Try a new search

Format these results:

Searched for:

person:junewa01

in-biosketch:true

Total Results:

18


Trauma diagnoses during emergency psychiatric evaluation among youth with and without autism spectrum disorder

Junewicz, Alexandra; Dhir, Sakshi; Guo, Fei; Song, Yuxiao; Stein, Cheryl R; Baroni, Argelinda
Autistic youth are more likely to experience maltreatment, victimization, and other traumatic events. However, it can be difficult to identify trauma-related symptoms in autistic youth, especially in those with limited verbal communication. In this study, we compared the prevalence of trauma-related diagnoses given to youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to those given to youth without ASD who presented to a specialized pediatric psychiatric emergency department. We found that youth with ASD were 42% less likely to receive trauma-related diagnoses than youth without ASD. As there is evidence that youth with ASD are no less likely to experience traumatic events compared with youth without ASD, one possible explanation for this result is that trauma-related symptoms are missed during emergency psychiatric evaluations. Developing trauma screening instruments specifically designed for the needs of youth with ASD is an outstanding need.
PMID: 39240000
ISSN: 1461-7005
CID: 5688322

The persistent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric emergency department visits for suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Junewicz, Alexandra; Wachtel, Jonathan M; Okparaeke, Eugene; Guo, Fei; Farahmand, Pantea; Lois, Rebecca; Li, Annie; Stein, Cheryl R; Baroni, Argelinda
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:We examined data from a large, high acuity, pediatric psychiatric emergency department (ED) to assess both the immediate and longer-term impact of the pandemic on ED visits for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among youth. METHODS:Youth ages 5-17 years presenting at a pediatric psychiatric ED in New York, NY from March 2019-November 2021 were included in this study. Visits were categorized as pre-pandemic, pandemic year 1, or pandemic year 2. We examined changes in demographic and clinical characteristics among patients presenting across the three time periods, as well as multivariable associations between these characteristics and STBs. RESULTS:Over 32 months, 2728 patients presented at 4161 visits. The prevalence of a discharge diagnosis of STBs increased from 21.2% pre-pandemic to 26.3% (p < 0.001) during pandemic year 1, and further increased to 30.1% (p = 0.049) during pandemic year 2. Youth were 21% more likely to receive a discharge diagnosis of STBs in pandemic year 1 (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07, 1.36) and 35% more likely in pandemic year 2 (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.19, 1.52) compared to pre-pandemic baseline. CONCLUSIONS:In a large, high-acuity ED, STBs continued to increase 20 months after the initial COVID-19 lockdown. These findings highlight the persistent detrimental impact of the pandemic on youth mental health.
PMID: 37933542
ISSN: 1943-278x
CID: 5635142

COVID-19 and Youth Who Have Experienced Commercial Sexual Exploitation: A Role for Child Mental Health Professionals During and in the Aftermath of a Pandemic [Editorial]

Junewicz, Alexandra; Sohn, Ivy E; Walts, Katherine Kaufka
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated some of the most pressing social problems and structural inequities, with a disproportionate impact on some of the most vulnerable youth. The goal of this article is to raise awareness among child mental health professionals of the ways in which the pandemic has likely exacerbated the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States. A second goal is to promote child mental health professionals' ability to identify and care for these resilient yet underresourced youth.
PMCID:8959778
PMID: 35364251
ISSN: 1527-5418
CID: 5201412

Preempting the Development of Antisocial Behavior and Psychopathic Traits

Junewicz, Alexandra; Billick, Stephen Bates
Antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits are subject to complex patterns of inheritance, gene--environment interactive effects, and powerful environmental influences. Yet genetic factors are important in the etiology of antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits, and identifying youth with an elevated genetic risk may lead to improved interventions and preventive efforts. Additionally, research revealing the importance of gene--environment interactions in the development of antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits should be harnessed to promote more rehabilitative, developmentally appropriate policies to benefit youth in the juvenile justice and social welfare systems.
PMID: 33408155
ISSN: 1943-3662
CID: 4739072

Evaluating parents in child custody and abuse cases and the utility of psychological measures in screening for parental psychopathy or antisocial personality

Chapter by: Billick, Stephen B; Castro, Jack; Castro, Amanda C; Junewicz, Alexandra
in: The Wiley international handbook on psychopathic disorders and the law: Laws and policies by Felthous, Alan R [Ed]; Sas, Henning [Ed]
pp. 155-174
ISBN: 9781119159285
CID: 5096662

Conduct Disorder: Biology and Developmental Trajectories

Junewicz, Alexandra; Billick, Stephen Bates
For centuries, attempting a successful rehabilitation of youth with antisocial behaviors has challenged juvenile justice systems and society. More recently, advances in science and neuroimaging have permitted a deeper understanding of the biological underpinnings of antisocial behavior and psychopathic tendencies. This paper reviews biological findings in youth with conduct disorder, highlighting comparisons to biological findings in adults with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy. Overall, youth with conduct disorder exhibit several biological findings that are similar to adults with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy, consistent with theories that conduct disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that progresses to these adult conditions. There is evidence that treatment interventions might mitigate this progression and induce biological changes. Further, biological findings might guide interventions to rehabilitate youth and change the developmental trajectory of antisocial behaviors.
PMID: 31768912
ISSN: 1573-6709
CID: 4215822

Intellectual Disabilities in Juvenile Justice: The Case for Screening [Editorial]

Tedeschi, Frank; Junewicz, Alexandra
Recent efforts to reform and improve the juvenile justice system have overlooked one critically important issue-the widespread failure to routinely screen for intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in young offenders. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, offenders with I/DD must receive appropriate accommodations. Yet across the country, adolescents and adults with I/DD must engage with the juvenile justice system without appropriate supports and often with their disabilities unknown to corrections staff, lawyers, judges, and other personnel.
PMID: 30522734
ISSN: 1527-5418
CID: 3678602

Nature, Nurture, and Attachment: Implications in Light of Expanding Definitions of Parenthood

Junewicz, Alexandra; Billick, Stephen Bates
Recent expansion of the legal definition of parenthood in New York State raises the question of whether the presence of a genetic relationship between a parent and child trumps environmental and interpersonal factors in the formation of a strong, secure attachment bond. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that attachment between a child and secure attachment figure is inherently biological, and that such biological attachment supersedes the existence of a genetic parent-child relationship. First, the paper provides an overview of attachment and its biological basis. It then discusses the impact on attachment of environmental and interpersonal influences, which current research suggests have the power to alter brain biology. There is no clear evidence that a genetic relationship confers a significant advantage in terms of attachment. This paper proposes that the term "biological parent" be redefined to include anyone with whom a child shares a strong attachment bond.
PMID: 29292478
ISSN: 1573-6709
CID: 2899632

Victimization and Vulnerability: A Study of Incarceration, Interpersonal Trauma, and Patient-Physician Trust

Junewicz, Alexandra; Kleinert, Kelly J; Dubler, Nancy Neveloff; Caplan, Arthur
Despite the critical importance of patient-physician trust, it may be compromised among vulnerable patients, such as (1) incarcerated patients and (2) those patients who have been victims of trauma. The purpose of this study was to examine patient-physician trust among forensic and civilian psychiatric inpatient populations and to explore whether it varied based on a patient's history of incarceration and/or victimization. A trust survey (WFPTS) and a trauma instrument (LEC-5) were administered to 93 patients hospitalized on forensic and civilian psychiatric hospital units in a large, urban public hospital. Results showed no difference in patient-physician trust between incarcerated and civilian patients. Similarly, there was no effect of a history of physical assault or sexual assault on ratings of patient-physician trust. However, the hospitalized civilian and forensic patients who reported being the victim of weapons assault had significantly lower patient-physician trust scores than their counterparts.
PMID: 27553865
ISSN: 1573-6709
CID: 2221482

Rating scales for psychiatric disorders

Chapter by: Sajatovic, M; Opler, M; Junewicz, A; Opler, L
in: The Medical Basis of Psychiatry by
pp. 869-880
ISBN: 9781493925285
CID: 2687092