Sonya Girdler

Research problem and specific questionsPSYH-STREAM aims to collect big data on functioning and psychiatric problems among children and youth with autism and ADHD as well as neurotypically developing youngsters aged 11 to 25 years to gain novel and reliable knowledge about:how individual strengths and weaknesses are related to mental problems.how social participation affects mental problems.the links between environmental facilitators and barriers and mental problems.Data and methodWHO’s international classification of functioning (ICF) is a system for mapping individual abilities and participation and how they unfold in a specific environment. ICF use is recommended by many international authorities incl. the National Swedish Board of Health and Welfare as a tool for describing functional status, assessing needs and for intervention planning. ICF is also recommended to support social and educational policy making. The competence center KIND at Karolinska Institutet has tailored and evaluated ICF for use in autism and ADHD. PSYH-STREAM will collect with surveys a large data set on mental problems (anxiety, depression, self-harm, somatic complaints, drug abuse, stress and burnout) and functioning (strengths and weaknesses, participation, hindering and facilitating factors in the environment) among 10,000 children and youth with and without autism or ADHD. Structural equation modeling and other statistical methods will be used to answer the research questions.Research problem and specific questionsPSYH-STREAM is a 4-year project, well internationally networked, led by KIND in collaboration other researchers, interest organsations, clinical units and authorities. Data is collected via the platform icfcoresets.se and a comprehensive recruitment strategy.RelevanceSociety today has limited awareness and knowledge of the multiple functional risk and protective factors of mental problems. Society also has little understanding of autism and ADHD, where the risk of mental health problems is particularly high. PSYH-STREAM will (i) lay a foundation for better understanding of the links between functioning and mental health among children and youth in general, and autism and ADHD, in particular, (ii) promote functioning-based care and support throughout society for young people with autism and ADHD, and (iii) create knowledge about how mental problems among young people can be prevented.

A wide range of mental and behavioral disorders with an early onset can severely impair psychosocial functioning during the transition to adulthood, challenging an individual’s ability to fulfil the demands of adult roles. As a strategy to maximize the outcomes of young adults with conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia, and depressive disorders, eligible individuals access social services support in the form of housing assistance (support for daily living provided by the municipality) in accordance with the Social Services Act. In our ongoing research, evaluating a support program for young adults receiving housing assistance, we have observed a need for greater understanding and support for the mental health needs of this vulnerable group. The first phase of the proposed research is a situational analysis, obtaining the views of the young adults themselves and housing assistants. Data underpinning this step will be drawn from national registers and interviews with young adult service users, housing assistance, and representatives from the managerial level. The second phase of this planned project will adapt the Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) “Talk-to-Me”, an evidence-based on-line program designed to improve the mental health and prevent suicide in young adults, to the context of housing assistance. The feasibility will be tested in four large- to mid-sized municipalities. All housing assistants working with the target group will be offered the MOOC, while young service users (aged 18-29 years) will be randomized to immediate or delayed access. Outcomes of interest will include mental health literacy, help-seeking attitudes, and self-efficacy. Participatory research, practitioner research and translation are integral parts of all phases of the project. Our research group includes a PhD student who is working as housing assistant herself. A young adult recipient of housing assistance will also be recruited as a research assistant.