This article reviews the literature on modifiable factors associated with mental health in siblings of children with chronic illness. Three clinical databases were searched. A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Several key themes emerged from the review. Better sibling mental health was associated with camp attendance, perceived parent/peer support, illness education and enhancing control through cognitive coping strategies and routine. Parental and sibling psychoeducation interventions and social support may enhance children's mental health when their sibling has a chronic illness.

We aimed to systematically review current literature on temporal relationships between psychological factors and subsequent adiposity gain and obesity onset within childhood/adolescence. Databases were searched for longitudinal, population-based studies assessing psychological predictors and adiposity-related outcomes ≥ 1 year later. Study characteristics were synthesised into descriptive Tables and quality evaluated. Fifteen papers met inclusion criteria. Predictors broadly related to psychological symptoms or self-esteem. Evidence was mixed as to whether depressive symptoms and other negative emotional states may increase risk for adiposity gain and obesity onset within adolescence. There was some evidence for low self-esteem predicting obesity onset. Among obese adolescents, depressive symptoms exacerbated obesity, while physical appearance self-esteem exerted gender-specific adiposity changes. The literature had substantial limitations and inconsistencies. This review provides some support for psychological components in obesity prevention/intervention programs as part of a multifactorial approach to tackling childhood obesity. Further good-quality longitudinal research would strengthen the sparse literature and clarify inconsistencies.

This measure of mental health competence shows promise as a population-level indicator with the potential benefit of informing and evaluating evidence-based public health intervention strategies that promote positive mental health.

This article used a biopsychosocial and ecological systems approach to understanding predictors of pain problems during the transition to adolescence within a nationally representative community-based cohort. Sleep difficulties at 10 to 11 years uniquely predicted pain at ages 12 to 13 years, suggesting that early intervention using sleep interventions may be a promising direction for future research.

Mental health competence is unequally distributed across the Australian child population at school entry and is strongly predicted by measures and correlates of disadvantage. Effective oral communication and attendance at preschool warrant further investigation as potentially modifiable factors that may support mental health competence in new school entrants.