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Objective The aim of this study was to examine the emotional well-being of pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) from the perspective of children's self-reports and parents' reports relative to matched comparison peers (COMP) and their parents. It was hypothesized that PBTS would self-report more depression symptoms, loneliness, and lower self-concept than COMP. We also hypothesized that mothers and fathers of PBTS would report more internalizing symptoms and lower total competence for their children. Age and sex effects were examined in exploratory analyses. Methods Families of 187 PBTS and 186 COMP participated across 5 sites. Eligible children in the PBTS group were 8–15 years of age and 1–5 years post-treatment for a primary intracranial tumor without progressive disease. COMP were classmates matched for sex, race, and age. Results PBTS self-reported lower scholastic, athletic, and social competence, but not more depression, loneliness, or lower global self-worth than COMP. Parents of PBTS reported more internalizing symptoms and lower total competence than parents of COMP. With few exceptions, group differences did not vary as a function of child age and sex. Conclusion PBTS reported diminished self-concept in scholastic, athletic, and social domains, while their parents reported broader challenges with internalizing symptoms and total competence. Discrepancies between self-report and parent report require further study to inform targeted interventions for PBTS. Screening survivors for emotional challenges in follow-up clinic or in school setting may help with the allocation of psychosocial support and services for PBTS and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To test the longitudinal associations between hope and optimism and health outcomes (i.e., HbA1c and self-monitored blood glucose [SMBG]) among youths with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) over a 6-month period.Methods: A total of 110 participants (aged 10-16 years) completed study measures at Time 1, and 81 completed measures at Time 2. Analyses examined hope and optimism as predictors of change in health outcomes, and examined SMBG as a mediator of the relationship between hope and optimism, and HbA1c.Results: Change in hope, but not optimism, was associated with change in SMBG and HbA1c. Change in SMBG mediated the relationship between change in hope and HbA1c, but not between optimism and HbA1c.Conclusions: It may be beneficial to assess hope in pediatric T1DM patients to identify youths who may be at risk for poor diabetes management, and to test the benefit of hope-based intervention efforts in clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ADA guidelines recommend regularly screening teens for depression. We examined sensitivity and specificity of the long and short-form of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) to identify depressive disorders in teens with T1D against a gold-standard diagnostic interview. Teens (N=100; Mean age = 15.0 ± 1.7; 60% Male; 87% white; Mean HbA1c = 8.88 ± 1.8%) completed the PHQ-9 electronically. We used the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS DSM-5) depression module to determine whether the teen met criteria for any depressive disorder (DD; e.g., major depression, dysthymia, adjustment disorder-depressed mood, bipolar). We compared teens' pre-existing PHQ cut-off scores (PHQ-9 ≥ 10; PHQ-2 ≥ 3) to KSADS results. Per KSADS, 15% of teens met criteria for current DD, 11% endorsed past DD, and 25% endorsed past/present suicidal ideation (SI). Only 6% and 8% of teens exceeded PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 cut-off scores, respectively, and 10% endorsed current SI on PHQ item 9. Sensitivity and specificity outcomes are in Table 1. The PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 showed low sensitivity and high false negative rates. Lower cut-offs or alternative screening measures may be indicated to reliably identify DD in teens with T1D. High rates of reported SI, even by teens who did not meet full criteria for DD, highlight the importance of screening for suicidality and/or treating subthreshold depressive symptoms. Disclosure: A.M. Marker: None. R. McDonough: None. A. Egan: None. M.A. Clements: Advisory Panel; Self; Glooko, Inc. Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Medtronic. S.R. Patton: None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]