Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

There is considerable evidence that children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are at increased risk of anxiety and anxiety disorders. However, it is less clear which of the specific DSM-IV anxiety disorders occur most in this population. The present study used meta-analytic techniques to help clarify this issue. A systematic review of the literature identified 31 studies involving 2,121 young people (aged <18 years) with ASD, and where the presence of anxiety disorder was assessed using standardized questionnaires or diagnostic interviews. Across studies, 39.6% of young people with ASD had at least one comorbid DSM-IV anxiety disorder, the most frequent being specific phobia (29.8%) followed by OCD (17.4%) and social anxiety disorder (16.6%). Associations were found between the specific anxiety disorders and ASD subtype, age, IQ, and assessment method (questionnaire versus interview). Implications for the identification and treatment of anxiety in young people with ASD are discussed.     

Perfectionism and Cognitive Factors in Distress and Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents: Introduction to the Special Issue

The current article provides an overview of the papers in this special issue on the role of perfectionism in distress and dysfunction among children and adolescents. To our knowledge, this is the first special issue that is focused specifically on the nature and role of perfectionism in maladjustment among children and adolescents. Themes explored in the papers in this special issue include the relevance of a multidimensional approach when studying perfectionism in children and youth, the association between perfectionism and indices of dysfunctional cognitive and self-evaluative processes, and the role of perfectionism in maladaptive coping and self-regulation. Another key theme addressed is the potential usefulness of cognitive-behavioral interventions for perfectionistic children and adolescents at risk for anxiety and depression. In addition to introducing the papers in the special issue, we provide an overview of the historical antecedents of past research and theory that highlights the role of perfectionism in developmental psychopathology. Case studies illustrating dysfunctional perfectionism in children and adolescents are also provided.     

Psychosocial Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Gastrointestinal Complaints and Disorders

The current study examined the prevalence and presentation of psychosocial symptoms in pediatric patients and their parents presenting for first time appointments at a gastroenterology (GI) clinic compared to healthy controls (HC). One hundred GI patients, aged 8-17 years, and their mothers were compared to 100 age- and gender-matched HC on measures of child and parental behavioral/psychosocial functioning, depression, and anxiety. Results revealed significant correlations between mother- and child-reported internalizing behaviors and psychological symptoms. Significant group differences were observed in internalizing problems, adaptive and social skills, and leadership competency, as well as parental interpersonal sensitivity, depression, phobic anxiety, and number of psychological symptoms. GI patients are at increased risk for psychosocial and social dysfunction compared to healthy peers. Psychosocial factors should be considered when assessing patients in GI clinics. Patients might benefit from treatment plans that involve adjunctive behavioral intervention to assist patients in managing their conditions.     

Comorbid ADHD: Implications for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Despite high comorbidity rates and potential clinical implications, the influence of co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on outcomes of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for anxious youth remains poorly understood. In this qualitative review, the current literature on the influence of comorbid ADHD on CBT of youth with diverse anxiety disorders is explored. Peer-reviewed studies examining ADHD, at the diagnostic and symptom level, received highest priority. In addition, inasmuch as some studies did not isolate the effects of ADHD from other disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs: oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders), studies with the three DBDs were explored as well. Ten studies met our specified methodological criteria. Findings are discussed in relation to the following two factors: type of anxiety disorder and measurement of ADHD (diagnostic or symptom level) in these studies. There was evidence that youth with a variety of anxiety disorders and with co-occurring ADHD fared worse than their counterparts without ADHD. Additionally, grouping ADHD with other DBDs tended to obscure the negative impact of ADHD on treatment outcomes. Additional research is needed to delineate the influence of comorbid ADHD specifically on treatment outcomes for the various anxiety disorders. Clinical implications of treating anxious youth with comorbid ADHD are explored.     

Associations Among Anxiety Disorders and Non-anxiety Disorders,Functional Impairment and Medication in Children and Adolescents

This is a study of comorbid anxiety disorders and how they affect the clinical picture of comorbid cases. The sample consisted of 576 Spanish children aged 8 to 17 years receiving psychiatric outpatient consultation that were evaluated using a semi-structured diagnostic interview for both parents and children. A specific association of homotypic comorbidity among anxiety disorders that was independent of the presence of other disorders was found. There was heterotypic comorbidity between anxiety and depressive disorders, ADHD, anorexia and tic disorders. Relationships between non-anxiety disorders were, in general, independent of anxiety, but anxiety moderated the relationship between ADHD-Conduct disorder and Conduct disorder-enuresis. Comorbid anxiety increased difficulties in social interaction, was related with higher global impairment and had an impact on consultation and medication. Anxiety disorder comorbidity should be well recognized in order not to disregard the treatment of all present disorders.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on Selected New Developments in Military Enlistment Testing

This article provides a brief discussion of the historical context for the major recent advances in enlisted selection and classification that are the subject of this special issue. By providing a perspective on the difficulty personality assessment has had gaining traction as a screening measure, it supplies a basis for understanding the significance of recent advances in personality measurement. This article also summarizes the military research on interest measurement that will receive more extended treatment later in this issue. It relates the work in this issue on new information technology testing to the role of information testing in the current military operational selection and classification test battery, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), and discusses the background for 2 additional cognitive measures, Coding Speed and Assembling Objects. Finally, it previews issues to be discussed in the commentary article at the end of this issue.     

儿童和少年情绪障碍相关社会心理因素探讨

儿童和少年情绪障碍是一组由家庭环境因素、认知倾向和个性心理等多种社会心理因素共同作用、相互影响的疾病.家庭是一个系统,对儿童和少年的心理和行为的塑造存在影响.家庭环境和个性因素是以认知倾向为中介产生对情绪的影响,家庭环境因素又影响了认知倾向的形成和个性的发展.从以上三个方面进行探讨,旨在为儿童和少年情绪障碍者的心理干预提供科学的理论依据.     

儿童和少年情绪障碍相关社会心理因素探讨

儿童和少年情绪障碍是一组由家庭环境因素、认知倾向和个性心理等多种社会心理因素共同作用、相互影响的疾病。家庭是一个系统,对儿童和少年的心理和行为的塑造存在影响。家庭环境和个性因素是以认知倾向为中介产生对情绪的影响,家庭环境因素又影响了认知倾向的形成和个性的发展。从以上三个方面进行探讨,旨在为儿童和少年情绪障碍者的心理干预提供科学的理论依据。     

Introduction to the Special Issue

The authors introduce the special issue of the Journal of Counseling & Development on “Integrating the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies Into Practice, Research, and Advocacy.” They first discuss the rationale and importance of the special issue, as well as the transformative opportunities that the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts, Singh, Nassar-McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2015) have to influence counseling and the broader helping professions. Then they provide an overview the special issue articles and their respective contributions. They conclude by explicating the challenges and opportunities in integrating and implementing the MSJCC into counseling practice, research, and advocacy.