Change in psychopathology in referred children: the role of life events and perceived stress

AM (Agnes) Willemen, JM Koot, RF (Robert) Ferdinand, FA Goossens, C Schuengel

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17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: This study examined the relation between stress and change in emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents referred for mental health services. Method: At three waves across four years, children and their parents (N = 310, mean age at the first wave = 11.26 years, SD = 3.18) reported emotional and behavioural problems, as well as stressful life events (parent report) and perceived stress (child report). Results: Major life events before referral were associated with higher levels of parent-reported internalising and externalising problems at referral. Life events after referral were associated with a slower recovery from internalising problems. The associations between stressful life events and the course of parent- and self-reported problems were mediated by children's subjective feelings of stress. Conclusion: Stressful life events appear to interfere with recovery from internalising problems in the years after referral through increasing the experience of stress in daily life.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)1175-1183
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Volume49
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Research programs

  • EMC NIHES-04-55-01

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