Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

1.2K

Paternal psychopathological risk and psychological functioning in children with eating disorders and Disruptive

Luca Cerniglia1, Pietro Muratori2, Annarita Milone2

  • 1International Telematic University Uninettuno, Psychology Faculty, Department of Psychology, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 39 - 00100, Rome, Italy.

Psychiatry Research
|April 30, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Fathers of children with eating disorders (ED) exhibit higher psychopathological risk than those with disruptive behavior disorder (DBD). Paternal hostility is linked to internalizing problems in children with DBD, while interpersonal sensitivity is associated with problems in children with ED.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Psychopathology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Maternal psychopathology is linked to child maladjustment, but paternal factors are understudied.
  • Disruptive Behavior Disorder (DBD) and Eating Disorders (ED) are prevalent childhood conditions with limited research on paternal psychopathological risk.
  • Understanding paternal influence is crucial for comprehensive child mental health assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the psychopathological risk in fathers of children with DBD and ED.
  • To compare the psychopathological profiles of fathers of children with ED versus DBD.
  • To investigate associations between paternal psychopathology and child emotional-behavioral problems.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 139 children with DBD or ED and their fathers, plus a healthy control group.
  • Administered the SCL-90/R and CBCL 6-18 to fathers to assess psychopathology.
  • Analyzed psychopathological risk, group differences, and symptom associations.

Main Results:

  • Fathers of children with ED showed higher overall psychopathological risk compared to fathers of children with DBD.
  • Children with DBD exhibited more externalizing symptoms.
  • Paternal hostility correlated with internalizing problems in DBD children; interpersonal sensitivity linked to internalizing problems in ED children.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal psychopathology differs between fathers of children with ED and DBD.
  • Specific paternal symptoms, like hostility and interpersonal sensitivity, are associated with distinct child emotional-behavioral problems.
  • Findings enhance understanding of paternal roles in childhood DBD and ED.

Keywords:
Developmental psychopathologyEmotional-behavioral difficultiesHostilityInterpersonal sensitivityPaternal psychiatric symptomsPaternal somatizationRisk factors

More Related Videos

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis04:19

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: May 10, 2022

4.7K
Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia13:08

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

Published on: December 2, 2015

9.5K

Related Concept Videos

Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
1.6K
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
879
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
696
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
995
Introduction to Psychological Disorders01:19

Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
1.5K
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
592