Sensitivity of the Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) items to change in three clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a valid and widely used self-reported tool for assessing depressive symptoms. Although previous studies have demonstrated its sensitivity to change at the summary score level, there is limited investigation of the sensitivity of individual PHQ-9 items to change over time. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of PHQ-9 items to change using data from three separate samples.

Correlates of single morbidities and multimorbidity in children: A cross-sectional study.

This study investigated and compared correlates of multimorbidity with other single morbidity statuses (physical illness only, mental disorder only, neurodevelopmental disorder only) among children in Canada. The epidemiological sample included 33,715 children aged 5-17 years from the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth. Classification of children by morbidity status was based on reports from the person most knowledgeable (PMK).

Inflammatory Biomarkers Predictive of Psychopathology in Children With Physical Illness.

Background: While evidence shows that children with chronic physical illness are at increased risk for psychopathology, the causal mechanisms linking physical and mental illness early in life remain unconfirmed.

Objective: Given a lack of longitudinal studies investigating inflammatory responses in the context of child psychopathology, and none that specifically sample children with chronic physical illness, this study evaluated associations between inflammatory biomarkers and psychopathology in children with chronic physical illness over a 48-month period.

Methods: Data come from 128 children enrolled in the Multimorbidity in Children and Youth across the Life-course (MY LIFE) study who provided baseline dried blood samples for biomarker analysis and completed the 48-month assessment (mean age 11.

Tree-based item-response theory model for evaluating differential item functioning in patient-reported outcome measures: a web-based R Shiny implementation.

Purpose: The validity of inferences from patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) scores can be confounded by differential item functioning (DIF). DIF occurs when there is heterogeneity in how patients respond to and interpret questions about their health, despite having the same underlying health status. Ignoring the effects of DIF could lead to inaccurate interpretations and misinformed clinical decisions resulting in compromised healthcare delivery.

Association Between Hair Cortisol and Psychopathology in Children With a Chronic Physical Illness.

Children with a chronic physical illness (CPI) experience significant stress and are at a greater risk of psychopathology. However, little is known about chronic stress and its relationship with psychopathology in this population. Over the last decade, hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has emerged as a viable biomarker of chronic stress.

Stability and change of psychopathology symptoms among youth with chronic physical illness: A latent transition analysis.

BackgroundThis study examined whether youth transition between different mental health symptom profiles over time, and what factors predict these transitions. Understanding the stability and change in psychopathology helps discern whether certain behaviours are temporary or signs of persistent problems.MethodsData were drawn from a longitudinal study of 263 youth (ages 2-16) with chronic physical illness and their parents, assessed at baseline (T1), six months (T2), 12 months (T3), and 24 months (T4).

Predictors of p factor scores in children with chronic physical illness.

Background: The p factor represents the overall liability for the development of mental illness within individuals and we have previously validated a bi-factor model of the p factor in children with chronic physical illness.

Objective: In this next phase, we modelled predictors of the p factor in this sample of children.

Methods: Data come from the ongoing Multimorbidity in Children and Youth Across the Life-course study.

Equivalence of psychiatric structured interviews and symptom checklists in predicting health-related quality of life in children with chronic physical illness.

Purpose: We estimated agreement in classifying psychiatric disorders using a structured interview and symptom checklist, examined associations between psychiatric disorder and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children with chronic physical illness, and investigated if the instruments were statistically equivalent in predicting HRQL.

Methods: We analyzed data from children aged 4-16 years diagnosed with a chronic physical illness. Parents and children completed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID; interview), and Emotional Behavioural Scales (EBS; checklist).

Manager Perspectives on Services Addressing Mental Health Needs of Youth in Physical Rehabilitation.

Background: Youth mental health is becoming a priority, but models for organizing services in physical rehabilitation centres to meet the growing needs of youth with chronic physical disabilities and mental health problems are scarce. Initial research revealed barriers faced by youth, families and rehabilitation specialists when accessing or providing mental health services for this population. This study explores managers' perspectives on challenges, strengths and opportunities for mental health service delivery and integration in physical rehabilitation at the organizational level.

Changes in Psychological Distress in Children With Physical Illness and Their Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Parents and their children with chronic physical illness (CPI) are often predisposed to experiencing psychopathology, a phenomenon, which may be exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study modelled trajectories of psychological distress experienced by children with CPI and their parents before and during COVID-19.

Methods: Overall, 134 parent-child dyads enrolled in an ongoing cohort study, Multimorbidity in Children and Youth across the Life-course study, participated in this COVID-19 substudy.

Child abuse prevalence estimates in Canada; comparisons of nationally representative data from 2012 to 2022: a population-based study.

Background: Up-to-date nationally representative Canadian statistics on child abuse with a focus on sex, sexual identity, and age cohorts are overdue. The objective of the current study was to examine child abuse prevalence estimates (physical abuse, sexual abuse, exposure to intimate partner violence (EIPV), and any child abuse) among adult Canadians, associations with sex (male or female), sexual identity (heterosexual, lesbian or gay, bisexual, or other), and age cohort, and to compare data from 2022 with 2012.

Methods: Data were obtained from two Statistics Canada cross-sectional surveys: 1) the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (2012 CCHS-MH; n = 23,395; 18+ years) and 2) the 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care (2022 MHACS; n = 9409; 18+ years).

Trajectories of Psychopathology Among Youth with Physical Illness.

The objectives of this study were to characterize 24-month trajectories of psychopathology, validate psychopathology groups, and identify youth, parent, family, and neighbourhood characteristics associated with each identified trajectory in a sample of youth with chronic physical illness (CPI). Data come from a longitudinal study of 263 youth aged 2-16 years diagnosed with CPI and their parents. Participants were recruited from outpatient clinics at a pediatric hospital in Canada and assessed at recruitment (baseline), 6, 12, and 24 months.

Associations Between Family Factors and Mental Health Service Use Among Children with Physical Illness: the Mediating Role of Child Psychopathology Trajectories.

This study investigated whether child psychopathology trajectories mediate the association between parent psychological distress/family functioning and mental health service use (MHSU) among children with a chronic physical illness (CPI). Data come from a longitudinal study of 263 children and youth aged 2-16 years diagnosed with a CPI and their parents assessed at baseline, six, 12, and 24 months. Parent psychological distress was measured by creating a composite score from the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, and family functioning was measured using the McMaster Family Assessment Device.

Perceived School Belonging Among Youth with Chronic Physical Illness.

In a sample of youth aged 10-16 years with chronic physical illness, this study examined psychometric properties of a modified Psychological Sense of School Membership (m-PSSM) scale; described longitudinal trends in perceptions over 24 months; and, identified factors associated with school belonging. Youth were recruited from a pediatric hospital in Canada. A total of 105 youth attended school in the past year and provided self-reports.

An Epidemiological Study of Physical-Mental Multimorbidity in Youth: Une étude épidémiologique de la morbidité physique-mentale chez les jeunes.

Objective: This epidemiological study estimated the lifetime prevalence of chronic physical illness (i.e., an illness that lasted or was expected to last ≥6 months) and 6-month prevalence of mental disorder and multimorbidity (i.

P factor in children with chronic physical illness.

Background: The p factor represents the overall liability for the development of mental illness. While evidence supporting the p factor in adults has been reported, studies in children are fewer, and none have examined the p factor in children with chronic physical illness (CPI).

Objective: We aimed to model the p factor in a longitudinal sample of children with CPI using a parent-reported checklist and examine its construct validity against a structured diagnostic interview.

Validating the Ontario Child Health Study Emotional Behavioural Scales-Brief Version (OCHS-EBS-B) in children with chronic physical illness.

Background: A substantial proportion of children have a physical illness; these children commonly experience physical-mental comorbidity. To assess child mental health, brief scales that can be used in clinical and research settings are needed. This study assessed the validity and reliability of parent-reported Ontario Child Health Study Emotional Behavioural Scale-Brief Version (OCHS-EBS-B) scores.

Using random forest to identify correlates of depression symptoms among adolescents.

Purpose: Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, and studying its multifaceted factors using traditional methods possess challenges. This study employs random forest (RF) algorithms to determine factors predicting adolescent depression scores.

Methods: This study utilized self-reported survey data from 56,008 Canadian students (grades 7-12) attending 182 schools during the 2021/22 academic year.

Mental health practices in rehabilitation for youth with physical disabilities: a chart review study.

Purpose: Evidence on co-occurring mental health problems in youth with physical disabilities is growing, however how services are provided remains unclear. This study examined current interprofessional rehabilitation practices for physical and mental health services.

Methods: Youth (aged 15-24) followed for a physical disability that had mental health problems were identified.