Objective Children with reading difficulties are at elevated risk for externalising (e.g., conduct disorder) and internalising (e.g., anxiety and depression) mental health problems. Reading ability is also negatively associated with self‐esteem, a consistent predictor of child and adolescent mental health more broadly. This study examined whether self‐esteem moderated and/or mediated relationships between reading ability and mental health. Method One hundred and seventeen children (7–12 years) completed standardised reading assessments (Castles and Coltheart Test 2; CC2) and self‐report measures of mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ) and self‐esteem (Coopersmith Self‐esteem Inventory). Non‐verbal intelligence (IQ) was measured using the block design and matrix reasoning subscales of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and was controlled for in all multivariate analyses. Results Reading ability was negatively associated with internalising symptoms. This relationship was not moderated by self‐esteem. Poor readers also reported more total difficulties and externalising symptoms, but only at low levels of self‐esteem. There was no evidence that self‐esteem mediated relationships between reading ability and mental health. Conclusions Poor reading was associated with internalising symptoms. Self‐esteem moderated the impact of reading ability on total difficulties and externalising symptoms, with high self‐esteem buffering against negative impacts of poor reading. However, the reliability of the self‐esteem scale used in the study was poor and findings need replication using a reliable and valid self‐esteem measure, as well as other measures of child mental health. If replicated, future research should examine whether interventions aiming to improve self‐esteem can reduce the risk of externalising problems in children with reading difficulties.

BackgroundPeople with mental health disorders live, on average, 20 years less than those without, often because of poor physical health including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence-based interventions are required to reduce this lifespan gap.ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop, test, and evaluate a mobile phone–based lifestyle program (MyHealthPA) to help people with mental health problems improve key health risk behaviors and reduce their risk of CVD.MethodsThe development of MyHealthPA occurred in 3 stages: (1) scoping of the literature, (2) a survey (n=251) among people with and without the experience of mental health problems, and (3) program development informed by stages 1 and 2. A small pilot trial among young people with and without mental health disorders was also conducted. Participants completed a baseline assessment and were given access to the MyHealthPA program for a period of 8 weeks. They were then asked to complete an end-of-treatment assessment and a follow-up assessment 1 month later.ResultsIn the study, 28 young people aged 19 to 25 years were recruited to the pilot trial. Of these, 12 (12/28, 43%) had been previously diagnosed with a mental illness. Overall, 12 participants (12/28, 43%) completed the end-of-treatment assessment and 6 (6/28, 21%) completed the follow-up assessment. Small improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption, level of physical activity, alcohol use, and mood were found between baseline and end of treatment and follow-up, particularly among people with experience of mental health issues. Most participants (history of mental illness: 4/7, 57%; no history of mental illness: 3/5, 60%) reported the program had above average usability; however, only 29% (2/7, no history of mental illness) to 40% (2/5, history of mental illness) of participants reported that they would like to use the program frequently and would recommend it to other young people. Participants also identified a number of ways in which the program could be improved.ConclusionsThis study describes the formative research and process of planning that formed the development of MyHealthPA and the evidence base underpinning the approach. The MyHealthPA program represents an innovative approach to CVD risk reduction among people with mental health problems. MyHealthPA appears to be an acceptable, easy-to-use, and potentially effective mHealth intervention to assist young people with mental illness to monitor risk factors for CVD. However, ways in which the program could be improved for future testing and dissemination were identified and discussed.

BACKGROUND Background: People with mental health disorders live on average 20 years less than those without, often due to poor physical health including cardio-vascular disease (CVD). Evidence-based interventions are required to reduce this lifespan gap. OBJECTIVE Objective: This study aimed to develop, trial, and evaluate a mobile-based lifestyle program (MyHealthPA) to help people with mental health problems improve key health risk behaviors and reduce their risk of CVD. METHODS Methods: The development of MyHealthPA occurred in three stages: (1) a review of the literature; (2) a scoping survey (n=251) among people with and without experience of mental health problems; and (3) program development informed by stages (1) and (2). A small pilot trial among young people with and without mental health (MH) disorders was also conducted. Participants completed a baseline assessment and given access to the MyHealthPA program for a period of eight weeks. They were then asked to complete an end-of-treatment assessment and a follow-up assessment one month later. RESULTS Results: Twenty-eight young people aged 19 to 25 years were recruited to the pilot trial. Of these, 12 (43%) had been previously diagnosed with a MI. Twelve participants (43%) completed the end-of-treatment assessment and six (21%) completed the follow-up assessment. Small improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption, level of physical activity, alcohol use, and mood were found between baseline and end-of-treatment and follow-up, particularly among people with experience of MH issues. Most participants (57-60%) reported the program had above average usability, however only 29-40% of participants reported that they would like to use the program frequently and would recommend it to other young people. Participants also identified a number of ways in which the program could be improved. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: This article describes the formative research and process of planning that formed the development of MyHealthPA and the evidence base underpinning the approach. The MyHealthPA program represents an innovative approach to CVD risk reduction among people with mental health problems. MyHealthPA appears to be an acceptable, easy to use, and potentially effective mHealth intervention to assist young people with mental illness to monitor risk factors for CVD. However, ways in which the program could be improved for future testing and dissemination were identified and are discussed.