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Capobianco M, Costa A. Selective Mutism and Comorbidity with Specific Learning Disorders: Evaluation and Multimodal Intervention in a Clinical Case of a Female Child from 7 to 11 Years of Age. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:746. [PMID: 38929325 PMCID: PMC11202014 DOI: 10.3390/children11060746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by a child's persistent inability to communicate verbally in some or all contexts of social life. It is often associated with other cognitive-affective disorders. Performing cognitive-behavioral assessments and psychological interventions can be challenging due to the difficulty in administering standardized neuropsychological tests and involving family and teachers in the intervention program. In a single case study, a young Filipina girl with SM underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and received multimodal therapeutic intervention between the ages of 7 and 11. The psychological intervention included cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy to improve social-cognitive skills and learning abilities, reduce anxiety, and provide speech therapy. The parents and teachers were actively involved in the therapeutic process and a underwent a psycho-education program. Following this treatment, at the age of 11, the girl started verbalizing in therapy and school contexts, although she still used non-verbal strategies. There was also a gradual improvement in her communicative-linguistic skills and school learning. In conclusion, this report emphasizes the importance of applying an integrated and multimodal intervention to treat SM in children, including psychoeducation for parents and teachers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Capobianco
- Department of Economic, Psychological and Communication Sciences, Niccolò Cusano University, 00166 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alberto Costa
- Department of Economic, Psychological and Communication Sciences, Niccolò Cusano University, 00166 Rome, Italy;
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
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2
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Slobodin O, Shorer M, Friedman Zeltzer G, Fennig S. Interactions between parenting styles, child anxiety, and oppositionality in selective mutism. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024:10.1007/s00787-024-02484-w. [PMID: 38832963 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02484-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is a poorly understood condition, and debate continues regarding its etiology and classification. Research suggests that a genetic vulnerability may play a role in the development of the disorder which may be compounded by anxious and over-protective parenting. While previous studies supported the role of parenting styles in the development of SM, most of them examined child and parent factors in isolation. The current study examined how the interactions between child internalizing and externalizing behaviors (anxiety and oppositionality, respectively) and parenting styles (authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian) are associated with SM diagnosis. The study included 285 children aged 3-7 years (57.2% females), and their parents (66 children with SM and 219 typically developed children). Parents completed questionnaires about child social anxiety, oppositional behavior, SM severity, and their parenting style. Results showed that parents of children with SM reported lower levels of authoritative practices than those of typically developed children. We also found that child social anxiety and oppositionality moderated the effects of authoritative and authoritarian parenting practices on SM diagnosis. Our results suggest that child anxiety and oppositionality may explain the different susceptibility of children to adaptive and maladaptive parenting styles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ortal Slobodin
- School of Education, Ben-Gurion University, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
| | - Maayan Shorer
- Department of Clinical Psychology and the Lior Tzfaty Mental Pain Center, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Heffer, Israel
- Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Department of Psychological Medicine, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | | | - Silvana Fennig
- Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Department of Psychological Medicine, Petah Tikva, Israel
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Freitag GF, Coxe S, Cardinale EM, Furr JM, Herrera A, Comer JS. Phasic Versus Tonic Irritability and Associations with Family Accommodation Among Youth with Selective Mutism: A Latent Profile Analysis. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:905-917. [PMID: 38270833 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01161-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Clinical presentations of selective mutism (SM) vary widely across affected youth. Although studies have explored general externalizing problems in youth with SM, research has not specifically examined patterns of irritability. Relatedly, research has not considered how affected families differentially accommodate the anxiety of youth with SM as a function of the child's temper outbursts (i.e., phasic irritability) and general angry mood (i.e., tonic irritability). Data were drawn from a sample of treatment-seeking children and adolescents with a primary diagnosis of selective mutism (N = 152; Mean age = 6.12 years; 67.11% female), and their caregivers. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct profiles in SM youth that were characterized by varying levels of phasic and/or tonic irritability. Analyses further examined whether these different profiles were associated with different levels of family accommodation and global impairment. LPA identified 5 profiles: SM with No irritability, SM with Low Phasic Irritability, SM with High Phasic Irritability, SM with High Phasic and Moderate Tonic Irritability, and SM with High Phasic and High Tonic Irritability. Patterns of family accommodation and global impairment were highest among youth belonging to profiles characterized by high phasic irritability. Findings highlight separable patterns of irritability across youth with SM, with phasic irritability (i.e., temper outbursts) appearing particularly linked with increased family accommodation and overall global impairment. Assessing phasic irritability is critical for optimizing treatment in youth with SM and can be useful for flagging possible patterns of family accommodation contributing to overall impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle F Freitag
- Mental Health Interventions and Technology (MINT) Program, Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Stefany Coxe
- Mental Health Interventions and Technology (MINT) Program, Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Elise M Cardinale
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jami M Furr
- Mental Health Interventions and Technology (MINT) Program, Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Aileen Herrera
- Mental Health Interventions and Technology (MINT) Program, Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jonathan S Comer
- Mental Health Interventions and Technology (MINT) Program, Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
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Slobodin O, Shorer M, Friedman-Zeltzer G, Fennig S. Selective mutism in immigrant families: An ecocultural perspective. Transcult Psychiatry 2024; 61:15-29. [PMID: 37814531 DOI: 10.1177/13634615231202095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the diagnosis of selective mutism (SM) is more prevalent among immigrant children, the link between the disorder and an immigration background has been elusive. Guided by ecocultural models of development, the current study aimed to construct a theory-based description of SM while considering individual, family, and contextual risk factors. Participants were 78 children with SM (38.4% with an immigration background), and 247 typically developed children (18.2% with an immigration background). Consistent with previous studies, our results suggest that anxiety was the most important predictor of SM symptoms, above and beyond immigration background. Immigration, especially if coupled with bilingual status and low family income, predicted increased levels of SM symptoms. Identifying multi-level predictors of SM may help researchers and clinicians to improve early identification and treatment of SM in culturally and linguistically diverse children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ortal Slobodin
- School of Education, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Maayan Shorer
- Department of Clinical Psychology and the Lior Tzfaty Mental Pain Center, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Heffer, Israel
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | | | - Silvana Fennig
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel
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Koskela M, Jokiranta-Olkoniemi E, Luntamo T, Suominen A, Sourander A, Steinhausen HC. Selective mutism and the risk of mental and neurodevelopmental disorders among siblings. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:291-302. [PMID: 36422730 PMCID: PMC10805856 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02114-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The siblings of children with mental disorders are more likely to experience mental health issues themselves, but there has been a lack of sibling studies on selective mutism (SM). The aim of this population-based study was to use national registers to examine associations between children with SM and diagnoses of various mental disorder in their siblings. All singleton children born in Finland from 1987 to 2009, and diagnosed with SM from 1998 to 2012, were identified from national health registers and matched with four controls by age and sex. Their biological siblings and parents were identified using national registries and the diagnostic information on the siblings of the subjects and controls was obtained. The final analyses comprised 658 children with SM and their 1661 siblings and 2092 controls with 4120 siblings. The analyses were conducted using generalized estimating equations. Mental disorders were more common among the siblings of the children with SM than among the siblings of the controls. The strongest associations were observed for childhood emotional disorders and autism spectrum disorders after the data were adjusted for covariates and comorbid diagnoses among SM subjects. The final model showed associations between SM and a wide range of disorders in siblings, with strongest associations with disorders that usually have their onset during childhood. Our finding showed that SM clustered with other mental disorders in siblings and this requires further research, especially the association between SM and autism spectrum disorders. Strong associations with childhood onset disorders may indicate shared etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miina Koskela
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Elina Jokiranta-Olkoniemi
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Unit of Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Terhi Luntamo
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Auli Suominen
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Andre Sourander
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Hans-Christoph Steinhausen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland
- Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Capital Region Psychiatry, Copenhagen, Denmark
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de Jonge MV, Nibbering N, Brand I, van der Voort A. It's about more than just talking; Exploring computer-mediated communication in adolescents with selective mutism. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2024; 107:106389. [PMID: 37988827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2023.106389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder categorized by a persistent failure to speak in specific situations. In an attempt to facilitate interaction with individuals with SM, other forms of communication (e.g. computer-mediated communication; CMC) are often tried. However, CMC is understudied in individuals with SM, while, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of CMC for education and social purposes only increased. METHODS In this study, we explored CMC in 79 adolescents with either selective mutism (n = 34), or typical development (n = 45). All participants completed a survey concerning verbal and written CMC in three contexts (friends, family, and school). RESULTS Results showed that adolescents with SM used not only verbal but also written CMC less frequently than the comparison group across contexts. While the comparison group preferred Face-to-Face communication over CMC, adolescents with SM were divided, especially in the school context. With family and friends, the majority of the SM group preferred Face-to-Face communication, even though this provoked more feelings of tension than CMC for part of the group. CONCLUSION These findings support anecdotal reports that SM affects not only speech but extends to other communicative venues and includes written communication in many situations. This underlines the importance of addressing not just speaking behavior but also writing and CMC in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment plans for adolescents with SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maretha V de Jonge
- Education and Child Studies, Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Nikki Nibbering
- Education and Child Studies, Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
| | - Iris Brand
- Education and Child Studies, Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Anja van der Voort
- Education and Child Studies, Research Methods and Statistics, Leiden University, The Netherlands
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Tomohisa Y, Yumi I, Inoue M. Long-term outcome of selective mutism: factors influencing the feeling of being cured. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:2209-2221. [PMID: 35984502 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02055-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Some long-term outcomes for participants with selective mutism (SM) are elevated rates of phobic disorders, particularly social phobia, persistent communicative problems, and reduced self-esteem. However, data on the long-term outcomes of SM are scarce. In this study, by analyzing interpersonal anxiety, communication skills, and self-esteem among those who experienced SM and felt cured (SM-C-group: 30 females, 6 males, mean age 28.0, SD = 7.42, range 19-47 years), those who experienced SM and did not feel cured (SM-NC-group: 37 females, 4 males, mean age 27.4, SD = 7.24, age range 19-50 years), and those who had not experienced SM (Non-SM-group: 30 females, 30 males, mean age 26.4, SD = 7.62, age range: 20-48 years), we examined the long-term outcomes of SM and the factors that influence the feeling of being cured of SM. Results showed that the SM-C-group and SM-NC-groups had significantly higher interpersonal anxiety and significantly lower communication skills than the Non-SM-group. Moreover, the SM-C-group showed significantly lower interpersonal anxiety and significantly higher communication skills than the SM-NC-group. However, while there was no significant difference in self-esteem between the SM-C and SM-NCgroups, there was a significant difference between the SM-NC and Non-SM groups. The SM-C and SM-NC groups did not differ on the retrospective symptom load (SMQ-J), but did on the Current level of difficulty with speaking. The results of the logistic regression analysis predicted that communication skills and self-esteem did not influence the feeling of being cured of SM, but interpersonal anxiety and Current level of difficulty to speak did. Therefore, it is speculated that the intensity of this interpersonal anxiety and whether people with SM still felt difficulty in talking to others may have affected the feeling of being cured from SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamanaka Tomohisa
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, 683-8503, Japan
| | - Ishida Yumi
- Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masahiko Inoue
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, 683-8503, Japan.
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Koskela M, Ståhlberg T, Yunus WMAWM, Sourander A. Long-term outcomes of selective mutism: a systematic literature review. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:779. [PMID: 37875905 PMCID: PMC10598940 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05279-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selective mutism (SM) is a childhood onset anxiety disorder, and the main symptom is not speaking in certain social situations. Knowledge about the duration and long-term outcomes of SM have been lacking and the aim of this systematic literature review was to address this gap in the literature. We investigated how long SM symptoms persisted as well as other psychiatric outcomes associated with SM in later life. METHODS The PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were initially searched from inception to 11 September 2023. Studies were included if they were published in English and had followed up subjects with clinically diagnosed SM for at least two years. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines and the protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework. The papers were assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool. RESULTS This review screened 2,432 papers and assessed 18 studies. Seven case series studies were excluded from discussion because of the low number of subjects and the fact that their findings could not be generalized to wider populations. In the end, nine clinical cohorts and two case control studies were reviewed. These provided a total of 292 subjects and the sample sizes ranged from 11-49. The overall quality of the studies was moderate. The review found that 190 of the 243 subjects in the studies that reported recovery rates showed moderate or total improvement from SM during follow up. Other anxiety disorders were the most common psychiatric disorders later in life, although these results should be interpreted with caution. Older age at baseline and parental psychopathology might predict greater impairment, but further studies are needed to confirm these results. CONCLUSIONS Most subjects with SM recovered from this disorder during adolescence, but anxiety disorders were common in later life. Early detection and treatment are needed to prevent symptoms from persisting and other psychiatric disorders from developing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miina Koskela
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Department of Child Neurology, Turku University Hospital, Varha, Turku, Finland.
| | - Tiia Ståhlberg
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Varha, Turku, Finland
| | - Wan Mohd Azam Wan Mohd Yunus
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Andre Sourander
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Varha, Turku, Finland
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Velleman SL, Guimaraes VN, Klein-Tasman BP, Huffman MJ, Becerra AM, Mervis CB. Relations Between Selective Mutism and Speech Sound Disorder in Children With 7q11.23 Duplication Syndrome. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37678220 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-22-00721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to explore relations between speech sound disorder severity and selective mutism in a group of children with 7q11.23 duplication syndrome (Dup7), a genetic condition predisposing children to childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and other speech sound disorders and to anxiety disorders, including selective mutism and social anxiety disorder. METHOD Forty-nine children aged 4-17 years with genetically confirmed Dup7 completed the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation-Second Edition (GFTA-2), the Expressive Vocabulary Test-Second Edition (EVT-2), and the Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition (DAS-II). Parents completed the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-Parent (ADIS-P). RESULTS Mean standard scores (SSs) were 65.67 for the GFTA-2, 92.73 for the EVT-2, and 82.69 for the DAS-II General Conceptual Ability (GCA; similar to IQ). Standard deviations for all measures were larger than for the general population. GFTA-2 SS was significantly correlated with both EVT-2 SS and DAS-II GCA. Based on the ADIS-P, 22 participants (45%) were diagnosed with selective mutism and 29 (59%) were diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. No significant differences in performance on any of the measures were found either between the group with a selective mutism diagnosis and the group that did not have selective mutism or between the group with a selective mutism and/or social anxiety disorder diagnosis and the group that did not have either disorder. CONCLUSIONS For children with Dup7, neither the diagnosis of selective mutism nor the diagnosis of selective mutism and/or social anxiety disorder was related to severity of speech sound disorder, expressive vocabulary ability, or overall intellectual ability. Accordingly, treatment for speech sound disorder alone is unlikely to lead to remission of selective mutism or social anxiety disorder. Instead, selective mutism and/or social anxiety disorder should be treated directly. Further research is needed to determine if these findings generalize to other populations, such as children with idiopathic CAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley L Velleman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Vermont, Burlington
| | - Vitor N Guimaraes
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, KY
| | | | - Myra J Huffman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, KY
| | - Angela M Becerra
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, KY
| | - Carolyn B Mervis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, KY
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Boneff-Peng K, Lasutschinkow PC, Colton ZA, Freedman-Doan CR. An Updated Characterization of Childhood Selective Mutism: Exploring Clinical Features, Treatment Utilization, and School Services. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023:10.1007/s10578-023-01589-8. [PMID: 37650960 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01589-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is a severe but understudied childhood anxiety disorder. Most epidemiological research on SM was conducted decades ago and is limited by small sample sizes. This study analyzes parent-reported clinical data from 230 children with diagnosed and suspected SM to provide current information about the presentation of this disorder. Overall, anxiety and social anxiety symptoms were elevated. Gender ratio, comorbidities and family history of psychopathology were generally aligned with previous research. However, age of onset and diagnosis were both earlier than previously reported, with an average delay of 2 years between onset and diagnosis. The majority of children received therapy and school accommodations for their SM, yet there was large variability in types of interventions. This is the largest survey of children with SM conducted primarily within the US and it constitutes the first systematic inquiry into interventions and accommodations received within clinical and school settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Boneff-Peng
- Sunfield Center, 3005 Boardwalk Dr, Suite 201, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, USA.
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 Science Complex, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA.
| | - Patricia C Lasutschinkow
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 Science Complex, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
| | - Zachary A Colton
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 Science Complex, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
| | - Carol R Freedman-Doan
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, 341 Science Complex, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
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Muris P, Büttgens L, Koolen M, Manniën C, Scholtes N, van Dooren-Theunissen W. Symptoms of Selective Mutism in Middle Childhood: Psychopathological and Temperament Correlates in Non-clinical and Clinically Referred 6- to 12-year-old Children. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023:10.1007/s10578-023-01512-1. [PMID: 36853426 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01512-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to study psychopathological and temperamental correlates of selective mutism (SM) (symptoms) in a mixed sample of non-clinical (n = 127) and clinically referred (n = 42, of whom 25 displayed the selective non-speaking behavior that is prototypical for SM) 6- to 12-year-old children. Parents completed questionnaires to measure their child's symptom levels of selective mutism, social anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and the temperament trait of behavioral inhibition. The results first and foremost showed that SM symptoms were clearly linked to social anxiety and an anxiety-prone temperament (behavioral inhibition), but findings also suggested that autism spectrum problems are involved in the selective non-speaking behavior of children. While the latter result should be interpreted with caution given the methodological shortcomings of this study, findings align well with the notion that SM is a heterogeneous psychiatric condition and that clinical assessment and treatment need to take this diversity into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
- Youz-Parnassia Group, Oosterbeek, The Netherlands.
| | - Leonie Büttgens
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Manouk Koolen
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Youz-Parnassia Group, Oosterbeek, The Netherlands
| | - Cynthia Manniën
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Noëlle Scholtes
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wilma van Dooren-Theunissen
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Dogru H, Ucuz I, Uzun Cicek A, Comertoglu Arslan S. Clinical characteristics according to sex and symptom severity in children with selective mutism: a four-center study. Nord J Psychiatry 2023; 77:158-164. [PMID: 36384394 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2022.2146748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical information regarding selective mutism (SM), a persistent and debilitating psychiatric disorder, in children is extremely limited. We aimed to examine sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid psychiatric conditions and identify clinical variables associated with sex and SM severity among children with SM. METHODS We analyzed the medical records of 49 children who received treatment for SM in four different tertiary hospitals in Turkey between 2016 and 2021. Children's charts were reviewed to examine clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and response to treatment. RESULTS Thirty-one children were female, and 18 were male (female:male ratio is 1.7:1). Most children (73.5%) with SM displayed onset of SM in 3-6 years. However, most children (57.1%) were diagnosed between the ages of 7-11. The mean time from onset to diagnosis was 1.69 ± 1.37 years. Females displayed a later onset of SM (6.42 ± 2.40 vs. 4.89 ± 0.96; p= 0.013) and higher comorbidity rates (71% vs. 38.9%, p= 0.039) than males. The vast majority of children received two or more psychiatric diagnoses. Children in the severe group had a longer duration of illness, higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity, speech delay, and treatment resistance. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that SM may have different clinical features according to sex and symptom severity of SM. More information about children with SM is needed to understand the development and maintenance of SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hicran Dogru
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilknur Ucuz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Ayla Uzun Cicek
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Semiha Comertoglu Arslan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş Sütçüimam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey
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Bandelow B, Allgulander C, Baldwin DS, Costa DLDC, Denys D, Dilbaz N, Domschke K, Eriksson E, Fineberg NA, Hättenschwiler J, Hollander E, Kaiya H, Karavaeva T, Kasper S, Katzman M, Kim YK, Inoue T, Lim L, Masdrakis V, Menchón JM, Miguel EC, Möller HJ, Nardi AE, Pallanti S, Perna G, Rujescu D, Starcevic V, Stein DJ, Tsai SJ, Van Ameringen M, Vasileva A, Wang Z, Zohar J. World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for treatment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and posttraumatic stress disorders - Version 3. Part I: Anxiety disorders. World J Biol Psychiatry 2023; 24:79-117. [PMID: 35900161 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2022.2086295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM This is the third version of the guideline of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Task Force for the Pharmacological Treatment of Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders (published in 2002, revised in 2008). METHOD A consensus panel of 33 international experts representing 22 countries developed recommendations based on efficacy and acceptability of available treatments. In total, 1007 RCTs for the treatment of these disorders in adults, adolescents, and children with medications, psychotherapy and other non-pharmacological interventions were evaluated, applying the same rigorous methods that are standard for the assessment of medications. RESULT This paper, Part I, contains recommendations for the treatment of panic disorder/agoraphobia (PDA), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), specific phobias, mixed anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, separation anxiety and selective mutism. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are first-line medications. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the first-line psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. The expert panel also made recommendations for patients not responding to standard treatments and recommendations against interventions with insufficient evidence. CONCLUSION It is the goal of this initiative to provide treatment guidance for these disorders that has validity throughout the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borwin Bandelow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - David S Baldwin
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Lucas da Conceição Costa
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Damiaan Denys
- Afdeling Psychiatrie, Universitair Medische Centra, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nesrin Dilbaz
- Psikiyatri Uzmanı, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Psikiyatri ABD, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elias Eriksson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Naomi A Fineberg
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Hisanobu Kaiya
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto Prefactual Medical College, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tatiana Karavaeva
- V. M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, Ministry of Health, Federal State Budgetary Institution of Higher Education, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- Clinical Division of General Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Katzman
- S.T.A.R.T. Clinic, Toronto, Canada.,Adler Graduate Professional School, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Takeshi Inoue
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Leslie Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital, Bukit Merah, Singapore
| | - Vasilios Masdrakis
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - José M Menchón
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Cibersam, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Euripedes C Miguel
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hans-Jürgen Möller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of München, Munich, Germany
| | - Antonio E Nardi
- Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stefano Pallanti
- Istituto die Neuroscienze, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Perna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Humanitas University Pieve Emanuele, Milano, Italy
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Clinical Division of General Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dan J Stein
- SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Michael Van Ameringen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Anna Vasileva
- V. M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, Ministry of Health, I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Zhen Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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14
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Vogel F, Reichert J, Schwenck C. Silence and related symptoms in children and adolescents: a network approach to selective mutism. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:271. [DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00956-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Silence in certain situations represents the core symptom of selective mutism (SM). However, it is unclear what additional symptoms are part of this disorder. Although knowledge of symptoms is essential for diagnostics and intervention, to date, only scarce research exists on circumscribed symptoms of SM. Given the large overlap between SM and social anxiety disorder (SAD), it remains also unclear which symptoms can differentiate both disorders.
Methods
A network analysis of potential symptoms of SM was performed based on a mixed sample of N = 899 children and adolescents with and without indication of SM (n = 629 with silence in certain situations). In a preliminary analysis, we demonstrated that children with and without silence in certain situations do not differ with respect to their network structure, justifying an analysis on the entire mixed sample. Possible communities (symptom clusters) within the network and thus potential latent variables were examined, and symptoms were analyzed in terms of their centrality (the extent to which they are associated with other symptoms in the network). To investigate the differentiability of symptoms of the SM network from symptoms of SAD, we computed a network that additionally contains symptoms of SAD.
Results
In the resulting network on symptoms of SM, silence was, as expected, the symptom with the highest centrality. We identified two communities (symptom cluster): (1) symptoms associated with the fear response of freezing, (2) symptoms associated with speech production and avoidance. SM network symptoms and SAD symptoms largely formed two separate symptom clusters, with only selectivity of speaking behavior (more talkative at home and taciturn or mute outside the home) falling into a common cluster with SAD symptoms.
Conclusions
Silence appears to have been confirmed by analysis as a core symptom of SM. Additional anxiety-related symptoms, such as avoidance behavior or motor inhibition associated with freezing, seem to co-occur with silence. The two communities of SM potentially indicate different mechanisms of silence. The symptoms of SM appear to be distinguishable from those of SAD, although there seems to be overlap in terms of difficulty speaking in situations outside the home.
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15
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藤間 藤, 松田 松. [Measurement of speech in individuals with selective mutism: A systematic review]. F1000Res 2022; 11:847. [PMID: 36851921 PMCID: PMC9958303 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.113302.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The main characteristic of selective mutism (SM) is the failure to speak in specific social situations. Thus, assessing speech across social contexts is important for confirming a diagnosis of SM and for differentiating it from other disorders. The purpose of this review was to organize how the core symptom of SM, a lack of speech in specific social situations, has been assessed in previous studies. Methods: A systematic search of articles was conducted in three databases, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed and reviews of surveys or experimental studies that reported empirical data on individuals with SM were performed. We excluded review, qualitative, epidemiological, and intervention studies. The study summarized the diagnostic criteria, methods of confirming SM diagnosis, distinction of SM from other disorders, and methods of speech assessment. Results: A total of 447 articles were screened, where 60 articles were considered eligible. The results demonstrate that different interviews and questionnaires were used to establish the diagnosis of SM. However, the majority of interviews and questionnaires lacked validation. Only two (2/60) articles used validated methods of speech assessment to confirm SM diagnosis. Moreover, a consensus was lacking on the assessment method for differentiating SM from other disorders across studies. Specifically, 17 studies measured speech and are not intended for diagnosis. The majority of studies (16/17) used the questionnaire to assess the severity of the SM condition, and only one study conducted behavioral observation. Assessment methods based on the measurement of speech in real-life situations for individuals with SM were not established. Conclusion: We have the limitation that we did not review intervention studies. However, this systematic review revealed the problem that speech assessment methods for surveys or experimental studies of SM were not established. Future studies should establish methods of speech assessment across social situations to assess SM symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- 藤間友里亜 藤間
- Behavioral Design Laboratory, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - 松田壮一郎 松田
- Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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16
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藤間 藤, 松田 松. [Measurement of speech in individuals with selective mutism: A systematic review]. F1000Res 2022; 11:847. [PMID: 36851921 PMCID: PMC9958303 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.113302.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The main characteristic of selective mutism (SM) is the failure to speak in specific social situations. Thus, assessing speech across social contexts is important for confirming a diagnosis of SM and for differentiating it from other disorders. The purpose of this review was to organize how the core symptom of SM, a lack of speech in specific social situations, has been assessed in previous studies. Methods: A systematic search of articles was conducted in three databases, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed and reviews of surveys or experimental studies that reported empirical data on individuals with SM were performed. We excluded review, qualitative, epidemiological, and intervention studies. The study summarized the diagnostic criteria, methods of confirming SM diagnosis, distinction of SM from other disorders, and methods of speech assessment. Results: A total of 447 articles were screened, where 60 articles were considered eligible. The results demonstrate that different interviews and questionnaires were used to establish the diagnosis of SM. However, the majority of interviews and questionnaires lacked validation. Only two (2/60) articles used validated methods of speech assessment to confirm SM diagnosis. Moreover, a consensus was lacking on the assessment method for differentiating SM from other disorders across studies. Specifically, 17 studies measured speech and are not intended for diagnosis. The majority of studies (16/17) used the questionnaire to assess the severity of the SM condition, and only one study conducted behavioral observation. Assessment methods based on the measurement of speech in real-life situations for individuals with SM were not established. Conclusion: We have the limitation that we did not review intervention studies. However, this systematic review revealed the problem that speech assessment methods for surveys or experimental studies of SM were not established. Future studies should establish methods of speech assessment across social situations to assess SM symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- 藤間友里亜 藤間
- Behavioral Design Laboratory, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - 松田壮一郎 松田
- Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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17
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Melfsen S, Jans T, Romanos M, Walitza S. Emotion regulation in selective mutism: A comparison group study in children and adolescents with selective mutism. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 151:710-715. [PMID: 35690008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A deficit in emotion regulation skills could be an important factor influencing the vulnerability and maintenance of symptoms in selective mutism (SM). Unfortunately, to date only a few studies have examined emotion regulation in SM. Therefore, the present study investigated whether SM is associated with dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies. We compared a sample of 28 children and adolescents with SM (M = 12.66 years, SD = 3.98; 18 females) to 33 controls without SM (M = 12.45 years, SD = 3.18; 21 females). Both groups were investigated for the assessment of SM, social anxiety and emotion regulation using self and parent report questionnaires. We assumed that the disorder is associated with less adaptive and more maladaptive strategies, especially maladaptive cognitive strategies. Instead of significant differences in these overall values, only significant differences in individual emotion regulation strategies were found. In terms of adaptive strategies, children and adolescents with SM reported less problem-oriented behaviour and less cognitive problem-solving. Instead, they reported the maladaptive strategy of abandonment more often than the control group. In contrast to other anxiety disorders, children and adolescents with SM did neither report maladaptive cognitive strategies nor seek support more frequently than the control group. Their emotion regulation strategies are qualitatively closely related to the symptoms of SM, which makes it difficult to determine their independent significance. Trial registration: This study is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04233905.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siebke Melfsen
- University Hospital of Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland; University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Germany.
| | - Thomas Jans
- University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Germany
| | - Marcel Romanos
- University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Germany
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18
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Hong N, Herrera A, Furr JM, Georgiadis C, Cristello J, Heymann P, Dale CF, Heflin B, Silva K, Conroy K, Cornacchio D, Comer JS. Remote Intensive Group Behavioral Treatment for Families of Children with Selective Mutism. EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 8:439-458. [PMID: 38155719 PMCID: PMC10752620 DOI: 10.1080/23794925.2022.2062688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is a relatively rare, but highly interfering, child anxiety disorder characterized by a consistent failure to speak in certain situations, despite demonstrating fluent speech in other contexts. Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy adapted for SM can be effective, but the broad availability and accessibility of such specialty care options remains limited. Stay-at-home guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 further limited the accessibility of office-based specialty care for SM. Building on separate lines of research supporting intensive treatments and telehealth service delivery models, this paper is the first to describe the development, preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a Remote Intensive Group Behavioral Treatment (IGBT) for families of young children with SM (N=9). Treatment leveraged videoconferencing technology to deliver caregiver training sessions, lead-in sessions, 5 consecutive daily IGBT sessions, and an individualized caregiver coaching session. Remote IGBT was found to be both feasible and acceptable. All families (100%) completed diagnostic assessments and caregiver-report questionnaires at four major study timepoints (i.e., intake, pre-treatment, post-treatment, 4-month follow-up) and participated in all treatment components. Caregivers reported high treatment satisfaction at post-treatment and 4-month follow-up and low levels of burden associated with treatment participation at post-treatment. Approximately half of participating children were classified as treatment responders by independent evaluators at post-treatment and 4-month follow-up. Although these pilot results should be interpreted with caution, the present work underscores the potential utility of using videoconferencing to remotely deliver IGBT to families in their natural environments.
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19
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Tan YR, Ooi YP, Ang RP, Goh DH, Kwan C, Fung DS, Sung SC. Feasibility trial of virtual reality exposure therapy for selective mutism. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 27:351-368. [PMID: 34866415 DOI: 10.1177/13591045211056920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been commonly utilised as an extension of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, most studies examined its effectiveness among adults, with no study focusing on children with selective mutism (SM). We aimed to examine its feasibility and acceptability among children with SM. Twenty children aged 6-12 with SM diagnosis were recruited and completed six therapist-guided VRET sessions. Parents and clinicians completed measures at pre-VRET, post-VRET, 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. At post-VRET, parent and child participants completed the acceptability questionnaires. Findings suggested the feasibility of VRET as all participants completed the programme with no attrition. Parents and child participants also reported VRET to be an acceptable and effective treatment for SM. Significant improvement in overall functioning were found at post-treatment and follow-up measures, but there were no significant changes in parent-rated speech frequency and anxiety measures. These support the acceptability of VRET as an adjunct modality (and not substitute) of CBT in SM treatment. Future studies, with more robust experimental designs and larger sample sizes, can be conducted to confirm its efficacy. As technology becomes more sophisticated, tools such as virtual environments can be explored to enhance evidence-based care for children and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ren Tan
- Department of Developmental Psychiatry, 298291Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | - Yoon Phaik Ooi
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, 27209University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca P Ang
- Psychology and Child & Human Development Academic Group, National Institute of Education, 54761Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Dion H Goh
- Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, 54761Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Clare Kwan
- Department of Developmental Psychiatry, 298291Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | - Daniel Ss Fung
- Department of Developmental Psychiatry, 298291Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
| | - Sharon C Sung
- Department of Developmental Psychiatry, 298291Institute of Mental Health, Singapore.,Health Services & Systems Research, 121579Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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20
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Vogel F, Gensthaler A, Schwenck C. Frozen with Fear? Attentional Mechanisms in Children with Selective Mutism. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-021-10289-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Children with selective mutism (SM) are consistently unable to speak in certain social situations. Due to an overlap between SM and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in children, similar mechanisms could apply to both disorders. Especially biased attentional processing of threat and fear-induced reduced visual exploration (referred to as attentive freezing) appear promising in SM.
Methods
A total of N = 84 children (8–12 years, SM: n = 28, SAD: n = 28, typical development (TD): n = 28) participated in an eye-tracking paradigm with videos of a social counterpart expressing a question, a social evaluation or a neutral statement. We investigated gaze behavior towards the social counterpart’s eye-region and the extent of visual exploration (length of scanpath), across conditions.
Results
There were no group differences regarding gaze behavior on the eye region. Neither gaze behavior with respect to the eye region nor visual exploration were dependent on the video condition. Compared to children with TD, children with SM generally showed less visual exploration, however children with SAD did not.
Conclusion
Reduced visual exploration might be due to the mechanism of attentive freezing, which could be part of an extensive fear response in SM that might also affect speech-production. Interventions that counteract the state of freezing could be promising for the therapy of SM.
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21
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Toma Y, Matsuda S. [Measurement of speech in individuals with selective mutism: A systematic review]. F1000Res 2022; 11:847. [PMID: 36851921 PMCID: PMC9958303 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.113302.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The main characteristic of selective mutism (SM) is the failure to speak in specific social situations. Thus, assessing speech across social contexts is important for confirming a diagnosis of SM and for differentiating it from other disorders. The purpose of this review was to organize how the core symptom of SM, a lack of speech in specific social situations, has been assessed in previous studies. Methods: A systematic search of articles was conducted in three databases, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed and reviews of surveys or experimental studies that reported empirical data on individuals with SM were performed. We excluded review, qualitative, epidemiological, and intervention studies. The study summarized the diagnostic criteria, methods of confirming SM diagnosis, distinction of SM from other disorders, and methods of speech assessment. Results: A total of 447 articles were screened, where 60 articles were considered eligible. The results demonstrate that different interviews and questionnaires were used to establish the diagnosis of SM. However, the majority of interviews and questionnaires lacked validation. Only two (2/60) articles used validated methods of speech assessment to confirm SM diagnosis. Moreover, a consensus was lacking on the assessment method for differentiating SM from other disorders across studies. Specifically, 17 studies measured speech and are not intended for diagnosis. The majority of studies (16/17) used the questionnaire to assess the severity of the SM condition, and only one study conducted behavioral observation. Assessment methods based on the measurement of speech in real-life situations for individuals with SM were not established. Conclusion: We have the limitation that we did not review intervention studies. However, this systematic review revealed the problem that speech assessment methods for surveys or experimental studies of SM were not established. Future studies should establish methods of speech assessment across social situations to assess SM symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuria Toma
- Behavioral Design Laboratory, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Soichiro Matsuda
- Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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22
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Toma Y, Matsuda S. [Measurement of speech in individuals with selective mutism: A systematic review]. F1000Res 2022; 11:847. [PMID: 36851921 PMCID: PMC9958303 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.113302.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The main characteristic of selective mutism (SM) is the failure to speak in specific social situations. Thus, assessing speech across social contexts is important for confirming a diagnosis of SM and for differentiating it from other disorders. The purpose of this review was to organize how the core symptom of SM, a lack of speech in specific social situations, has been assessed in previous studies. Methods: A systematic search of articles was conducted in three databases, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed and reviews of surveys or experimental studies that reported empirical data on individuals with SM were performed. We excluded review, qualitative, epidemiological, and intervention studies. The study summarized the diagnostic criteria, methods of confirming SM diagnosis, distinction of SM from other disorders, and methods of speech assessment. Results: A total of 447 articles were screened, where 60 articles were considered eligible. The results demonstrate that different interviews and questionnaires were used to establish the diagnosis of SM. However, the majority of interviews and questionnaires lacked validation. Only two (2/60) articles used validated methods of speech assessment to confirm SM diagnosis. Moreover, a consensus was lacking on the assessment method for differentiating SM from other disorders across studies. Specifically, 17 studies measured speech and are not intended for diagnosis. The majority of studies (16/17) used the questionnaire to assess the severity of the SM condition, and only one study conducted behavioral observation. Assessment methods based on the measurement of speech in real-life situations for individuals with SM were not established. Conclusion: We have the limitation that we did not review intervention studies. However, this systematic review revealed the problem that speech assessment methods for surveys or experimental studies of SM were not established. Future studies should establish methods of speech assessment across social situations to assess SM symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuria Toma
- Behavioral Design Laboratory, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Soichiro Matsuda
- Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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23
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Schwenck C, Gensthaler A, Vogel F, Pfeffermann A, Laerum S, Stahl J. Characteristics of person, place, and activity that trigger failure to speak in children with selective mutism. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 31:1419-1429. [PMID: 33893894 PMCID: PMC9402505 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01777-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder with predictable and circumscribed situations in which children remain silent while they speak unaffectedly in others. However, core features of anxiety inducing stimuli have rarely been studied so far. Parents of children with elevated SM symptomatology participated in an online-based study and answered open ended questions about specific characteristics of a person, place, and activity that elicit failure to speak in their child. The final sample consisted of n = 91 parents with children aged between 3 and 17 years (M = 8.02 years, SD = 3.94). Answers were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Characteristics of a person were assigned to five categories with lack of distance as the most frequently reported feature. With respect to a place, the majority of parents mentioned unknown places as a silence trigger. The most frequently mentioned feature of an activity that was designated to be associated to silence was new activity. There were only few associations between the designation of these features, age, and gender. For the first time, anxiety inducing triggers related to person, place, and activity were comprehensively assessed in children with SM. This allows a differentiated and deeper understanding of an understudied disorder. The majority of characteristics can be associated with proposed etiological factors such as increased behavioral inhibition, conditioning processes, social anxiety, and a strong need for control. Implications for effective treatments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Schwenck
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10c, 35394, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Angelika Gensthaler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Felix Vogel
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10c, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Anke Pfeffermann
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10c, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Laerum
- Department of Linguistik/Patholinguistik, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julia Stahl
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10c, 35394 Giessen, Germany
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Vogel F, Schwenck C. Psychophysiological mechanisms underlying the failure to speak: a comparison between children with selective mutism and social anxiety disorder on autonomic arousal. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2021; 15:81. [PMID: 34963482 PMCID: PMC8715622 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-021-00430-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selective mutism (SM) has been conceptualized as an extreme variant of social anxiety disorder (SAD), in which the failure to speak functions as an avoidance mechanism leading to a reduction of intense fear arousal. However, psychophysiological studies in children with SM are scarce and physiological mechanisms underlying the failure to speak are largely unknown. In contrast, children with SAD are characterized by a combination of a chronically elevated physiological arousal and a blunted physiological fear response to social stress. Due to the large overlap between SM and SAD, similar mechanisms might apply to both disorders, while differences might explain why children with SM fail to speak. The aim of our study is to investigate psychophysiological mechanisms of the failure to speak in children with SM. METHODS We assessed in a total of N = 96 children [8-12 years, SM: n = 31, SAD: n = 32, typical development (TD): n = 33] resting baseline arousal in absence of social threat and the course of physiological fear response in two social stress paradigms, differing in terms of whether the children are expected to speak (verbal task) or not (nonverbal task). RESULTS Children with SM were characterized by increased tonic arousal compared to the other two groups, and by a more inflexible stress response in the nonverbal but not in the verbal task compared to TD-children. Further analyses revealed that children with SM who did not speak during the verbal task already demonstrated reduced arousal in anticipation of the verbal task. CONCLUSION The increased tonic arousal generalized to non-social situations in SM could indicate a long-term alteration of the autonomic nervous system. Furthermore, the differential physiological stress response may indicate that silence acts as a maladaptive compensatory mechanism reducing stress in verbal social situations, which does not function in nonverbal situations. Our findings support the idea that the failure to speak might function as an avoidance mechanism, which is already active in anticipation of a verbal situation. Treatment of SM should take into account that children with SM may suffer from chronically elevated stress levels and that different mechanisms might operate in verbal and nonverbal social situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Vogel
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10, 35394, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Christina Schwenck
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10, 35394 Giessen, Germany
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Steains SY, Malouff JM, Schutte NS. Efficacy of psychological interventions for selective mutism in children: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Child Care Health Dev 2021; 47:771-781. [PMID: 34265102 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selective mutism is a rare childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a consistent failure to speak in certain social situations where speech is expected, despite fluent speech in other situations. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of psychological interventions for selective mutism in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS Five RCTs with a total of 233 participants were analysed using a random-effects model. A quality assessment of the included studies revealed that psychometrically sound measures and treatment manuals were used across all studies. RESULTS The results of the analyses showed psychological interventions to be more effective than no treatment, with the overall weighted effect size of g = 0.87, indicating a large mean treatment effect. This effect did not significantly differ with whether only selective mutism specific or nonselective mutism specific measures were included in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide support for the efficacy of psychological treatment for selective mutism. Future research could examine the effects of the successful treatments identified in this meta-analysis when compared with a psychological placebo or another bona fide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John M Malouff
- University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
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26
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Vogel F, Reichert J, Hartmann D, Schwenck C. Cognitive Variables in Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Network Analysis. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2021; 54:625-638. [PMID: 34708304 PMCID: PMC10150579 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01273-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Clark and Wells' prominent model of social anxiety disorder (SAD) assumes that cognitive variables such as negative expectations or dysfunctional cognitions play a central role in the symptomatology of SAD. In contrast to adults, it is less clear how well the cognitive model can be applied to children and adolescents. A network analysis with seven nodes was conducted to explore the importance of cognitive variables and their interaction with symptoms of SAD based on N = 205 children and adolescents (8-18 years, M = 11.54 years). Cognitive variables had a high but differential impact within the positively connected network of SAD. Dysfunctional cognitions were most strongly connected within the network. Dysfunctional cognitions, as predicted by Clark and Wells' model, seem to act as a hub affecting several symptoms. The association between negative expectations and avoidance indicates that negative expectations may particularly contribute to the maintenance of SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Vogel
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10 E, 35394, Gießen, Germany.
| | - Julian Reichert
- Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Science and Medical University, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Hartmann
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10 E, 35394, Gießen, Germany
| | - Christina Schwenck
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10 E, 35394, Gießen, Germany
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27
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Melfsen S, Romanos M, Jans T, Walitza S. Betrayed by the nervous system: a comparison group study to investigate the 'unsafe world' model of selective mutism. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1433-1443. [PMID: 34390394 PMCID: PMC8423629 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02404-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The study presented in the following verifies some assumptions of the novel 'unsafe world' model of selective mutism (SM). According to this model, SM is a stress reaction to situations erroneously experienced via cognition without awareness as 'unsafe'. It assumes a high sensitivity to unsafety, whereby the nervous system triggers dissociation or freeze mode at relatively low thresholds. We examine whether there is a correlation between SM, sensory-processing sensitivity and dissociation. We compared a sample of 28 children and adolescents with SM (mean age 12.66 years; 18 females) to 33 controls without SM (mean age 12.45 years; 21 females). Both groups were compared using a medical history sheet, the 'Selective Mutism Questionnaire' (SMQ), a 'Checklist for Speaking Behaviour' (CheckS), the 'Highly Sensitive Person Scale' (HSPS), the 'Child Dissociative Checklist' (CDC), the 'Adolescent Dissociative Experience Scale' (A-DES) and the 'Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children' (SPAIK). Appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests were conducted to examine differences between groups. The results indicate that sensory-processing sensitivity was significantly higher in the group of children and adolescents with SM [X2(1) = 7.224, p = 0.0007; d = 1.092]. Furthermore, dissociative symptoms were more common in children and adolescents with SM than in controls [F(1, 33) = 13.004, p = 0.001; d = 0.986]. The results indicate that sensory-processing sensitivity and dissociation are important factors of SM that may hold important implications for the treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04233905.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siebke Melfsen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University Zurich, Neumunsterallee 3, P.O. Box 233, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcel Romanos
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Jans
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wurzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University Zurich, Neumunsterallee 3, P.O. Box 233, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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28
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Poole KL, Cunningham CE, McHolm AE, Schmidt LA. Distinguishing selective mutism and social anxiety in children: a multi-method study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:1059-1069. [PMID: 32623696 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01588-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder in which a child fails to speak in some situations (e.g., school) despite the ability to speak in other situations (e.g., home). Some work has conceptualized SM as a variant of social anxiety disorder (SAD) characterized by higher levels of social anxiety. Here, we empirically tested this hypothesis to see whether there were differences in social anxiety (SA) between SM and SAD across behavioral, psychophysiological, self-, parent-, and teacher-report measures. Participants included 158 children (Mage = 8.76 years, SD = 3.23) who were classified into three groups: children with SM and who were also highly socially anxious (SM + HSA; n = 48), highly socially anxious children without SM (HSA; n = 48), and control children (n = 62). Children participated in a videotaped self-presentation task, following which observed SA behaviors were coded, and salivary cortisol reactivity was measured. We also collected child, parent, and teacher reports of children's trait SA symptoms. The SM + HSA and HSA groups had similar observed non-verbal SA behavior, cortisol reactivity, and trait SA symptom levels according to parent and child reports, but SM + HSA children had significantly higher SA according to teacher report and observer-rated verbal SA behavior relative to the HSA group. As expected, control children had lower cortisol reactivity and SA across all measures relative to the other groups. Although SM and SAD in children share many similarities, SM may be characterized by greater SA in certain social contexts (e.g., school) and is distinguishable from SAD on behavioral measures of verbal SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie L Poole
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Room 130, Psychology Building, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Charles E Cunningham
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Angela E McHolm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Louis A Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Room 130, Psychology Building, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
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Kearney CA, Rede M. The Heterogeneity of Selective Mutism: A Primer for a More Refined Approach. Front Psychol 2021; 12:700745. [PMID: 34177747 PMCID: PMC8222660 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.700745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective mutism is a persistent and debilitating psychiatric disorder in which a child fails to speak in situations where speaking is expected. Although listed as an anxiety disorder, the multifaceted and heterogeneous nature of selective mutism indicates that a more accurate conceptualization may be as a neurodevelopmental disorder. This article serves as a primer of historical and clinical presentations, empirical clinical profiles, clinical distinctions, assessment, and treatment related to the complexity of selective mutism. The article includes a brief discussion of selective mutism within a developmental psychopathology perspective with an eye toward reformed efforts for prevention, assessment, and treatment regarding this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie Rede
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States
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30
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Muris P, Ollendick TH. Selective Mutism and Its Relations to Social Anxiety Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2021; 24:294-325. [PMID: 33462750 PMCID: PMC8131304 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-020-00342-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In current classification systems, selective mutism (SM) is included in the broad anxiety disorders category. Indeed, there is abundant evidence showing that anxiety, and social anxiety in particular, is a prominent feature of SM. In this article, we point out that autism spectrum problems in addition to anxiety problems are sometimes also implicated in SM. To build our case, we summarize evidence showing that SM, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are allied clinical conditions and share communalities in the realm of social difficulties. Following this, we address the role of a prototypical class of ASD symptoms, restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs), which are hypothesized to play a special role in the preservation and exacerbation of social difficulties. We then substantiate our point that SM is sometimes more than an anxiety disorder by addressing its special link with ASD in more detail. Finally, we close by noting that the possible involvement of ASD in SM has a number of consequences for clinical practice with regard to its classification, assessment, and treatment of children with SM and highlight a number of directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Thomas H Ollendick
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA
- Roehampton University, London, England
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31
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Muris P, Monait N, Weijsters L, Ollendick TH. Symptoms of Selective Mutism in Non-clinical 3- to 6-Year-Old Children: Relations With Social Anxiety, Autistic Features, and Behavioral Inhibition. Front Psychol 2021; 12:669907. [PMID: 34135829 PMCID: PMC8201984 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.669907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by a failure to speak in specific social situations (e. g., at school) despite speaking normally in other situations (e.g., at home). There is abundant evidence that anxiety, and social anxiety in particular, is a prominent feature of SM, which is the main reason why this condition is currently classified as an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, there is increasing support for the notion that autism-related problems are also involved in SM. The present study examined the relations between SM and social anxiety, autistic features, and behavioral inhibition to the unfamiliar (i.e., the tendency to react with restraint and withdrawal when confronted with unfamiliar stimuli and situations). Parents of 172 3- to 6-year-old preschool children completed an online survey for measuring the relevant constructs. Results showed that there were positive and statistically significant correlations between SM and social anxiety, autistic features, and behavioral inhibition. Regression analyses revealed that (1) both social anxiety and autistic features accounted for a significant and unique proportion of the variance in SM scores, and (2) that both of these variables no longer made a significant contribution once behavioral inhibition was added to the model. It can be concluded that while the involvement of social anxiety is unambiguous in SM, autism-related problems are also implicated. Furthermore, behavioral inhibition seems to play a key role in the non-speaking behavior of non-clinical young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Departement of Sielkunde, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Nona Monait
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Weijsters
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Thomas H Ollendick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Department of Psychology, Roehampton University, London, United Kingdom
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32
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Psychometric propierties of the Selective Mutism Questionnaire in Spanish children. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2021; 21:100249. [PMID: 33995539 PMCID: PMC8102401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2021.100249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on selective mutism (SM) has been limited by the absence of standardised, psychometrically sound and cross-culturally valid assessment measures. Our aim is to present the results of a study of the factor structure and the reliability and concurrent validity of the scores of the Selective Mutism Questionnaire (SMQ), translated and adapted into Spanish. The SMQ contains 17 items about children's difficulty in speaking adequately in the family, school and social environment (out-of-school and out-of-family), each of which is answered according to a Likert scale with four response alternatives on speech frequency. Method: The study involved 110 pairs of parents of children diagnosed with SM whose ages ranged from 3 to 10 years. Results: The results show that the data from the Spanish sample fit the factorial model obtained by Bergman et al., and that data on its reliability and validity are robust and confirm that it as a good instrument for assessing SM in Spanish-speaking children. Conclusions: Therefore, we can affirm that the SMQ is a good instrument to assess SM in Spanish-speaking children.
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Muris P, Ollendick TH. Current Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Selective Mutism in Children. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2021; 14:159-167. [PMID: 33623447 PMCID: PMC7896755 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s274538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective mutism (SM) is a childhood disorder characterized by a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (eg, school) despite speaking normally in other settings (eg, at home). This article summarizes evidence supporting the recent classification of SM as an anxiety disorder and discusses the implications of this re-classification for the assessment and treatment of SM in clinical practice. Meanwhile, clinicians should also realize that SM sometimes is a heterogeneous disorder in which other problems are also present that complicate the management of children with SM. As examples, we discuss speech and language problems, developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Department of Clinical Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Departement Sielkunde, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Thomas H Ollendick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton London, London, UK
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34
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Hus Y, Segal O. Challenges Surrounding the Diagnosis of Autism in Children. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:3509-3529. [PMID: 34898983 PMCID: PMC8654688 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s282569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive thematic review aims to highlight and familiarize readers with the challenges and pitfalls encountered in differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children to facilitate the process of accurate identification by stakeholders. Accordingly, articles that best answer our questions and highlight our concerns were chosen from well-established publishers with prime peer reviewed journals. Included are studies showing alternate views of the issues so as to point readers to other possibilities. ASD, a complex dynamic biological-neurodevelopmental disorder, is underscored by its heterogeneous symptomology, severity, and phenotypes - all characterized by social communication deficits and presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (RRBs), the core symptoms in ASD. Language and intellectual capacities do not form ASD core symptoms although vary considerably. Accurate identification is challenging as ASD is often enmeshed with other neurodevelopmental disorders, and medical comorbidities, a situation now recognized as the rule rather than the exception in child psychiatry and developmental medicine. ASD is a disorder with varying performance and severity of symptoms over time, including unexpected loss of early skills, and lost diagnosis in some children following treatment. The review reiterates the urgency in accurate diagnosis in face of the rapid rise in ASD prevalence globally, and risk-increase in delayed or denied treatment with undesirable life-long consequences for most of the affected children. In addition, a call for change is advised to circumvent the ethical dilemma posed by the present "deficit model" in ASD diagnosis. Here, ASD prevalence is presented first, followed by emphasis on importance of accurate early diagnosis, and challenges in its accomplishment due to flaws in diagnostic instruments and other contributing factors. Next follow the required criteria for accurate identification, and its difficulties attributed to comorbid conditions, gender differences, and socio-economic and cultural influences. The conclusion includes future directions and a take away message.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Hus
- Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Theralab Research Collaborator, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Osnat Segal
- Tel Aviv University, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Department of Communication Disorders, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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35
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Conceição MMD, Ferreira BDO, Barreto ETP, Nery CLPD, Santos JSDNTD, Camargo CLD. PERCEPTIONS OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REPERCUSSIONS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. TEXTO & CONTEXTO ENFERMAGEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2020-0500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the perceptions of a multidisciplinary health team in caring for hospitalized children and adolescents with psychological repercussions of sexual violence, in the light of Symbolic Interactionism Theory. Method: this is a qualitative study, carried out with 30 professionals from the multidisciplinary health team working in a general public hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The interviews took place between June and July 2019, using a semi-structured questionnaire and, after being recorded, the reports were transcribed. In analysis, the data were categorized by similar themes following the steps: pre-analysis, material exploration, treatment of results and interpretation. The project was approved by an Institutional Review Board. Results: among the psychological disorders presented by children and adolescents are aggressiveness, mutism, eating disorders, infantilized behavior, hypersexualized behaviors, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic episodes, and delusions. Conclusion: the study demonstrates the perceptions resulting from the interaction allowed in caring for the multidisciplinary team to children and adolescents who experienced sexual violence and developed psychological disorders. In this way, it raises warning signs for family members, health professionals, education, protective devices and the whole of society about the need to observe signs of these changes on a daily basis, seeking to investigate their possible relationship with sexual assault.
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Golub Y, Stonawski V, Plank AC, Eichler A, Kratz O, Waltes R, von Hoersten S, Roessner V, Freitag CM. Anxiety Is Associated With DPPIV Alterations in Children With Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:644553. [PMID: 34267682 PMCID: PMC8275849 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.644553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Both selective mutism (SM) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) are severe pediatric anxiety disorders with the common trait of behavioral inhibition (BI). The underlying pathophysiology of these disorders remains poorly understood, however converging evidence suggests that alterations in several peripheral molecular pathways might be involved. In a pilot study, we investigated alterations in plasma molecular markers (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 [DPPIV], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-β [TNF-β] and neuropeptide-Y [NPY]) in children with SM, SAD, and healthy controls, as well as the correlation of these markers to symptom severity. Methods: We included 51 children and adolescents (aged 5-18 years; n = 29 girls): n = 20 children in the SM-, n = 16 in the SAD- and n = 15 in the control-group (CG). Peripheral blood samples were analyzed for DPPIV, IL-6, TNF-β, and NPY concentrations. Diverse psychometric measures were used for BI, anxiety, and mutism symptoms. Results: Lower DPPIV-levels were correlated with more anxiety symptoms. However, we could not find a difference in any molecular marker between the patients with SAD and SM in comparison to the CG. Conclusion: DPPIV is proposed as relevant marker for child and adolescent anxiety. Investigating the pathophysiology of SM and SAD focusing on state and trait variables as anxiety or BI might help better understanding the underlying mechanisms of these disorders. Further studies with especially larger cohorts are needed to validate the current pilot-findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Golub
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Valeska Stonawski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anne C Plank
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Eichler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kratz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Regina Waltes
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephan von Hoersten
- Department of Experimental Therapy and Preclinical Center, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Arigliani E, Giordo L, Vigliante M, Romani M. Two Cases of Selective Mutism: To Speak Does Not Mean to Recover. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2020; 59:1137-1140. [PMID: 32672063 DOI: 10.1177/0009922820941628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Arigliani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Giordo
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Miriam Vigliante
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Romani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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