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This study examined the stability of internalizing and externalizing problems from age 1.5 to 6 years, while taking into account developmental changes in the presentation of problems. The study comprised a population-based cohort of 7,206 children (50.4 % boys). At ages 1.5, 3, and 6 years, mothers reported on problem behavior using the Child Behavior Checklist/1.5-5 (CBCL/1.5-5). At each age we performed latent profile analysis on the CBCL/1.5-5 scales. Latent transition analysis (LTA) was applied to study the stability of problem behavior. Profiles of problem behavior varied across ages. At each age, 82-87 % of the children did not have problems whereas approximately 2 % showed a profile of co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems. This profile was more severe (with higher scores) at 6 years than at earlier ages. A predominantly internalizing profile only emerged at 6 years, while a profile with externalizing problems and emotional reactivity was present at each age. LTA showed that, based on profiles at 1.5 and 3 years, it was difficult to predict the type of profile at 6 years. Children with a profile of co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems early in life were most likely to show problem behavior at 6 years. This study shows that the presentation of problem behavior changes across the preschool period and that heterotypic continuity of problems is very common among preschoolers. Children with co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems were most likely to show persisting problems. The use of evidence-based treatment for these young children may prevent psychiatric problems across the life course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No clear consensus has been reached yet on how best to characterize children who suffer from pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). The CBCL-PBD profile on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) has been consistently reported showing deviant findings on the Attention Problems, Aggressive Behavior, and Anxious-Depressed subscales. Aim: To examine the sensitivity and specificity of the proposed CBCL-PBD profile for determining DSM diagnosis of PBD. Methods: We applied receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to data from 471 probands from two family studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their 410 siblings. Results: The CBCL-PBD score demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.97 for probands and 0.82 for siblings for current diagnosis of PBD, suggesting that the CBCL-PBD provided a highly efficient way of identifying subjects with a current diagnosis of PBD in this sample. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the CBCL-PBD may provide a highly efficient way of screening for childhood bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Early Environmental Exposures as Shared and Unique Risk Factors in Childhood Mental Illness: Results From Large-Scale Epidemiological Studies" by Dorothy E. Grice and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Metabolic and Psychiatric Outcomes Using the Yale-Vermont Adversity in Childhood Scale" by Bailey Holt-Gosselin and colleagues is presented.

The article focuses on the impact of conflict of interest on the content and quality of medical research. Although a conflict of interest is not itself an ethical violation, ethical violations involving conflict of interest occur when the conflicted individual/s bias the scientific process by distorting research methods, presentation of data, and/or the interpretation of results. Such violations can have a significant negative impact on the assessment and treatment of children with psychiatric disorders. It is noted that biased publications undermine clinical judgment, mislead physicians about treatment options, negatively affect public opinion about science and medicine, and cause distrust in physician-patient relationships.

The article discusses the mission statement and advocacy of the "Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry." Accordingly, the periodical's mission statement, which will be incorporated in every issue, is focused on the advancement of research on pediatric mental health and the promotion of mental care among youth and their families. The periodical aims to promote awareness on the mental health needs of children, adolescents and its families in handling human advancement mysteries. The author stresses that the new mission statement will serve as a reminder and inspiration for people to persist and strive hard in achieving knowledge on how to provide proper care to mentally ill people.