Prevalence and Stability of Internalizing Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: Gender Differences and Associated Factors.
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| Title: | Prevalence and Stability of Internalizing Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: Gender Differences and Associated Factors. |
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| Authors: | Segura-Frontelo, Alberto, Girela-Serrano, Braulio, Gutiérrez-Rojas, Luis, Porras-Segovia, Alejandro, Peñuelas-Calvo, Inmaculada, Spiers, Alex, Baca-García, Enrique, Barrigón, María Luisa, Carballo, Juan José |
| Source: | Journal of Child & Family Studies. Feb2025, Vol. 34 Issue 2, p490-501. 12p. |
| Subjects: | Risk assessment, Mental health services, Research funding, Sex distribution, Questionnaires, Internalizing behavior, Retrospective studies, Descriptive statistics, Longitudinal method, Statistical reliability, Medical records, Acquisition of data, Statistics, Confidence intervals, Patient aftercare, Adolescence, Children |
| Geographic Terms: | Spain |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the prevalence, stability, and associated factors of internalizing symptoms in children and adolescents within a clinical setting. The sample included 299 patients aged 3–17 years from a Child and Adolescent Mental Health outpatient clinic, followed over one year. Internalizing symptoms were assessed using the parent-rated version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), completed at baseline and at one-year follow-up. Stability was evaluated using prospective consistency, retrospective consistency, kappa coefficient, and Spearman's Rho correlations. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine associated factors. Baseline prevalence of internalizing symptoms was 40% (95% CI: 33.4-44.8%), with moderate one-year stability (ρ = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.37-0.58). Key factors associated with internalizing symptoms at follow-up included: For girls, higher baseline SDQ emotional symptoms (OR = 2.12, p < 0.001), lower paternal education (OR = 9.70, p = 0.003), and lower SDQ hyperactivity/inattention scores (OR = 0.70, p = 0.016). For boys, comorbid externalizing symptoms (OR = 8.18, p < 0.001), maternal anxiety (OR = 2.35, p = 0.031), maternal unemployment (OR = 2.13, p = 0.043), and a sibling diagnosed with ADHD (OR = 0.10, p = 0.012). For children, peer problems (OR = 1.20, p = 0.02) and the absence of an externalizing diagnosis (OR = 0.33, p = 0.013). For adolescents, lower paternal education (OR = 5.99, p = 0.003), higher SDQ emotional symptoms scores (OR = 13.48, p < 0.001), and female gender. Gender and age differences in associated factors highlight the interplay of neurobiological and social influences. These findings underscore the importance of considering gender and age-specific factors when developing preventive and therapeutic interventions for internalizing symptoms in clinical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | This study investigates the prevalence, stability, and associated factors of internalizing symptoms in children and adolescents within a clinical setting. The sample included 299 patients aged 3–17 years from a Child and Adolescent Mental Health outpatient clinic, followed over one year. Internalizing symptoms were assessed using the parent-rated version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), completed at baseline and at one-year follow-up. Stability was evaluated using prospective consistency, retrospective consistency, kappa coefficient, and Spearman's Rho correlations. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine associated factors. Baseline prevalence of internalizing symptoms was 40% (95% CI: 33.4-44.8%), with moderate one-year stability (ρ = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.37-0.58). Key factors associated with internalizing symptoms at follow-up included: For girls, higher baseline SDQ emotional symptoms (OR = 2.12, p < 0.001), lower paternal education (OR = 9.70, p = 0.003), and lower SDQ hyperactivity/inattention scores (OR = 0.70, p = 0.016). For boys, comorbid externalizing symptoms (OR = 8.18, p < 0.001), maternal anxiety (OR = 2.35, p = 0.031), maternal unemployment (OR = 2.13, p = 0.043), and a sibling diagnosed with ADHD (OR = 0.10, p = 0.012). For children, peer problems (OR = 1.20, p = 0.02) and the absence of an externalizing diagnosis (OR = 0.33, p = 0.013). For adolescents, lower paternal education (OR = 5.99, p = 0.003), higher SDQ emotional symptoms scores (OR = 13.48, p < 0.001), and female gender. Gender and age differences in associated factors highlight the interplay of neurobiological and social influences. These findings underscore the importance of considering gender and age-specific factors when developing preventive and therapeutic interventions for internalizing symptoms in clinical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10621024 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10826-024-02987-9 |
