In Ireland, acute hospital emergency departments (ED) become the default service for youth aged 16 to 18 years; and in the absence of paediatric EDs, for youth under 16 years. No previous research has explored adolescent presentations to non-paediatric hospitals with thoughts of self-harm or suicide at a national level. This study examines child and adolescent self-harm and suicidal ideation-related presentations to 24 non-paediatric hospital EDs in Ireland. National data from a dedicated ED service for a suicidal crisis were used. Descriptive analyses were run for four age bands (≤ 15, 16-17, 18-19, and all other adults < 20 years), based on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, and type of self-harm or ideation.: Between 2018 and 2022, the National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm and Suicide-related Ideation (NCPSHI) clinicians assessed 53 359 presentations due to self-harm and suicide-related ideation. Among those 15 years and younger, 1.7% presented for self-harm, 0.9% for suicidal ideation, and 0.2% for self-harm ideation. Among the 16-17-year-olds, 3.4% presented with self-harm and 1.6% for suicidal ideation. Presentations for self-harm decreased with age, while suicide-related ideation increased. Cutting was most common among the youngest group (23%), and overdose was more frequent among 16 to 17-year-olds. Notably, 41% of those 15 year and younger were already attending mental health services. Our findings highlight that a significant number of adolescents with a self-harm-related crisis attend non-paediatric acute hospitals in Ireland. Careful initial assessment and transitional care are needed to ensure that youth at risk of suicide and/or mental illness are referred to appropriate services.

In recent years, mental health issues among adolescents have gained significant attention. Like many other nations, Panama is experiencing a growing prevalence of these challenges within its youth. It is crucial to investigate the prevalence of, and the underlying factors associated with, loneliness, anxiety-related sleep disturbances, and suicide ideation to develop effective intervention strategies The study aimed to assess the prevalence of loneliness, anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, and suicidal ideation in Panama's school-going adolescents and to identify the risk factors that make this age group vulnerable to these psychological problems using sex-stratified data. We used cross-sectional survey data from the Panama Global School-based Student Health Survey 2018 and performed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Suicidal ideation was more common (18.5%) than loneliness (16.3%) or anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (10.4%) among adolescents in Panama. Higher odds of loneliness were found among those who had no close friends [AOR =3.553, 95% CI = 2.417 - 5.223], experienced hunger [AOR = 2.606, 95% CI = 1.314 - 5.168], and were bullied on school property [AOR = 1.747, 95% CI = 1.307 - 2.334] than their counterparts (i.e., those who had close friends, did not experienced hunger, and were not bullied on school property. Respondents who had no close friends [AOR = 1.624, 95% CI = 1.016 - 2.598] and suffered bullying both inside [AOR = 1.939, 95% CI = 1.406 - 2.674] and outside [AOR = 1.453, 95% CI = 1.013 - 2.084] of school property were more prone than their counterparts to experience anxiety-induced sleep disturbances. Additionally, adolescents who experienced hunger [AOR = 2.675, 95% CI = 1.396 - 5.126], had no close friends [AOR = 1.605, 95% CI = 1.077 - 2.393], were bullied on school property [AOR = 1.964, 95% CI = 1.499 - 2.571], and consumed alcohol [AOR = 1.425, 95% CI = 1.113 - 1.825] encountered higher odds of suicidal ideation. However, girls were more susceptible to suicidal ideation than boys if they had no close friends, experienced hunger, and were bullied on school property. Conversely, parents' understanding significantly lowered the odds of suicidal ideation compared to their counterparts. Gender-sensitive and proactive community-based initiatives should be implemented to improve adolescents' mental health in Panama. Moreover, an inclusive school curriculum is needed to address adolescents' psychological issues.

Adolescence is a critical period marked by increased vulnerability to anxiety-related conditions. With the widespread use of the internet, persistent concerns about health may manifest as cyberchondria in this age group. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of students' characteristics (e.g., sex, student's grade level) and their cyberchondria levels on their health anxiety levels. A descriptive cross-sectional study was completed with 328 students (mean age = 15.63 years, SD = 2.07 years). The study was conducted among 14 to 17-year-old students studying in the 1, 2, 3, and 4 grades of a public high school between February 2021 and April 2023. Study data were collected using sociodemographic information, health anxiety, and cyberchondria severity measures. Backward elimination linear regression analyses were performed to reveal the factors that predicted health anxiety. Almost half of the sample ( = 132, 40.2%) were male and 196 (59.8%) were female. There were statistically significant differences in terms of total and subscale scores of the Health Anxiety Inventory by sex. Specifically, the mean scores of female students (mean = 16.41, SD = 7.19) were significantly higher than those of male students (mean = 13.49, SD = 6.49) on the total scale ( < 0.001). Accordingly, the mean hypersensitivity to physical symptoms and anxiety subscale scores were significantly higher for female students (mean = 12.83, SD = 5.84) than for males (mean = 10.41, SD = 5.14) ( < 0.05). Similarly, the mean negative consequences of illness subscale scores were significantly higher for females (mean = 3.58, SD = 2.41), than for males (mean = 3.08, SD = 2.49) ( < 0.05). Regression analysis results indicated that sex ( = -0.222), doing research on the internet very frequently ( = 0.175), and Cyberchondria Severity Scale total scores ( = 0.428) significantly predicted health anxiety scores, respectively ((3.324) = 47.732, < 0.001). Together, all three significant variables explain 31% of the variance. There was a positive and weak to moderate correlation between students' health anxiety levels and cyberchondria levels, and their health anxiety levels increased with an increase in their cyberchondria levels.

COVID-19 mitigation measures disrupted many youths' lives. The burden that pandemic changes induced on children and adolescent's mental health requires further research. This study explores the associations between lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and distress and/or social impairment (herein abbreviated as "distress") among children and adolescents in Montréal, Canada. Data were collected as part of a longitudinal survey and serology study of two to 20-year-olds at five different time points between October 2020 and June 2023. The outcome, distress, was the dichotomised score on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire impact supplement. Lifestyle changes included changes in sleep, eating, and physical activity, among others. Adjusted risk ratios (RR) measuring associations between lifestyle changes and distress were estimated using regression models. The 2 183 participants contributed 5 359 observations across the five waves of data collection. The crude prevalence of distress was 14.4% (95% CI 13.2, 15.7). In the adjusted analyses, distress was associated with spending both less and more time sleeping (e.g., less: RR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.98, 2.98), less time engaged in physical activity (RR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.78, 2.57), and with social media use of greater than three hours per day versus none (RR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.69, 2.92). This study found that certain lifestyle changes occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with distress and social impairment among children and adolescents.

There is large variability in the way that outcomes are measured for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), with many studies focusing solely on weight gain or using measures that are not designed or validated to assess ARFID symptoms, such as the widely used Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). The current study compared treatment outcomes for children/adolescents with ARFID to children/adolescents with anorexia nervosa-restricting subtype (AN-R) on weight variables (% of expected body weight (%EBW)), ARFID symptoms as measured using the Eating Disorders in Youth-Questionnaire (EDY-Q), and eating disorder (ED) symptoms (as measured using the EDE-Q). Scores for both groups of patients on each measure were examined to preliminarily determine the appropriateness of each measure for each diagnosis. Participants were 220 children/adolescents aged 9 to 17 receiving treatment at a large multisite treatment facility between November 2020 and June 2023. Self-report questionnaires were completed at intake and discharge, and weight was recorded throughout treatment. EDY-Q, EDE-Q, and %EBW scores changed significantly ( < 0.001) from admission to discharge for both groups of patients. Effect sizes for changes in EDY-Q were similarly large for patients with AN-R ( = 0.91) and ARFID ( = 0.83). Effect sizes for changes in EDE-Q were large for patients with AN-R ( = 0.79) and small-to-medium for patients with ARFID ( = 0.47). Results suggest that the EDY-Q may be assessing symptoms present in both patients with ARFID and patients with AN-R. The study's findings suggest that the EDE-Q is not an appropriate measure for assessing outcomes among patients with ARFID.

: Adolescence, acknowledged as a transformative developmental phase marked by socio-emotional challenges, introduces an elevated susceptibility to loneliness. As adolescents are exposed to loneliness, they concurrently navigate the dynamic landscape of problematic videogame use, characterised by deleterious gaming patterns with consequential impacts across various life domains. Empirical evidence indicates a significant correlation between experiences of cyberbullying victimisation and heightened feelings of loneliness, particularly within the context of peer relationships during this developmental epoch.: This study examined the critical relationships among loneliness, cyberbullying victimisation, and problematic videogame use, considering loneliness as a potential precursor to adverse developmental outcomes. Further, it assesses sex differences in these associations, seeking to elucidate the pathways through which these variables exert influence on the psychological well-being of adolescents.: This study included 438 adolescents from Central Italy (50% boys), aged 11 to 16 (mean = 12.7 years, SD = 1.4 years). Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire during school hours.: Overall, 10.5% of participants reported experiencing cyberbullying victimisation, with no significant sex differences. Structural Equation Modelling revealed a significant association between loneliness with peers and well-being, mediated by cyberbullying victimisation and problematic videogame use. A significant interaction effect was found between sex and nervousness during gameplay, showing that nervousness was more strongly associated with problematic videogame use in boys compared to girls.: These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to reduce peer-related loneliness in adolescence. Future research should explore the longitudinal, bidirectional effects of loneliness in adolescence on both problematic behaviours and well-being.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, students in Victoria, Australia, completed two years of virtual schooling, which has been reported to contribute to many academic, social, and mental health impacts. Thus, it is important to capture the voices of the students as they adjust to schooling in a post-pandemic era. The current study utilised focus groups and semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences and needs of eight secondary school students in Victoria. Thematic analysis was employed to elicit themes. Participants' lived realities formed four main themes: (i) social interactions, (ii) academic pressure and classroom dynamics, (iii) mixed views about school well-being efforts, and (iv) re-learning school routines and expectations. A diverse range of experiences (i.e., categorised into sub-themes) were captured across these four themes. Some participants struggled to adapt to socialising in person again, whilst others indicated that their social networks broadened after forming unlikely friendships online. Participants reported that school well-being approaches felt ingenuine and tokenistic. Participants also discussed their challenges with having to stick to routines and timetables and missed the flexibility of home-based learning during lockdowns. The implications of these findings are discussed, and student-identified strategies are outlined to facilitate student engagement and well-being in a post-pandemic era.

Increasing evidence supports the mental health benefits of outdoor, cold-water immersion in adults. This explorative study aimed to see if evidence found in adult populations regarding changes associated with the activity on mood could be replicated in adolescents through an educational and practical half-day course. Results will show whether further research is justified in this age group. Eighty high school students were recruited, 62 from two upper secondary schools in Kristiansand, Norway and 18 from one school in Brighton, United Kingdom. Mood state was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires before and after a cold-water immersion. There were significant reductions in negative subscales and significant increases in positive subscales of the POMS questionnaire. Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) was significantly reduced overall (mean pre-post difference 23.40, 95% CI 16.52 - 30.28) across the four swimming groups (Norway lake, two sheltered beaches in Norway, and the open sea in England). These results indicate a positive effect on mood. Overall, 95% of respondents both enjoyed the experience and would "definitely" or "maybe" like to repeat it. Outdoor cold-water immersion had a significantly positive effect on mood state in adolescents and was enjoyed by most participants. Further studies are therefore warranted.

Among adolescents, suicide is a critical global concern, yet research is limited in low- and middle-income countries. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the interrelations among suicide-related factors (specifically, suicidal ideation, suicide literacy, attitudes toward suicide, and intended help-seeking sources) when experiencing suicidality in Vietnam. Additionally, it examines sex differences across these factors and identifies significant predictors of help-seeking intention for suicidality. A sample of 2 976 Vietnamese adolescents (mean age = 16.0 years, SD = 1.35 years; female = 50.6%) completed self-report measures as part of their annual school screenings. More than one in four adolescents experienced some level of suicidal ideation. Overall, suicide literacy was low, particularly among males, who also reported higher levels of stigmatisation toward suicide. Low suicide literacy was linked to increased stigmatisation of suicidal individuals. Adolescents most commonly sought help from family and friends, rather than from professionals. Contrary to our hypothesis that females, those with lower stigma, and those with higher suicidal ideation would be more likely to seek help, it was found that males, those with higher stigma, and those with lower suicidal ideation demonstrated stronger help-seeking intentions. Additionally, male adolescents exhibited a polarised pattern, reporting both high intentions to seek and not seek help. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive and sex-based suicide prevention and intervention for Vietnamese adolescents, as cultural factors and sex roles may shape their perceptions and approaches to addressing suicide.

Transgender adolescents and adults appear to be at increased risk of suicidality, but the risk factors are unclear. This study aimed to examine suicidality in treatment-seeking adolescents and adults. We examined whether autism traits, anxiety/depression, access to gender affirming treatments, or self-identification category affected suicidality in this group. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 123 patients (16 years and older) currently attending, or previously attended, specialist gender services in Northern Ireland. Main outcome measures included a demographic information questionnaire, the Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire Revised, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire or the Recent Trauma Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Autism traits were measured using the Autism Quotient, the Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised, and the Cambridge Behaviour Scale (Empathy Quotient). Only autism traits and anxiety/depression were independently associated with higher levels of suicidality. Self-reported future risk of suicidality was markedly lower than self-reported past suicidality for the patients who were attending the specialist gender service. This apparent reduction in suicidality is possibly attributable to the impact of being able to access the specialist service. This study highlights increased vulnerability in this population for suicidality, particularly those with autism traits and anxiety/depression. These findings are important in the context of the reclassification of gender incongruence to conditions of sexual health. While a move away from mental health services reduces stigma for individuals seeking gender-affirming interventions, the treatment of co-existing mental health needs requires close involvement with mental health services.

Justice-involved female youth from minority racial groups are a hard-to-reach youth population that are removed from schools, families, and communities. They are under-represented in school survey data. The present study aimed to utilise the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide to examine the distinct patterns of risk and protective factors of suicide thoughts and behaviours (STBs) among black girls in juvenile justice facilities. Utilising state-wide screening data of black girls in juvenile justice facilities ( = 1 564; mean age = 13.55 years, SD = 1.69 years) collected over 11 years (2009 to 2019), the study employed latent profile analysis to identify different profiles of risk behaviour related to suicide. The "Mclust" package, an R statistical package, was used to conduct the latent profile analysis. Six latent profiles emerged based on nine indicators of thwarted belongingness, burdensomeness, and acquired capacity. Membership in these latent groups significantly predicted lifetime and current suicide ideation and attempts. The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide showed potential applicability to the population of justice-involved black girls. There was heterogeneity in suicide vulnerability in this population. Mental health, substance use, and traumatic experiences simultaneously characterised the suicide-vulnerable subgroups among justice-involved black girls.

Adolescent mental illness contributes significantly to both the global and South African burden of mental health. Mental health literacy (MHL) promotes early recognition and intervention and consequently, determines mental health-promoting behaviours. We aimed to explore adolescent MHL and its intersection with help-seeking behaviour and gender in adolescents in the Western Cape. The study instrument was a self-report survey/questionnaire. One hundred learners from public and independent schools in the Western Cape completed the survey. There was a significant difference between first aid skills and help-seeking behaviours between the different genders. Specifically, girls were more prone to first aid skills and help-seeking behaviours than boys and other genders. Boys, on the other hand, were significantly more prone to using self-help strategies than girls and other genders. While gender differences were evident, these results are not sufficient to generalise to the larger population due to the limited sample. The results of this study are relevant to practitioners who wish to improve MHL and help-seeking behaviours among adolescents.

: Literature suggests a link between maternal mental health and adverse child developmental outcomes. However, we do not know to what extent this is true in low and middle-income settings, and most studies do not explore mental health longitudinally since birth.: We aimed to assess the association between maternal mental health and early child development outcomes in southern Brazil.: We studied 992 mother-child pairs in a birth cohort from 2019 to 2022. We used standardised instruments to assess maternal depression, anxiety, and distress at different time points during the perinatal period. We used Group Based Trajectory Modelling to create maternal mental health trajectories. We assessed these trajectories associated with the child's social, language, cognitive, and motor development at 24 months using Poisson multiple regression models.: Children of mothers with elevated symptoms of depression experienced an 80% [RR = 1.80; 95%CI(1.19-2.71)] increase in language delays, 23% [RR = 1.23; 95%CI(1.01-1.51)] in cognitive delays, and 40% [RR = 1.40; 95%CI(1.07-1.83)] in motor delays. Children of mothers experiencing increasing symptoms of anxiety to moderate levels had 38% [RR = 1.38' 95%CI(1.07-1.82)] more language delays and 20% [RR = 1.20; 95%CI(1.05-1.38)] more cognitive delays. Low subjective distress led to 54% [RR = 1.54; 95%CI(1.15-2.05)] more language delays.: Our findings underscore the effect of maternal mental health on child developmental outcomes among this sample in southern Brazil.

: The study aimed to investigate the association between adolescents' subjective well-being and parenting, as well as the moderating role of peer relationships between the negative aspects of parenting and subjective well-being.: Adolescents ( = 331) attending Junior High School and High School (aged 12-18 years) in the broader area of Attica, Greece, participated in the study. Participants completed the Berne Questionnaire of Subjective Well-Being/Youth Form, the 40-item Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran Child Version (EMBU-C) questionnaire (for ages 7-16 years), and the Friendship Quality Scale.: There was a positive association between parental emotional warmth and adolescents' satisfaction, as well as between parental rejection and adolescents' ill-being. Furthermore, closeness to friends moderated the association between adolescents' ill-being and rejection by mothers and fathers. Girls and older adolescents had higher scores in the negative factors of subjective well-being, while girls scored higher in all friendship factors. Finally, based on adolescents' perceptions, mothers had significantly higher scores than fathers in all parenting variables.: Findings highlight the significance of the implementation of tailored interventions in schools and families for promoting adolescents' well-being.

We sought to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and coping skills in adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), together with potential predictive factors. Two hundred seventy-five participants (144 diagnosed with ADHD and 131 healthy controls) were included in the study. All participants were evaluated via DSM-5-based psychiatric examinations. Smartphone addiction levels were assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), and coping skills were evaluated using the Coping Scale for Children and Youth (CSCY). The scores were then subjected to statistical comparisons. Higher SAS-SV scores were observed in the adolescents with ADHD compared to the control group ( = 0.047). Significant positive correlations were found between cognitive avoidance (CAV) ( < 0.001, = 0.377) and behavioural avoidance (BAV) ( < 0.001, = 0.297) in the ADHD group. In contrast, significant negative correlations were found with Problem-solving (PROB) ( = 0.001, =.281) and assistance-seeking (ASK) ( = 0.013, = -0.206). Following model analysis, CAV emerged as a significant positive predictor of SAS-SV scores, and PROB as a significant negative predictor ( =0.005 and = 0.016, respectively). The decrease in coping skills in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD was associated with an increase in smartphone addiction. Additionally, increased cognitive avoidance and low problem-solving skills also predicted addiction.

Eating Disorders (ED) are prevalent in female adolescents and have far-reaching effects on daily participation and quality of life (QoL). Daily participation highly depends on Executive Functions (EF). Existing knowledge about EF in ED, as expressed in real life, is not fully documented or clear. We aimed to (i) characterise literature on EF deficits in ED among female adolescents; (ii) examine common methodologies of evaluating EED difficulties; (iii) identify literature gaps regarding EF implications on daily participation and QoL; and (iv) clarify concepts pertaining EF's role in ED to optimise rehabilitation. A systematic review was conducted using thematic synthesis to analyse relevant studies from four databases, covering the period between January 2000 and December 2023. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Qualitative Research Checklist tool. We followed the guidelines of the PRISMA statement. Forty-four articles met the inclusion criteria, 79.5% showed significant evidence of EF deficits in female adolescents with ED. Up to 19% of adolescents with ED showed EF deficits that explained ED symptomatology, reduced daily participation, and deteriorated QoL. Most studies used neuropsychological tools to measure EF. Ecological measurements that reflect EF implications on daily life were rarely used. ED rehabilitation should integrate ecological measures to evaluate EF implications on daily life. This approach is specifically relevant during adolescence to optimise development, daily participation, and QoL.

Resilience is central to young children's healthy and happy development. The Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R) has been widely used in several countries. However, its construct validity among young children in rural South Africa has not been examined. We investigated the construct structure of the CYRM-R for foundation-phase learners (i.e., grades R/0-3) in rural primary schools in South Africa. The CYRM-R was translated into the local language Setswana and tested on 1 088 learners attending 10 schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged rural communities in the North West province. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to validate the CYRM-R scale and examine its construct structure. Our findings suggested a two-factor (i.e., personal resilience, caregiver resilience) structure of the CYRM-R with some items removed or reclassified as preferable or relative to other examined solutions. CFA results showed that the optimal model represents a good fit to the data (RMSEA = 0.037, CFI = 0.929, TFI = 0.915), explaining 83.4% of the variance. The Setswana version of the CYRM-R is a reliable and valid measure of resilience in young children in a rural South African context and can be used to assess resilience in young children in Setswana-speaking populations.

Telephone crisis intervention is a readily available and discreet method through which troubled youths can seek assistance. We aimed to design an intervention training package to be used by telephone counselling system experts working with children and adolescents at risk of suicide and its preliminary evaluation. Currently available guidelines and related articles were reviewed performing an extensive search across the databases of PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus from January 2003 to August 2024, and examined the reference lists of included articles to identify additional studies. After developing the initial content of the manual, we evaluated and recorded the face validity and content validity of the training package as informed by a group of specialists and experts. The training package showed good content and face validity. Following feedback, the content of the initial training package was revised, and the final package was prepared. This training package can be used as a valid manual by experts working at crisis lines to acquire the necessary information and skills to assist children and adolescents at risk of suicide. Further research is needed to assess the feasibility and utility of the package in real-world practice.

Adolescence is marked by profound developmental changes in an individual with an increased risk of developing various mental health illnesses. Previous studies have explored anxiety and its correlates among urban adolescents in Bangladesh. This study aimed to explore the magnitude of anxiety and its associated factors among adolescents attending school in rural areas of the country. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents (aged 10 to 19 years, mean = 15.9 years, SD = 1.12 years; male = 61.15%) attending high schools in a Southern district of Bangladesh between August and December 2022. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection via face-to-face interviews. A total of 260 adolescents were included. Overall, participants suffered from minimal (38.08%), mild (39.62%), moderate (17.69%), and severe (4.62%) anxiety symptoms. Female sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 4.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.75 - 13.94), less than six hours sleep duration (aOR: 3.81, 95% CI: 1.49 - 9.74), unsatisfactory sleep quality (aOR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.20 - 8.85), more than two hours of daily usage of social media (aOR: 3.53; 95% CI: 1.15 - 10.85), and academic performance being not good (aOR: 3.30; 95%CI: 1.07 - 10.17) were independent determinants of moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms. This study revealed crucial determinants of anxiety among adolescents. Policymakers should address these factors to prevent the development of anxiety and support the healthy mental growth of teens in the country.

Mental disorders contribute to 13% of the global burden of disease among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. Adolescent suicide is often unreported due to the stigma attached to mental health issues and the unavailability of reporting mechanisms, particularly in developing countries. The current study aimed to determine the suicidality burden and associated factors in adolescents in a rural part of Eastern Nepal through a mixed methods approach. A community-based mixed methods cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2020 among 443 adolescents (aged 13 to 19 years, mean = 15.93 years, SD = 1.79 years). Frequencies and percentages were computed to assess suicidality burden, while bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the factors associated with suicidality. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis was used to explore qualitative factors associated with adolescent suicidality. The quantitative findings revealed that the prevalence of suicidal attempts over the past year was 12.42 % among adolescents. The multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between suicidal attempts and depressive symptoms (AOR, 8.84, = 0.001). Parental support was a protective factor against suicidal attempts (AOR, 0.08, = 0.012). Qualitative findings indicated that loneliness, substance misuse, a lack of support system from family, and friends influenced adolescents' suicidality. The study provided evidence that Nepalese adolescents in rural Eastern areas are at a high risk of suicidality, likely due to limited access to mental health services and support systems. Addressing this issue requires systemic changes to expand mental health resources in rural Nepal, where such services remain significantly less available than in urban areas.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and childhood socioeconomic disadvantage have been independently associated with depression. It has also been established that ACEs are more likely to occur in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. However, the complex associations among all three factors together remain unclear. The purpose of this scoping review was to analyse the state of the literature on the associations among ACEs, childhood socioeconomic disadvantage, and depression-related outcomes (e.g., depression symptoms) for individuals aged 25 or younger. We conducted a systematised search of four databases using terms that included "adverse childhood experiences", "socioeconomic status", "poverty", and "depression". Of the 7 922 abstracts screened, 18 relevant articles were identified. Nine studies found ACEs and childhood socioeconomic disadvantage were independently associated with depression-related outcomes. Seven studies reported that ACEs were significantly associated with depression-related outcomes, after accounting for childhood socioeconomic disadvantage, but not vice versa. Four studies assessed for synergistic effects between childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and ACEs on depression-related outcomes. Of these, only two studies found that childhood socioeconomic disadvantage modified the association between ACEs and depression-related outcomes. Associations existed between ACEs and depression-related outcomes despite controlling for childhood socioeconomic disadvantage. However, there was inconclusive evidence regarding the nature of childhood socioeconomic disadvantage when it was introduced into the relationship.

Mental health problems of adolescents have escalated significantly in recent years, categorising this population as a high-risk group for suicide. This study aims to investigate the developmental trajectories of suicidal ideation among junior high school students in mainland China, as well as its influencing factors. Longitudinal data were collected in three-waves, with three-month intervals in Zhenjiang City. A valid sample of 129 students completed questionnaires on suicidal ideation, life events, perceived stress, psychological flexibility, and demographic information. Unconditional latent growth models revealed a significant increasing trend in suicidal ideation, characterised by an initial gradual increase and an accelerated rise afterwards. Conditional latent growth models indicated that both life events and perceived stress elevated the level of suicidal ideation, whereas psychological flexibility did not. These findings have significant implications for the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies for adolescent at risk of suicide, highlighting the need for early identification. Life events and perceived stress are key risk factors to consider. The findings also emphasise the importance of promoting psychological flexibility as a potential protective factor in reducing suicidal ideation.

The transition from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult mental health services (AMHS) is a vulnerable time for young people. This study aimed to explore young people's experiences of transitioning from CAMHS to AMHS in the United Kingdom and sought their views on improving the process. Eight young people, purposively sampled from a local database, were interviewed post-transition using videoconferencing software. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and the presence of four recommended components of an 'optimal transition' was assessed. Three main themes and nine subthemes were identified. These included young people's feelings concerning 'leaving CAMHS behind', their experience of 'the transition process', and 'adjusting to adult services' post-transition. Participants made six recommendations for improving transitions: providing more information about the process, greater involvement of young people and family members, more joint working between CAMHS and AMHS, better communication from AMHS, training clinicians to ensure AMHS foster age-appropriate and welcoming environments, and the development of an 18 to 25-year-old service. At least three of four optimal transition components were absent for 62.5% ( = 5) of the participants. The young people interviewed had predominantly negative experiences before, during, and after transitioning from CAMHS to AMHS. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to understand how to improve transitions for young people from a range of backgrounds and across different services.

Coping strategies are important in the development and prevention of mental health problems in adolescents. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the links between specific coping strategies and mental health in at-risk adolescents from socioeconomically vulnerable communities in South Africa. This study aimed to determine whether specific coping strategies predicted anxiety and/or depression among South African adolescents living in an impoverished township.: Data were collected from 415 adolescents from two secondary schools in Etwatwa, Gauteng, using a cross-sectional survey design. Adolescents ranged in age from 15 to 19 years (mean = 16.09 years, SD = 1.03 years), and 70% identified as female. Participants completed the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory, the 10-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. Prevalence rates of depression and anxiety were high, with girls reporting significantly more symptoms than boys. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that using substances, behavioural disengagement, and self-blame predicted more symptoms of both anxiety and depression among adolescents. Denial was associated with more symptoms of anxiety, while venting was associated with more symptoms of depression. While longitudinal research is recommended to determine the direction of effects, the findings of this study suggest that interventions targeting maladaptive coping strategies may help to prevent emotional distress among vulnerable adolescents.

Long-term mental health support is not routinely offered to families of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates treated for non-cardiac congenital anomalies. This may reflect the paucity of evidence-based guidance for clinical practice in these diagnostic groups. This systematic review aimed to explore long-term mental health outcomes of NICU graduates and their parents, following treatment for non-cardiac congenital anomalies. A systematic review of empirical literature was conducted for the following diagnoses: congenital diaphragmatic hernia, oesophageal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, Pierre Robin sequence, and Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations. Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were comprehensively searched to identify relevant articles. Risk of bias assessments were conducted using the QualSyst quality assessment tool for articles meeting the following inclusion criteria: English- language articles published in peer-reviewed journals on or before 9 May 9 2025, that used validated quantitative mental health measures. Of the 45 included articles, 38 examined child mental health and 14 investigated parental mental health (seven studies explored both child and parent mental health). Twenty-six measures were used, most commonly the Child Behavior Checklist for child mental health and the Short Form Health Survey for parental mental health. Although methodological heterogeneity yielded conflicting results, overall, the evidence summarised suggested both the child and parents were at an increased risk of long-term mental health difficulties. The evidence presented in this review highlights the value of incorporating routine mental health follow-up into the standard clinical care of children and families affected by congenital anomalies.

Adolescents This study examined the influence of self-esteem and related factors on adolescent mental health in coastal West Sumatra, Indonesia. This cross-sectional study involving 295 adolescents (mean age = 16.2 years) utilised the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Self-Report Questionnaire 29 to assess self-esteem and mental health symptoms. Data were analysed using -tests, ANOVAs, Pearson's correlations, and multiple regression. Self-esteem was negatively correlated with neurosis ( = -0.452), psychosis ( = -0.205), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) ( = -0.333). Females exhibited higher neurosis ( = 0.001) and PTSS ( = 0.022). Higher maternal education was associated with fewer psychotic symptoms ( = 0.006). Regression analyses confirmed self-esteem as a significant negative predictor of neurosis ( = -0.426, < 0.001), psychosis ( = -0.177, p = 0.003), and PTSS ( = -0.375, = 0.063). Sex was positively associated with neurosis ( = 0.169, = 0.001) and PTSS ( = -0.139, = 0.011), while it was negatively associated with psychoactive symptoms ( = -0.154, = 0.009). No significant interaction between self-esteem and sex was found. Additionally, maternal education predicted psychosis ( = -0.156, = 0.006), and school origin predicted PTSS ( = -0.139, = 0.011). Self-esteem played a protective role in adolescent mental health in coastal areas. Sex-specific vulnerabilities and maternal education levels also contributed significantly. Interventions should focus on enhancing self-esteem and addressing sex and educational factors to promote better mental health outcomes among adolescents.

Although adolescent births have declined globally, low- and middle-income countries like Peru continue to experience high rates of adolescent fertility. Adolescent parents and their children face elevated health and developmental risks. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a perinatal family-based intervention to support the infant-caregiver relationship among adolescent parents in Lima, Perú. Our study consisted of 54 pregnant adolescents who were randomised to an intervention or usual care. The intervention consisted of 10 telehealth visits beginning during the third trimester of pregnancy and continuing through six months postpartum. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and resilience were measured at the time of enrolment and again after completing the intervention. Data were assessed by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and difference-in-differences models using mixed effects linear regression analyses. This was a pilot study not powered for significance. Median depression and anxiety scores decreased for both intervention and usual care groups from pregnancy to six months postpartum; the median score for resilience increased for both groups. The difference-in-differences models predicted a decrease in depression and anxiety scores and an increase in resilience scores in the intervention group compared to the usual care group. Results demonstrated fewer symptoms of generalised depression and anxiety and higher resilience among those who received the intervention. These findings highlight the need for future studies to further characterise the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of telehealth interventions for adolescent parents and their families in low-resource settings and to compare telehealth with in-person intervention.

Parent-infant psychotherapy is a therapeutic intervention intended to address problems in the parent-infant relationship. In Newcastle Upon Tyne, a family-centred charity, Children North East, began delivering parent-infant psychotherapy in 2017, to support parents and infant relationships by addressing unconscious elements of behaviour which can create relational trauma. A formative service evaluation explored parents' experiences of the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Parent-Infant Partnership service, alongside wider healthcare professionals' perspectives of service delivery and impact on the parents and relationship with their babies. Interviews were undertaken with parents ( = 10) who had previously engaged with the service and healthcare professionals ( = 6) who had referred parents to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Parent-Infant Partnership. The interviews highlighted a flexible and relational approach to therapy sessions, which created a positive experience for families. However, there is a need to improve public and professional awareness of infant mental health, parent-infant psychotherapeutic and relational approaches. The service proved effective in supporting the relationship between parent and infant identified through the parent-infant psychotherapy approach, which was fluid, open and nurturing, relative to other experiences of therapy and mental health support available in the North East. Service providers would enhance their impact on families by building and strengthening partnerships with the multiple health and social care organisations and systems involved in supporting families, and ensure their services become more inclusive. Further research is required to identify specific needs in local contexts, long-term outcomes, and to define relevant outcome measures in families with relationship concerns.

Subjective well-being (SWB) has been a popular topic in positive psychology and mental health, representing how individuals experience and evaluate their lives. This study aimed to determine the SWB of Korean adolescents and its change over time. We utilised data from the Korean Children and Youth Well-being Index: Middle School and High School Students Surveys, collected from 2016 to 2021. Bivariate analyses were performed to estimate SWB, and analysis of variance was used to assess differences in SWB based on participant characteristics. Changes in SWB over time were analysed using mean difference values, with subgroup analyses comparing middle and high school students. Findings revealed that while overall SWB remained relatively stable from 2016 to 2019 (with scores of 72.47 and 71.68, respectively), a significant decrease was observed in 2021 (scoring 68.97). Notably, SWB was significantly lower in females compared to males, and in high school students compared to middle school students. A consistent downtrend in SWB was evident over the five years among specific groups, including females, adolescents not living with their parents, those intending to leave home, and those experiencing severe stress. This study examined the SWB of Korean adolescents and its change over time, revealing a significant decline in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring SWB and having informed welfare initiatives to enhance adolescents' quality of life. The insights remain relevant, guiding policymakers in preparing for future pandemics and improving SWB among vulnerable adolescents.