Predictors of Environmental Sensitivity in Syrian refugee children / Andrew K. MAY in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 66-11 (November 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 66-11 (November 2025) . - p.1688-1702 Titre : Predictors of Environmental Sensitivity in Syrian refugee children Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Andrew K. MAY, Auteur ; Demelza SMEETH, Auteur ; Fiona S. MCEWEN, Auteur ; Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1688-1702 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Environmental Sensitivity  predictors  refugees  children  Syria Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Although more prone to psychopathology on average, refugee children differ in their response to adversity. Growing evidence attributes some of these individual differences to varying levels of Environmental Sensitivity ? the extent to which children perceive and process contextual influences. However, there is limited knowledge of how Environmental Sensitivity is developmentally influenced, particularly in the refugee setting. Methods Here, we investigated whether individual-, family- and community-level predictors (psychosocial and genetic) were associated with self-reported Environmental Sensitivity and its subscales (measured using the 12-item Highly Sensitive Child Scale). Participants were a subsample (n?=?1,409) from a cohort of Syrian refugee children and their biological mothers, recruited from informal tented settlements in Lebanon. Multivariate adaptive regression spline models were fitted to identify the best selection from over 40 available predictors. Results Twelve predictors of Environmental Sensitivity emerged, with the five most commonly selected being maternal behavioural control, human insecurity, positive home experiences, maternal anxiety and child-reported child abuse, the latter three of which were also suggested to predict changes in sensitivity over a 12-month period. Some predictors such as maternal PTSD, war exposure and bullying showed a non-linear, V-shape relationship with sensitivity. All effect sizes, however, were small. Conclusions Our findings suggest that both highly supportive and highly adverse contextual factors associate with greater childhood Environmental Sensitivity, in line with current theorising. Despite previous suggestive evidence, we did not find that polygenic scores for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder predicted sensitivity. Further research into predictors of Environmental Sensitivity is encouraged, as this may help with improved assessment of the trait in children. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14178 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=571 [article] Predictors of Environmental Sensitivity in Syrian refugee children [texte imprimé] / Andrew K. MAY, Auteur ; Demelza SMEETH, Auteur ; Fiona S. MCEWEN, Auteur ; Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur . - p.1688-1702. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 66-11 (November 2025) . - p.1688-1702 Mots-clés : Environmental Sensitivity  predictors  refugees  children  Syria Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Although more prone to psychopathology on average, refugee children differ in their response to adversity. Growing evidence attributes some of these individual differences to varying levels of Environmental Sensitivity ? the extent to which children perceive and process contextual influences. However, there is limited knowledge of how Environmental Sensitivity is developmentally influenced, particularly in the refugee setting. Methods Here, we investigated whether individual-, family- and community-level predictors (psychosocial and genetic) were associated with self-reported Environmental Sensitivity and its subscales (measured using the 12-item Highly Sensitive Child Scale). Participants were a subsample (n?=?1,409) from a cohort of Syrian refugee children and their biological mothers, recruited from informal tented settlements in Lebanon. Multivariate adaptive regression spline models were fitted to identify the best selection from over 40 available predictors. Results Twelve predictors of Environmental Sensitivity emerged, with the five most commonly selected being maternal behavioural control, human insecurity, positive home experiences, maternal anxiety and child-reported child abuse, the latter three of which were also suggested to predict changes in sensitivity over a 12-month period. Some predictors such as maternal PTSD, war exposure and bullying showed a non-linear, V-shape relationship with sensitivity. All effect sizes, however, were small. Conclusions Our findings suggest that both highly supportive and highly adverse contextual factors associate with greater childhood Environmental Sensitivity, in line with current theorising. Despite previous suggestive evidence, we did not find that polygenic scores for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder predicted sensitivity. Further research into predictors of Environmental Sensitivity is encouraged, as this may help with improved assessment of the trait in children. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14178 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=571

Predictors of psychological risk and resilience among Syrian refugee children / Cassandra M. POPHAM in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 64-1 (January 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 64-1 (January 2023) . - p.91-99 Titre : Predictors of psychological risk and resilience among Syrian refugee children Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Cassandra M. POPHAM, Auteur ; Fiona S. MCEWEN, Auteur ; Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; John FAYYAD, Auteur ; Georges KARAM, Auteur ; Dahlia SAAB, Auteur ; Patricia MOGHAMES, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.91-99 Langues : Anglais (eng) Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Objectives War-exposed refugee children are at elevated risk for mental health problems, but a notable proportion appear resilient. We aimed to investigate the proportion of Syrian refugee children who can be considered resilient, and applied a novel approach to identify factors predicting individual differences in mental health outcomes following war exposure. Methods The sample included 1,528 war-exposed Syrian refugee children and their primary caregiver living in refugee settlements in Lebanon. Children were classed as having low symptoms (LS) if they scored below clinically validated cut-offs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and externalising behaviour problems. Children scoring above any cut-off were classified as having high symptoms (HS). Each LS child was matched with one HS who reported similar war exposure, to test what differentiates children with similar exposures but different outcomes. Results 19.3% of the children met our resilience criteria and were considered LS. At the individual level, protective traits (e.g. self-esteem; OR=1.51, 95% CI [1.25, 1.81]) predicted LS classification, while environmental sensitivity (OR=0.69, 95% CI [0.59, 0.82]), poorer general health (OR=0.71, 95% CI [0.58, 0.87]) and specific coping strategies (e.g. avoidance; OR=0.90, 95% CI [0.85, 0.96]) predicted HS classification. Social/environmental predictors included perceived social support (OR=1.23, 95% CI [1.02, 1.49]), loneliness and social isolation (OR=0.85, 95% CI [0.80, 0.90]), child maltreatment (OR=0.96, 95% CI [0.94, 0.97]), and caregiver mental and general health (e.g. caregiver depression; OR=0.94, 95% CI [0.92, 0.97]). Conclusions Future research should take multiple dimensions of functioning into account when defining risk for mental health problems and consider the identified predictors as potential targets for interventions. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13670 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=490 [article] Predictors of psychological risk and resilience among Syrian refugee children [texte imprimé] / Cassandra M. POPHAM, Auteur ; Fiona S. MCEWEN, Auteur ; Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; John FAYYAD, Auteur ; Georges KARAM, Auteur ; Dahlia SAAB, Auteur ; Patricia MOGHAMES, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur . - p.91-99. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 64-1 (January 2023) . - p.91-99 Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Objectives War-exposed refugee children are at elevated risk for mental health problems, but a notable proportion appear resilient. We aimed to investigate the proportion of Syrian refugee children who can be considered resilient, and applied a novel approach to identify factors predicting individual differences in mental health outcomes following war exposure. Methods The sample included 1,528 war-exposed Syrian refugee children and their primary caregiver living in refugee settlements in Lebanon. Children were classed as having low symptoms (LS) if they scored below clinically validated cut-offs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and externalising behaviour problems. Children scoring above any cut-off were classified as having high symptoms (HS). Each LS child was matched with one HS who reported similar war exposure, to test what differentiates children with similar exposures but different outcomes. Results 19.3% of the children met our resilience criteria and were considered LS. At the individual level, protective traits (e.g. self-esteem; OR=1.51, 95% CI [1.25, 1.81]) predicted LS classification, while environmental sensitivity (OR=0.69, 95% CI [0.59, 0.82]), poorer general health (OR=0.71, 95% CI [0.58, 0.87]) and specific coping strategies (e.g. avoidance; OR=0.90, 95% CI [0.85, 0.96]) predicted HS classification. Social/environmental predictors included perceived social support (OR=1.23, 95% CI [1.02, 1.49]), loneliness and social isolation (OR=0.85, 95% CI [0.80, 0.90]), child maltreatment (OR=0.96, 95% CI [0.94, 0.97]), and caregiver mental and general health (e.g. caregiver depression; OR=0.94, 95% CI [0.92, 0.97]). Conclusions Future research should take multiple dimensions of functioning into account when defining risk for mental health problems and consider the identified predictors as potential targets for interventions. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13670 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=490

Risk and resilience in Syrian refugee children: A multisystem analysis / Elie G. KARAM ; Andrew K. MAY ; Michael PLUESS ; Michael J. RIEDER ; Demelza SMEETH ; Stan VAN UUM in Development and Psychopathology, 35-5 (December 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inDevelopment and Psychopathology > 35-5 (December 2023) . - p.2275-2287 Titre : Risk and resilience in Syrian refugee children: A multisystem analysis Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; Andrew K. MAY, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur ; Michael J. RIEDER, Auteur ; Demelza SMEETH, Auteur ; Stan VAN UUM, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2275-2287 Mots-clés : hair cortisol  mental health  polygenic scores  refugee children  resilience Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Refugee children are often exposed to substantial trauma, placing them at increased risk for mental illness. However, this risk can be mitigated by a capacity for resilience, conferred from multiple ecological systems (e.g., family, community), including at an individual biological level. We examined the ability of hair cortisol concentrations and polygenic scores for mental health to predict risk and resilience in a sample of Syrian refugee children (n = 1359). Children were categorized as either at-risk or resilient depending on clinical thresholds for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and externalizing behavior problems. Logistic regression was used to examine main and interacting effects while controlling for covariates. Elevated hair cortisol concentrations were significantly associated with reduced resilience (odds ratio (OR)=0.58, 95%CI [0.40, 0.83]) while controlling for levels of war exposure. Polygenic scores for depression, self-harm, and neuroticism were not found to have any significant main effects. However, a significant interaction emerged between hair cortisol and polygenic scores for depression (OR=0.04, 95%CI [0.003 0.47]), suggesting that children predisposed to depression were more at risk for mental health problems when hair cortisol concentrations were high. Our results suggest that biomarkers (separately and in combination) might support early identification of refugee children at risk for mental health problems. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000433 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=519 [article] Risk and resilience in Syrian refugee children: A multisystem analysis [texte imprimé] / Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; Andrew K. MAY, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur ; Michael J. RIEDER, Auteur ; Demelza SMEETH, Auteur ; Stan VAN UUM, Auteur . - p.2275-2287. in Development and Psychopathology > 35-5 (December 2023) . - p.2275-2287 Mots-clés : hair cortisol  mental health  polygenic scores  refugee children  resilience Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Refugee children are often exposed to substantial trauma, placing them at increased risk for mental illness. However, this risk can be mitigated by a capacity for resilience, conferred from multiple ecological systems (e.g., family, community), including at an individual biological level. We examined the ability of hair cortisol concentrations and polygenic scores for mental health to predict risk and resilience in a sample of Syrian refugee children (n = 1359). Children were categorized as either at-risk or resilient depending on clinical thresholds for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and externalizing behavior problems. Logistic regression was used to examine main and interacting effects while controlling for covariates. Elevated hair cortisol concentrations were significantly associated with reduced resilience (odds ratio (OR)=0.58, 95%CI [0.40, 0.83]) while controlling for levels of war exposure. Polygenic scores for depression, self-harm, and neuroticism were not found to have any significant main effects. However, a significant interaction emerged between hair cortisol and polygenic scores for depression (OR=0.04, 95%CI [0.003 0.47]), suggesting that children predisposed to depression were more at risk for mental health problems when hair cortisol concentrations were high. Our results suggest that biomarkers (separately and in combination) might support early identification of refugee children at risk for mental health problems. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000433 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=519

The role of environmental sensitivity in post-traumatic stress symptoms in Lebanese children and adolescents / Elie G. KARAM ; John FAYYAD ; Yuanyuan HUANG ; Dahlia SAAB ; Josleen AL BARATHIE ; Michael PLUESS in Development and Psychopathology, 37-1 (February 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inDevelopment and Psychopathology > 37-1 (February 2025) . - p.251-258 Titre : The role of environmental sensitivity in post-traumatic stress symptoms in Lebanese children and adolescents : Development and Psychopathology Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; John FAYYAD, Auteur ; Yuanyuan HUANG, Auteur ; Dahlia SAAB, Auteur ; Josleen AL BARATHIE, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.251-258 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : PTSD  childhood adversities  environmental sensitivity  positive home experiences  trauma Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Children differ substantially in their sensitivity to the quality of their environment. Some are more sensitive and more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in response to Childhood Adversities (CAs), but might also benefit more from Positive Home Experiences (PHE). The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Environmental Sensitivity (ES), CAs and PHEs in PTSD development in children and adolescents. Data was collected from N = 2,569 children/adolescents. PTSD symptoms, CAs, PHEs and ES were assessed with self-report measures. We found that higher ES and CAs emerged as risk factors for PTSD development whereas higher levels of PHEs protected against PTSD. ES moderated the effects of CAs (? = 1.08, p < .001) on PTSD symptoms in the total sample. This moderating effect was more pronounced in girls, suggesting that highly sensitive girls with high childhood adversities were more likely to have higher PTSD symptoms than girls with low levels of sensitivity (? = 1.09, p < .001). In conclusion, Environmental Sensitivity played an important role as a risk factor for PTSD and as a moderating factor that accentuated the main effects of childhood adversities, particularly in girls. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423001554 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=546 [article] The role of environmental sensitivity in post-traumatic stress symptoms in Lebanese children and adolescents : Development and Psychopathology [texte imprimé] / Elie G. KARAM, Auteur ; John FAYYAD, Auteur ; Yuanyuan HUANG, Auteur ; Dahlia SAAB, Auteur ; Josleen AL BARATHIE, Auteur ; Michael PLUESS, Auteur . - p.251-258. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Development and Psychopathology > 37-1 (February 2025) . - p.251-258 Mots-clés : PTSD  childhood adversities  environmental sensitivity  positive home experiences  trauma Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Children differ substantially in their sensitivity to the quality of their environment. Some are more sensitive and more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in response to Childhood Adversities (CAs), but might also benefit more from Positive Home Experiences (PHE). The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Environmental Sensitivity (ES), CAs and PHEs in PTSD development in children and adolescents. Data was collected from N = 2,569 children/adolescents. PTSD symptoms, CAs, PHEs and ES were assessed with self-report measures. We found that higher ES and CAs emerged as risk factors for PTSD development whereas higher levels of PHEs protected against PTSD. ES moderated the effects of CAs (? = 1.08, p < .001) on PTSD symptoms in the total sample. This moderating effect was more pronounced in girls, suggesting that highly sensitive girls with high childhood adversities were more likely to have higher PTSD symptoms than girls with low levels of sensitivity (? = 1.09, p < .001). In conclusion, Environmental Sensitivity played an important role as a risk factor for PTSD and as a moderating factor that accentuated the main effects of childhood adversities, particularly in girls. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423001554 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=546

---

1 (1 - 4 / 4) Par page : 25 50 100 200