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Sixty youth (16-19 years) from two youth prison sites participate in a prospective study examining criminal offending and learning disabilities (LD), completing measures of estimated IQ, attention, reading, and mathematical and oral language abilities. Prevalence rates of LDs exceed those of international studies, with 91.67% of the offenders showing significant difficulties in at least one area of achievement (defined as 1 SD or more below the normative mean), the mean reading comprehension score falling at the 4th percentile. Four years post assessment, recidivism rates among released youth (n = 51) are investigated. After the investigators control for other known risk factors (including delinquency and estimated IQ), reading comprehension predicts future offending across measures, capturing rate, seriousness, and persistence of offending post release.

Only recently have studies included a female Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) sample when investigating neurocognitive functioning of individuals with ADHD. As such, the generalisability of findings of impaired executive functioning is limited to ADHD males. This study compared four groups aged 13-17 years: 30 male controls, 35 female controls, 24 males with ADHD, and 25 females with ADHD. Participants were assessed using the K-SADS-PL and Conners' Rating Scales, and completed tests of rapid naming, processing speed, memory, inhibition, set-shifting, and interference. Results showed that the males with ADHD and the females with ADHD performed similarly with only one notable difference: males with ADHD showed some evidence of more impaired inhibition than females with ADHD. In contrast, after controlling for reading ability, comorbidity, and IQ, both males and females with ADHD showed some impairment in working memory, naming speeds, processing abilities, and inhibitory deficits as compared with controls. This study supports the growing literature documenting impaired neurocognitive functioning in both males and females with ADHD.

This study examined the relationship among creativity, ADHD symptomatology, temperament, and psychosocial functioning by comparing four groups of children aged 10-12 years: (1) 29 ADHD children without creativity, (2) 16 highly creative children displaying ADHD symptomatology, (3) 18 highly creative children without ADHD symptomatology, and (4) 30 normal controls. Children completed the TTCT, Child Depression Inventory, Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Parents completed the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory, Family Environment Scale, and the parent version of the Kastan Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire. Parents completed the Conner's Rating Scales and Child Behavior Checklist, and teachers completed the Child Behaviour Checklist. Results showed that the presence of ADHD symptomatology in creative children was related to their temperamental characteristics, and parent reports of children's levels of anxiety and depression. However, family environment and mother's attributions did not appear to be related to the presence of ADHD symptomatology in creative children. These findings have implications for the development and management of creative children. (Contains 5 tables.)

The purpose of this study is to explore whether ADHD is associated with high creative ability. Sixty-seven children, ages 10 to 12 (33 ADHD and 34 controls) completed the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), Maier's Two-String Problem, and the Block Design and Vocabulary subsets of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). The results show that there is no significant difference between the ADHD group's and control group's performance on either the TTCT, Maier's Two-String Problem, or WISC-III, suggesting that children diagnosed with ADHD are no more creative than children without the diagnosis. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Objectives: The prescription of psychotropic medication used to treat psychiatric disorders has increased worldwide over the past two decades and has been discussed widely in the literature; however, limited data have been available for New Zealand. The current article aimed to address this knowledge gap. Methods: Prescription data obtained from The Pharmaceutical Management Agency of New Zealand (PHARMAC) were analyzed to obtain prescription dispensing rates and trends for antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, and stimulants/attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications for youth aged 0-17 years in New Zealand during 2008-2016, including a gender and ethnicity breakdown for 2016 to provide a "snapshot" of prescription demographics. These data sets contained all individual prescriptions dispensed in New Zealand during this time period, alongside a unique encrypted National Health Index number to distinguish individuals and demographic data. Results: In 2016, 2.36% of New Zealand youth, totaling 26,175 individuals, were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication, an increase of 65.03% from 2008. Rate of prescription for youth in 2016 and percentage increase since 2008 for each medication class were as follows: antidepressants: 1.07%, 78.33% increase; antipsychotics: 0.37%, 105.60% increase; anxiolytics: 0.15%, 50% increase; and sedatives and hypnotics: 0.22%, 37.50% increase. Stimulants were prescribed to 1.06% of the population, a 41.33% increase since 2011. In 2016 the number of prescriptions was split roughly equally between males and females, with more males receiving stimulant prescriptions and more females receiving antidepressant prescriptions. Stimulants were the medication most likely to be prescribed to Māori, Pacific, and Middle Eastern/Latin American/African groups, with antidepressants most likely for European and Asian groups. Māori tended to be prescribed medications at rates lower than the general population. Conclusions: Overall, prescription rates and the increase in prescription of psychotropic medication to children and adolescents in New Zealand fall within the mid range compared to other Western countries worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects 20%–30% of women but current medical treatments are limited in their efficacy. The objective of this study was to compare efficacy of a broad-spectrum micronutrient formula (consisting mainly of minerals and vitamins) to a single vitamin (B6) for treatment of PMS, for which B6 has already been shown to be efficacious. Methods: This double-blind, randomized, treatment-controlled trial allocated 78 (72 completed) regularly menstruating women with PMS to consume micronutrients or vitamin B6 (80 mg/day) daily following a two-cycle baseline period, for three menstrual cycles. The primary outcome measure, Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP), established PMS as well as tracked change in five PMS symptoms: psychological, somatic, total symptoms, impact ratings, and worst day ratings. Results: Linear-mixed model analyses indicated both treatments produced comparable reduction in PMS symptoms with medium effect sizes (ES) across all PMS variables as measured by the DRSP (micronutrient ES = 0.50–0.56; B6 ES = 0.43–0.56), with 72% of the micronutrient and 60% of the vitamin B6 group identified as in full remission in PMS symptoms after three cycles. The micronutrient-treated participants showed greater improvement than the B6 group (between group d = 0.51, p < 0.05) in health-related quality of life. For those women (n = 28) who met criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the DRSP ES were larger for those who had been in the micronutrient condition (ES = 1.28–1.67) as compared with those on B6 (ES = 0.50–0.75), although the group differences were not statistically reliable. There were no group differences in side effects, nor any serious adverse effects reported. Conclusions: Both treatments provided similar benefit for reducing PMS symptoms, with greater effect of micronutrients on quality of life as well as potential clinical benefit of micronutrients for PMDD. This study provides further efficacy data on B6 and also identifies the nutritionally broader spectrum intervention as possibly having specific advantages for those whose symptoms are more severe. As this is the first study to investigate these treatments for PMDD, systematic replication is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The theory that supplemented probiotic bacteria could affect psychological outcomes has recently been outlined in narrative reviews; to date, however, this area of research has not been systematically reviewed. Objective: The objective of this review was to compare the effects of probiotics with those of placebo on psychological outcomes and symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Data Sources: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and PsycARTICLES databases were searched electronically for studies published up to July 17, 2014. Reference lists of relevant articles were searched manually. Study Selection: Only double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled human trials that used a standardized, validated scale to assess the effects of probiotic interventions compared with placebo on psychological outcomes or symptoms of psychiatric disorders were included. Data Extraction: Two researchers independently assessed trials and evaluated them for methodological quality. Data were extracted from the included studies using a data extraction form. Data Synthesis: Ten trials met the inclusion criteria. Overall, there is very limited evidence for the efficacy of probiotic interventions in psychological outcomes. The evidence base is incomplete and lacks applicability. Conclusions: More trials are necessary before any inferences can be made about the efficacy of probiotics in mental health applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty youth (16-19 years) from two youth prison sites participate in a prospective study examining criminal offending and learning disabilities (LD), completing measures of estimated IQ, attention, reading, and mathematical and oral language abilities. Prevalence rates of LDs exceed those of international studies, with 91.67% of the offenders showing significant difficulties in at least one area of achievement (defined as 1 SD or more below the normative mean), the mean reading comprehension score falling at the 4th percentile. Four years post assessment, recidivism rates among released youth (n = 51) are investigated. After the investigators control for other known risk factors (including delinquency and estimated IQ), reading comprehension predicts future offending across measures, capturing rate, seriousness, and persistence of offending post release. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: Little research has investigated how micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) affect cognitive functioning, despite preliminary studies showing they may improve psychiatric functioning. Intervention: This pilot study investigated the impact of a 36-ingredient micronutrient formula consisting mainly of vitamins and minerals on neurocognitive functioning in 14 adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and severe mood dysregulation. Design: The formula was consumed in an open-label trial over an 8-week period. Outcome measures: The participants completed tests of memory (Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning) and executive functioning (Delis-Kaplan Executive Functioning System and Conners Continuous Performance Test) at baseline and at the end of the trial. A gender- and age-matched control group of 14 non-ADHD adults not taking the formula were assessed on the same tests 8 weeks apart in order to investigate the impact of practice on the results. Results: There were no group differences in ethnicity, socio-economic status and estimated IQ. Significant improvement was observed in the ADHD group, but not the control group, across a range of verbal abilities including verbal learning, verbal cognitive flexibility and fluency, and verbal inhibition. These neurocognitive improvements were large and consistent with improved psychiatric functioning. No changes were noted above a practice effect in visual-spatial memory and there were no improvements noted in reaction time, working memory, or rapid naming for either groups. Conclusions: Although the pilot and open-label design of the study limits the generalizability of the results, it supports a growing body of literature recognizing the importance of nutrients for mental health and cognition. The results also provide evidence supporting the need for randomized clinical trials of micronutrients as well as other experimental studies in order to better assess whether improved neurocognitive functioning may contribute to improved psychiatric symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) is a test which is currently used in New Zealand both clinically and in research to measure receptive vocabulary skills (Phillips, McNaughton, & MacDonald, 2004; Reese & Read, 2000; Stockman, 2000). This research investigated issues of cultural bias by comparing PPVT-III scores obtained by 46 Māori children from three different age groups (5-11 years) with scores from the standardisation sample. Results revealed that the PPVT-III appeared to be suitable for use with Māori as a receptive vocabulary measure, although a number of suggestions were made as to ways in which the administration and interpretation of PPVT-III test scores could be adjusted when working with Māori in order to minimise the impact of cultural bias. Additional research is required to establish whether changes to potentially culturally biased items may improve the validity of the PPVT-III for use with Māori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and population growth will increase vulnerability to natural and human-made disasters or pandemics. Longitudinal research studies may be adversely impacted by a lack of access to study resources, inability to travel around the urban environment, reluctance of sample members to attend appointments, sample members moving residence and potentially also the destruction of research facilities. One of the key advantages of longitudinal research is the ability to assess associations between exposures and outcomes by limiting the influence of sample selection bias. However, ensuring the validity and reliability of findings in longitudinal research requires the recruitment and retention of respondents who are willing and able to be repeatedly assessed over an extended period of time. This study examined recruitment and retention strategies of 11 longitudinal cohort studies operating during the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake sequence which began in September 2010, including staff perceptions of the major impediments to study operations during/after the earthquakes and respondents' barriers to participation. Successful strategies to assist recruitment and retention after a natural disaster are discussed. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, longitudinal studies are potentially encountering some of the issues highlighted in this paper including: closure of facilities, restricted movement of research staff and sample members, and reluctance of sample members to attend appointments. It is possible that suggestions in this paper may be implemented so that longitudinal studies can protect the operation of their research programmes.

Aim: Fish oil supplements are regulated in New Zealand under the Dietary Supplement Regulations (Section 42, Food Act 1981) and therefore are not subject to the same level of scrutiny and regulations as medicines. We investigated accuracy of labelling, stated health benefits of fish oil supplements sold in New Zealand, and risks relating to possible mercury content., Method: The amounts of omega-3 fatty acids contained per capsule were determined by an independent laboratory using gas chromatography on 10 of the most popular over-the-counter fish oil supplements sold in New Zealand and were compared with amounts stated on product labels. Information on doses recommended to achieve a specific health benefit were taken from the 10 labels as well as the company websites. These recommended doses were compared with published recommended doses identified as being effective in those health areas stipulated on the labels, based on either systematic reviews, meta-analyses and/or consensus statements. Mercury was analysed by an independent laboratory using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry., Results: The actual amounts of EPA and DHA per capsule in 90% of the over-the-counter fish oil supplements analysed were within 10% of the amount stated on the product labels. Only one product was greater than 10% below the stated dose on the label. All products suggested benefit across heart, brain and joint health and all but two products stated a range of capsules required to achieve that health benefit (eg, 2-6 capsules). Based on the maximum number of capsules recommended (which ranged from 3-6 capsules), only three products would likely confer the dose identified as optimal for achieving a health benefit across all three health areas. Only two products recommended doses that would likely confer a health benefit both at the minimum and maximum number of capsules. More products would likely benefit brain and heart health than joint health. Mercury was not detected in any sample., Conclusions: It is reassuring that the doses of 90% of the products were accurate and that mercury was not detected in any sample; however, less than a third of the supplements would likely confer all the health benefits stated, even at the highest recommended daily doses. This paper has highlighted the ongoing challenges associated with the regulation of "health claims" associated with dietary supplements in New Zealand. Indeed, the literature on health effects is contradictory at best. Clearer definitions of the types of health statements that can be made and the research necessary to support them requires regulatory clarification., Competing Interests: Nil.

The aim of this study was to explore whether individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk of harm over the lifespan due to increased rates of self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour, and whether this association is mediated by psychosocial factors. Sixty-six adults (43 men, 23 women; 18-65 years) participated in this study involving clinical interview and retrospective self-report measures of ADHD symptoms, self-harm/suicidal behaviour, mental health disorders, and coping style measures. Significant associations were found between ADHD symptom severity and self-reported histories of self-harm behaviour, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts (all p values<.05). These relationships between self-destructive behaviours and ADHD symptom severity were found to be significantly and differentially mediated by psychosocial variables (all p values<.05) including comorbidity (mood, anxiety, drug, and alcohol abuse disorders) and emotion-focussed coping style. This study suggests that linkages between self-injurious behaviour and ADHD symptomatology may be due primarily to comorbid mental health disorders and emotion-focussed coping. The identification of these mediating factors and processes may potential pathways for intervention in reducing suicide and self-harm risk amongst those with ADHD symptoms.

Objective: We investigated whether micronutrients given acutely following the Christchurch earthquakes continued to confer benefit 1 year following the treatment., Methods: Sixty-four adults from the original 91 participants experiencing heightened anxiety or stress 2-3 months following the 22nd February 2011 earthquake and who had been randomized to receive three different doses of micronutrients completed on-line questionnaires assessing mood, anxiety, stress, and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder 1 year after completing the initial study. Twenty-one out of 29 nonrandomized controls who did not receive the treatment also completed the questionnaires., Results: Both the treated and control groups experienced significant improvement in psychological functioning compared with end-of-trial. However, treated participants had better long-term outcomes on most measures compared with controls (ES=0.69-1.31). Those who stayed on micronutrients through to follow-up or stopped all treatment reported better psychological functioning than those who switched to other treatments including medications. About 10% of the sample continued to have post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms., Conclusions: Disaster survivors improve psychologically over time regardless of receiving intervention; however, those taking micronutrients during the acute phase following a disaster show better outcomes, identifying micronutrients as a viable treatment for acute stress following a natural disaster with maintenance of benefits 1 year later. ACTRN 12611000460909, (Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: The role of nutrition in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is gaining international attention; however, treatments have generally focused only on diet restriction or supplementing with one nutrient at a time., Aims: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a broad-based micronutrient formula consisting mainly of vitamins and minerals, without omega fatty acids, in the treatment of ADHD in adults., Method: This double-blind randomised controlled trial assigned 80 adults with ADHD in a 1:1 ratio to either micronutrients (n = 42) or placebo (n = 38) for 8 weeks (trial registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12609000308291)., Results: Intent-to-treat analyses showed significant between-group differences favouring active treatment on self- and observer- but not clinician-ADHD rating scales. However, clinicians rated those receiving micronutrients as more improved than those on placebo both globally and on ADHD symptoms. Post hoc analyses showed that for those with moderate/severe depression at baseline, there was a greater change in mood favouring active treatment over placebo. There were no group differences in adverse events., Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence of efficacy for micronutrients in the treatment of ADHD symptoms in adults, with a reassuring safety profile.

Objective: To compare two micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) formulas (Berocca™ and CNE™) and assess their impact on emotions and stress related to the 6.3 earthquake on February 22(nd) 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand., Methods: 91 adults experiencing heightened anxiety or stress 2-3 months following the earthquake were randomized to Berocca™, CNE™ low dose (CNE4), or CNE™ high dose (CNE8), for 28 days and monitored weekly via on-line questionnaires and followed 1 month post-trial. A nonrandomized control group (n = 25) completed questionnaires at baseline and 4 weeks., Results: All treatment groups experienced significant declines in psychological symptoms (p < .001). CNE™ groups experienced greater reduction in intrusive thoughts as compared with Berocca™ (p = .05), with no group differences on other measures of psychological symptoms. However, CNE8 group reported greater improvement in mood, anxiety, and energy (p < .05) with twice as many reporting being "much" to "very much" improved and five times more likely to continue taking CNE™ post-trial than Berocca™ group. Treated participants had better outcomes on most measures over 4 weeks as compared to controls., Conclusions: This study supports micronutrients as an inexpensive and practical treatment for acute stress following a natural disaster with a slight advantage to higher doses ACTRN 12611000460909., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)