This study compared the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), as it is typically delivered, to CBITS-plus-family treatment component (CBITS + Family), developed through a community partnership. This study used a quasi-experimental design, capitalizing on ongoing CBITS implementation within a school system. In total, 32 parent/student dyads were recruited in CBITS groups and 32 parent/student dyads were recruited in CBITS + Family groups. Parents and students in both conditions completed pre- and posttreatment measures, in addition to a 6-month posttreatment follow-up assessing symptoms. Families were low-income and predominately Latino. Children were 59% female with an average age of 11.70. Participating parents were 84% female with an average age of 38.18. The majority of parents (80%) were immigrants and 70% reported not finishing high school. Parents who received CBITS + Family showed significant improvements in attitudes toward mental health, school involvement, and primary control coping, while demonstrating significant reductions in involuntary engagement and inconsistent discipline. CBITS + Family appears to be most beneficial for children with high symptom severity in terms of reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and disengagement coping. Finally, greater improvements in parent variables predicted larger symptom reductions among children within the CBITS + Family group. This study suggests that CBITS + Family is beneficial for parents of children exposed to trauma and may be especially helpful for children with high initial symptom severity. Children in CBITS + Family appear to benefit most when their parents show larger improvements in school involvement and greater reductions in parental inconsistency and involuntary engagement.

Findings highlight areas of resilience and disruption in families of youth with SB across adolescence.

Children with SB exhibit a less adaptive interaction style and lower levels of social dominance but are comparable with typically developing peers on other social behaviors. The observed group differences may have a neuropsychological basis.

This study used daily diary methodology to examine associations between cultural factors and daily coping and responses to stress among predominantly low-income Latino adolescents. A total of 58 middle school students (53% male, mean age = 13.31, 95% Latino) completed baseline measures assessing demographic characteristics, familism, ethnic identity, and family ethnic socialization. They subsequently completed 7 consecutive daily diaries assessing daily stress, coping, and involuntary stress responses. Results yielded main effects of stress, gender, familism, and ethnic identity on adolescents' coping and involuntary stress responses. In addition, interactions between stress and familism, ethnic identity, and family ethnic socialization emerged. Results suggest that familism may promote adaptive responses to stress, while adolescents who report more family ethnic socialization may rely more on maladaptive responses at high levels of stress. Findings related to ethnic identity were mixed and varied depending on levels of ethnic identity exploration versus commitment. C 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study explored parents’ responses to a family component developed as an addition to the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS). The family component was developed in order to improve engagement and participation in CBITS and to support parents’ own skill-building. To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the family component from the perspective of parents who participated, qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 low-income, Latino parents (80% female; 80% immigrants; average age = 38.07). Themes emerged across three primary categories: Need for CBITS+Family, Results of Participating in CBITS+Family, and Implications for Feasibility. Parents agreed that there was a need for programs like CBITS and expressed a firm belief in the importance of parental involvement with their children and schools. Parents reported a high level of satisfaction with the family component and indicated that it was beneficial to them, culturally relevant, and that they would recommend it to others. Still, some logistical barriers to participation and areas for improvement were noted. Overall, the results of this study indicate that CBITS+Family is an appropriate, acceptable, and feasible intervention for Latino families. Supplemental data from children whose parents participated in the program provide further support for the value of the family component. Clinical implications for implementing culturally sensitive, school-based interventions with parents are discussed.

Objective To understand the rates of normative and risky health behaviors and the influence of prior and current social adjustment on health risk behaviors in emerging adults with spina bifida (SB). Method These data are part of a larger longitudinal study of youth with SB; at ages 18–19, 50 emerging adults with SB and 60 typically developing (TD) youth participated. Social adjustment was measured at ages 12/13, 14/15, 16/17, and 18/19. Substance use and sexual activity were self-reported by emerging adults. Results The SB group reported similar frequencies (i.e., number of days in the previous month) of cigarette and marijuana use. Fewer individuals with SB reported initiation of both alcohol use (i.e., ever used) and sexual activity (i.e., ever had sex) compared to TD peers. The SB group also reported less frequent alcohol use and fewer sexual partners. Better social adjustment during early adolescence (ages 12/13) predicted more frequent alcohol use and a greater number of sexual partners for all youth. Social adjustment also mediated the effect of group status on health risk behaviors. Conclusions Emerging adults with SB lag behind TD peers in terms of normative initiation of alcohol use and sexual activity. However, this population participates in some risky health behaviors at similar rates compared to their TD peers (e.g., smoking). Youths’ health risk behaviors may be influenced by their level of social adjustment. A challenge for future interventions for this population will be finding methods of improving social functioning without increasing the rate of health risk behavior.

Youth with SB with lower levels of neuropsychological functioning may be at risk for poorer social competence and, as a result, greater internalizing symptoms. Interventions that promote social competence, while being sensitive to cognitive capacities, could potentially alleviate or prevent internalizing symptoms in these youth.

Children living in low-income families are more likely to experience less self-regulation, greater behavior problems, and lower academic achievement than higher income children. To help prevent children's later socioemotional and academic difficulties, the Chicago School Readiness Project (CSRP) team implemented a clustered, randomized controlled trial (RCT) in early childhood programs with Head Start funding. Head Start sites were randomly assigned to receive CSRP services, which were offered as part of a multi-component, classroom-based mental health intervention. Here, we provide an overview of the CSRP model, its components, and a descriptive portrait of its implementation. In so doing, we address various aspects of the implementation of three of its components: 1) the training of teachers, 2) MHCs' coaching of teachers, and 3) teachers' behavior management of children. We conclude with a discussion of factors potentially related to the implementation of CSRP and directions for future research.