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Skumsnes T, Fjermestad KW, Wergeland GJ, Aalberg M, Heiervang ER, Kodal A, Ingul JM. Behavioral Inhibition and Social Anxiety Disorder as Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youth Anxiety Disorders. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024:10.1007/s10802-024-01215-8. [PMID: 38869750 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-024-01215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The temperamental trait behavioral inhibition (BI) is related to the development and maintenance of anxiety, particularly much so to social anxiety disorder. We investigated if BI and social anxiety disorder predicted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) outcomes for youth anxiety. Youth (N = 179; Mage = 11.6 years) were assessed 4 years following a randomized controlled CBT effectiveness trial. BI was measured by the parent-reported Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire at baseline. The outcomes were diagnostic recovery, youth- and parent-reported anxiety symptoms, and clinical severity at post-treatment, 1-year, and 4-year follow-up. Having social anxiety disorder negatively predicted diagnostic recovery and predicted higher clinical severity at all assessment points and was the only significant predictor of outcomes at 4-year follow-up. Higher BI negatively predicted diagnostic recovery and predicted higher clinical severity and parent-reported symptom levels at post-treatment and 1-year follow-up, and predicted higher youth-reported anxiety levels at 1-year follow-up. Higher BI was the only predictor of youth- and parent-reported anxiety symptoms. BI and social anxiety disorder seem to be unique predictors of CBT outcomes among youth with anxiety disorders. CBT adaptations may be indicated for youth with high BI and social anxiety disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toril Skumsnes
- Tynset Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Tynset, Norway.
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | | | - Gro Janne Wergeland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Marianne Aalberg
- Department for Research and Development, Division of Mental Health and Substance Use, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar R Heiervang
- Tynset Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Tynset, Norway
| | - Arne Kodal
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jo Magne Ingul
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Phillips JJ, Roche MJ, Ann Bell M. The Utility of the Level of Personality Functioning Scale in Maternal Samples: A Brief Report. J Pers Assess 2024; 106:328-336. [PMID: 37753946 PMCID: PMC10965509 DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2023.2258961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Maternal personality plays a role in how a mother parents her children and adolescents. Current trait-based measures of personality are acceptable for use in maternal samples, but the presence or absence of given personality traits might not be enough to describe how personality relates to parenting. The Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS) could serve as a solution, as it was designed to capture level of dysfunction in personality without being reliant on specific personality traits. Research, however, has yet to demonstrate the LPFS as a useful measure of personality in maternal samples, thus the goal of this study. A sample of 123 mothers reported on behavioral problems in their adolescent-aged children and their own personality using both a trait-based measure and the LPFS. Our data showed that maternal reports on the LPFS were associated with maternal perceptions of adolescent behavioral problems, in addition to being an acceptable measure of personality in our maternal sample. We also provide support for incremental validity of the LPFS in our sample, as the LPFS uniquely predicted maternal perceptions of adolescent behavioral problems even after controlling for maternal personality traits. Our results are discussed in light of the limitations of the extant work on maternal personality and add to the literature by demonstrating that the LPFS is an acceptable and ubiquitous measure of personality in maternal samples.
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Joshua PR, Lewis V, Simpson S, Kelty SF, Boer DP. What role do early life experiences play in eating disorders? The impact of parenting style, temperament and early maladaptive schemas. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023. [PMID: 37654072 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given that most eating disorders develop in adolescence and early adulthood, early life experiences are said to play a key role in the aetiology of eating disorders. There are well-documented relationships between early maladaptive schemas and eating disorders, early maladaptive schemas and temperament and temperament and perceived parenting style. The present study aimed to test a hypothesis that perceived parenting style predicts temperament, which predicts early maladaptive schemas, which predict eating disorder symptoms in young people. METHOD An online survey measured perceived parenting style, temperament, early maladaptive schemas and eating disorder symptoms in 397 people with disordered eating between the ages of 18 and 29. Path analysis was used to investigate the relationship between these elements. RESULTS The results found support for this hypothesis. Perceived maladaptive parenting ratings for mothers were a stronger predictor of temperament, and only two temperament factors were adequate predictors of early maladaptive schemas. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the present study found preliminary support for a linear relationship where perceived parenting style predicts temperament, which predicts early maladaptive schema levels, which predicts eating disorder symptoms. The present study was the first to propose and test this model; however, further research is required to confirm the nature and extent of this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe R Joshua
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Vivienne Lewis
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Susan Simpson
- University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- NHS Forth Valley, Stirling, UK
| | - Sally F Kelty
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Douglas P Boer
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Mechanisms of the Effects of Parental Emotional Warmth on Extraversion in Children and Adolescents. Neuroscience 2021; 467:134-141. [PMID: 34038771 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to probe into the influence mechanism of parental emotional warmth (PEW) on extraversion for children and adolescents, as well as the moderating and mediating role of brain functional activity. Thirty-two children and adolescents underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans and completed Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). Small-worldness (SW) of brain networks, fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and region-of-interest to region-of-interest (ROI-ROI) functional connectivity were calculated to study intrinsic neuronal activity. We found that PEW had a positive direct effect on extraversion, and all participants in the current study showed an efficient small-world structure. The positive association between PEW and extraversion was mediated by SW. Furthermore, the fALFF and extraversion were significantly and negatively correlated in the right precuneus and dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus. The mediating effect of SW was moderated by the functional connectivity between the right precuneus and the right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus. The indirect effect was significant with lower level of the functional connectivity between the right precuneus and the right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus. These findings indicate that SW of brain networks may be a key factor that accounts for the positive association between PEW and extraversion in children and adolescents and the level of the functional connectivity between the right precuneus and the right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus could moderate the relationship.
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Capriola-Hall NN, Booker JA, Ollendick TH. Parent- and Child-Factors in Specific Phobias: The Interplay of Overprotection and Negative Affectivity. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 48:1291-1302. [PMID: 32623544 PMCID: PMC7484109 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00662-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Specific phobias are among the most prevalent anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Although brief and intensive treatments are evidence-based interventions (Davis III et al. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 233-256, 2019), up to one-third of youth do not show significant change in their symptoms following these interventions. Hence, consideration of additional factors influencing treatment response is necessary. Child-factors such as temperament and parent-factors such as parenting behaviors both contribute to the development of specific phobias and their maintenance over time. Specifically, we addressed child temperament (negative affectivity) and parenting behaviors (overprotection) that could uniquely predict clinical outcomes for specific phobias and that might interact to inform goodness-of-fit in the context of these interventions. We also considered whether child- and/or parent-gender shaped the effects of temperament or parenting on clinical outcomes. Participants were 125 treatment-seeking youth (M age = 8.80 years; age range = 6-15 years; 51.5% girls) who met criteria for specific phobia and their mothers and fathers. Mothers' reports of children's negative affectivity uniquely predicted poorer specific phobia symptom severity and global clinical adjustment at post-treatment. Interaction effects were supported between parental overprotection and child negative affectivity for post-treatment fearfulness. The direction of these effects differed between fathers and mothers, suggesting that goodness-of-fit is important to consider, and that parent gender may provide additional nuance to considerations of parent-child fit indices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan A Booker
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Spence SH, Prosser SJ, March S, Donovan CL. Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy with minimal therapist support for anxious children and adolescents: predictors of response. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 61:914-927. [PMID: 32424896 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In general, Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) produces significant reductions in child and adolescent anxiety, but a proportion of participants continue to show clinical levels of anxiety after treatment. It is important to identify demographic, clinical, and family factors that predict who is most likely to benefit from iCBT in order to better tailor treatment to individual needs. METHODS Participants were 175 young people (7-18 years) with an anxiety disorder, and at least one of their parents, who completed an iCBT intervention with minimal therapist support. Multilevel modeling (MLM) examined predictors of response to iCBT as measured by the slope for changes in the primary outcome measures of child- and parent-reported anxiety scores, from pretreatment, to 12-weeks, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups, controlling for pretreatment total clinician severity ratings of all anxiety diagnoses. RESULTS Child age, gender, father age, parental education, parental mental health, parenting style, and family adaptability and cohesion did not significantly predict changes in anxiety in the multivariate analyses. For child-reported anxiety, greater reductions were predicted by a separation anxiety disorder diagnosis (SEP) and elevated depression, with lower reductions predicted by poor couple relationship quality. For parent-reported child anxiety, greater reductions were predicted by higher pretreatment total CSRs, SEP, and lower family income, with lower reductions for children of older mothers. Irrespective of these predictors of change, children in general showed reductions in anxiety to within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS Overall, children responded well to iCBT irrespective of the demographic, clinical, and family factors examined here. Poor couple relationship quality and older mother age were risk factors for less positive response to iCBT in terms of reductions in anxiety symptoms although still to within the normal range.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sonja March
- The University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
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van Loon AWG, Creemers HE, Vogelaar S, Saab N, Miers AC, Westenberg PM, Asscher JJ. The effectiveness of school-based skills-training programs promoting mental health in adolescents: a study protocol for a randomized controlled study. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:712. [PMID: 31174502 PMCID: PMC6556042 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6999-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adolescence is a period of elevated stress sensitivity, which places adolescents at increased risk of developing mental health problems such as burnout, depression, anxiety, and externalizing problems. Early intervention of psychological needs and low-threshold care addressing such needs may prevent this dysfunctional development. Schools may provide an important environment to identify and address psychological needs. The aim of this protocol is to describe the design of a study aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of low-threshold school-based skills-training programs promoting the mental health of adolescents and to examine moderators of the effectiveness. Methods A Randomized Controlled Trial will be conducted to examine the effectiveness of two school-based skills-training programs aiming to promote mental health by improving either skills to deal with performance anxiety or social skills. A multi-informant (i.e., students, parents, and trainers) and multi-method (i.e., questionnaires and physiological measurements) approach will be used to assess program targets (skills to deal with performance anxiety or social skills), direct program outcomes (performance or social anxiety) and mental health outcomes (i.e., stress, internalizing and externalizing problems, self-esteem and well-being), as well as specific moderators (i.e., student, parent and program characteristics, social support, perfectionism, stressful life events, perceived parental pressure, positive parenting behavior, treatment alliance and program integrity). Discussion The current study will provide information on the effectiveness of school-based skills-training programs. It is of crucial importance that the school environment can provide students with effective, low-threshold intervention programs to promote adolescents’ daily functioning and well-being and prevent the emergence of mental health problems that negatively affect school performance. Trial registration Dutch Trial Register number NL7438. Registered 12 December 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda W G van Loon
- Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Hanneke E Creemers
- Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Simone Vogelaar
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nadira Saab
- Graduate School of Teaching (ICLON), Leiden University, Kolffpad 1, 2333 BN, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anne C Miers
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - P Michiel Westenberg
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jessica J Asscher
- Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Capriola NN, Booker JA, Ollendick TH. Profiles of Temperament among Youth with Specific Phobias: Implications for CBT Outcomes. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2017; 45:1449-1459. [PMID: 28032271 PMCID: PMC5491379 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-016-0255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Specific phobias (SPs) are characterized by excessive fear or anxiety regarding an object or situation. SPs often result in a host of negative outcomes in childhood and beyond. Children with SPs are broadly assumed to show dispositional over-regulation and fearfulness relative to children without SPs, but there are few attempts to distinguish dispositional patterns among children with SPs. In the present study, we examined trajectories of differing temperamental profiles for youth receiving a CBT-based treatment for their SP. Participants were 117 treatment seeking youth (M Age = 8.77 years, Age Range = 6-15 years; 54.7% girls) who met criteria for a SP and their mothers. Three temperament profiles emerged and were conceptually similar to previously supported profiles: well-adjusted; inhibited; and under-controlled. While all groups showed similarly robust reductions in SP severity following treatment, differences among the three groups emerged in terms of broader internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and global outlook. The well-adjusted group was higher in functioning initially than the other two groups. The inhibited group had initial disadvantages in initial internalizing symptoms. The under-controlled group showed greatest comorbidity risks and had initial disadvantages in both internalizing and externalizing symptoms. These distinct clusters represent considerable heterogeneity within a clinical sample of youth with SP who are often assumed to have homogenous behavior tendencies of inhibition and fearfulness. Findings suggest that considering patterns of temperament among children with phobias could assist treatment planning and inform ongoing refinements to improve treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan A Booker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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Khazanov GK, Ruscio AM. Is low positive emotionality a specific risk factor for depression? A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychol Bull 2016; 142:991-1015. [PMID: 27416140 PMCID: PMC5110375 DOI: 10.1037/bul0000059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Depression is well known to share a negative cross-sectional relationship with personality constructs defined by positive emotion (positive affect, extraversion, behavioral activation). These Positive Emotionality (PE) constructs have been proposed to represent stable temperamental risk factors for depression, not merely current mood state. These constructs have also been proposed to increase risk specifically for depression, relative to anxiety. We performed a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to examine the relationship of PE to depression (59 effect sizes) and anxiety (26 effect sizes). In cross-sectional analyses, PE constructs were negatively associated with depression (r = -.34) and anxiety (r = -.24). PE constructs also prospectively predicted depression (r = -.26) and anxiety (r = -.19). These relationships remained statistically significant, but were markedly attenuated, when baseline levels of depression (β = -.08) and anxiety (β = -.06) were controlled. Moreover, depression and anxiety were equally strong predictors of subsequent changes in PE (β = -.07 and -.09, respectively). These findings are consistent with theoretical accounts of low PE as a temperamental vulnerability for depression, but suggest that the prospective relationship of PE to depression may be weaker and less specific than previously assumed. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Lundkvist-Houndoumadi I, Thastum M. Anxious Children and Adolescents Non-responding to CBT: Clinical Predictors and Families' Experiences of Therapy. Clin Psychol Psychother 2015; 24:82-93. [DOI: 10.1002/cpp.1982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikael Thastum
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences; Aarhus University; Aarhus Denmark
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Lundkvist-Houndoumadi I, Hougaard E, Thastum M. Pre-treatment child and family characteristics as predictors of outcome in cognitive behavioural therapy for youth anxiety disorders. Nord J Psychiatry 2014; 68:524-35. [PMID: 24754469 DOI: 10.3109/08039488.2014.903295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective for children and adolescents (6-18 years) with anxiety disorders, but the non-response rate is high-a fact that may argue for the importance of studies on pre-treatment characteristics of children and their families that predict treatment outcome. AIMS To provide a systematic review of clinical and demographic pre-treatment child and family predictors of treatment outcome in CBT for anxiety disorders in youth. METHOD A systematic literature search was conducted based on electronic databases (PsycINFO, Embase and PubMed), and retrieved studies were analysed according to the box-score method of counting significant findings. RESULTS 24 studies with a sample size ≥ 60 were located. Most studies dealt with the following predictors: child age, gender, comorbidity, symptom severity and parental psychopathology. There was some evidence that a higher degree of pre-treatment symptomatic severity and non-anxiety comorbidity predicted higher end-state severity, but not a lesser degree of improvement. There was some but inconsistent support for a negative influence of parental psychopathology. CONCLUSION Studies on pre-treatment child and family predictors of outcome in CBT for youth anxiety disorders have until now resulted in few findings of clinical or theoretical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Lundkvist-Houndoumadi
- Irene Lundkvist-Houndoumadi, M.Sc., Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences , Aarhus University , Denmark
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Tonnsen B, Cornish KM, Wheeler AC, Roberts JE. Maternal predictors of anxiety risk in young males with fragile X. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2014; 165B:399-409. [PMID: 24832235 PMCID: PMC4681279 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) demonstrate high rates of anxiety disorders, with 65-83% meeting diagnostic criteria. The severity of anxiety symptoms in FXS has been shown to be partially predicted by elevated negative affect across early childhood [Tonnsen et al. (2013a); J Abnorm Child Psychol 41:267-280]. This association suggests that biologically driven vulnerability emerges early in development, as is reported in non-clinical populations. However, anxiety emergence is likely moderated by multifaceted genetic, biological and environmental risk and protective factors. Mothers with the FMR1 premutation have been shown to exhibit elevated parenting stress and internalizing symptoms, which have each been associated with child behavior problems [Bailey et al. (2008a); Am J Med Genet Part A 146A:2060-2069 and Bailey et al. (2008b) Am J Med Genet Part A 146A:720-729]. Despite these findings, it is unclear whether maternal factors directly relate to anxiety vulnerability in high-risk children with FXS, a question essential to informing targeted, family-sensitive treatment. The present study examines how maternal protective and risk factors relate to child inhibition reflected in (1) child anxiety symptoms, (2) child trajectories of negative affect, and (3) the association between child anxiety and negative affect. Primary predictors include maternal parenting stress, indicators of mental health risk (anxiety and depressive symptoms), and maternal optimism. We also examine genetic correlates in mothers (CGG repeats, activation ratio, mRNA). Our findings suggest that behavioral inhibition in young children with FXS is associated with higher parenting stress and lower optimism, and higher parenting stress is associated with lower maternal X-activation ratio. These findings underscore the need for family-sensitive treatment strategies for anxiety disorders in children with FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette Tonnsen
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Kim M. Cornish
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Jane E. Roberts
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
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