Migration, family dysfunction and psychotic symptoms in children and adolescents.

A cross-sectional study of 3426 referred children and adolescents showed that the presence of both migration history and family dysfunction was associated with a fourfold (95% CI 2-9) higher risk of psychotic symptoms compared with the absence of these factors. The relative risk was 2 (95% CI 1-4) for migration history only. Interaction between migration history and family dysfunction accounted for 58% (95% CI 5-91%) of those with psychotic symptoms.

Pituitary-adrenal function in adolescent psychiatric patients: impact of depressive symptoms.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether depressive symptoms affect pituitary-adrenal function in adolescents, as they do in adults.

Methods: Salivary cortisol was measured before and after physical exercise in 23 hospitalized adolescent psychiatric patients and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in a placebo-controlled design. In patients, cortisol profiles were assessed from 08:00 to 20:00 h before and after administration of low doses of dexamethasone or the natural steroid hydrocortisone.

Depressive and anxiety disorders in adolescence: a follow-up study of adolescents with school refusal.

Twenty-five adolescents referred to an outpatient clinic because of school refusal in 1985-1986 were followed up after an average of 5 years. DSM-III diagnoses and scores on the Maudsley Symptom Checklist were obtained at initial contact and a follow-up. At follow-up, information was also gathered on psychosocial adjustment, and subjects completed self-ratings of anxiety and depression.