Fiona Arney

Validity of DSM-IV ADHD Subtypes in a Nationally Representative Sample of Australian Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the discriminant validity of DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes in a nationally representative sample of Australian youths. Method The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, including the symptom-specific impairment questions, was administered to 3,597 parents of children aged 6 to 17 years (response rate=70%). Parents also completed questionnaires assessing childrens emotional and behavioral problems and quality of life. Results Current DSM-IV ADHD prevalence was 7.5% (6.8% with impairment) with inattentive types being more common than hyperactive-impulsive and combined types. ADHD was more prevalent among young males and was linked to social adversity, particularly for combined types. Compared with non-ADHD controls, all three ADHD subtypes were rated as having more emotional and behavioral problems and lower psychosocial quality of life, with combined types consistently rated the most impaired. Combined types received higher ratings than hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive types on externalizing behavior problems, disruption to family activities, and symptom-specific impairments with schoolwork and peer-related activities. Inattentive types were rated as having lower self-esteem, more social and school-related problems, but fewer externalizing problems than hyperactive-impulsive types. Conclusion These findings support the view of DSM-IV ADHD subtypes as distinct clinical entities with impairments in multiple domains.

The reliability and validity of the Parenting Scale for Australian mothers of preschool-aged children

Abstract The aims of this paper were to examine the psychometric properties of the Parenting Scale in an Australian sample and to provide normative data on this scale for Australian mothers of preschool-aged children. The total sample included 1,656 mothers of children attending randomly selected preschools and mothers attending parenting groups. Principal components analysis of the Parenting Scale items supported the original three-factor structure described by the scales authors. Consistent with previous research, the Laxness and Overreactivity subscales demonstrated high levels of reliability and validity, whereas the Verbosity subscale did not. Specifically, the Overreactivity and Laxness subscales demonstrated high internal consistency, criterion validity and correlated significantly with measures of child behaviour. Whereas, scores on the Verbosity subscale demonstrated low internal consistency, did not differentiate between the two samples in the study, and had small, nonsignificant correlations w...

Integrating strategies for delivering evidence-informed practice

The need for policy and practice to be informed by a high quality evidence-base has been widely recognised. However, there are many barriers to overcome in order to realise this goal. This paper describes a conceptual framework for understanding the drivers of policy and practice in the child and family welfare sectors and profiles strategies being employed across Australia to facilitate evidence-informed practice.

The Planets Aligned: Is Child Protection Policy Reform Good Luck or Good Management?

Abstract Governments across Australia are struggling to address escalating child protection notifications, a marked increase in the number of children in State care, a decrease in the number of foster carers and chronic workforce shortages in child welfare services. This paper explores the reform process that culminated in the proclamation of the Victorian Children, Youth and Families Act, 2005 and represents an aspect of the response in Victoria to these wider issues. It explores the history of the reform from the perspective of key actors from government, non-government sectors and academics who participated in the process. The paper explores the “ingredients of social policy reform” and how the change process was managed in Victoria. It does not seek to evaluate the reform but rather to understand the complex processes through which a propitious moment for reform was both seized and constructed.

The impacts of institutional child sexual abuse: A rapid review of the evidence

While awareness of institutional child sexual abuse has grown in recent years, there remains limited understanding of its occurrence and outcomes as a distinct form of abuse. Drawing on research commissioned by the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, this article presents a rapid review of available evidence on the impacts of institutional abuse on victim/survivors. Literature searches identified 75 sources spanning international peer reviewed work and reports to Government that document or quantify the impacts of mostly historical child sexual abuse occurring in religious, educational, sporting and residential or out-of-home care settings. Consistent with child sexual abuse in other contexts, institutional child sexual abuse is found to be associated with numerous, pervasive and connected impacts upon the psychological, physical, social, educative and economic wellbeing of victims/survivors. Further, institutional child sexual abuse is associated with vicarious trauma at the individual, family and community level, and with impacts to the spiritual wellbeing of victims/survivors of abuse that occurs in religious settings. The identified literature suggests the trauma of institutional child sexual abuse may be exacerbated by the interplay of abuse dynamics in institutional settings, which may reduce or impede circumstances supporting disclosure, belief, support and protection from future harm. Acknowledging the limitations of the present study and the available evidence, this narrative synthesis provides insights into the complex impacts of institutional child sexual abuse.

The role of research in child protection policy reform: a case study of South Australia

Abstract Governments across Australia are struggling to address escalating child protection notifications, increasing numbers of children in state care, decreasing numbers of foster carers and chronic child welfare workforce shortages. The complex social problem of child abuse and neglect has a high media profile, and policy reform in such a politicised domain poses many challenges. What role does research play in the process of child protection policy development? Using recent child protection reform in South Australia as a case study, this paper analyses primary documentary sources and in-depth interviews with key actors to explore this issue.

Continuity, Engagement and Integration: Early Intervention in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities

ABSTRACT Over the last decade there has been at best limited implementation of preventive interventions for vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families in remote communities of northern Australia despite growing involvement in the child protection system. This paper describes challenges for services seeking to engage parents who are subject to child protection measures. Brief case studies from an early intervention program in a remote community illustrate that responsiveness and continuity of engagement of parents over time is a necessary basis for an integrated approach to meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families in very remote settings.

Wie lässt sich das Resilienzkonzept bei gefährdeten Kindern einsetzen

Es besteht intensives Interesse an Resilienz als Konzept zur Interventionssteuerung bei Kindern, die durch sch wierige Lebensumstande gehen mussten oder bei denen erkennbar die Personlich keitsentwick lung gefahrdet ist. Luthars (1999) Ruck blick auf funf Jahrzehnte Resilienzforsch ung und ihre Synthese der Ergebnisse zeigen, dass heute weniger die Frage, was uberhaupt Resilienz ist, im Vordergrund steht, sondern eher die Sich erung inzwisch en gewonnener Erkenntnisse, die sich zum Nutzen missbrauch ter und vernach lassigter Kinder praktisch einsetzen lassen.