Papers by Merja Koskelainen
� Abstract The psychometric properties of the self-report ver- sion of the Strengths and Difficul... more � Abstract The psychometric properties of the self-report ver- sion of the Strengths and Difficul- ties Questionnaire (SDQ) among Finnish 13- to 17-year-old adoles- cents (n = 1,458) were studied. The results show that the psychometric properties of the Finnish SDQ self- report were adequate. The results of the correlation analysis con- firmed the postulated structure of the SDQ self-report.
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 2001
The aim of the study was to examine factors associated with dieting and weight concerns among Fin... more The aim of the study was to examine factors associated with dieting and weight concerns among Finnish adolescents. A school-survey included a 9-item screening scale for assessing attitudes and behaviors involving dieting and body image and a self-report measure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire assessing emotional and behavioral problems. Altogether 1458 questionnaires were analyzed, which accounted for about 89% of the target population including all the 7th and the 9th graders in two cities in Finland. According to the results, dieting and weight concerns were extremely common among Finnish adolescents. For all aspects of weight control and dieting concerns, the rates of occurrence were greater among girls. A high level of dieting concerns was associated with female sex, body mass, emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity symptoms, and alcohol use.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 1999
To examine the effect of sex, latitude, and behavior problems on symptoms related to pediatric se... more To examine the effect of sex, latitude, and behavior problems on symptoms related to pediatric seasonal affective disorder among seventh and ninth graders. A school survey including a modified version of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was carried out in 2 Finnish cities located in the 60th and 67th northern latitudes. Altogether 1,458 questionnaires were analyzed, representing 89% of the target population. Seasonal changes in mood and behavior were commonly reported among seventh and ninth graders. A high Global Seasonality score (> 95th percentile) was associated with female gender and emotional and hyperactivity symptoms. During February and March, girls living in the 67th latitude reported more seasonal distress than girls living at the 60th latitude. It is important to recognize pediatric seasonal affective disorder and related problems among adolescents. Seasonal alterations in child and adolescent behavior are not well understood and need to be investigated more thoroughly.
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2004
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2001
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2000
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2012
The present study examines the 10-year time-trend changes of adolescent psychiatric symptoms, smo... more The present study examines the 10-year time-trend changes of adolescent psychiatric symptoms, smoking and alcohol use. Representative population-based samples with same methods at two time-points, same age range and with 10-year period between the time points were gathered in Finland to investigate secular changes in adolescents' emotional and behavioral problems. Seventh and ninth grade students filled in the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and questions regarding alcohol use and smoking anonymously during a school lesson in 1998 (n = 1458) and 2008 (n = 1569). The self-reports of SDQ showed substantial stability in emotional and behavioral problems from 1998 to 2008. There was no increase between the two timepoints in self-reports of SDQ total, conduct, hyperactivity, emotional or peer problems when using the 90th percentile clinical cut-off points. However, there was a trend showing decreasing prosocial behavior among girls indicating that proportions of adolescent boys and girls having problems in prosocial behavior have converged, The self-reported alcohol use, drunkenness and cigarette smoking decreased within the 10-year time period. Of alcohol use, the number of non-users increased from 44 to 63 % between the years 1998 and 2008. Similarly, the proportion of non-smokers increased from 56 to 68 %. Although rates of substance use declined within the 10-year study period, drunkenness-oriented alcohol use and regular smoking are still prevalent among Finnish adolescents.
Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010
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Papers by Merja Koskelainen