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Self-directedness and cooperativeness, psychosocial dysfunction and suffering in ESSENCE

Danilo Garcia1, Henrik Anckarsäter, Sebastian Lundström

  • 1Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health CELAM, University of Gothenburg, Wallinsgatan 8, Mölndal, 431 41 Gothenburg, Sweden. danilo.garcia@neuro.gu.se

Thescientificworldjournal
|May 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations (ESSENCE) are linked to lower self-direction and cooperation in children. These findings suggest new therapeutic approaches for child psychiatry.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations (ESSENCE) often involve multiple impairments requiring specialized care.
  • ESSENCE impacts children seeking clinical treatment, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of associated factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the population-level relationship between ESSENCE and key predictors of health: Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness.
  • To examine the association between ESSENCE and indicators of dysfunction and suffering in children.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based twin study (N=1892) utilized parent interviews with the Autism-Tics, ADHD and other Comorbidities inventory (A-TAC) and Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (J-TCI).
  • The A-TAC identified ESSENCE-related diagnoses (autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental coordination disorder) and quantified social dysfunction and suffering.

Main Results:

  • ESSENCE symptoms showed a continuous and categorical association with deficits in Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness.
  • Children with ESSENCE symptoms reported higher levels of dysfunction and suffering, with severe impacts in 2% and milder impacts in 16% of the cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic interventions targeting Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness may offer a novel approach for managing ESSENCE in child psychiatry.
  • Understanding the interplay between ESSENCE, personality traits, and functional outcomes is crucial for effective pediatric care.
Abstract

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