title: Influence of psychosocial risk factors on the trajectory of mental health problems from childhood to adolescence: a longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Longitudinal epidemiological studies involving child/adolescent mental health problems are scarce in developing countries, particularly in regions characterized by adverse living conditions. We examined the influence of psychosocial factors on the trajectory of child/adolescent mental health problems (CAMHP) over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based sample of 6- to 13-year-olds with CAMHP was followed-up from 2002-2003 (Time 1/T1) to 2007-2008 (Time 2/T2), with 86 out of 124 eligible children/adolescents at T1 being reassessed at T2 (sample loss: 30.6%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CAMHP at T2 according to the Child Behavior Checklist/CBCL's total problem scale. Psychosocial factors: T1 variables (child/adolescent's age, family socioeconomic status); trajectory of variables from T1 to T2 (child/adolescent exposure to severe physical punishment, mother exposure to severe physical marital violence, maternal anxiety/depression); and T2 variables (maternal education, child/adolescent's social support and pro-social activities).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analysis identified two risk factors for child/adolescent MHP at T2: aggravation of child/adolescent physical punishment and aggravation of maternal anxiety/depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study shows the importance of considering child/adolescent physical punishment and maternal anxiety/depression in intervention models and mental health care policies.
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil. daniel.fatori@usp.br
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Fatori
authors: Isabel A
authors: IA
authors: Bordin
authors: Bartira M
authors: BM
authors: Curto
authors: Cristiane S
authors: CS
authors: de Paula
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D057189:Checklist; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011584:Psychology; D011678:Punishment / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors