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Objective: Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy have been reported to be at increased risk of executive function deficits and neurodevelopmental disorders. This population-based cohort study aimed to assess executive function, attention, behaviour, and autism symptomatology in school-aged children with CP, using parent-report measures that can provide insight into everyday functioning in these neurodevelopmental domains. Methods: 74 participants (male n = 51) mean age 9 years 9 months, SD 1 year 1.2 months (range 8 years 0 months to 12 years 11 months), GMFCS I = 45 (60.8%), II = 17 (23%), III = 8 (10.8%), and IV = 4 (5.4%), were assessed on measures of attention and behaviour (Conners-3), executive function (BRIEF), and autism symptomatology (AQ10-Child). Analysis was via one-sample t-tests and MANCOVAs. Results: Participants' scores were elevated in comparison to the general population in all domains, while 29.1% of participants scored above the cut-off level on an autism symptomatology screener. Greatest impairment was reported for working memory (M = 60.7, SD = 10.0, t(72) = 9.2, p <.001), peer relations (M = 72.7, SD = 16.2, t(73) = 12.0, p <.001), and inattention subscales (M = 66.3, SD = 12.5, t(73) = 11.2, p <.001). No statistically significant differences were found for different GMFCS levels on domains of executive functioning. A statistically significant difference was found between GMFCS levels for inattention F(3, 71) = 3.83, p =.013, partial η2 = 0.162, with most elevated scores associated with GMFCS level II (M = 74.1, SD = 14.2). Conclusion: EF, attention and behavioural difficulties, and autism symptomatology are commonly reported in school-aged children with CP. Screening for these comorbidities using ratings scales will assist with early diagnosis and targeted intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the experiences and needs of parents with an infant diagnosed at risk of cerebral palsy (CP) and to receive feedback on a new online support program (Parenting Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; PACT). Materials and methods: Eleven parents from eight family dyads (8 mothers, 3 fathers) with infants under 24 months of age (age range 10-24 months) recently diagnosed as at risk of CP as well as fourteen clinicians participated in this qualitative study through interviews. Results: Parents reported conflicting emotions and grief. Further, they reported that they wanted honesty, support and normalisation of their experiences from clinicians. Parents pointed to a gap in service delivery in terms of non-pathologising psychological support specific to their needs. Clinicians reported a lack of skills in supporting distressed parents. Parent feedback on PACT was positive, with parents receptive to the online delivery. Conclusions: Parents want acceptance without pathologisation, honesty, and flexible support. Clinicians working with children at risk of CP need training in grief awareness and support for their own coping. Health services should consider building better parental support into their systems of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research using mind–body practices in autism is limited but suggests a trend for ruminative reduction and improved behavioral–emotional outcomes. Following random assignment (N = 67), effects of a weekly six-session pilot yoga-based group program combined with third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy elements on self-regulation for children on the autism spectrum (aged 8–12 years) was assessed. The primary outcome was executive functions. Secondary outcomes were sleep, anxiety, and emotion awareness. After attrition, assessment results from participants in the intervention (n = 31) and the waitlist conditions (n = 30) completed at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-week follow-up were evaluated. For the intervention group, the between-group mean score differences suggest a decrease in parent-reported global executive difficulties from baseline to post-intervention (−2.61; 95% confidence interval −5.13 to −0.09, p = 0.047, d = −0.39) and baseline to follow-up (−4.17; 95% confidence interval −6.72 to −1.62, p = 0.017, d = −0.59) with small-to-medium effect sizes. Small-to-medium effects were found for a few parent-reported children's sleep issues, child-reported aspects of emotion awareness, and performance anxiety. Non-significant findings are discussed in this article. Preliminary findings suggest mixed results and should be interpreted cautiously. The yoga-informed program may complement existing treatments and will benefit from ongoing evaluation. Children on the autism spectrum may experience difficulties with the regulation of attention, thoughts, emotions, and behavior, understanding, and expressing their emotions appropriately, as well as anxiety, and sleep. In autism research, contemplative practices that work through both body and mind have shown tentatively promising results. However, there are limited studies on this topic, and the use of yoga to facilitate executive control has not been researched yet. The Incredible Explorers (6-week program), a yoga-informed intervention program for children (8–12 years), was developed to understand whether, for children on the autism spectrum, the training could improve the ability to self-regulate, reduce anxiety and sleep problems, and increase awareness of emotions. In our sample, 61 children with one of their parents completed the program. Half of the group received the intervention, and the other half had to wait until the yoga group completed their trial. The participants were asked to give their feedback immediately after program completion and at 6-week follow-up. Compared to the group that was waiting to receive the intervention, parents in the yoga group reported significant gains for their children in regulating their overall executive control immediately after the session and again at follow-up. The parents reported a reduction in some of the sleep problems post-treatment. Children indicated an improved ability to communicate their feelings and willingness to analyze their emotions post-intervention. However, the study had several shortcomings and given that this was the first trial of the program, the results need to be interpreted with caution. Further research is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Height frequently functions as a cue to the masculine status of men. Despite the socially prescribed ideal physique for men being tall, lean, and muscular, in the context of male body image research height remains underexplored relative to muscularity and body fat. We conducted a qualitative investigation of men's experiences of height dissatisfaction, drawing upon a sample of 15 men ranging in height from 154 cm to 172 cm (M = 164.80, SD = 5.53), recruited from an Internet-based support group for short-statured individuals. Data were analyzed by 2 independent raters, and in accordance with thematic analysis procedures. Two main themes were identified: (a) the belief that others view short men as inferior and (b) experience of height dissatisfaction. A total of nine subthemes, which reflect key features within the data, were organized beneath the two main themes. Findings demonstrate that the consequences of short stature experienced by participants extend beyond body dissatisfaction to interpersonal processes and functioning in social, professional, and romantic domains. We suggest that height dissatisfaction primarily arises due to negative attributions relating to interpersonal experiences and internalized pejorative social attitudes toward men of short stature. In conclusion, short stature is a significant and pervasive issue for some men that is often—and unjustly—trivialized and overlooked. Public Significance Statement: Short-statured male interviewees believed that height plays an important role in others' appraisal of their masculinity. Negative treatment from others on the basis of height was frequently implicated as contributing to men's dissatisfaction with their height. Most men believed that seeking social or professional support for height dissatisfaction or co-occurring concerns would make them appear insecure and less masculine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 20% of adolescents develop depressive symptoms. Family, friends, and teachers are crucial sources of social support for adolescents, but it is unclear whether social support impacts adolescents directly (principle-effect model) or by moderating the effect of stress (stress-buffer model) and whether each source of social support remains meaningful when their influence is studied simultaneously. To help fill this gap, we followed 1452 Australian students (average age at enrollment = 13.1, SD = 0.5; range: 11–16 years; 51.9% female) for 5 years. Based on our findings, each source of support is negatively related to depressive symptoms one year later when studied independently but when combined, only family and teacher support predicted depressive symptoms. Family support in all grades and teacher support in grade 8 to 10 but not in grade 11 directly impacted adolescent depressive symptoms 1 year later. Family support in grades 8 and 11 also buffered against the negative impact of stress on depressive symptoms one year later. Based on the unexpected findings, the most important limitations seem to be that the used instruments do not allow for a separation of different groups of friends (e.g., classmates, same-gender peers, romantic partners), types of social support, and stress. In addition, the high, nonrandom attrition rate with adolescents reporting less social support, more stressful events, a higher frequency of depressive symptoms, and/or being of Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal background limits the generalizability of our findings. Summarized, our findings demonstrate that adolescents facing stress might benefit more from family support compared to their peers without stressful life events and that friends may have a weaker presence in adolescent lives than expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research provides support for a direct comparison between the home and boarding environments, the inference being that boarding staff who fulfil an in loco parentis role have an integral part to play in the developmental outcomes of adolescents (boarders). Research in the area of family functioning has found that adolescents tend to view the family environment more negatively than their parents and that these discrepant perceptions have been linked to both internalising and externalising disorders in adolescents. In an attempt to further clarify the influence of the parenting role of boarding staff and of the boarding environment in general, 121 staff and 415 boarders from schools in Queensland, Australia, were asked to rate the boarding environment on levels of conflict, social support and climate. It was found that boarders, like adolescents in the home environment, perceived significantly higher levels of conflict and lower levels of social support and positive climate than did staff. These findings lend further support to the conceptualisation of the boarding environment as a home away from home. The implications of these findings for boarders' developmental outcomes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a potentially life threatening affective disorder that is highly prevalent in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a cognitive behavioural intervention for depression in adolescents with ASD. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group, or wait-list control group. Although recruitment was extremely difficult, attendance was favourable and attrition was low, and participants reported being satisfied with the programme. No significant treatment effect was revealed on the Beck Depression Inventory or Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. However despite the small sample size ( n = 20), there was a trending treatment effect measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale: Depression Subscale. Limitations and areas of future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with Asperger’s syndrome are often reported by their parents as having difficulties communicating affection. This study aimed to develop a valid measure of affectionate behaviour that could be used to investigate and quantify these anecdotal reports and then be used in further intervention research. Using parent and expert focus groups, three measures (Affection for Others Questionnaire, Affection for You Questionnaire and General Affection Questionnaire) were developed with reference to the existing affection literature. The measures were completed by 131 parents of children with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome. Psychometric assessment of the measures revealed clear factor structures with high internal consistencies and significant concurrent validities. The findings suggest many children with Asperger’s syndrome have difficulties with affectionate behaviour that significantly impact their daily functioning and relationships with others, signalling future research needs to develop interventions in this area. Limitations of the research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To assist suicide prevention we need a better understanding of how suicidal individuals act in their environment, and the online world offers an ideal opportunity to examine daily behaviors. This anonymous survey (N = 1,016) provides first-of-its-kind empirical evidence demonstrating suicide-risk people (n = 290) are unique in their online behaviors. Suicidal users reported more time online, greater likelihood of developing online personal relationships, and greater use of online forums. In addition, suicide-risk women reported more time browsing/surfing and social networking. The authors conclude that suicide prevention efforts should respond to suicide-risk users' greater demands for online interpersonal communications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]