Well-established psychological theories indicate that interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being are linked in fundamental ways (Coyne, 1976; Sullivan, 1953). Indeed, difficulties in close relationships can contribute to emotional adjustment problems, and emotional problems can adversely affect close relationships. Moreover, different close relationships are especially significant in terms of development and adjustment at different stages of the life span. The current review focuses on childhood and adolescence, developmental stages at which friendships are particularly important. This article presents the results of 16 meta-analyses including 589 unique effects from 233 studies that examine concurrent and longitudinal associations between youths’ friendship experiences (number of friends, positive friendship quality, negative friendship quality) and their emotional adjustment (depressive symptoms and loneliness). Studies examining these associations are mixed in regard to whether significant effects emerge. The current research synthesis provides more stable estimates of the effects. In fact, relatively small but significant concurrent and longitudinal associations emerged between the 3 indices of friendship with depressive symptoms and loneliness. The results also suggest that friendship experiences may be more closely linked with loneliness than depressive symptoms and that negative friendship quality may be related to friendship experiences more strongly than number of friends or positive friendship quality. Interestingly, some of the relations were found to be stronger for younger youth. Implications for prevention and intervention efforts are discussed.

Latino immigrants underutilize mental health treatment services compared with other ethnic groups, despite rates of mental illness that are comparable with those observed among the general population. With regard to suicidal behavior specifically, twice as many Latino suicide attempters do not seek or receive psychiatric services in the year prior to attempting suicide compared with non-Latino White attempters. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether provision of brief, passive psychoeducation in the form of a brochure could increase suicide literacy (i.e., recognizing suicidal behavior, understanding risk factors and causes of suicidal behavior), reduce stigma toward suicidal behavior, and facilitate more positive attitudes toward help-seeking among a population of first-generation Latino immigrants. We hypothesized the participants randomly assigned to the experimental group receiving psychoeducation regarding suicide would demonstrate greater suicide literacy, less suicide stigma, and more positive attitudes toward help-seeking than participants randomly assigned to the control group receiving psychoeducation about exercise. Results revealed that although psychoeducation did significantly increase suicide literacy, it was not effective at changing stigmatizing attitudes toward suicidal individuals or improving attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. However, lower levels of stigma were associated with more positive attitudes toward seeking help. These findings support the potential for a brief educational intervention to increase literacy among this population, but raise questions about how to effectively reduce stigma and improve attitudes toward treatment-seeking.

Integration of behavioral health specialists trained in suicide risk assessment and management could be important for improving suicide prevention in primary care patients. This condensed review of the evidence serves as a resource for practitioners who are hoping to implement brief, effective interventions for suicide risk to better serve their patients. (PsycINFO Database Record

This study examined the feasibility and outcomes of a training designed to enhance pediatric residents’ trauma-informed practices in primary care. Paired samples t tests examined changes in 33 residents’ attitudes, perceived competence, and perceived barriers toward trauma-informed care after a 2-hour training. Fisher’s exact tests measured changes in residents’ screening and referral behaviors. A subsample (n = 9) of residents were interviewed about the training. Residents reported increases in favorable attitudes ( P = .065) and perceived competence ( P < .001) and decreases in perceived barriers ( P = .001 to .521) to implementing trauma-informed care practices. Chart reviews revealed a significant increase in completed trauma screens (0% to 8.0%, P < .001) but no difference in referrals for psychology/psychiatry services (1.9% to 4.2%, P = .200). Residents reported finding the training helpful. Although residents were willing and understood the utility of assessing for trauma, they faced substantial barriers.

Telehealth services can address many barriers to traditional office-based mental health services. Few studies have assessed youth and caregiver perceptions of and satisfaction with trauma-focused interventions delivered via telemental health. The present study reports data collected using the Telehealth Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ), which was developed to measure child and caregiver satisfaction with services, comfort with the telehealth equipment, and barriers to traditional office-based services. Thirteen clinicians delivered home-and school-based Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) via videoconferencing on tablets and computers to 60 child patients (71.7% Latinx, 18.3% Black, and 10.0% non-Hispanic White). Patients and caregivers completed the TSQ at treatment discharge via telephone, videoconferencing, or in-person interviews. There was a high level of satisfaction among patients and caregivers receiving TF-CBT via telemental health. Furthermore, most youth and caregivers felt comfortable using the telehealth equipment from the outset of therapy, and all participants who were not initially comfortable using the equipment reported feeling more comfortable over time. The most common barriers to traditional office-based services were caregiver work schedule (57.7%), distance to mental health clinic (55.8%), and lack of transportation (44.2%). Patients and caregivers expressed a preference for telemental health services if given the option between receiving therapy via videoconferencing versus going to an office-based clinic. Findings indicated telemental health treatment addressed barriers that would have otherwise prevented families from accessing office-based services. The TSQ can be used to help clinics and providers assess patient and caregiver satisfaction with telehealth services in various settings. Impact StatementThis study presents findings from the use of a new satisfaction survey that can be used by clinicians to assess satisfaction with telemental health services delivered via videoconferencing. High levels of satisfaction and comfort were demonstrated among youth and their caregivers who used tablets and laptops to connect to their clinicians for trauma-focused therapy. Many of the families in this study reported that they experienced barriers to traditional office-based services, which telehealth can help address.