Prediction of change in level of problem behavior among children of bipolar parents

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.

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.

Familial loading of unipolar disorder was a unique predictor for an increase in problem scores from the first to the second measurement with beta-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.

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