The lived experience of place for marginalised young people

This study explored the relationship between place and health for homeless, rural young people. Places that supported young people's health had the following attributes: feelings of physical safety and security, psychological fulfilment, sense of control, and identity. Places that appeared harmful to their health were described as alienating and threatening.

Basic symptoms in young people at ultra high-risk of psychosis

Basic Symptoms are cognitive and emotional disturbances characteristic of the early stage of psychosis. This study established the utility of an instrument to identify Basic Symptoms amongst young people at high-risk for developing psychosis, thereby facilitating the pathway to treatment for these individuals. The portfolio focuses on how having an unwell parent contributes to and influences the development of psychopathology in offspring. The four clinical case studies are presented in detail, and the intervention strategies for each individual are evaluated.

Use of restraint in residential care settings for children and young people

An international movement promoting the reduced use of physical restraint and other coercive practices has brought into focus the ways in which those who are responsible for the care of children and young people respond to problematic behaviour. The topic generates emotive discussion, with proponents advancing the argument that the use of coercive measures enhances the quality of care and protects young people from harm, and civil libertarians who argue that restraint is never an appropriate way of managing behaviour. Despite such debates there is an absence of good research and scholarly activity on restraint practices, leading to uncertainty about the immediate and long-term effects of particular practices on both staff and young people. Consequently, it has been difficult for agencies to develop clear, consistent, and definitive policies. Drawing on international perspectives, the aim of this article is to discuss issues relevant to the practice of restraint in residential care facilities for children and young people in Australia, highlighting a number of issues that require resolution prior to the development of practice guidelines.

A naturalistic study of treatment outcomes with aripiprazole in young people with first episode psychosis

Objective: Adequate treatment of a first psychotic episode in young people is a difficult challenge but may be of critical importance for changing the course of psychotic illness. Pharmacotherapy is the standard treatment of psychosis, however there is a paucity of data specific to first-episode psychosis.
Methods: In this study 12 young people who presented with a psychotic episode at a specialised early intervention service were commenced on treatment with aripiprazole. They were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 6, 24 and 48 using a broad battery of outcome measures. Case notes were also examined.
Results: Data was available for 6 participants at week 48, and of those, one remained on treatment with Aripiprazole at endpoint. Case histories were typified by presentations that included illicit substance use and treatments characterised by several changes in medications. No single treatment choice predominated. Most participants tolerated treatment and showed symptomatic improvement with individualised therapy.
Conclusion: Most participants showed improvement during the treatment period. Aripiprazole was one of many medications used in this study and may have been useful for the treatment of some individuals with first episode psychosis.

Tracking of sedentary behaviours of young people : a systematic review

Objective : To review the empirical evidence concerning the strength of tracking of sedentary behaviours from childhood and adolescence.

Methods : Published English language studies were located from computerised and manual searches in 2009. Included studies were prospective, longitudinal studies with at least one sedentary behaviour for at least two time-points, with tracking coefficients reported, and included children (aged 3–11 years) and adolescents (12–18 years) at baseline.

Results : Based on data from 21 independent samples, tracking coefficients (r) ranged from 0.08 (over 16 years) to 0.73 (over 2 years) for TV viewing, from 0.18 (boys over 3 years) to 0.52 (over 2 years) for electronic game/computer use, from 0.16 (girls over 4 years) to 0.65 (boys over 2 years) for total screen time, and from −0.15 (boys over 2 years) to 0.48 (over 1 year) for total sedentary time. Study follow-up periods ranged from 1 to up to 27 years, and tracking coefficients tended to be higher with shorter follow-ups.

Conclusions : Sedentary behaviours track at moderate levels from childhood or adolescence. Data suggest that sedentary behaviours may form the foundation for such behaviours in the future and some may track slightly better than physical activity.