Emotional disturbance in unplanned versus planned children.

In 2 studies, 2 samples of planned and unplanned children (mean ages, 13.45 and 13.27), matched for education and divided into middle and lower class, were compared for emotional disturbances. Also, in the 2nd study, mothers were compared for neuroticism and attitudes to the child, and family size was determined. The comparisons were made on the basis of personality inventories completed by the children, questionnaires completed by their teachers, and personality and attitude surveys taken by their mothers. Hypotheses were: 1) unplanned children would be significantly more emotionally disturbed than planned ones (confirmed), 2) mothers of unplanned children would be significantly more neurotic and rejecting than mothers of planned ones (not confirmed), 3) unplanned children would belong to significantly larger families (confirmed). Unplanned children scored higher for emotional disturbance, particularly the lower class children; it is suggested that the greater the adversity of circumstance of the family, the more negative the effects of unplanned status will be on emotional adjustment.     

Not Early Referral but Planned Dialysis Improves Quality of Life and Depression in Newly Diagnosed End Stage Renal Disease Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study in Korea

BackgroundHealth-related quality of life (HRQOL) has recently become an important issue. It reportedly affects morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this study, we investigated whether early referral and planned dialysis improve the HRQOL and depression of patients with ESRD.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled newly diagnosed patients with ESRD, from 31 hospitals in Korea, who completed questionnaires at 3 months after dialysis. We also got follow-up survey at 1 year after dialysis. To measure HRQOL and depression, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL-36) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) were utilized.ResultsA total of 643 patients were analyzed. Referral type did not affect either KDQOL-36 or BDI scores. However, the planned dialysis group showed significantly better scores in 4 of 5 KDQOL-36 domains than did the unplanned group at 3 months after dialysis and partly, the effect was sustained for 1 year after dialysis. The benefit of planned dialysis was significant after adjusting for age, sex, type of dialysis, marital status, educational attainment, occupation, modified Charlson comorbidity index, albumin, and hemoglobin levels. BDI scores were also lower which indicate less depressive mood in planned dialysis group than those in unplanned group both at 3 months and 1 year after dialysis.ConclusionsNot early referral but planned dialysis improved both the short- and long-term HRQOL and depression of patients with ESRD. Nephrologists should try to help patients to initiate dialysis in a planned manner.     

鼓膜置管术对分泌性中耳炎患儿术后生活质量的影响

目的:探讨鼓膜置管术对分泌性中耳炎(SOM)患儿术后生活质量的影响,为临床治疗SOM患儿提供理论参考。方法:采用中文版本《慢性耳病调查量表》(CCES)、中耳炎儿童生活质量调查问卷(OM-6)评分和儿童行为量表(CBCL)对我院2016年1月到2019年8月收治的300例SOM患儿行鼓膜置管术前术后进行评分,比较分析鼓膜置管术对患者生活质量的影响。结果:治疗后,患儿CCES各项目分值较治疗前均明显升高(P0.05),患者OM-6调查问卷评分在听力丧失、情感障碍、身体疼痛、活动限制及家长担忧五个方面分值均明显降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,男患儿CBCL调查在抑郁、社交退缩、多动、攻击性、分裂样及强迫性六个方面评分明显低于治疗前,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);女患儿CBCL调查在抑郁、社交退缩、多动、攻击性及分裂强迫五个方面评分明显低于治疗前,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:SOM患儿鼓膜置管术后临床症状和生活质量改善明显,鼓膜置管术是分泌性中耳炎患儿患儿有效的治疗措施。     

Correspondence

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the relationship between emotional investment and attachment to livestock among Norwegian sheep farmers, and their perception of large predators such as the wolf, bear, lynx and wolverine. Most studies on attachment have focused on infants and children. However, more recently, the effects of pet ownership on child development have received increased attention among researchers. In the current work we hypothesized that attachment to livestock would affect the attitudes towards large carnivores. Based on questionnaire data from 491 respondents, a structural equation model (SEM) was set up to test this assumption. Results showed that attachment to livestock significantly predicted attitudes toward carnivores. In particular, negative attitudes were strongly related to attachment in such a way that the deeper the attachment farmers had for livestock, the more negative were their attitudes towards the predators. This article discusses the need for a differentiation among attachment to various kinds of animals in order to understand attitudinal relationships with carnivores.     

Slovakian Pupils' Knowledge of,and Attitudes toward,Birds

ABSTRACT

As the world's biodiversity is being destroyed, costs for nature protection activities increase. One proposed way to increase people's pro-environmental attitudes is to increase their knowledge base. It has been suggested that knowledge and attitudes are related, but no consensus in this field yet exists. Thus, the investigation of the relationship between attitudes and knowledge has valuable implications for nature protection programs. In this paper, we investigated relationships between Slovakian grammar school pupils' attitudes to, and knowledge of, birds (n = 402 participants aged 10–19 years). We found that factual knowledge about birds was positively related to pupils' attitudes toward birds. Interestingly, younger pupils had better knowledge of birds than older pupils. Regarding attitudes, higher scores were registered for the Concern for Birds and Avoidance of Birds dimensions than the Interest in Birds dimension. Females showed more positive attitudes in the Avoidance of Birds dimension compared with males, and bird owners scored higher in the Interest in Birds dimension and lower in the Concern for Birds dimension compared with non-bird owners. Implications for nature protection programs are discussed.     

The value of a dog in a classroom of children with severe emotional disorders

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine how a dog's presence in a self-contained classroom of six children diagnosed with severe emotional disorders affected students' emotional stability and their learning. Across an eight-week period of time, the children were observed, the children and their parents were interviewed, and behavioral data were recorded when students went into emotional crisis. Qualitative analysis of all coded data indicated that the dog's placement in this self-contained classroom: a) contributed to students' overall emotional stability evidenced by prevention and de-escalation of episodes of emotional crisis; b) improved students' attitudes toward school; and c) facilitated students' learning lessons in responsibility, respect and empathy.     

Pet Ownership,Type of Pet and Socio-Emotional Development of School Children

ABSTRACT

The current study was designed to compare the socio-emotional characteristics of school children pet owners and children without pets and to examine whether the type of pet is a variable which can differentiate the socio-emotional development of their owners. The subjects, 425 girls and 401 boys, were students of fourth (n=265), sixth (n=295) and eighth (n=266) grade of elementary schools from the metropolitan area of Zagreb, Croatia. Socio-emotional variables assessed in the study were: child attachment to pet, child prosocial orientation, empathy, loneliness, perception of family climate and social anxiety. The data showed that 54.4% of children in the sample were pet owners (26.2% of children in the study had a dog, 9.2% had a cat, and 19.0% had some other pet). In order to answer the main research question, several analyses of variance (gender by grade by pet ownership) were computed for each criterion of socio-emotional development. Significant main effects were obtained for empathy, prosocial orientation and pet attachment, with dog owners being more empathic and prosocially oriented than non-owners, and dog owners and cat owners being more attached to their pets than owners of other kinds of pets. Additional analyses of variance were computed in order to examine the role of attachment in the socio-emotional functioning of the children. Subjects were divided in three sub-groups: non-owners, lower then average attached owners, and higher than average attached owners. Children who scored higher than average on the attachment to pets scale showed significantly higher scores on the empathy and prosocial orientation scales than non-owners and children who scored lower than average on the attachment to pets scale. It was also found that children with higher levels of attachment to pets rated their family climate significantly better than children who had lower attachment to pets.     

不同时间段睡眠剥夺配合改良式水合氯醛保留灌肠法在婴幼儿肺功能检查中的效果分析

摘要 目的：探讨不同时间段睡眠剥夺配合改良式水合氯醛保留灌肠法在婴幼儿肺功能检查中的镇静效果。方法：前瞻性选取2018年2月~2020年8月本院收治并需行肺功能检查的婴幼儿临床资料,纳入194例婴幼儿作为研究对象,根据随机数字表法简单随机分为四组。对照组（n=48）不进行睡眠剥夺,短时段组（n=48）行短时段睡眠剥夺,中时段组（n=49）行中时段睡眠剥夺,长时段组（n=49）行长时段睡眠剥夺。对比四组婴幼儿的入睡时间、镇静效果及不良反应。结果：四组婴幼儿入睡时间的组间差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。与对照组相比,联合睡眠剥夺干预的三组婴幼儿在10 min内进入睡眠的例数明显增多;随着睡眠剥夺时间增加,睡眠剥夺的三组婴幼儿超过30 min才进入睡眠的例数明显少于对照组。四组婴幼儿镇静效果的组间比较差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;与对照组相比,联合睡眠剥夺干预的三组婴幼儿镇静效果明显升高,镇静总有效率均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。在实验期间,四组婴幼儿均出现不同类型的不良反应,各类型不良反应发生率及总发生率的组间比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）,但长时段组出现情绪烦躁的比例略高。结论：睡眠剥夺配合改良式水合氯醛灌肠法对婴幼儿具有良好的镇静效果,但长时段睡眠剥夺可能会使其情绪烦躁,需在检查完成后悉心安抚婴幼儿情绪。     

Association between Spouse/Child Separation and Migration-Related Stress among a Random Sample of Rural-to-Urban Migrants in Wuhan,China

BackgroundMillions of people move from rural areas to urban areas in China to pursue new opportunities while leaving their spouses and children at rural homes. Little is known about the impact of migration-related separation on mental health of these rural migrants in urban China.MethodsSurvey data from a random sample of rural-to-urban migrants (n = 1113, aged 18–45) from Wuhan were analyzed. The Domestic Migration Stress Questionnaire (DMSQ), an instrument with four subconstructs, was used to measure migration-related stress. The relationship between spouse/child separation and stress was assessed using survey estimation methods to account for the multi-level sampling design.Results16.46% of couples were separated from their spouses (spouse-separation only), 25.81% of parents were separated from their children (child separation only). Among the participants who married and had children, 5.97% were separated from both their spouses and children (double separation). Spouse-separation only and double separation did not scored significantly higher on DMSQ than those with no separation. Compared to parents without child separation, parents with child separation scored significantly higher on DMSQ (mean score = 2.88, 95% CI: [2.81, 2.95] vs. 2.60 [2.53, 2.67], p < .05). Stratified analysis by separation type and by gender indicated that the association was stronger for child-separation only and for female participants.ConclusionChild-separation is an important source of migration-related stress, and the effect is particularly strong for migrant women. Public policies and intervention programs should consider these factors to encourage and facilitate the co-migration of parents with their children to mitigate migration-related stress.     

The effect of hands-on activities on children’s knowledge and disgust for animals

Research has shown that hands-on activities in biology/science education tend to improve children’s attitudes towards science. These hands-on activities can influence children’s interest in various ways, perhaps because they invoke varying emotions. We used a sample of 10–12-year-old children (n = 142) to examine the effect of hands-on activities with living snails on children’s achievements and disgust sensitivity. Children with living snails received significantly higher knowledge scores about snails measured with both a knowledge test and with analyses of drawings as compared with control children who received a traditional lecture without living snails. Disgust sensitivity was significantly lower in the experimental group and children who scored higher on the disgust scale received a lower knowledge test score. It would seem that the emotion of disgust negatively correlates with achievement.     

Who Will Manage American Patients With Diabetes? Residents’ Career Preferences and Perceptions of Diabetes Care

ObjectiveTo identify the factors that encourage or discourage internal medicine and pediatric residents regarding specializing in endocrinology with a focus on diabetes.MethodsWe conducted an electronic survey of internal medicine and pediatric residents using a $10 participation incentive. A total of 653 residents responded to the survey (estimated response rate of 9.2%)—626 from residency programs that were contacted for our survey and 27 from referrals.ResultsAmong internal medicine and pediatric residents surveyed, 39 respondents (6.0%) planned to specialize in endocrinology, and 27 of these (4.1% of total respondents) planned to focus on diabetes. “Intellectual satisfaction, ” “emotional satisfaction, ” and “work-life balance” were identified by respondents as the most important factors in their choice of a specialty, with ratings of 5.5, 5.4, and 5.3 on a 6-point Likert scale. Among these factors identified as most important to a medical career, endocrinology with a focus on diabetes scored poorly with regard to intellectual and emotional satisfaction but received high ranking with regard to lifestyle. With regard to other factors, endocrinology was rated negatively on “compensation, ” “number of procedures, ” and “patient adherence to prescribed treatment.” Exposure to diabetes during training had no major influence on the decision to enter endocrinology.ConclusionEndocrinology with a focus on diabetes care is not an attractive specialty for most internal medicine and pediatric residents. Therefore, new strategies to attract residents to the field of diabetes care are needed. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17:235-239)     

Element profiles in blood and teeth samples of children with congenital heart diseases in comparison with healthy ones

BackgroundSome elements were claimed to play a role in the pathogenesis of congenital heart defects (CHD) and influence the general well-being and health of these children.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the levels of some elements simultaneously in the blood and teeth samples of children with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD compared with healthy children.MethodsA total of 39 children with CHD (11 with cyanotic and 28 with acyanotic CHD) and 42 age- and sex-adjusted controls were enrolled. Levels of 13 elements, including magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, strontium, cadmium, lead, mercury, and molybdenum, were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsChildren with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD had significantly lower teeth calcium and calcium/phosphorus ratio as compared to the controls after adjusting for confounders. The mean blood iron level was found to be significantly higher in the cyanotic CHD group compared to the other groups. In addition, children with acyanotic CHD had significantly higher teeth copper levels, higher blood molybdenum and lower blood magnesium levels compared to the healthy control group. Blood cadmium and mercury levels were found to be significantly elevated in both the cyanotic and acyanotic CHD groups compared to the healthy control group. There were no differences in toxic metal levels of teeth in cases with CHD.ConclusionMonitoring adequate and balanced gestational micronutrient intake might support not only maternal health but also fetal cardiac development and infant well-being. Supplementation of magnesium should be evaluated in patients having CHD.     

Omega-3 fatty acids are related to abnormal emotion processing in adolescent boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BackgroundIn addition to the core symptoms, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with poor emotion regulation. There is some evidence that children and young adults with ADHD have lower omega-3 levels and that supplementation with omega-3 can improve both ADHD and affective symptoms. We therefore investigated differences between ADHD and non-ADHD children in omega-3/6 fatty acid plasma levels and the relationship between those indices and emotion-elicited event-related potentials (ERPs).MethodsChildren/adolescents with (n=31) and without ADHD (n=32) were compared in their plasma omega-3/6 indices and corresponding ERPs during an emotion processing task.ResultsChildren with ADHD had lower mean omega-3/6 and ERP abnormalities in emotion processing, independent of emotional valence relative to control children. ERP abnormalities were significantly associated with lower omega-3 levels in the ADHD group.ConclusionsThe findings reveal for the first time that lower omega-3 fatty acids are associated with impaired emotion processing in ADHD children.     

Actitudes y ansiedad ante la muerte en personas mayores pertenecientes a 2 culturas diferentes: España y Egipto

Background and objectiveThere are multiple variables that influence fear of death, as well as attitudes towards it, including age, religiosity, emotional and cultural aspects. Due to the proximity to death, the study of attitudes and death-related anxiety and the variables that influence it in the elderly population is of great relevance. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of death anxiety, fear of death, attitudes towards death and associated emotional aspects (anxiety and depression) in older adults from 2 different cultures, Western and Arab.Materials and methodA total of 91 people over 60 years old took part and were divided into 2 groups, one of people born in Spain (n = 46) and the other of people born in Egypt (n = 45). In an individualised assessment, participants completed the DAS, PRAM and the anxiety and depression subscales of the SCL-90-R questionnaires.ResultsStatistically significant differences between groups were observed in fear of death, acceptance and emotional aspects. Predictors of anxiety and fear of death were different for each group.ConclusionThe results show the importance of taking into account cultural, religious and emotional aspects in the evaluation of fear and attitudes towards death in the elderly population.     

Why Children Keep Pets: The Influence of Child and Family Characteristics

Abstract

Two separate but complementary questionnaire surveys were undertaken to assess the relationship between various demographic and family variables and individual variation in levels of childhood pet ownership. The first survey investigated pet ownership levels in a cross-section of families with schoolaged children. In the second, a large sample of university students were invited to report retrospectively on the pets they and their families had owned during their childhood. Results from both surveys showed that age, gender, sibling status and number, and parental attitudes toward pets were all significantly related to levels of childhood pet ownership. The number of children in the family, and parents' attitudes toward pets, were also found to be significantly related to levels of family pet ownership.     

Health-Related Quality of Life among Children with Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Xi’an,China

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 2−7-year-old children diagnosed with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) and the impact of RRTIs on affected families.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional case-control study evaluating 2−7-year-old children with RRTIs (n = 352), 2−7-year-old healthy children (n = 376), and associated caregivers (parents and/or grandparents). A Chinese version of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale was used to assess childhood HRQOL, and a Chinese version of the Family Impact Module (FIM) was used to assess the impact of RRTIs on family members. HRQOL scores were compared between children with RRTIs and healthy children. In addition, a multiple step-wise regression with demographic variables of children and their caregivers, family economic status, and caregiver’s HRQOL as independent variables determined factors that influenced HRQOL in children with RRTIs.

Results

Children with RRTIs showed significantly lower physical, emotional, social, and school functioning scores than healthy children (p<0.05). Caregivers for children with RRTIs also scored significantly lower than caregivers for healthy children on physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and communication functioning (p<0.05). Caregivers for RRTIs affected children also reported significantly higher levels of worry. Multivariate analyses showed that children’s age, children’s relation with caregivers, the frequency of respiratory tract infections in the preceding year, caregiver’s educational level, and caregiver’s own HRQOL influenced HRQOL in children with RRTIs.

Conclusions

The current data demonstrated that RRTIs were associated with lower HRQOL in both children and their caregivers and negatively influenced family functioning. In addition, caregivers’ social characteristics also significantly affected HRQOL in children with RRTIs.     

养血清脑颗粒对老年脑梗死后抑郁患者血清胱抑素C及认知功能的影响

目的:探究养血清脑颗粒对老年脑梗死后抑郁患者血清胱抑素C水平的影响及认知功能水平的影响。方法:选取2015年6月到2016年6月我院神经内科收治的老年脑梗死后抑郁患者74例,根据随机数字对照表分为对照组与试验组,各37例。对照组采用口服盐酸帕罗西汀治疗,试验组联合给予养血清脑颗粒治疗,4周为一个疗程,共治疗一个疗程。比较两组患者临床疗效、血清胱抑素C水平及认知功能水平。结果:治疗结束后,与对照组相比,试验组临床总有效率较高(P0.05),治疗后两组血清胱抑素C水平较治疗前降低(P0.05),MMSE评分较治疗前升高(P0.05);与对照组相比,血清胱抑素C水平较低(P0.05),MMSE评分较高(P0.05)。结论:养血清脑颗粒治疗老年脑梗死后抑郁患者临床疗效显著,认知功能明显改善,推测其与血清胱抑素C水平降低有关。     

核心稳定性训练对痉挛型脑性瘫痪患儿爬行能力及日常生活活动能力的影响

目的:研究核心稳定性训练(CST)对痉挛型脑性瘫痪(SCP)患儿爬行能力及日常生活活动能力的影响。方法:选择从2015年1月到2017年2月期间在我院接受治疗的SCP患儿134例纳入本次研究,根据随机数字表法将患儿分成观察组及对照组,各67例,对照组给予常规训练,观察组则给予CST,两组均治疗3个月。对比两组疗效、治疗前及治疗3个月后的爬行能力评分以及日常生活活动能力评分。结果:观察组的总有效率是95.52%,明显高于对照组的85.07%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗3个月后两组的爬行能力评分均分别高于治疗前,且观察组高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。治疗3个月后两组的日常生活活动能力各项评分均分别高于治疗前,且观察组高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:CST对SCP患儿的爬行能力及日常生活活动能力具有较好的改善作用,临床治疗过程中可应用此种训练措施强化患儿的运动功能,从而促进其获得更好的预后,值得给予推广。     

Development, problem behavior, and quality of life in a population based sample of eight-year-old children with Down syndrome

Objective

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have delayed psychomotor development. We investigated levels of development, problem behavior, and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a population sample of Dutch eight-year-old children with DS. Developmental outcomes were compared with normative data of eight-year-old children from the general population.

Method

Over a three-year-period all parents with an eight-year-old child with DS were approached by the national parent organization. Developmental skills were assessed by means of the McCarthy Scales of Children''s Ability. To measure emotional and behavioral problems we used the Child Behavior Checklist. HRQoL was assessed with the TNO-AZL Children''s Quality of Life questionnaire. Analyses of variance were applied to compare groups.

Results

A total of 337 children participated. Mean developmental age was substantially lower than mean calendar age (3.9 years, SD 0.87 and 8.1 years, SD 0.15 respectively). Mean developmental age was significantly lower among boys than girls (3.6 (SD 0.85) and 4.2 years (SD 0.82) respectively; p<0.001). Compared with the general population, children with DS had more emotional and behavioral problems (p<0.001). However on the anxious/depressed scale, they scored significantly more favorably (p<0.001). Significantly lower HRQoL scores for the scales gross motor skills, autonomy, social functioning and cognitive functioning were found (p-values<0.001). Hardly any differences were observed for the scales physical complaints, positive and negative emotions.

Conclusion

Eight-year-old children with DS have an average developmental delay of four years, more often have emotional and behavioral problems, and have a less favorable HRQoL compared with children from the general population.     

Effects of Having Pets at Home on Children's Attitudes toward Popular and Unpopular Animals

ABSTRACT

Having pets at home provides various social, health, and educational benefits to children. The question of how keeping pets at home affects the attitudes of children toward wild animals still has not been answered, due to various methodological issues, such as ignorance of some attitude dimensions and/or questionnaires that include items focused on very different animals. We conducted three independent research surveys (using three independent samples) of Slovakian primary school children aged 10 to 15 years (n = 1297). These surveys focused on the effects of keeping pets on the attitudes of children towards, and knowledge of, three unpopular animals in Slovakia. These animals were pests (potato beetle) (Study 1), predators (wolf) (Study 2), and those that pose a threat of disease to humans (mouse) (Study 3). Each survey also included a popular animal (ladybird beetle, rabbit, and squirrel, respectively), which served as a “control”; these were compared by pair-wise statistics. Results consistently showed that children had better knowledge of, but less favorable attitudes towards, unpopular animals compared with popular ones. Having pets at home was associated with more positive attitudes to, and better knowledge of, both popular and unpopular animals. Girls were less favorably inclined than boys to animals that may pose a threat, danger, or disease to them. Implications for humane education are discussed, especially in terms of keeping pets, the link between knowledge and attitudes, and children's understanding of ecological adaptations.