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Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Cohort profile: The China Emotional Development Cohort of Adolescents (CED-A)
Jiangnan Li1, Xueping Gao2, Gongkai Jiao3
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Purpose:
The China Emotional Development Cohort of Adolescents (CED-A) is a nationwide prospective cohort study designed to explore the developmental trajectories of emotional problems during adolescence, as well as to examine the impact of contemporary environmental factors and gene-environment interactions.
Methods:
The baseline survey was conducted between December 2023 and January 2025. A total of 15,299 participants were recruited from 8 provinces, including students in Grade One of junior and senior high schools, aged 12-13 and 15-16 years, respectively. Follow-up will be conducted over a period of 3 years, with data collection occurring once each semester, through in-class questionnaires. The dataset includes information on multi-dimensional environmental factors collected annually, as well as assessments of depression and anxiety symptoms conducted biannually. A composite approach using multiple validated scales was applied to enhance the accuracy of screening for these emotional problems. Saliva samples were also collected at baseline for genomic analysis. The first wave of follow-up is currently ongoing, with an anticipated rate of loss to follow-up to be less than 10%.
Results:
Initial analyses using a composite assessment approach revealed the overall prevalence of 16.2% for depression and 11.5% for anxiety symptoms in Chinese adolescents.
Conclusion:
This national cohort study will provide important insights regarding longitudinal mechanisms of mental health in Chinese adolescents, as well as early risks for emotional problems by utilizing integrated environmental and biological data. The findings will inform the improvement of targeted screening and prevention strategies.
Trial Registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, TRN: ChiCTR2400086974, Registration date: 16 July 2024.
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