Parental responses to children's emotions influence children's emotion‐related abilities. Tuning in to Toddlers (TOTS) is a new emotion‐focused parenting program for parents of toddlers aged 18 to 36 months. It is based on the empirically tested Tuning in to Kids program that teaches parents how to emotion coach their children. In the current pilot study, an intervention‐only sample of parents of typically developing toddlers attended a 6‐session group program. At preprogram and postprogram, parents’ emotion‐coaching and emotion‐dismissing behaviors were assessed using self‐report questionnaires and observation measures. Results showed significant increases in self‐reported and observed emotion coaching behaviors and use of emotion talk after intervention. There was also a significant decrease in self‐reported and observed emotion dismissing behaviors, and toddler externalizing behavior problems. Overall, findings provide preliminary support for TOTS and suggest its potential as a valuable intervention for supporting parents in their efforts to emotion coach their toddlers.

BackgroundDeliberate self-harm (DSH) is a prominent mental health concern among adolescents. Few studies have examined adolescent DSH in non-Western countries. This study examines the prevalence, types and associated risk factors of DSH in a clinical sample of adolescents in Singapore.MethodsUsing a retrospective review of medical records, demographic and clinical data were obtained from 398 consecutive adolescent psychiatric outpatients (mean age = 17.5 ± 1.4 years, range = 13–19 years) who presented at Changi General Hospital from 2013 to 2015.Results23.1% (n = 92) of adolescents engaged in at least one type of DSH. Cutting was the most common type of DSH reported. Females were three times more likely to engage in DSH than males. DSH was positively associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR] 5.03), depressive disorders (OR 2.45), alcohol use (OR 3.49) and forensic history (OR 3.66), but not with smoking behaviour, living arrangement, parental marital status, past abuse or family history of psychiatric illness.ConclusionInterventions targeting adolescent DSH should also alleviate depressive symptoms, alcohol use and delinquent behaviours.

Deliberate self-harm refers to an intentional act of causing physical injury to oneself without wanting to die. Deliberate self-harm behaviours most commonly include cutting (with a knife or razor), scratching or hitting oneself, and intentional drug overdose. They may also include limiting of food intake and other 'risk-taking' behaviours such as driving at high speeds and having unsafe sex.(1,2) Many individuals who self-harm use more than one method of self-injury. These acts are often gratifying and cause minor to moderate harm. Some individuals self-harm on a regular basis, while others do it only once or a few times. Although deliberate self-harm is done without lethal intent, it could lead to fatality.

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