The Canadian child and adolescent psychiatry review = La revue canadienne de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent最新文献

Introduction: This article provides an overview of the basic principles guiding research on brain-behaviour relationships in general, and as applied to studies of aggression during human development in particular.

Method: Key literature on magnetic resonance imaging of the structure and function of a developing brain was reviewed.

Results: The article begins with a brief introduction to the methodology of techniques used to map the developing brain, with a special emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It then reviews briefly the current knowledge of structural maturation, assessed by MRI, of the human brain during childhood and adolescence. The last part describes some of the results of neuroimaging studies aimed at identifying neural circuits involved in various aspects of aggression and social cognition.

Conclusion: The article concludes by discussing the potential and limitations of the neuroimaging approach in this field.

Aggression, antisocial and delinquent behavior frequently result in the incarceration of a large number of young people, but these problems pale in comparison to the mental health challenges faced by many of these youth. Recent studies show a high prevalence of mental disorders among adolescents within the justice system. These findings have led researchers, clinicians and policy-makers to re-evaluate the assessment and treatment options that are available for youth within correctional facilities. This article provides a concise review of the most recent research related to mental health disorders among incarcerated juveniles within Canada and the United States. Rates of some of the most common mental health disorders among juveniles, including depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity and substance use are summarized. Throughout the review, issues related to co-morbidity and gender differences are highlighted. The implications of mental health disorders for juvenile justice policy and practice are discussed.

Introduction: Over the past two decades, rates of aggressive behavior have increased disproportionately for girls as compared to boys. However research on aggressive and violent behavior has focused primarily on boys and consequently we know relatively little about what places girls at risk, what protects them, and how those who become involved in aggressive behavior navigate a path toward adulthood.

Method: In this paper we review recent trends on girls' involvement in aggressive behavior, briefly discuss risk and protective factors, and summarize current thinking on developmental trajectories.

Results: Although much progress has been made in the past decade, we still know relatively little about the pathways, causes and correlates of aggressive behavior in girls and young women.

Discussion: We emphasize the need for research that is guided by developmental theory and an appreciation of the complex interplay of risk and protective factors over the course of development.

Introduction: This review explores the meaning and origins of aggression in early years. Eight pathways to aggression with origins in early childhood are suggested. These include: the contribution of individual factors; the effects of disturbed family dynamics; parental characteristics and parenting practices; the impact of exposure to violence and the influence of attachment relationships. Other influences such as: aggression relating to psychiatric/medical syndromes; the influence of neurodevelopment pathways and psychodynamic explanations, such as aggressive behavior in relation to mothers' reflective capacity are also discussed.

Conclusion: While several routes to aggression have been proposed, no single factor is sufficient to explain the development of aggressive behavior. Longitudinal studies are sorely needed to observe aggressive behavior in children and to monitor their developmental trajectories.

Introduction: Ontario's mental health practitioners strive to provide the best services for the most children and youth in the face of limited resources and increasing demand.

Method: To do this efficiently and ethically necessitates identifying those at greatest risk, determining which services are most effective for a variety of children, and demonstrating improved functioning post-treatment. Standardized screening can assist in triaging those at greatest risk and outcome measurement can demonstrate improvement and treatment effectiveness.

Results: To this end, Ontario has initiated systematic screening and outcome measurement for children ages 6 to 17 years receiving mental health services in selected hospital-based and community organizations.

Conclusion: Standardized screening and outcome tools are key building blocks for improving the quality of service and promoting the use of evidence-based practices across the system. The lessons learned to date suggest there is a need to build individual and organizational readiness for change, to improve the state of technological literacy and infrastructure across the sector, and to improve the exchange of knowledge among stakeholders regarding the clinical benefits of the toolsand the data they will produce regarding the state of children and youth receiving mental health service in Ontario.

Introduction: This article presents an overview of literature on the psychiatric sequelae of institutionalization from an attachment perspective in children adopted from Romanian Orphanages.

Method: We compare the psychiatric presentations of Romanian Canadian adoptees to same age Romanian adoptees within Romania.

Results: 10 Canadian and 24 Romanian cases were combined to form a composite of a number of adolescents presenting to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Division in Cluj Napoca, Romania and in Kingston, Canada.

Conclusion: Early institutionalization in conditions of neglect and deprivation has a major impact on subsequent biopsychosocial development of children whether they are adopted in Canada or in Romania.