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Aims: We tested the age‐varying associations of cannabis use (CU) frequency and disorder (CUD) with psychotic, depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescent and adult samples. Moderating effects of early onset (≤ 15 years) and sex were tested. Design Time‐varying effect models were used to assess the significance of concurrent associations between CU and CUD and symptoms of psychosis, depression and anxiety at each age. Setting and Participants: Adolescent data (V‐HYS; n = 662) were collected from a randomly recruited sample of adolescents in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada during a 10‐year period (2003–13). Adult cross‐sectional data (NESARC‐III; n = 36 309) were collected from a representative sample from the United States (2012–13). Measurements Mental health symptoms were assessed using self‐report measures of diagnostic symptoms. CU was based on frequency of past‐year use. Past‐year CUD was based on DSM‐5 criteria. Findings For youth in the V‐HYS, CU was associated with psychotic symptoms following age 22 [b = 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.002, 0.25], with depressive symptoms from ages 16–19 and following age 25 (b = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.003, 0.34), but not with anxiety symptoms. CUD was associated with psychotic symptoms following age 23 (b = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.01, 1.01), depressive symptoms at ages 19–20 and following age 25 (b = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.001, 1.42) and anxiety symptoms ages 26–27 only. For adults in the NESARC‐III, CU was associated with mental health symptoms at most ages [e.g. psychotic symptoms; age 18 (b = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.33) to age 65 (b = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.56)]. CUD was associated with all mental health symptoms across most ages [e.g. depressive symptoms; age 18 (b = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.19, 1.73) to age 61 (b = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.01, 2.21)]. Interactions with sex show stronger associations for females than males in young adulthood [e.g. V‐HYS: CUD × sex interaction on psychotic symptoms significant after age 26 (b = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.02, 2.21)]. Findings were not moderated by early‐onset CU. Conclusions: Significant associations between cannabis use (CU) frequency and disorder (CUD) and psychotic and depressive symptoms in late adolescence and young adulthood extend across adulthood, and include anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The findings from a growing body of research reveal that incarceration is detrimental for both physical and mental health. Incarceration, however, is typically conceptualized and operationalized as a dichotomy; individuals either have, or have not, been incarcerated. Considering that incarceration can range from one day to several years, a dichotomous measure may be overlooking important variations across lengths of exposure. In addition, most inmates are incarcerated more than once. In this study, we help to fill this gap by examining the relationship between incarceration dosage, measured as time served and number of spells, and mental health among a sample of young adults from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997. By using fixed‐effects modeling, we find that the number of spells and the months incarcerated are positively related to mental health symptoms and the likelihood of depression. The association, however, is contingent on whether a respondent is currently or formerly incarcerated. Among current inmates, more time served is expected to improve mental health and the number of spells is unrelated to either outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there has been an increase in public health campaigns and initiatives aimed at preventing suicidal behaviors, suicide rates in Canada appear to be increasing particularly among young adults. Yet, few studies in Canada have examined the effect of suicidal ideation on unmet mental health needs among young adults. The objective of this study is to examine the association between suicidal ideation and unmet mental health needs, over and above predisposing, enabling, and need factors. This study uses data on 3393 young adults aged 20-29 years from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (CCHS-MH). Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted with unmet mental health needs as the outcome variable and suicidal ideation as the main explanatory variable. Of the 3393 respondents, 8.8% had unmet mental health needs and 16.5% had suicidal ideation. In the multivariate logistic regression model, respondents who experienced suicidal ideation had 2.55 times higher odds of having unmet mental health needs. Respondents were also more likely to have unmet mental health needs if they are female, experienced childhood adversity, or were diagnosed with mental health disorders or cannabis abuse or dependence. Each additional unit increase in social support decreased the odds of unmet mental health needs by 11%. Community peer support programs for young adults may be beneficial in enhancing access to mental health particularly for at-risk individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to compare the prevalence of impulsive suicide attempts (ISA) among young adults and those over 25 who present at hospital in connection with attempted suicide. We also aimed to identify factors associated with ISA in young adults and to assess medical severity as well as the probability of repeated suicide attempts in this age group.Method: A prospective multicentre cohort study included hospital known cases of suicide attempt (N = 666). The prevalence of ISA was compared between young adults (18-25) and adults aged > 26. We used logistic regression models to identify factors associated with ISA, associations of ISA with high medical severity and prediction of new fatal or non-fatal suicide attempts within 6 months.Results: 43.7% of the young patients had made an ISA, and 30.2% among those aged > 26 (p = 0.001). Among the young, substance use disorder was associated with ISA; crude odds ratio (OR) 2.0 (1.0-4.2), and adjusted OR 2.1 (0.99-4.4). Affective disorder and unemployment/ sickness absence implied lower odds of ISA. ISA resulted in injuries of high medical severity as often as more planned attempts and non-fatal or fatal repetition within 6 months was equally common (30%) in both groups.Limitations: The study was set in psychiatric emergency services, which limits the generalizability.Conclusions: Clinicians should acknowledge that suicide attempts among youth often occur without previous planning and may result in medically severe injuries. The probability of new fatal or non-fatal suicide attempts should be kept in mind also after an impulsive suicide attempt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle adolescents' close friendship strength and the degree to which their broader peer group expressed a preference to affiliate with them were examined as predictors of relative change in depressive symptoms, self-worth, and social anxiety symptoms from ages 15 to 25 using multimethod, longitudinal data from 169 adolescents. Close friendship strength in midadolescence predicted relative increases in self-worth and decreases in anxiety and depressive symptoms by early adulthood. Affiliation preference by the broader peer group, in contrast, predicted higher social anxiety by early adulthood. Results are interpreted as suggesting that adolescents who prioritize forming close friendships are better situated to manage key social developmental tasks going forward than adolescents who prioritize attaining preference with many others in their peer milieu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is on focus due to its intense and long-lasting symptoms. BPD is considered a psychological disorder of young adults, as its major symptoms start revealing at the beginning of young adulthood in the early 20s. The aim of this study was to assess BPD and its symptoms in the young population of students achieving higher education in private universities of Lahore, Pakistan. A stratified sample of 700 university going students was collected from three high ranked private universities of Lahore. The sample was collected and assessed through Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI-cut 20). The results obtained through the descriptive statistics revealed the high percentage of BPD in young adults (62%). Further, a high percentage of BPD was observed in a group of students ages 1821 years (63%). The four factors of BPD: Primitive Defense Mechanism, Identity Diffusion, Fear of Closeness, Self-Mutilation, and Impulsivity were equally found among the male and female samples. The independent sample t-test revealed the significant results obtained from the factor self-mutilation (Male: M=.21, SD=.405 and Female: M= .14, SD= .346, t=2.350, p=0.019) and impulsivity (Male; M=.35, SD=.479 and Female: M= .403, SD= .021, t= 4.482, p= 0.000). The results of this study concluded BPD and its factors were frequently being found in young adults studying in universities. Further, no significant gender differences were observed other than in two factors self-mutilation and impulsivity. It is recommended that there is an essential need to promote the health and wellbeing of the young population of students especially studying in universities because the evidence suggests that they are at risk. They further need assessment and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although many suicide risk factors have been identified, there is still relatively little known about the factors that differentiate those who think about suicide from those who make a suicide attempt.Aims: Using the integrated motivational-volitional model (IMV) of suicidal behaviour as a framework, this study hypothesised that (i) motivational and volitional phase factors would differentiate non-suicidal controls from those who had a history of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, and (ii) within a multivariable model only volitional phase factors would differentiate between those who had a history of suicidal ideation and those who had attempted suicide.Method: The Scottish Wellbeing Study (n = 3508) is a nationally representative study of young people (18-34 years) recruited throughout Scotland. Using multinomial regression analysis, three groups (non-suicidal control (n = 2534), lifetime suicide ideation (n = 498) and lifetime suicide attempt (n = 403) groups) were compared on motivational and volitional phase variables.Results: Consistent with the IMV model, motivational and volitional phase variables differentiated the control group from both the ideation and attempt groups. Only volitional phase variables differentiated between the suicide attempt group and the suicidal ideation group in the multivariable model; with those reporting a suicide attempt being higher on acquired capability, mental imagery about death, impulsivity, and being more likely to know a friend who had made a suicide attempt. Having a family member or friend die by suicide or a family member attempt suicide did not differentiate between the groups.Limitations: The findings were based on cross-sectional data derived from self-report measures.Conclusions: These findings provide further support for the IMV model, and highlight potential targets for clinical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Geriatric Depression Scale, Short Form (GDS-15) is a widely-used depression rating scale for elderly adults. It might be useful for persons across the adult lifespan, but more research is needed to support its clinical utility with young and middle-aged adults.Methods: We examined the classification accuracy of the GDS-15 in identifying depression cases and non-cases in adults aged 18-54 (n = 199) compared to those aged 55-80 (n = 112), using the standard cutoff score of 5. Criterion-related validity of the GDS-15 was examined based on its chance-corrected agreement with a clinical diagnostic interview.Results: Classification accuracy based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was strong in younger (area under the curve; AUC = 0.92) and older adults (AUC = 0.94). Sensitivity and specificity of the GDS-15 for identifying depression were 72% and 97% for younger adults and 86% and 91% for older adults, respectively. Classification accuracy did not differ between age cohorts (z = 0.74, p = 0.46). Chance-corrected agreement (kappa) between the GDS-15 and the criterion was 71% for younger and 74% for older adults.Limitations: Analyses are based on a convenience sample aggregated from three community mental health studies. Minor procedural inconsistencies may be present. Group sizes were uneven and accentuated cell size differences in the confusion matrices.Conclusions: The GDS-15 is brief depression rating scale that shows good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for adults aged 18 and older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Professional sleep associations recommend 7-9 h of sleep per night for young adults. Habitually sleeping less than 6 h per night has been shown to increase susceptibility to common cold in otherwise healthy, adult civilians. However, no investigations have examined the importance of sleep duration on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and loss of training days in military recruits. The purpose of this study was to describe self-reported sleep duration in a large cohort of military recruits and to assess the relationship between reported sleep duration and incidence of URTI's. We hypothesized that recruits who reported sleeping less than the recommended 7-9 h per night during training suffered a greater incidence of URTI and, as a consequence, lost more training days compared with recruits who met sleep recommendations.Materials and Methods: Participants included 651 British Army recruits aged 22 ± 3 yr who completed 13 wk of basic military training (67% males, 33% females). Participants were members of 21 platoons (11 male, 10 female) who commenced training across four seasons (19% winter, 20% spring, 29% summer, and 32% autumn). At the start and completion of training, participants completed a questionnaire asking the typical time they went to sleep and awoke. Incidence of physician-diagnosed URTI and lost training days due to URTI were retrieved from medical records.Results: Self-reported sleep duration decreased from before to during training (8.5 ± 1.6 vs. 7.0 ± 0.8 h; p < 0.01). Prior to training, 13% of participants reported sleeping less than the recommended 7 h sleep per night; however, this increased to 38% during training (X2 = 3.8; p = 0.05). Overall, 49 participants (8%) were diagnosed by a physician with at least one URTI and 3 participants (<1%) were diagnosed with two URTI's. After controlling for sex, body mass index, season of recruitment, smoking, and alcohol, participants who reported sleeping less than 6 h per night during training were four times more likely to be diagnosed with URTI compared with participants who slept 7-9 h per night in a logistic regression model (OR 4.4; 95% CI, 1.5-12.9, p < 0.01). On average, each URTI resulted in 2.9 ± 1.5 lost training days. Participants who were diagnosed with URTI had more overall lost training days for any illness compared with participants who did not report a URTI during basic military training (3.3 ± 1.9 vs. 0.4 ± 1.3; p < 0.01).Conclusion: In a large population of British Army recruits, these findings show that more than one third of participants failed to meet sleep duration recommendations during training. Furthermore, those who reported sleeping less than 6 h per night were four times more likely to be diagnosed with an URTI and lost more training days due to URTI. Since sleep restriction is considered a necessary element of military training, future studies should examine interventions to reduce any negative effects on immunity and host defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To illuminate which features of an unpredictable environment early in life best forecast adolescent and adult functioning, data from two longitudinal studies were examined. After decomposing a composite unpredictability construct found to predict later development, results of both studies revealed that paternal transitions predicted outcomes more consistently and strongly than did residential or occupational changes across the first 5 years of a child's life. These results derive from analyses of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, which included diverse families from 10 different sites in the United States, and from the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation, whose participants came from one site, were disproportionately economically disadvantaged, and were enrolled 15 years earlier than the NICHD Study sample. The finding that results from both studies are consistent with evolutionary, life history thinking regarding the importance of males in children's lives makes this general, cross-study replication noteworthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance: About 50% of young adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other severe mental illnesses smoke tobacco, but few studies have evaluated interventions for this group.Methods: We conducted a randomized pilot study among 58 young adult smokers with severe mental illnesses comparing a brief interactive web-based motivational tool, Let's Talk About Smoking, to computerized standard education from the National Cancer Institute. An additional 23 subjects received minimal tobacco assessment at baseline and no intervention, providing a comparison condition for naturalistic cessation behavior. All participants (total n = 81) were assessed for smoking and breath carbon monoxide at baseline and 14 weeks and had access to standard cessation treatments.Results: The 81 participants were stable outpatients ages 18-30 (mean 24.8 years): 43.2% were diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, the remainder with severe mood and anxiety disorders. They smoked 14.6 ± 10.2 cigarettes per day. All participants completed their assigned intervention; 83.4% of Let's Talk About Smoking users and 71.4% of standard education users rated their intervention "good" or "very good." At 14 weeks, less than 15% of participants in all conditions had used additional cessation treatment. Let's Talk About Smoking users were more likely to have biologically verified abstinence at 14 weeks than standard education users (14.8% vs. 0%; X2 = 3.7, p = .05). None of the participants in the naturalistic comparison condition were abstinent at 14 weeks.Conclusions: Interactive, web-based motivational interventions are feasible and promising for smoking cessation among young smokers with severe mental illnesses. Such interventions warrant further study among this group of smokers.Implications: Young adult smokers with severe mental illnesses are a vulnerable population that, without intervention, goes on to experience disparate morbidity and mortality. Brief, easily disseminable interventions are needed to facilitate cessation in this group. This pilot research indicates that brief, technology-delivered, motivational interventions that are tailored for this group may be able to activate a significant number to quit without additional cessation intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals in a major depressive episode often display impairment in cognitive control, and this impairment exists outside of the acute phase of illness. Impairment in cognitive control also has been associated with exposure to childhood adversity (CA). The current study examined whether exposure to CA can explain variance in a component of cognitive control—inhibitory control—independent of diagnostic status in young adults with and without a history of depression. Healthy control individuals (n  = 40) and individuals with remitted major depressive disorder (n  = 53) completed a task measuring inhibitory control, reported level of CA and completed a scanning session to assess gray matter volume and resting state connectivity in regions associated with cognitive control. The results demonstrate that higher levels of CA were associated with poorer inhibitory control, reduced right middle frontal gyrus gray matter, decreased connectivity of salience and emotion networks and increased connectivity in cognitive control networks, even after controlling for diagnostic status, residual depression symptoms and current stressors. Together, the results suggest that inhibitory control impairment and intrinsic connectivity changes may be characterized as developmental sequelae of early stress exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has suggested that individuals tend to become more religious with age. Research has also shown that as individuals become more religious, they report decreases in depressive symptoms, suggesting that increased levels of religiosity might help to improve one's mental health. The following study aimed to examine the effect of age on the relation between religiosity and depressive symptoms.Methods: Data was gathered using a religiosity questionnaire and depression questionnaire. The sample consisted of 201 adults, ranging from 21-67 years of age, recruited through the Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTURK) marketplace.Results: Hays' PROCESS model for SPSS (Hayes, 2013) was used to test age as a moderator between depressive symptoms and religiosity. Correlations showed that religiosity was positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Further analysis of the data suggested that age serves as a moderator in the relation between religiosity and depressive symptoms for both middle-aged and younger adults.Limitations: Participants included in the study were limited in age, further studies should consider including individuals >67 years of age to better test proposed relations.Conclusions: High levels of religiosity were related to lower levels of depression in middle-aged and younger adults. Though further research on the development of such evidence-based programs is needed, involvement in religious activities may have a preventative role in both the development and duration of depressive symptoms in middle and older aged adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviours are common in help-seeking youth. Few studies report the longitudinal associations between these phenomena and clinical and functional outcomes. This study examined whether prior suicide attempts predict poorer outcomes in mental health service attendees.Methods: Clinical and functional data from 1143 individuals (aged 12-30) attending a primary care-based mental health service in Australia were collected over 3-60 months (median = 21 months). Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals for the effect of a prior suicide attempt on follow-up outcomes were estimated (adjusted for confounders).Results: Prior suicide attempts were common (n = 164; 14%) and prospectively associated with suicidal thoughts (OR = 1.71), suicide attempts (OR = 2.59), self-harm (OR = 1.71), an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder (OR = 2.99), and the onset of an alcohol/substance use disorder (OR = 2.87). Over the course of care, no suicide attempts were reported in 1052 (92%) individuals, but 25 (2%) had recurrent attempts, and 66 (6%) had new onset of an attempt. New onset was associated with being female and previous suicidal ideation or self-harm; recurrent attempts were associated with being older and comorbid alcohol/substance use disorder.Limitations: The cohort includes only individuals who remained in clinical contact, and the consistency of their documentation varied (across clinicians and over time).Conclusions: Young people with prior suicide attempts are vulnerable to ongoing suicidal behaviours, and poorer clinical and functional outcomes. More intensive management strategies may be needed to directly address these behaviours and the long-term risks they confer. These behaviours also emerge over the course of care among those with no previous history, which has important implications for active service-level strategies that target these behaviours for all of those who present to such services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early intervention services play a crucial role in providing treatment for young people experiencing a first episode psychosis. However, on average, 30 per cent of young people disengage from treatment, which may result in untreated symptoms, difficulty returning to school or work and relationship breakdowns. This qualitative study aimed to understand the help-seeking experiences and initial engagement with an early intervention service. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine young people and five caregivers, focussing on engagement in the first eight weeks of treatment. Themes were identified using thematic analysis. Key findings were that participants entered the early intervention service after a time of intense distress and confusion. This was related to symptoms, difficulties working or studying, and initial experiences of help-seeking and treatment. Commonly there was relief on meeting a caring person who would be their support going forward. However, trust was influenced by previous positive and negative experiences. Establishing a therapeutic relationship and building trust are dynamic and relational concepts, and as such, they warrant reflection by all key stakeholders. Awareness and understanding of these concepts may guide changes to individual practice and service development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment theories and studies have shown that Internal Working Models (IWMs) can impact autobiographical memory and future-oriented information processing relevant to close relationships. According to the constructive episodic simulation hypothesis (CESH), both remembering the past and imagining the future rely on episodic memory. We hypothesised that one way IWMs may bridge past experiences and future adaptations is via episodic memory. The present study investigated the association between attachment and episodic specificity in attachment-relevant and attachment-irrelevant memory and imagination among young and older adults. We measured the attachment style of 37 young adults and 40 older adults, and then asked them to remember or imagine attachment-relevant and attachment-irrelevant events. Participants’ narratives were coded for internal details (i.e., episodic) and external details (e.g., semantic, repetitions). The results showed that across age group, secure individuals generated more internal details and fewer external details in attachment-relevant tasks compared to attachment-irrelevant tasks; these differences were not observed in insecure individuals. These findings support the CESH and provide a new perspective to understand the function of IWMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Physical exercise associated with reduced needs for care in first episode psychosis. • Recovery from psychosis may be aided by exercise, no evidence of harm. • American College of Sports Medicine standardised method to participants. Abstract Optimising autonomy is increasingly important in recovery from psychosis. To date, physical exercise has shown promise in the treatment of severe, enduring mental illnesses including psychosis - when used as an adjunct treatment. To assess the association between physical exercise and autonomy in young adults, a simple pre-post experimental design was utilised. Individuals aged 18–35 years, treated at one of three specialist outpatient units for first-episode psychosis in Stockholm, Sweden were invited to participate in a 12-week programme of structured group exercise. Autonomy was measured using four questions from the Camberwell Assessment of Needs questionnaire (physical health, social and close relationship and daily tasks). Comparisons were made between: ‘no attendance’ and ‘any attendance’. The latter group was bisected into higher and lower categories. Ninety-four participants enrolled with a post-intervention response rate of 61%. Significant reductions were seen in self-rated needs for care, though there was no significant change in total scores or evidence of a dose response association. The results suggest a plausible association between physical exercise and autonomy which may represent the recovery process following the first episode of psychosis. Further randomised control trials are needed to explore the potential causality and robustness of this change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Young adults who have been involved in child welfare and other public systems of care often have elevated rates of mental health disorders and low rates of mental health service utilization. This study explores the mental health narratives of young adults who previously were involved in public systems of care to understand how they make meaning of their symptoms and professional treatment. Method: We conducted in-depth, face-to-face interviews with 40 young adults (ages 18-25) who have mood disorders and histories of involvement in public systems of care. We used narrative and case-study strategies to identify and examine the mental health experiences of participants. Results: Three types of mental health experiences—classified as integrated, overwhelmed, and distanced—emerged from the analyses. Differences between these types are described. Conclusions: Young adults with histories of involvement in public systems of care have distinct mental health experiences. Practitioners should consider the diversity of these experiences to help young adults improve their overall well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, we determined the current prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents in Germany. Methods: A sample of 1001 adolescents aged 12 to 17 that was representative for Germany was surveyed in August and September 2017 through telephone interviews about depressive symptoms in the two weeks leading up to the interview and about the subjects' psychosocial features. The instrument that was used, called DesTeen, includes questions about depressed mood, loss of interest, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, guilt feelings, and cognitive symptoms. Results: Prevalences could be estimated and associated factors could be determined in a subset comprising 988 of the original 1001 subjects (mean age 14.58 years, 48.4% female). The estimated point prevalence of depressive symptoms (summated DesTeen score ≥ 14) in adolescents aged 12 to 17 was 8.2% (95% confidence interval [6.5; 9.9]). Girls (11.6% [95% CI 8.8; 14.4]) were more commonly affected than boys (5.0% [95% CI 3.1; 6.9]), and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Depressive symptoms were more common with female sex, older age, poorer scholastic performance, lower interpersonal trust, more negative body image, more problematic use of social media or computer games, and lower family functioning. A multivariable regression model explained approximately one-third of the variation among groups (Nagelkerke's R² = 0.35). Conclusion: A substantial percentage of German adolescents suffers from depressive symptoms. This study was the first to show certain associations, such as that between depressive symptoms in adolescence and the problematic use of social media in German youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep duration and chronotype (i.e., morningness-eveningness) are associated with increased depression and anxiety risk, but differences in individual sleep need and lifestyle may mean these sleep parameters do not present the same risk across all individuals. This study explored the mediating role of sleep debt and daytime sleepiness in the relationship between sleep and mental health symptoms in young adults, a particularly vulnerable population.Methods: Young adult university students (n = 2,218) and young adults from the general population in the United States (n = 992) provided estimates of actual and optimal sleep duration, and completed validated measures of sleepiness, chronotype, and depression and anxiety risk. Mediation models examining sleepiness and sleep debt (i.e., difference between optimal and actual sleep) as parallel mediators were tested.Results: Sleepiness and sleep debt mediated the relationship between short sleep and depression and anxiety risk in the university sample, while sleepiness mediated these relationships in the general population sample. Sleepiness and sleep debt also mediated the impact of evening-type preferences on depression and anxiety risk in university students, but no mediation of this effect was found in young adults from the general population.Conclusions: This study reports potential mediating mechanisms related to the increased mental health risk conferred by short sleep and evening chronotype. These results have implications for how primary care physicians assess psychopathology risk, arguing for a focus on the assessment of daytime sleepiness and sleep debt in university populations, while for young adults in the general population, these factors may be less important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight dyads ( N = 16) residing in Western Canada participated in this investigation of how young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their parents jointly construct, articulate, and act on goals pertinent to the young adults' transition to adulthood. Using the action-project method to collect and analyze conversations and video recall data, cases were grouped representing the ways goal-directed projects brought relationship ( n = 4), planning ( n = 3) or both ( n = 1) to the foreground as joint projects. Resources internal to the dyad such as emotional resources, and external to the dyad, facilitated formulation and pursuit of projects. Lack of external supports and limited parental knowledge about IDD hindered joint project formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the relationships between certain social determinants (age, gender, marital status, education, income, and employment) and subjective well-being (SWB) in a young adult population in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa The participants consisted of 977 persons aged 18 to 40 years living in the historically deprived Eastern Cape, South Africa (females = 48%; age range = 18 to 40; rural dwellers = 15%) We measured their SWB utilising the World Health Organization (Ten) Well-Being Scale Results following analysis of variance showed that age, education, and income were predictors of SWB Higher SWB was associated with being older, having a higher level of formal education, and having a higher level of income However, employment status did not have a significant relationship with SWB, suggesting the relative importance of other social indicators of social functioning in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing measures of depression may not perform adequately for American Indian (AI) people, including adolescents and young adults. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) is utilizing modified long- and short-form versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale in study waves, scales that had not been examined for measurement invariance (MI) with AI adolescents or young adults. To help fill this knowledge gap, in this study we analyzed secondary restricted data from Add Health in assessing the cross-cultural MI of the 19-item CES-D-based scale employed in Add Health Wave 1 and the 10-item, short-form version administered in Wave 4 between AI and non-Hispanic White adolescents and young adults. We also tested the longitudinal MI of the 10-item CES-D-based scale between adolescence (Wave 1) and young adulthood (Wave 4) within each racial group. Results illustrated that the 19-item scale exhibited cross-cultural MI in Wave 1 for 1-, 2-, and 3-factor solutions. A 4-factor solution, which had the best overall fit for both groups, was partially cross-culturally invariant. The 10-item scale showed cross-cultural MI for a 2-factor solution at both waves, with 1-factor solutions exhibiting partial MI. However, within-group longitudinal MI with the 10-item scale was not supported for any tested solution for either AI or non-Hispanic White respondents. These findings support the cross-cultural MI of Add Health CES-D-based items for AI and non-Hispanic White adolescents and young adults, while highlighting the importance of examining latent construct MI over time between adolescence and young adulthood. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early life cognitive ability (CA) might influence the risk of developing major depression (MD). The aim was to investigate the association between young adult CA and subsequent MD in relation to different MD disease characteristics.Methods: Information on CA was assessed at conscription board examinations 1957-1984 (mean age 19 years) and information on MD was based on hospital diagnosis retrieved from Danish Patient registers 1969-2015. Associations between CA and MD were examined using Cox regression analyses.Results: A total of 666,804 men (born 1939-1959) were followed and 25,841 (3.9%) developed MD during a mean follow-up of 40.8 years. Lower CA was associated with an increased risk of incident MD. The association was stronger for early-onset (<60 years) (HRper1SDdecrease = 1.23; 95%CI:1.21,1.24) compared to late-onset (≥60 years) MD (HRper1SDdecrease = 1.14; 95%CI:1.11,1.16), but CA was not related to number of depressive episodes. The association was stronger for single depressive episodes (HRper1SDdecrease = 1.21; 95%CI:1.19,1.23) compared to recurrent depression (HRper1SDdecrease = 1.13; 95%CI:1.09,1.16), while the strength of the association did not differ according to MD disease severity (ICD10: mild, moderate, and severe depression).Limitations: The study sample only included men and only MD cases diagnosed at hospital were included which limits the generalizability.Conclusion: Low CA could be a risk factor for especially early onset MD in men, whereas the influence of CA on re-occurrence seems less strong. Lower pre-morbid CA increases the risk of MD and should therefore be part of the depression risk assessment in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study provides prevalence data of mental disorders (4-week, 1-year, lifetime) and psychological distress in Adolescent and Young Adult (AYAs) with cancer.Methods: We included an AYA subsample (15 to 39 year olds; diagnosed within the last 5 years) extracted from a larger sample (4.020 cancer patients) who had been recruited for an epidemiological study across all major tumor entities. Participants were assessed with a depression screener (PHQ-9). Following that, 50% of the participants who scored below the cutoff of 9 and all patients who scored above were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Oncology (CIDI-O). Patients also completed an anxiety screener (GAD-7).Results: A total of 302 AYA (167 completed CIDI-O) were identified. With regard to psychological distress, 29.5% of the AYA had increased depression symptoms (PHQ-9), and 20.8% had increased anxiety symptoms (GAD-7). Gender and age were associated with psychological distress, with women and older AYA being found to have higher distress. The 4-week prevalence of mental disorders of any kind was 46.7% (95%-CI:39%-55%). Anxiety (24.4%; 95%-CI:20%-36%) and adjustment disorders (14.1%; 95%-CI:9%-19%) had the highest prevalence rates. The lowest prevalence rates were reported for alcohol dependence (0.8%; 95%-CI:0%-2%) and somatoform disorders (3.7%; 95%-CI:1%-7%). The 1-year-prevalence was 55.4% (CI:47.36-62.64), and the lifetime-prevalence was 69.5% (CI: 62.29-77.06).Conclusion: Our findings may sensitize clinicians to the possible presence of mental disorders in AYA. The results indicate that there is a strong need for psycho-oncological interventions designed to improve mental health in AYAs with cancer at all stages of medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking escalates most in early to middle young adulthood. However, little research has examined a range of multilevel factors in relation to smoking trajectories during this time.Methods: We examined: 1) trajectories of cigarette smoking among 2967 US college students (aged 18-25) in a two-year, six-wave longitudinal study (using growth mixture modeling); and 2) intrapersonal- (i.e., other substance use, depressive symptoms, ADHD symptoms,); interpersonal- (i.e., adverse childhood events, social support, parental tobacco and marijuana use), and community-level (i.e., type of college, rural vs. urban setting) predictors of differing trajectories (using multinomial logistic regression).Results: We identified three trajectory classes: 1) Dabblers, who used cigarettes at one point in their life or not at all (85.6%); 2) College Onset Smokers, who began smoking regularly during the college years (6.2%); and 3) Later Onset Smokers, who began smoking during the mid- to late-20 s (8.2%). Multinomial regression (with Dabblers as the reference group) showed that predictors of being College Onset Smokers included being male (p = .031); Asian (p = .001) but not Black (p = .008; Ref: White); early onset smokers (i.e., initiation before age 15; p = .006); past 30-day users of little cigars/cigarillos (p = .024), alcohol (p < .001), and marijuana (p = .008); children of tobacco users (p = .050); and public (p = .031) or a technical college students (p < .001; Ref: private college); predictors of being Later Onset Smokers were being male (p = .019) and technical college students (p = .005).Conclusions: Despite some young adults' smoking initiating/escalating in middle young adulthood, few risk factors were documented. This understudied period warrants greater examination to inform intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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There is substantial variability across studies of default mode network (DMN) connectivity in major depressive disorder, and reliability and time-invariance are not reported. This study evaluates whether DMN dysconnectivity in remitted depression (rMDD) is reliable over time and symptom-independent, and explores convergent relationships with cognitive features of depression. A longitudinal study was conducted with 82 young adults free of psychotropic medications (47 rMDD, 35 healthy controls) who completed clinical structured interviews, neuropsychological assessments, and 2 resting-state fMRI scans across 2 study sites. Functional connectivity analyses from bilateral posterior cingulate and anterior hippocampal formation seeds in DMN were conducted at both time points within a repeated-measures analysis of variance to compare groups and evaluate reliability of group-level connectivity findings. Eleven hyper- (from posterior cingulate) and 6 hypo- (from hippocampal formation) connectivity clusters in rMDD were obtained with moderate to adequate reliability in all but one cluster (ICC's range = 0.50 to 0.76 for 16 of 17). The significant clusters were reduced with a principle component analysis (5 components obtained) to explore these connectivity components, and were then correlated with cognitive features (rumination, cognitive control, learning and memory, and explicit emotion identification). At the exploratory level, for convergent validity, components consisting of posterior cingulate with cognitive control network hyperconnectivity in rMDD were related to cognitive control (inverse) and rumination (positive). Components consisting of anterior hippocampal formation with social emotional network and DMN hypoconnectivity were related to memory (inverse) and happy emotion identification (positive). Thus, time-invariant DMN connectivity differences exist early in the lifespan course of depression and are reliable. The nuanced results suggest a ventral within-network hypoconnectivity associated with poor memory and a dorsal cross-network hyperconnectivity linked to poorer cognitive control and elevated rumination. Study of early course remitted depression with attention to reliability and symptom independence could lead to more readily translatable clinical assessment tools for biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Substantial research has examined the role of personality in disordered gambling. The predominant model in this work has been the five-factor model (FFM) of personality. In this study, we examined the personality correlates of gambling engagement and gambling severity using a six-dimensional framework known as the HEXACO model of personality, which incorporates FFM characteristics with the addition of honesty-humility. In addition, the potential mediating role of gambling motives in the personality and gambling severity relationship was explored. Methods: A sample of undergraduate gamblers (n = 183) and non-gamblers (n = 143) completed self-report measures of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and the Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial, as well as self- and observer report forms of the HEXACO-100. Results: Logistic regression results revealed that scores on honesty-humility were positively associated with non-gambling over gambling status. Furthermore, it was also found that honesty-humility, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were each uniquely associated with PGSI severity scores. The results of the mediational analyses suggest that each personality factor has different gambling motivational paths leading to PGSI gambling severity. Discussion and conclusions: The findings of this study contribute to the literature on behavioral addictions by providing an increased understanding of individual personality factors associated with likelihood of gambling, overall gambling severity, and gambling motives. Ultimately, these findings suggest that the honesty-humility dimension may be a target for the prevention efforts against problematic gambling outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years many parents, advocates and policy makers have expressed concerns regarding the potential negative impact of social media use. Some studies have indicated that social media use may be tied to negative mental health outcomes, including suicidality, loneliness and decreased empathy. Other studies have not found evidence for harm, or have indicated that social media use may be beneficial for some individuals. The current correlational study examined 467 young adults for their time spent using social media, importance of social media in their lives and tendency to engage in vaguebooking (posting unclear but alarming sounding posts to get attention). Outcomes considered included general mental health symptoms, suicidal ideation, loneliness, social anxiety and decreased empathy. Results indicated that social media use was not predictive of impaired mental health functioning. However, vaguebooking was predictive of suicidal ideation, suggesting this particular behavior could be a warning sign for serious issues. Overall, results from this study suggest that, with the exception of vaguebooking, concerns regarding social media use may be misplaced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine engagement in sexting by young adults in India and Australia, and depression, anxiety and stress as risk factors for sending sexts. A total of 298 young Australian adults (Mage = 19.98 years, 75.50% female) and 300 young Indian adults (Mage = 18.08 years, 56.33% female) completed a survey (online and hardcopy) assessing sending and receiving of sexts, and mental health. Australian males were more likely to have sent sexts than Indian males, whilst Australian females were more likely to have both sent and received sexts than Indian females. Indian males were more likely than Indian females to have sent and received sext messages. Higher levels of stress were associated with sending sexts for participants overall, and for Indian respondents, but not Australians when analysed separately. For males overall, higher levels of stress and lower levels of depression were associated with sending sexts, whilst for females, there were no associations with mental health variables, but higher age was associated with sending sexts. Sexting behaviours may be associated with cultural values and vary by gender in more traditional contexts. Further investigation into associations between psychological distress and the probability of sending a sext are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media, and particularly posting 'selfies' have become fully incorporated into young people's lives. Research indicates that posting selfies may impact upon self esteem and that feedback in the form of 'likes' may change how young people feel about themselves. To date, however, most research has been cross sectional or qualitative limiting conclusions about causality. Further, it has taken place in non naturalistic environments, with no longer term follow up and limited outcome variables. This experimental study explored the impact of posting selfies and receiving feedback ('likes') on Instagram on broader aspects of the psychological well-being of young people. Participants (n = 59) aged 16-25 were randomly allocated to one of three conditions for a 7-day intervention (no selfie-posting; posting selfies without feedback; posting selfies with feedback) and completed measures at baseline, after the intervention and at one week follow up. 'Likes' were delivered through an app. The intervention had no impact on self-esteem or mood. Posting no selfies resulted in a greater improvement in appearance satisfaction over the study compared to posting selfies (regardless of feedback). In contrast, posting selfies with feedback resulted in a greater improvement in face satisfaction during the intervention although this dropped back to baseline by follow up. To conclude the impact of selfies may vary depending upon which outcome variable is measured and when. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the developmental theories of life course and emerging adulthood, the current study examines a central question about the diversity of trajectories among young adults who drop out of college. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) provides prospective data on a nationally representative sample of US young adults. Our subsamples include young adults who dropped out of college (N = 1,530) and those who obtained a bachelor’s degree (N = 1,977). We examined five dimensions of well-being: socio-economic success indicators, happiness/satisfaction, mastery, stress, and depression. Using latent class analysis, five classes of young adults who dropped out emerged that reflected variability in the patterns of well-being. Differences in socio-economic and mental health dimensions are elaborated in the study. The findings from this study provide valuable basis for challenging stereotypes about the college student dropout population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress experienced by young workers can be very different from stress experienced by adults because of differing psychosocial developments. It is important to understand how early workplace experiences shape young workers' subsequent attitudes and behaviors, which may affect their psychological well‐being. This study examined how 18 young workers ages 17–29 perceive work stress. The authors found that young workers view job stress in 3 dimensions: lack of opportunity to learn, poor social interaction, and lack of opportunity to exercise initiative. Young workers also view work demands as challenging tasks and become job crafters to find more satisfaction in routine tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Substantial shifts in perception and policy regarding cannabis have recently occurred, with use of cannabis increasing while its perceived harm decreases. One possible risk of increased cannabis use is poorer cognitive functioning, especially in youth.Objective: To provide the first quantitative synthesis of the literature examining cannabis and cognitive functioning in adolescents and young adults (with a mean age of 26 years and younger).Data Sources: PubMed, PsycInfo, Academic Search Premier, Scopus, and bibliographies of relevant reviews were searched for peer-reviewed, English-language studies from the date the databases began through May 2017.Study Selection: Consensus criteria were used to determine study inclusion through abstract and manuscript review.Data Extraction and Synthesis: This study followed Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Effect size estimates were calculated using multivariate mixed-effects models for cognitive functioning outcomes classified into 10 domains.Main Outcomes and Measures: Results from neurocognitive tests administered in cross-sectional studies were primary outcomes, and we examined the influence of a priori explanatory variables on variability in effect size.Results: Sixty-nine studies of 2152 cannabis users (mean [SD] age, 20.6 [2.8] years; 1472 [68.4%] male) and 6575 comparison participants with minimal cannabis exposure were included (mean [SD] age, 20.8 [3.4]; 3669 [55.8%] male). Results indicated a small overall effect size (presented as mean d) for reduced cognitive functioning associated with frequent or heavy cannabis use (d, -0.25; 95% CI, -0.32 to -0.17; P < .001). The magnitude of effect sizes did not vary by sample age or age at cannabis use onset. However, studies requiring an abstinence period longer than 72 hours (15 studies; n = 928) had an overall effect size (d, -0.08; 95% CI, -0.22 to 0.07) that was not significantly different from 0 and smaller than studies with less stringent abstinence criteria (54 studies; n = 7799; d, -0.30; 95% CI, -0.37 to -0.22; P = .01).Conclusions and Relevance: Associations between cannabis use and cognitive functioning in cross-sectional studies of adolescents and young adults are small and may be of questionable clinical importance for most individuals. Furthermore, abstinence of longer than 72 hours diminishes cognitive deficits associated with cannabis use. Although other outcomes (eg, psychosis) were not examined in the included studies, results indicate that previous studies of cannabis in youth may have overstated the magnitude and persistence of cognitive deficits associated with use. Reported deficits may reflect residual effects from acute use or withdrawal. Future studies should examine individual differences in susceptibility to cannabis-associated cognitive dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working memory updating (WMU) is a core mechanism in the human mental architecture and a good predictor of a wide range of cognitive processes. This study analyzed the benefits of two different WMU training procedures, near transfer effects on a working memory measure, and far transfer effects on nonverbal reasoning. Maintenance of any benefits a month later was also assessed. Participants were randomly assigned to: an adaptive training group that performed two numerical WMU tasks during four sessions; a non-adaptive training group that performed the same tasks but on a constant and less demanding level of difficulty; or an active control group that performed other tasks unrelated with working memory. After the training, all three groups showed improvements in most of the tasks, and these benefits were maintained a month later. The gain in one of the two WMU measures was larger for the adaptive and non-adaptive groups than for the control group. This specific gain in a task similar to the one trained would indicate the use of a better strategy for performing the task. Besides this nearest transfer effect, no other transfer effects were found. The adaptability of the training procedure did not produce greater improvements. These results are discussed in terms of the training procedure and the feasibility of training WMU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instruments developed for mental health research are commonly devised and validated with young adults only. However, the measurement properties of these scales may differ over the lifespan. For this study, we set out to demonstrate the psychometric equivalence of the BDSx scale with an international sample of young and older adults with bipolar disorder (BD). We independently replicated the 4-factor model of BDSx responses with young and older participants (M = 45.63, range 19–87 years of age); we then compared the psychometric properties between models. This allowed us to compare responses to each BDSx item between groups, and the strength of association among depression and hypo/mania factors (cognitive depressive symptoms, somatic depressive symptoms, affrontive symptoms of hypo/mania, elation/loss of insight). Young and older adults responded to 19 of 20 BDSx items in similar ways. Only responses to the ‘talkative’ item were significantly higher for younger adults. Correlations between depression and mania factors are statistically indistinguishable between age groups. This suggests that symptoms cluster and present similarly for young and older adults with BD. The BDSx is currently being used for ecological momentary sampling of mood by the BADAS (Bipolar Affective Disorder and older Adults) Study app for iPhone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand how cognitive dysfunction contributes to social cognitive deficits in depression, we investigated the relationship between executive function and social cognitive performance in adolescents and young adults during current and remitted depression, compared to healthy controls. Social cognition and executive function were measured in 179 students (61 healthy controls and 118 patients with depression; M age = 20.60 years; SD age = 3.82 years). Hierarchical regression models were employed within each group (healthy controls, remitted depression, current depression) to examine the nature of associations between cognitive measures. Social cognitive and executive function did not significantly differ overall between depressed patients and healthy controls. There was no association between executive function and social cognitive function in healthy controls or in remitted patients. However, in patients with a current state of depression, lower cognitive flexibility was associated with lower performance in facial-affect recognition, theory-of-mind tasks and overall affect recognition. In this group, better planning abilities were associated with decreased performance in facial affect recognition and overall social cognitive performance. While we infer that less cognitive flexibility might lead to a more rigid interpretation of ambiguous social stimuli, we interpret the counterintuitive negative correlation of planning ability and social cognition as a compensatory mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is the most widely used measure of overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM). The AMT appears to have good psychometric properties, but more research is needed on the influence and applicability of individual cue words in different languages and populations. To date, no studies have evaluated its usefulness as a measure of OMG in Spanish or older populations. This work aims to analyze the applicability of the AMT in young and older Spanish samples. We administered a Spanish version of the AMT to samples of young (N = 520) and older adults (N = 155). We conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), item response theory-based analysis (IRT) and differential item functioning (DIF). Results confirm the one-factor structure for the AMT. IRT analysis suggests that both groups find the AMT easy given that they generally perform well, and that it is more precise in individuals who score low on memory specificity. DIF analysis finds three items differ in their functioning depending on age group. This differential functioning of these items affects the overall AMT scores and, thus, they should be excluded from the AMT in studies comparing young and older samples. We discuss the possible implications of the samples and cue words used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the behavioral performance and the waves in ERP in endogenous attention, and discuss the aging effect on endogenous attention and the mechanisms. Methods: Posner's cue-target paradigm combined with ERP was used to study the effect of aging on the endogenous attention, the early stage ERP components P1 and N1 were recorded and analyzed. In the endogenous attention task, the response time of younger subjects was shorter than that of the older subjects (P＜0.05), for the component N1, the amplitude of younger subjects was larger than that of the older subjects(P＜0.05), and the latency of younger subjects was shorter than that of the older subjects(P＜0.05). Conclusions: Aging affected the endogenous attention fromthe early stage of attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many longitudinal studies entail repeated computerized cognitive testing. However, few of the measures frequently employed for assessing cognitive changes have been examined for within- and between-day retest effects over multiple time points. To address gaps in the repeated cognitive assessment literature, in the current study 20 male undergraduate students completed a computerized cognitive battery 6 times over 3 testing days, each 1 week apart. Performance shifts and test-retest reliability (TRR) varied for different measured variables. Reaction times (RTs) on tasks designed to measure inhibition, switching, and selective attention generally showed good TRR, and few or only gradual improvements over time, suggesting that these measures are suitable for use in repeated testing, and that the inclusion of brief familiarization periods sufficed to resolve initial practice effects. Similar findings were observed for both accuracy and speed on a 2-back working memory task. In contrast, RTs on a basic visuomotor task showed worsening performance across time (likely reflecting boredom effects) and poor TRR, suggesting unsuitability for measuring change in cognitive performance. Cost scores designed to assess inhibition, switching, and selective attention showed poor TRR, as did scoring metrics from visuospatial short-term and working memory tasks (Corsi block paradigm). This low reliability suggests that these scores may not be suitable for use in repeated assessment, and calls into question their validity as measures of the specified cognitive functions. Researchers planning studies entailing computerized assessment of cognitive functioning in healthy young adults should consider the current results when selecting suitable cognitive tasks and measures. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of juvenile offenders recidivating and returning to the justice system during young adulthood is alarming. However, the relationship between psychosocial problems and crime in young adults with a history of juvenile offending remains almost unexplored. This study examined the role of mental health and psychosocial problems in criminal indicators among young adults with a history of juvenile delinquency. The protocol was administered in 2014/2015 to young adults with records of juvenile delinquency in 2010/2011, evaluating a set of mental health, psychosocial, and criminal indicators. The results showed that their current psychological distress and drug consumption are related to criminal indicators. Our findings suggest that mental health might play a major role in criminal behavior. Recommendations for the juvenile justice system and social welfare policies are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk of suicidal behaviours through psychiatric comorbidities; however, a significant direct association has not been observed between ADHD and suicide attempts. Aims To evaluate the risk of suicide attempt in adolescents and young adults with ADHD.Method: Using a nationwide, population-based insurance claims database, this longitudinal cohort study enrolled 20 574 adolescents and young adults with ADHD and 61 722 age- and gender-matched controls between 2001 and 2009. Any suicide attempt was identified from enrolment to 31 December 2011. The association between ADHD medications and the likelihood of suicide attempt was assessed.Results: ADHD was an independent risk factor for any suicide attempt (hazard ratio = 3.84, 95% CI = 3.19-4.62) and repeated suicide attempts (hazard ratio = 6.52, 95% CI = 4.46-9.53). Subgroup analyses of men, women, adolescents and young adults demonstrated the same trend. Methylphenidate or atomoxetine treatment did not increase the risk of suicide attempt or repeated suicide attempts. Long-term methylphenidate treatment was associated with a significantly decreased risk of repeated suicide attempts in men (hazard ratio = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.22-0.97).Conclusion: ADHD was a risk factor for suicide attempt and a stronger predictor of repeated suicide attempts, independent of comorbidities. Further investigation is warranted to explore the mechanism underlying the association between ADHD and suicidal behaviours. Declaration of interest None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's mental health services have experienced major cuts since 2010. In parallel, our education system has undergone a period of significant transformation. In this paper, I discuss the implications of these developments for the mental health of children and young people. This includes examination of the differing ways in which mental health is conceptualised, the often contradictory positions schools are required to adopt in relation to their role in promoting mental health, assumed truths about evidence-based interventions, and what research can (and cannot) tell us about changes in the prevalence of mental health difficulties among children and young people over time. In exploring these important issues and debates, I encourage the reader to consider whether we are, in fact, on the brink of a public health crisis for which schools may provide a means of resolution, or if the current focus on children's mental health in education is simply the latest generational 'child panic'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Individuals with psychotic disorders have increased mortality, and recent research suggests a marked increase shortly after diagnosis.Objective: To use population-based data to examine overall and cause-specific mortality after first diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used records from 5 integrated health systems that serve more than 8 million members in 5 states. Members aged 16 through 30 years who received a first lifetime diagnosis of a psychotic disorder from September 30, 2009, through September 30, 2015, and 2 comparison groups matched for age, sex, health system, and year of diagnosis were selected from all members making an outpatient visit (general outpatient group) and from all receiving a first diagnosis of unipolar depression (unipolar depression group).Exposures: First recorded diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorder with psychotic symptoms, or other psychotic disorder in any outpatient, emergency department, or inpatient setting.Main Outcomes and Measures: Death within 3 years after the index diagnosis or visit date, ascertained from health system electronic health records, insurance claims, and state mortality records.Results: A total of 11 713 members with first diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (6976 [59.6%] men and 4737 [40.4%] women; 2368 [20.2%] aged 16-17 and 9345 [79.8%] aged 18-30 years) were matched to 35 576 outpatient service users and 23 415 members with a first diagnosis of unipolar depression. During the year after the first diagnosis, all-cause mortality was 54.6 (95% CI, 41.3-68.0) per 10 000 in the psychotic disorder group compared with 20.5 (95% CI, 14.7-26.3) per 10 000 in the unipolar depression group and 6.7 (95% CI, 4.0-9.4) per 10 000 in the general outpatient group. After adjustment for race, ethnicity, and preexisting chronic medical conditions, the relative hazard of death in the psychotic disorder group compared with the general outpatient group was 34.93 (95% CI, 8.19-149.10) for self-inflicted injury or poisoning and 4.67 (95% CI, 2.01-10.86) for other type of injury or poisoning. Risk of death due to heart disease or diabetes did not differ significantly between the psychotic disorder and the general outpatient groups (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.15-3.96). Between the first and third years after diagnosis, all-cause mortality in the psychotic disorder group decreased from 54.6 to 27.1 per 10 000 persons and injury and poisoning mortality decreased from 30.6 to 15.1 per 10 000 persons. Both rates, however, remained 3 times as high as in the general outpatient group (9.0 per 10 000 for all causes; 4.8 per 10 000 for injury or poisoning).Conclusions and Relevance: Increases in early mortality underscore the importance of systematic intervention for young persons experiencing the first onset of psychosis. Clinicians should attend to the elevated suicide risk after the first diagnosis a psychotic disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders in older people. Although GAD in older adults seems to differ in many aspects like clinical presentation, severity and treatment response, there is a paucity of comparative research. Aims:The aim of the study is to compare the clinical presentation of GAD between older and young adults. Methods:One hundred and two non-demented older patients (age ≥65) and 64 young patients (age <45) who were diagnosed with GAD according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria were included to the study. Socio-demographic Data Form, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders-1 (SCID-1), the Questionnaire for the Suggested Behavioral Criteria of GAD for DSM-5, the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale (GADSS) and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were applied to both groups. Results and conclusions:Older GAD patients had more disturbances of sleep, less reassurance seeking behaviors, higher rates of depression and higher depression severity when compared to the young patients. Although older people seemed to have a lower severity of GAD, they had higher disability due to worries. Older patients worried more about their own health and family well-being, whereas young patients worried more about future and other’s health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals with mental health conditions represent a priority population for tobacco control. This population smokes cigarettes at disproportionately higher rates than the general population, but less is known about the relationship between non-cigarette tobacco use and mental health status.Method: In 2013, 2370 young adults recruited from 11 colleges in North Carolina and Virginia completed an online survey on tobacco use. We compared past 6-month self-reported mental health diagnosis, past 30-day depression score, and past 7-day stress score to past 30-day cigarette, e-cigarette, waterpipe, cigar, and smokeless tobacco use. Models adjusted for age, gender, race, ethnicity, and mother's education. Non-cigarette products were also adjusted for past 30-day cigarette use.Results: Among participants, 249 (10.5%) reported a mental health diagnosis, most commonly depression (5.5%), ADHD/ADD (4.5%), and anxiety (0.8%). Those who reported a mental health diagnosis had greater odds of using cigarettes (AOR=1.55; CI=1.01, 2.27). Mean stress score was 16.0 (SD=6.9) of possible 40. Higher stress scale score was associated with increased odds of e-cigarette (AOR=1.03; CI=1.01, 1.05), waterpipe (AOR=1.04; CI=1.01, 1.06), and cigarette (AOR=1.02; CI=1.00, 1.04) use. Mean depression score was 7.2 (SD=5.6) of possible 33. Higher depression scale score was associated with increased odds for e-cigarette (AOR=1.04; CI=1.01, 1.08) and cigarette (AOR=1.03; CI=1.01, 1.06) use.Conclusion: Findings in this study provide further evidence of a potential relationship between non-cigarette tobacco products and mental health status. Tobacco control efforts aimed at reducing tobacco use disparities among mental health populations should focus on non-cigarette tobacco products in addition to cigarettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in subcortical and hippocampal volumes between healthy controls, young people at an early stage of affective and psychotic disorders and those in more advanced stages, to identify markers associated with functional outcomes and illness severity. Young people presenting to youth mental health services with admixtures of depressive, manic and psychotic symptoms (n = 141), and healthy counterparts (n = 49), aged 18–25 were recruited. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging, clinical assessments and were rated as to their current clinical stage. Eighty-four patients were classified at the attenuated syndrome stage (Stage 1b) and 57 were classified as having discrete and persistent disorders (Stage 2+). Automated segmentation was performed using NeuroQuant® to determine volumes of subcortical and hippocampus structures which were compared between groups and correlated with clinical and functional outcomes. Compared to healthy controls, Stage 2+ patients showed significantly reduced right amygdala volumes. Whereas Stage 1b patients showed significantly reduced left caudate volumes compared to healthy controls. Smaller left caudate volume correlated with greater psychological distress and impaired functioning. This study shows a clinical application for an automated program to identify and track subcortical changes evident in young people with emerging psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]