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The PedsQL seems a valid instrument in measuring QoL in children referred for psychiatric problems.

Objective: To assess factors that, in addition to childhood psychopathology, are associated with Quality of Life (QoL) in children with psychiatric problems. Methods: In a referred sample of 252 8 to 18-year-olds, information concerning QoL, psychopathology and a broad range of child, parent, and family/ social network factors was obtained from children, parents, teachers and clinicians. Results: Poor child, parent, and clinician reported QoL was associated with child psychopathology, but given the presence of psychopathology, also with child factors, such as low self-esteem, and poor social skills, and family/social network factors, such as poor family functioning, and poor social support. In multiple linear regression analyses the importance of parent factors, such as parenting stress, was almost negligible. Conclusion: To increase QoL of children with psychiatric problems, treatment of symptoms is important, but outcome might improve if treatment is also focussed on other factors that may affect QoL. Results are discussed in relation to current treatment programs.

■ Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to assess the association between change in psychopathology and Quality of Life (QoL) across time in children with high levels of psychopathology. Methods A referred sample of 126 seven-to 19-year-olds was studied across a 1-year follow-up period. Information concerning QoL and psychopathology was obtained from parents. Results Overall, 38.1 % of children showed neither psychiatric symptom reduction nor QoL improvement, 33.3 % of children showed both a clinically significant psychiatric symptom reduction and QoL improvement, and 28.6 % of children showed either psychiatric symptom reduction or QoL improvement. In 11

This study aimed to identify factors that predict quality of life (QoL), over and above potential improvements in QoL related to a decrease in psychopathology, in children and adolescents with psychiatric problems. Two hundred and thirty one referred children and adolescents, aged 7-19 years, were followed up across a 1-year period. QoL and psychopathology were assessed, as were a broad range of child, parent, and family/social network factors. Time 1 QoL scores and change in level of psychopathology from Time 1 to Time 2 were important predictors of Time 2 QoL scores. Lower than expected Time 2 QoL was also predicted by the presence at Time 1 of a chronic physical disease, low self-esteem, poor social skills, and stressful life events. Findings can be useful to identify children who are at risk for lower than expected levels of QoL, even after receiving help from mental health agencies.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.