IngentaConnect Prediction of change in level of problem behavior among children ...

Authors: Wals, M.¹; Reichart, C. G.²; Hillegers, M. H. J.³; Nolen, W. A.²; Van Os, J.⁴; Ormel, J.²; Verhulst, F. C.¹

Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Volume 113, Number 1, January 2006 , pp. 23-30(8)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Wals M, Reichart CG, Hillegers MHJ, Nolen WA, Van Os J, Ormel J, Verhulst FC. Prediction of change in level of problem behavior among children of bipolar parents. <br />Acta Psychiatr Scand 2005: 1–8. © 2005 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objective:

To determine the effects of familial loading, birth weight, and family problems on change in parent-reported problems across a 14-month period among children of bipolar parents. Method:

Emotional and behavioral problems in a sample of 140 offspring of bipolar parents and familial loading in first- and second-degree relatives were assessed at two measurements. Parents reported the birth weight of their offspring and completed a questionnaire on family problems. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess associations of the three predictors with change in problem scores at follow-up. Results:

Familial loading of unipolar disorder was a unique predictor for an increase in problem scores from the first to the second measurement with β-coefficients ranging from 0.17 to 0.25. Birth weight and family problems were not associated with change in problem scores across the two measurements. Conclusion:

Familial loading of unipolar disorder predicted an increase in behavioral and emotional problems across the 14-month follow-up.

Keywords: bipolar disorder; offspring; familial loading; birth weight; family problems

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00655.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam 2: Department of Psychiatry and Graduate School Behavior, Cognitive and Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen 3: University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 4: Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

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