Obsessive beliefs and subtypes of obsessive-compulsive symptoms amongst immigrant children and early adolescents

Abstract

Background. Vulnerability factors for obsessive-compulsive (OC) features in immigrant youth are under-studied. The migration process can have a highly stressful impact on the psychological wellbeing of the individual and it may represent a precipitating factor for different forms of psychopathology. Little is known about the occurrence of OC traits. Unlike other European countries, immigration to Italy is a recent phenomenon. In community children/early adolescents, this study compared OC general symptoms/subtypes and vulnerability cognitive factors amongst Italian natives, first- and second-generation immigrants, and examined whether such vulnerability factors moderate the relation between immigrant status and OC symptoms/subtypes, beyond socio-demographic/clinical variables. Methods. Two hundred sixty-eight children/early adolescents (99 natives, 82 and 87 first- and second-generation immigrants respectively) completed the Obsessive Belief Questionnaire-Child Version, Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version, Spence’s Children Anxiety Scale, Children’s Depression Inventory.Results. As compared with the other groups, first-generation immigrants had the highest levels of perfectionism and threat overestimation. Both first- and second-generation immigrants had higher doubting – checking traits than natives. First-generation immigrants with higher threat overestimation showed lower obsessing traits. Conclusions. Community screening programs for OC features should consider immigrant youth as a vulnerable group and, potentially, the target of an early intervention.

Needs, gaps and opportunities for standard and e-mental health care among at-risk populations in the Asia Pacific in the context of COVID-19: a rapid scoping review

“…Li et al (2020) [ 95 ] Letter Children and youth Hong Kong McGee et al (2020) [ 96 ] Recommendations People with disabilities, chronic or pre-existing conditions United States Misra et al (2020) [ 97 ] Commentary Black, Indigenous and People of Colour United States N.N.R. Lima et al (2020) [ 98 ] Letter People experiencing homelessness Global Nie et al (2020) [ 99 ] Cross-sectional study COVID-19 patients Wuhan, China Novacek et al (2020) [ 100 ] Recommendations Black, Indigenous and People of Colour United States Pachana et al (2020) [ 101 ] Commentary Older adults Australia Pozza et al (2020) [ 102 ] Perspective People living with MNS disorders Global Price (2020) [ 103 ] Cross-sectional study People living with MNS disorders Canada Prime et al (2020) [ 104 ] Review Children and youth Global Rodgers et al (2020) [ 105 ] Commentary People living with MNS disorders Global Rothstein and Olympia (2020) [ …”

“…Papers on people living with existing MNS disorders (Table 3 ) cover a diverse spectrum of MNS conditions, including common mental disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD) [ 57 , 6 ], Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [ 20 ], eating disorders [ 21 , 21 , 23 ], obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) [ 23 ], severe mental illness including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder [ 23 , 23 , 29 , 43 , 43 , 45 , 45 , 46 , 46 , 52 ], substance use disorders [ 54 , 59 , 60 ], epilepsy [ 61 ], behavioural addictions (e.g. gambling [ 61 ], gaming disorder [ 63 ], chronic insomnia [ 66 ], intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) including autism [ 71 ], and suicide risk [ 75 , 76 , 77 , 79 ], in addition to general considerations for mental health responses to COVID-19 [ 81 , 82 , 83 , 83 , 84 , 89 , 102 , 103 ]. A majority of papers describe considerations for general adult populations, while some focus on children and youth [ 105 , 113 , 121 , 123 , 128 ] and older adults [ 144 , 150 ].…”

“…In China, for example, hospitals took steps to implement rotations and shifts that allowed HCWs time away from high-risk wards enabling them to spend time with family and friends [ 62 ]. For people with existing MNS disorders, enhanced support by community, family and friends was described as essential [ 60 , 102 , 113 , 128 ]. Among people who have had COVID-19, efforts to reduce discrimination and increase social support were also recommended [ 41 ].…”