feeding behaviors in research and clinical practice, few studies have comprehensively characterized mealtimes or identified features that differentiate children with and without disordered feeding; these were the aims of the current study. Mealtime observations were conducted for 18 children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and 21 typically developing children. Observations were coded inductively, and associations between disorder and observed mealtime actions were examined. Most behaviors were observed across both clinical and nonclinical mealtimes, and many did not differ in frequency between children with and without ARFID. However, significant group differences were observed in the frequencies of behaviors relating to food intake, visual and physical engagement with feeding, and movement during mealtimes. The comparability of behaviors across clinical and nonclinical groups suggests that eating behaviors exist on a continuum from “normal” to “abnormal,” with group differences relating to frequency rather than type of behavior. The behavioral differences observed in this study suggest that identification of children with ARFID should focus on child engagement with food and restlessness during mealtimes. Reliance on emotional and escape-maintained behaviors will lead to underrecognition of families in need of clinical support.
  • Architecture and functioning of child and adolescent mental health services : a 28-country survey in Europe

    Signorini, Giulia; Singh, Swaran P; Boricevic-Marsanic, Vlatka; Dieleman, Gwen; Dodig-Ćurković, Katarina; Franic, Tomislav; Gerritsen, Suzanne E; Griffin, James; Maras, Athanasios; McNicholas, Fiona; et al. (Elsevier, 2017-06-05)
    The WHO Child and Adolescent Mental Health Atlas, published in 2005, reported that child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Europe differed substantially in their architecture and functioning. We assessed the characteristics of national CAMHS across the European Union (EU), including legal aspects of adolescent care. Using an online mapping survey aimed at expert(s) in each country, we obtained data for all 28 countries in the EU. The characteristics and activities of CAMHS (ie, availability of services, inpatient beds, and clinicians and organisations, and delivery of specific CAMHS services and treatments) varied considerably between countries, as did funding sources and user access. Neurodevelopmental disorders were the most frequent diagnostic group (up to 81%) for people seen at CAMHS (data available from only 13 [46%] countries). 20 (70%) countries reported having an official national child and adolescent mental health policy, covering young people until their official age of transition to adulthood. The heterogeneity in resource allocation did not seem to match epidemiological burden. Substantial improvements in the planning, monitoring, and delivery of mental health services for children and adolescents are needed.
  • Perceptual abnormalities in an ultra-high risk for psychosis population relationship to trauma and co-morbid disorder

    O'Connor, Karen; Nelson, Barnaby; Cannon, Mary; Yung, Alison; Thompson, Andrew; Thompson, Andrew; Youth Psychiatry; Medical and Dental; University College Cork; University of Melbourne; Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin; University of Manchester; University of Warwick; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (Wiley Online Library, 2017-08-09)
    Aims The aims of this study were 3-fold. We wished to investigate whether at baseline entry to an ultra-high risk (UHR) clinic whether: (1) perceptual abnormalities are more prevalent in those young people with co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses, (2) perceptual abnormalities are more prevalent in those young people with histories of childhood adversity (childhood trauma, bullying) and (3) perceptual abnormality type is associated with co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses or histories of childhood adversity. Methods In a sample of 118 UHR patients we investigated the relationship between perceptual abnormalities and non-psychotic diagnoses and adverse life events at entry to a UHR clinic. Results Depressive disorder at baseline was associated with increased odds of experiencing perceptual abnormalities (OR 3.59, P = .004), particularly visual perceptual abnormalities (OR 2.36, P = .02). Borderline personality disorder at baseline was associated with increased odds of any auditory perceptual abnormalities (OR 3.44, P = .04) and specifically second person perceptual abnormalities (OR 2.69, P = .04). A history of childhood trauma and childhood bullying were both associated with increased odds of experiencing perceptual abnormalities at baseline (trauma OR 6.30, P < .001; bullying OR 5.00, P = .01). Conclusions Our findings suggest that in the UHR population, certain types of perceptual abnormalities index risk for co-morbid non-psychotic disorder and indicate prior experience of childhood trauma. The use of detailed phenomenology of psychotic symptoms can help to shape our understanding of risk in UHR patients.
  • QI 171 Improving Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Support in the Early Intervention Team (EIT)

    Collier, Karen; Singh, Sashriya; Supported by the Quality Improvement Team, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust; Collier, Karen; Singh, Sashriya; Early Intervention Team; Medical and Dental; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, 2024)
    Aim: To Improve the knowledge of early intervention team (South) regarding support and referral options for patients with suspected or confirmed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) The EI team has recently supported patients with either a new or existing diagnoses of ASD alongside their presentation of psychosis. An initial survey of the team showed there were areas where we could improve the teams knowledge. In particular of how to access referrals to key services and specific support and improving understanding of the role of different teams and services. Tools used: PDSA; Driver Diagram Project Impact: Overall an improvement in knowledge of services and referral processes was demonstrated in many areas. Results on re-assessment appeared more polarised with less “unsure” answers recorded. There has been some staff turnover during this period which may have also impacted on results. This is a specific area and although most staff will come across this at some stage it is not frequent for many team members. Further knowledge will come as they face this issue clinically and refer back to resources which have been developed or as further training opportunities arise. This initial screening work has resulted in some improvements but has also identified further areas future work can target more specifically.
  • Reducing the risk of criminal exploitation using multi-systemic therapy (the RESET Study): study protocol for a feasibility study and process evaluation

    Hayden, N. K.; Flynn, S.; Blumenfeld, F.; Hastings, R. P.; Gray, K. M.; Cullen, S.; Cullen, M. A.; Langdon, Peter; Langdon, Peter; Learning Disabilities; et al. (BioMed Central, 2023-11-27)
    Background Child criminal exploitation is a form of child abuse that poses a serious risk to the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of young people. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an intensive family and community-based intervention for young people with anti-social behavioral problems, many of whom will be at risk of criminal exploitation. This protocol describes a pilot feasibility study and process evaluation, designed to examine MST for children at risk of criminal exploitation. Methods This pilot feasibility study and process evaluation involves two phases with associated subphases: phase 1.1 involved the collaborative refinement of the logic model adapting MST for children at risk of criminal exploitation; phase 1.2 involved pre-pilot interviews with MST therapists, families, and young people; phase 2.1 is a pilot modeling study of MST for children at risk of criminal exploitation, and; Phase 2.2 is a process evaluation that will involve interviewing stakeholders, MST therapists and employees, families, and young people. The dataset for the process evaluation will include questionnaires completed by parents and young people at baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment, and 6 months after treatment. We will supplement these data with participant-level data linkage from MST sites and services. Results Accrual to the pilot stage of this project opened on 6th August 2021 and is due to close on 31st May 2022. We aim to publish the results of this feasibility study and process evaluation in 2023. Conclusions The results of this feasibility study and process evaluation will inform the decision as to whether it is advisable to progress to a pilot clinical trial of MST for children at risk of criminal exploitation.
  • Psychopathological outcomes of adolescent borderline personality disorder symptoms

    Winsper, Catherine; Wolke, Dieter; Scott, Jan; Sharp, Carla; Thompson, Andrew; Marwaha, Steven; Winsper, Catherine; Research and Innovation Department; Additional Professional Scientific and Technical Field; University of Warwick; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust; Newcastle University; University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Orygen, The Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (Sage, 2019-10)
    Objective: Despite considerable morbidity and functional losses associated with adolescent borderline personality disorder, little is known about psychopathological outcomes. This study examined associations between adolescent borderline personality disorder symptoms and subsequent depressive, psychotic and hypomanic symptoms. Methods: We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Participants were adolescents living in the community who had data for all longitudinal outcomes (N = 1758). We used logistic regression and path analysis to investigate associations between borderline personality disorder (five or more probable/definite symptoms) reported at age 11–12 years and depressive and psychotic symptoms reported at age 12 and 18, and lifetime hypomanic symptoms reported at age 22–23 years. Results: Adolescent borderline personality disorder symptoms were associated with psychotic symptoms (odds ratio: 2.36, confidence interval: [1.82, 3.06]), diagnosis of depression at age 18 years (odds ratio: 1.30, confidence interval: [1.03, 1.64]) and hypomanic symptoms (odds ratio: 2.89, confidence interval: [2.40, 3.48]) at 22–23 years. Path analysis controlling for associations between all outcomes indicated that borderline personality disorder symptoms were independently associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.97, p < 0.001) at 12 years and hypomanic (β = 0.58, p < 0.01) symptoms at 22–23 years. Borderline personality disorder symptoms were also associated with psychotic symptoms at age 12 years (β = 0.58, p < 0.01), which were linked (β = 0.34, p < 0.01) to psychotic symptoms at age 18 years. Conclusion: Adolescents with borderline personality disorder symptoms are at future risk of psychotic and hypomanic symptoms, and a diagnosis of depression. Future risk is independent of associations between psychopathological outcomes, indicating that adolescent borderline personality disorder symptoms have multifinal outcomes. Increasing awareness of borderline personality disorder in early adolescence could facilitate timely secondary prevention of these symptoms subsequently, helping to prevent future psychopathology.

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