Preschool irritability: longitudinal associations with psychiatric disorders at age 6 and parental psychopathology

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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
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Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

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Lea R Dougherty1, Victoria C Smith, Sara J Bufferd

  • 1University of Maryland-College Park.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|December 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Chronic irritability in preschoolers predicts later depression and oppositional defiant disorder. Early detection and intervention for irritability are crucial for addressing early mental health issues.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • Chronic irritability in youth is gaining attention, but its predictive validity in early childhood is understudied.
  • Understanding early irritability is key to identifying and addressing mental health conditions in preschoolers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the associations of chronic irritability with psychiatric disorders and parental psychopathology in preschoolers.
  • To assess the predictive validity and clinical significance of chronic irritability in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, longitudinal study of 462 preschoolers assessed at 3 and 6 years of age.
  • Child psychopathology was assessed using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA).
  • A dimensional measurement of chronic irritability was derived from PAPA items; parental psychopathology was assessed via diagnostic interview.

Main Results:

  • Chronic irritability was concurrently linked to various psychiatric disorders and functional impairment at ages 3 and 6.
  • Preschool irritability predicted depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and functional impairment at age 6.
  • Irritability was also associated with parental depression and anxiety.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic irritability plays a central role in early-emerging mental health problems.
  • Findings support the importance of early detection and interventions targeting irritability in preschoolers.
  • Results align with studies showing irritability predicts later depression and anxiety in older youth.
Abstract

Keywords:
irritabilitylongitudinalmood dysregulationpreschool

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