Global,regional and national burdens of bipolar disorders in adolescents and young adults:a trend analysis from 1990 to 2019

Background Bipolar disorder is identified as a cause of severe damage to the physical,psychological and social functioning of adolescents and young adults.Aims The aim of this study is to ascertain the trends in the burden of bipolar disorder among individuals aged 10-24 years at global,regional and national levels from 1990 to 2019.Methods The data analysed in this study were from the Global Burden of Diseases 2019.The numbers,rates per 100000 population,average annual percentage changes(AAPCs)of incidence,prevalence and years lived with disability(YLDs)of bipolar disorder are reported at the global,regional and national levels among individuals aged 10-24 years.Global trends by age,sex and Social Development Index(SDI)were further analysed.Results Globally,the incidence of bipolar disorder among adolescents and young adults increased from 79.21 per 100000 population(95%uncertainty interval(Ul):58.13 to 105.15)in 1990 to 84.97 per 100000 population(95%Ul:61.73 to 113.46)in 2019,AAPC 0.24(95%confidence interval(Cl):0.22 to 0.26).In the past three decades,there has been an increase in incidence,prevalence and YLDs in both males and females.The largest increase in incidence between 1990 and 2019 was observed in those aged 20-24 years old from 51.76 per 100000 population(95%Ul:26.81 to 87.20)in 1990 to 58.37 per 100000 population(95%UI:30.39 to 98.55)in 2019;AAPC 0.42(95%Cl:0.38 to 0.47).By the SDI quintile,the largest increase in incidence was observed in the middle SDl;however,the high SDI countries had the highest incidence.Regionally,the largest increase in incidence was observed in southern Latin America.At the national level,the most pronounced increase in the incidence was in Greenland.Conclusions The global increase in incidence among adolescents and young adults between 1990 and 2019 indicates that strategies to improve their mental health still need to be emphasised.

Shifting the Paradigm:A Fresh Look at Physical Activity Frequency and Its Impact on Mental Health,Life Satisfaction,and Self-Rated Health in Adolescents

As adolescent mental health problems are becoming a more serious issue globally,this paper explores the relationship of physical activity in adolescents and its frequency on mental health as well as examines the mediating effects of life satisfaction and self-rated health in order to provide a reference for the promotion of mental health in adolescents.A sample of 3578 Chinese high school students completed questionnaires assessing their mental health,physical activity frequency,life satisfaction,and self-rated health.The mean SCL-90 value for adolescents was found to be 1.629%,and 24.73%of adolescents had varying degrees of mental health issue.Increased physical activity frequency is positively associated with improved mental health(p<0.001).Additionally,life satisfaction and self-rated health were found to play significant mediating roles in the relationship between physical activity frequency and mental health.Specifically,low-frequency physical activity had the most pronounced mediating effect on mental health through life satisfaction,while high-frequency physical activity exerted the most significant mediating effect on mental health through self-rated health.These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity among adolescents and highlight the distinct pathways through which physical activity frequency can influence mental health outcomes.Further research is needed to explore these relationships in diverse populations and settings,as well as to develop targeted intervention.

Nutrition Awareness and Knowledge and Body Mass Index in Adolescents in Public Junior Secondary Schools

Background: Non-communicable diseases are increasing among adolescents. The decision about diet is the foundation of eating habits that could persist to adulthood. Dietary decisions, which usually are hard to change later in life, make nutrition education at school paramount to prevent obesity and NCDs, and promote healthy eating. Objectives: To assess level of nutrition awareness and knowledge of healthy eating and food intake behaviors and association with Body Mass Index (BMI) and age. Methods: A cross sectional study that included measures such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, BMI, and nutrition knowledge was conducted in 264 respondents from 18th June 2015 to 9th July 2015. The nutrition knowledge questionnaire was composed of 24 questions divided into food nutrients, food contents, healthiest foods, and energy expenditure and nutrition benefits. CDC BMI chart for 2-20-year-olds was used to plot respondent’s weight and height. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 14.3 years (SD 0.79). Most of the respondents (153/252, 53.6%) had a low socio-economic status as categorized by the present study. The mean (SD) BMI was 20.08 (3.90). Most respondents (56.3%, 142/252) failed the knowledge test and scored below 50% and only two respondents (0.8%) had excellent nutrition knowledge. The mean percentage achieved was 46.1% (SD 15.91) ranging from 8.3% to 87.5%. There was a significant correlation between nutrition knowledge and BMI (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study shows that adolescents do not have adequate nutrition knowledge, placing them at risk for developing non-communicable diseases later in life. Nutrition education programs are urgently needed for teachers, parents, and children.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Present or Gone, Where Do Adolescents Stand?

Introduction: The initial global response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic focused on adults as adolescents mainly had subclinical infections. Adolescents, however, could transmit the virus and hence be a risk to the elderly, young children and immunocompromised. Adolescents are also at risk of long-term complications. This study sought to determine the prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among adolescents in Southern Nigeria, and to determine the association between SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and age, gender, socioeconomic class, school type and nutritional status. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Edo state of southern Nigeria. We recruited 270 in-school adolescents aged 10 - 19 years. A WHO-adapted, pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data on participant history and risk factors. The questionnaire was interviewer-administered. Adolescents whose parents gave consent were recruited through a multi-stage randomized sampling method. Capillary blood for the assay was collected and analysed using a lateral-flow immunoassay device. The primary outcome was serostatus of the study. The positive predictors of serostatus were finally determined using a multiple logistics regression model. Statistical significance was set at p Results: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 45.9%. IgM antibodies were found in 5.6% of participants. Older adolescents had higher seropositivity rates than younger adolescents (2 = 8.101, p = 0.017). There was no association between gender and seropositivity. Adolescents in public schools were more likely to be seropositive than those in private schools (2 = 25.242, p = 0.001). A higher seroprevalence was noticed among study participants in the lower socioeconomic class (x2 = 6.928, p = 0.031), and those in overcrowded classes. (2 = 79.303, p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among in-school adolescents. Behavioural change communication on SARS-CoV-2, vaccination of adolescents, and standardization of classrooms are recommended.

Network analysis of suicide ideation and depression-anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents

Background The co-occurrence of depression and anxiety among adolescents is typically associated with suicide ideation.Aims The study aimed to investigate the symptom-level relationship between suicide ideation and the comorbidity of depression and anxiety.Methods 1501 adolescents aged 12-19 years were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9)and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale,and 716 adolescents who scored≥5 on both scales were selected as participants.Network analysis was used to identify the network structure of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms.Participants were categorised into either the suicide ideation or non-suicide ideation groups based on their scoring on the suicide-related item in PHQ-9.A comparison was made between the depression-anxiety symptom networks of the two groups.Results‘Restlessness’,‘sad mood’and‘trouble relaxing’were the most prominent central symptoms in the depression-anxiety symptom network,and‘restlessness’,‘nervousness’and‘reduced movement’were the bridge symptoms in this network.‘Sad mood’was found to be directly related to‘suicide ideation’with the highest variance.The network structure was significantly different in properties between the suicide ideation group and the non-suicide ideation group,with‘restlessness’and‘sad mood’exhibiting significantly higher influence in the network of the suicide ideation group than that in the non-suicide ideation group.Conclusion Restlessness and sad mood could be targeted for the intervention of depression-anxiety symptoms among adolescents with suicide ideation.

Thirty-year trends of anxiety disorders among adolescents based on the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study

Background Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric problems,affecting approximately 1 in 12 children and 1 in 4 adolescents.Understanding the incidence,burden and correlated risks of anxiety disorders among children and adolescents can help identify areas of success,stagnation and emerging threats,thereby facilitating effective improvement strategies.Aims To estimate the incidence and burden trends of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and compare the incidence and disease burden in different countries.To examine the association between anxiety disorders and social indicators(healthcare access and quality of life).Methods Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.The age-standardised incidence rates(ASIRs)and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)were reported to assess the burden of anxiety disorders,and the estimated annual percentage change was calculated to quantify the temporal trends.Pearson’s correlation was used to investigate country-level risk factors for incidence and DALYs.Results Globally,there were 932 million incident cases of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents,739.29 per 100000 ASIRs and 380.62 million DALYs in 2019.From 1990 to 2019,the estimated annual percentage change of incidence of anxiety disorders decreased by 2.2%.Significant variations were observed in the age-standardised burden rate and the changing trend of anxiety disorders among countries.Portugal reported the highest ASIR of anxiety disorders,while Mexico had the largest increase rate of ASIR.In 2019,Portugal reported the highest number of DALYs(1001.71 million),and India(212.09 million)reported the lowest number of DALYs.The burden of anxiety disorders was positively correlated with the average number of psychiatrists,psychologists and nurses in the mental health sector(per 100000),and quality of life and the correlation coefficients were 0.58,0.67,0.43 and 0.53,respectively.Conclusions The incidence and global burden of anxiety disorders in adolescents have continued to decrease over the past 30 years.However,the incidence and disease burden in developed countries are still increasing steadily.Policymakers should design and implement mental health strategies for adolescents based on their specific developmental status,as well as the cultural and regional characteristics of each country.

Mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between rumination and suicide attempts in Chinese adolescents with mood disorders

To the editor:Mood disorders(MD)are serious mental illnesses that commonly affect adolescents,leading to a high incidence of suicidal behaviour.1 In China,the suicide attempt(SA)rate for adolescents with MD is 51.96%,2 and over 500000 adolescent SA are reported annually in the USA due to depression.3 Risk factors for SA include gender,hormone levels,family conflict and,particularly,negative cognitive styles such as rumination.

Audits of Death in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents Followed up in the Pediatric Department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori from 2005 to 2020

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality among children. The objective of this work was to audit the deaths of children and adolescents with HIV infection followed up in the pediatric department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori (CHUDB/A) the from 2005 to 2020. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective and descriptive study conducted in the pediatric department of CHUD/B-A in Parakou. All children with HIV infection who died from January 1, 2005 to August 31, 2020 were included. Data collection was carried out in three stages: a phase of medical records processing, a phase of community survey and a phase of death audits. The variables studied were sociodemographic, clinical, biological, therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: Over the study period, the data of 464 infected children were recorded, including 92 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 19.83%. Severe acute malnutrition (69.23%), gastro-intestinal tract infections (43.58%) and serious opportunistic pulmonary infections (24.36% pulmonary tuberculosis and 19.23% pneumocystis) were the main causes of death. The main dysfunctions found were: the delayed diagnosis of HIV infection (79.35%), the absence or delay in consultation when the child’s clinical condition deteriorates (32.61% and 47.83%), delayed initiation of antiretroviral treatment (42.39%) and non-adherence to treatment (38.04%). Non-adherence to treatment was predominant in adolescents (90.49%). Conclusion: Specific interventions for early detection, adequate nutritional care, psychosocial support for adolescents and mothers of children are necessary to reduce mortality due to HIV among children and adolescents.

Acceptance and Experience of HIV-Infected Adolescents in Two Hospitals in Yaoundé

Introduction: Access to antiretroviral drugs has improved the survival of children infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). As they reach adolescence, they are confronted with various constraints related to the infection and its treatment, in addition to those of the growth period they are going through. The main aim of the study was to assess the acceptance and describe the experience of HIV infection by infected adolescents but also to investigate the factors associated with good acceptance and a positive experience. Methodology: The cross-sectional analytic study concerned HIV-infected adolescents aged 15 to 19 followed up at the Chantal Biya Foundation-Mother and Child Centre (CME-FCB) and the Yaoundé University Hospital Centre (CHUY) between February 2020 and June 2020. The study saw participants complete a questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and assessing acceptance and experience with the infection. Data analysis was accomplished using Epi info software version 7.2.2.6. Results: One hundred and thirteen HIV-infected adolescents were included in the study. The sex ratio was 0.68 and the mean age was 17 years. More than half of the adolescents had a good acceptance and positive experience with the infection. Related factors were the adolescent’s perception of good health and participation in an association with other infected adolescents. Conclusion: Emphasizing the psychological and educational follow-up of infected adolescents and encouraging their participation in associations for adolescents living with HIV could reduce the consequences of poor acceptance and ensure a better transition to adulthood. .

Prevalence and risk factors associated with long COVID symptoms in children and adolescents in a southern province of Vietnam

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with long COVID symptoms among children and adolescents who have recovered from COVID-19.Methods:This study applied a cross-sectional approach within community settings in a southern province of Vietnam.A structured questionnaire featuring socio-demographic information and common long COVID symptoms was employed.Phi correlation coefficients assessed associations among pairs of long COVID symptoms.Additionally,multivariable logistic regression models were performed to investigate the risk factors of long COVID in recovered COVID-19 children and adolescents.Results:Among 422 participants,39.3%reported long COVID symptoms,with a prevalence of 45.2%(SD=0.5)in children and 22.2%(SD=0.4)in adolescents.Common symptoms reported were cough 34.6%(SD=0.5),fatigue 20.6%(SD=0.4),shortness of breath 10.9%(SD=0.3),and lack of appetite 6.6%(SD=0.3).Concerning risk factors of long COVID,a higher risk was observed among demographic groups,including girls(OR 1.25,95%CI 1.15-1.37;P<0.001,reference:boys),children compared to adolescents(OR 1.24,95%CI 1.12-1.37;P<0.001),overweight individuals(OR 1.14,95%CI 1.02-1.27;P=0.018,reference:healthy weight),and participants without any COVID-19 vaccination(OR 1.36,95%CI 1.20-1.54;P<0.001),or have received only one single dose(OR 1.35,95%CI 1.10-1.64;P=0.004)compared to those who have received two doses.Besides,patients with a COVID-19 treatment duration exceeding two weeks also had a higher risk of long COVID(OR 1.32,95%CI 1.09-1.60;P=0.003)than those who recovered less than seven days.Conclusions:The insights from this study provide crucial guidance for predicting the factors associated with the occurrence of long COVID in pediatric patients,contributing to strategic interventions aimed at mitigating the long COVID risks among children and adolescents in Vietnam.

Determinants of Sexual Activity among HIV-Infected Adolescents in Cameroon

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of transition to adulthood, including for HIV-infected adolescents (HIA), when sexual problems emerge. Few studies have been carried out on the sexuality of HIA. This study aimed to assess the sexual behavior of HIV-infected adolescents in Cameroon. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three hospitals in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, from November 2019 to June 2020. All HIA aged 13 to 19 years followed in the study who knew their HIV status were included in the study after obtaining their assent and their parent’s consent. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, as well as sexual practices and the determinants of their sexual activity. A multivariate analysis was performed to explore the relationship between the different variables studied and the sexual activity of these adolescents. Results: Of 204 HIA enrolled in the study, 64 (31.7%) were sexually active, the mean age at first sexual intercourse was 15.6 ± 2.8 years and the sex ratio was 0.94. Of the adolescents in the study, 75.7% of girls and 61.2% of boys had regular sexual activity, while 21.3% of girls and 35.4% of boys had multiple sexual relationships in the six months preceding the study. Nearly 16 (25.0%) of the sexually active HIA had more than 2 sexual encounters per month, 6 (9.3%) of these encounters had been paid for and 9 (27.2%) of the girls had already had at least one pregnancy. More than 7 out of 10 HIA (79.6%) had used a condom the last time they had sex. Age less than 18 years [OR = 11.1 (95% CI: 3.1 - 39.4), p = 0.001], lack of remuneration [OR = 9.8 (95% CI: 2.0 - 47.4), p = 0.001] and self-care were significantly associated with sexual activity in HIA, while school attendance was a protective factor. Self-funded HIAs were 21 times more likely to be sexually active [OR = 21.6 (95% CI: 2.3 - 179), p = 0.004]. Conclusion: More than a third of HIV-infected adolescents were sexually active and risky sexual practices were not negligible.

Actors of Psychoactive Drug Initiation among Adolescents in Yaoundé-Cameroon

Introduction: Actors of psychoactive drug initiation refer to those who introduce others to psychoactive drug use (initiators) and those who are introduced to psychoactive drugs (users). By identifying their features, better prevention and intervention programs can be developed to reduce psychoactive drug use among adolescents. This article describes the role of actors of psychoactive drug initiation among teenagers in secondary schools in Yaoundé (Cameroon). Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out in twelve secondary schools in Yaoundé from October 2022 to May 2023. Adolescents from Form four to upper sixth, who assented to participate in the study and received parental consent were included. Data were collected in a structured self-reported questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 23. Quantitative variables were expressed using means, standard deviations, median and interquartile ranges depending on the distribution of data. Qualitative variables were expressed in the form of frequency and percentages. Results: Drug use was more prevalent among male adolescents (55.3%) from nuclear families (91.4%) who received relatively high pocket money. The main sources of drug exposure were non-family members (49.7%), especially friends outside school. The most frequent place of initiation was snack bars (33.1%). Conclusion: The study revealed the importance of the family, friends and leisure places in the initiation process of drug use in teenagers. Based on these results, parents and school authorities should work together to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters communication, education to prevent drug abuse among adolescents in Yaoundé.

Associated Factors with Early Sexual Intercourse among In-School Adolescents in Brazzaville

Background: Early sexual intercourse (ESI) is a global public health problem. In Congo, associated factors with ESI have been under-studied. Objective: To analyse factors associated with early sexual intercourse among in-school adolescents in Brazzaville. Method: A cross-sectional analytic study with three-stage random sampling was carried out from March 2 to June 2, 2022 in Brazzaville secondary and high schools. Adolescents in the selected schools were interviewed about their sexual and social behaviour, and their family and school environment. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with ESI. The significance level of the p-value was set at 5% and the confidence interval at 95%. Results: Of a total of 1100 adolescents surveyed, 800 (72.7%) had ESI, 98% of them were female. The main reason for early initiation of sexual intercourse was curiosity (81.8%). Non-use of condoms and multiple sexual partnerships were noted respectively in 98.7% and 68.7% of adolescents who had experienced ESI. Female gender (p Conclusion: The prevalence of ESI is high, and the factors identified in this study may help to reduce it.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge and Behaviour among Adolescents in Rural Burkina Faso

Background: Adolescents in developing countries have limited knowledge about the prevention of STIs and unwanted pregnancies. In several African countries, risky sexual behaviour persists, including early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, economic and sexual exchange, and low condom and contraceptive use. The purpose of this study is to assess the sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviour of adolescents in rural Burkina Faso in order to improve their sexual and reproductive health. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective data collection conducted from 07 March to 04 April 2022 in the area of the Demographic and Health Surveillance System of the Nouna Research Centre. A questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 1202 adolescents. Results: The mean age of the adolescents was 14.1 years and 56.6% were male. Only 58.2% of the adolescents had ever heard of HIV/AIDS. Of these, 95.7% did not know their HIV status. In addition, 15.8% had ever had sexual intercourse and 2.4% had been sexually active at an early age. Almost 45% had not used any contraceptive method the last time they had sex. Condoms were the most frequently used contraceptive method (47.4%). Among teenagers, 27.6% had been pregnant at least once, 7.3% were married and the average age at marriage was 18.45 years. Almost 7% (6.9%) of teenagers had more than one sexual partner. Conclusion: Adolescents have limited knowledge about reproductive health. Risky sexual behaviour persists. Awareness campaigns need to be intensified to improve their sexual and reproductive health.

The effects of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents:a meta-analysis

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a crucial neurotrophic factor that plays a significant role in brain health. Although the vast majority of meta-analyses have confirmed that exercise interventions can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents, the effects of specific types of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are still controversial. To address this issue, we used meta-analytic methods to quantitatively evaluate, analyze, and integrate relevant studies. Our goals were to formulate general conclusions regarding the use of exercise interventions, explore the physiological mechanisms by which exercise improves brain health and cognitive ability in children and adolescents, and provide a reliable foundation for follow-up research. We used the Pub Med, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Weipu, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to search for randomized controlled trials examining the influences of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents. The extracted data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. According to the inclusion criteria, we assessed randomized controlled trials in which the samples were mainly children and adolescents, and the outcome indicators were measured before and after the intervention. We excluded animal experiments, studies that lacked a control group, and those that did not report quantitative results. The mean difference(MD;before versus after intervention) was used to evaluate the effect of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents. Overall, 531 participants(60 children and 471 adolescents, 10.9–16.1 years) were included from 13 randomized controlled trials. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Q statistic and I^(2) test provided by Review Manager software. The meta-analysis showed that there was no heterogeneity among the studies(P = 0.67, I^(2) = 0.00%). The combined effect of the interventions was significant(MD = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.53–4.22, P < 0.0001), indicating that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels of the children and adolescents in the exercise group were significantly higher than those in the control group. In conclusion, different types of exercise interventions significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents. However, because of the small sample size of this meta-analysis, more high-quality research is needed to verify our conclusions. This metaanalysis was registered at PROSPERO(registration ID: CRD42023439408).

COVID-19 pandemic amplified mortality rates among adolescents with bipolar disorder through family-related factors

BACKGROUND Recently,a growing number of adolescents have been afflicted with mental disorders,with annual morbidity rates on the rise.This trend has been exacerbated by the global coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,leading to a surge in suicide and self-harm rates among this demographic.AIM To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent bipolar disorder(BD),along with the underlying factors contributing to heightened rates of suicide and self-harm among adolescents.METHODS A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted utilizing clinical interviews and self-reports obtained from patients or their guardians.Diagnostic criteria for BDs were based on the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders,international classification of diseases-11,and the National institute of mental health research domain criteria.Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 software,with significance set at P<0.05.RESULTS A cohort of 171 adolescents diagnosed with BD between January 1,2018,and December 31,2022,was included in the analysis.The gender distribution was 2.8:1(female to male),with ages ranging from 11 to 18 years old.Major factors contributing to adolescent BDs included familial influences,academic stress,genetic predisposition and exposure to school-related violence.Notably,a significant increase in suicide attempts and self-harm incidents was observed among adolescents with BD during the COVID-19 pandemic.Statistical analysis indicated that the pandemic exacerbated familial discord and heightened academic stress,thereby amplifying the prevalence of suicidal behavior and self-harm among adolescents.CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated familial tensions and intensified the incidence of suicide and self-harm among adolescents diagnosed with BD.This study underscores the urgent need for societal,familial and educational support systems to prioritize the well-being of adolescents and offers valuable insights and guidelines for the prevention,diagnosis and treatment of adolescent BDs.

Psychological interventions for depression in children and adolescents:A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND Depression has gradually become a common psychological disorder among children and adolescents.Depression in children and adolescents affects their physical and mental development.Psychotherapy is considered to be one of the main treatment options for depressed children and adolescents.However,our understanding of the global performance and progress of psychological interventions for depression in children and adolescents(PIDCA)research is limited.AIM To identify collaborative research networks in this field and explore the current research status and hotspots through bibliometrics.METHODS Articles and reviews related to PIDCA from January 2010 to April 2023 were identified from the Web of Science Core Collection database.The Charticulator website,CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to visualize the trends in publications and citations,the collaborative research networks(countries,institutions,and authors),and the current research status and hotspots.RESULTS Until April 16,2023,1482 publications were identified.The number of documents published each year and citations had increased rapidly in this field.The United States had the highest productivity in this field.The most prolific institution was the University of London.Pim Cuijpers was the most prolific author.In the context of research related to PIDCA,both reference co-citation analysis and keywords co-occurrence analysis identified 10 research hotspots,including thirdwave cognitive behavior therapy,short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy,cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy,family element in psychotherapy,modular treatment,mobile-health,emotion-regulation-based transdiagnostic intervention program,dementia risk in later life,predictors of the efficacy of psychological intervention,and risks of psychological intervention.CONCLUSION This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive overview of PIDCA from 2010 to present.Psychological intervention characterized as psychological-process-focused,short,family-involved,modular,internet-based,emotionregulation-based,and personalized may benefit more young people.

Construction and Validity of Chinese Translation of the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents

Background:In this study,the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents(UMHL-A)was revised and tested for its reliability and validity in Chinese middle school students,thus establishing a useful tool for assessing the mental health of individuals in this occupation.Methods:Our sample comprised 1208 junior high school students(58.85%male),aged between 11 and 15 years old.The Chinese version of the scale includes a mental health attitude subscale and mental health knowledge subscale,including attitudes towards seeking help,attitudes related to stigma,general mental health knowledge,and knowledge about specific mental illnesses,encapsulated in a total of 17 items.A series of psychometric analyses such as exploratory factor analysis(EFA),confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),and internal consistency reliability estimation were carried out in this study.Results:The results of the CFA indicated that the two-factor model had an acceptable model fit(Attitude(UMHL-A Likert):χ^(2)/df=4.107;RMSEA=0.072;SRMR=0.045;TLI=0.932;CFI=0.954;Knowledge(UMHL-A T/F):χ^(2)/df=3.647;RMSEA=0.066;SRMR=0.044;TLI=0.923;CFI=0.945).The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of subscales of the Chinese version UMHL-A were 0.80 and 0.78,respectively.Conclusion:In general,the Chinese version of the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for adolescents has good reliability and validity and can be used as a tool to measure the mental health literacy of Chinese adolescents.

Can Physical Activities Suppress Negative Impact of Stress on the Mental Health of Adolescents?

Early adolescence is a crucial developmental phase marked by significant physical,cognitive,and socioemotional changes.While stress is widely recognized as a notable risk factor during this period,not all individuals experiencing stress concurrently manifest compromised mental health.The association between stress and mental health outcomes is influenced by individual differences in characteristics and coping strategies.This study’s purpose was to assess the negative impact of stress on mental health,specifically focusing on symptoms of anxiety,depression,and psychological distress.Additionally,the research investigates whether different levels of physical activity can suppress the negative effects of stress.A total of 212 upper elementary school students(52.8%girls and 47.2%boys)from rural and urban areas voluntarily participated in the research.Participants online self-assessed on several measures:The Young Person’s CORE,Children’s Anxiety Scale,Children’s Depression Inventory,School Stress Intensity Scale for Students,and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children.The results revealed a significant increase in adolescents experiencing impaired mental health.More than two-thirds(67.5%)of students self-assessed significant symptoms of depression,additionally,57.5%of them had significant symptoms of psychological distress,and 27.8%had significant symptoms of anxiety.Stress demonstrated a significant direct negative effect,leading to increased symptoms of anxiety(t=5.35,p=0.00)and psychological distress(t=4.29,p=0.00);however,there was no significant influence on depression(t=1.33,p=0.18)).Regarding regular physical activity,a significant moderating effect was identified,effectively suppressing the negative impact of stress on anxiety(F=3.88(2,206);p=0.02).In contrast,no significant moderation effect of physical activity was found for symptoms of depression(F=1.45(2,206);p=0.24)and psychological distress(F=1.14(2,206);p=0.32),highlighting a complex and intricate association between physical activity and various mental health outcomes.In conclusion,the practical implications of this study emphasize the importance of creating environments that reduce stressors for adolescents and promote regular physical activity as a means of fostering positive mental health outcomes.

Global research trends and hotspots in overweight/obese comorbid with depression among children and adolescents: A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND Overweight/obesity combined with depression among children and adolescents(ODCA)is a global concern.The bidirectional relationship between depression and overweight/obesity often leads to their comorbidity.Childhood and adolescence represent critical periods for physical and psychological development,during which the comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depression may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes.AIM To evaluate the relationship between ODCA,we conduct a bibliometric analysis to aid in formulating prevention and treatment strategies.METHODS From 2004 to 2023,articles related to ODCA were selected using the Science Citation Index Expanded from the Web of Science Core Collection.Bibliometric analysis of relevant publications,including countries/regions,institutions,authors,journals,references,and keywords,was conducted using the online bibliometric analysis platforms,CiteSpace,VOSviewer,and bibliometrix.RESULTS Between 2004 and 2023,a total of 1573 articles were published on ODCA.The United States has made leading contributions in this field,with Harvard University emerging as the leading contributor in terms of research output,and Tanofsky being the most prolific author.The J Adolescent Health has shown significant activity in this domain.Based on the results of the keyword and reference analyses,inequality,adverse childhood experiences,and comorbidities have become hot topics in ODCA.Moreover,the impact of balancedrelated behavior and exploration of the biological mechanisms,including the potential role of key adipocytokines and lipokines,as well as inflammation in ODCA,have emerged as frontier topics.CONCLUSION The trend of a significant increase in ODCA publications is expected to continue.The research findings will contribute to elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of ODCA and its prevention and treatment.