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Parent-infant observation for prediction of later childhood psychopathology in community-based samples: A systematic
Elena McAndie1, Charlotte Alice Murray2, Philip Wilson2
1CAMHS, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Insights
Observing parent-child interactions in the first year can identify children at risk for later psychopathology. Lower positive interactions and maternal activity signal potential issues in low-risk samples.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychopathology
- Early Intervention
Background:
- Parent-child interaction difficulties are observable and can be targeted for early intervention.
- This review assesses observational methods for parent-child interactions in the first year of life.
- The goal is to identify children at risk for developing childhood psychopathology from low-risk samples.
Approach:
- A systematic review of six bibliographic databases and reference lists was conducted.
- Included studies focused on the association between observed parent-child interaction and later psychopathology in community-based, low-risk samples.
- Qualitative synthesis was used due to high heterogeneity among the nine included studies.
Key Points:
- Fewer positive parent-infant interactions, lower parent vocalization frequency, and reduced adult speech/activity were linked to childhood psychopathology.
- Maternal sensitivity inversely correlated with separation anxiety.
- Lower shared look rates were associated with oppositional defiant/conduct disorders, while disruptive behavior disorders correlated with higher child vocalization frequency.
Conclusions:
- Assessing parent-child interactions, especially maternal activity, may predict later childhood psychopathology in low-risk populations.
- Further longitudinal, population-based studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
- Early identification through observational methods can guide timely interventions.
Background:
Difficulties in parent-child interaction are easily observed and are a potential target for early intervention. This review aimed to assess the utility of current observational methods used to assess parent-child interactions-within the first year of life-and their ability to screen and identify children from low-risk samples most at risk of developing childhood psychopathology.
Methods:
Six bibliographic databases were searched, and reference lists screened. All peer reviewed papers studying the association between an independent observation of parent-child interaction and later childhood psychopathology in community-based samples were included. Included studies were those recruiting from population or community-based birth cohort data, which we define as 'low-risk'. Studies based on populations known to have a diagnosis of psychiatric illness or developmental disorder, or at high genetic or environmental risk of being diagnosed with such disorder, were excluded. Results were synthesised qualitatively due to high heterogeneity.
Results:
20,051 papers were identified, nine were included in this study. Childhood psychopathology was associated with fewer positive parent-infant interactions, lower parent vocalisation frequency and lower levels of adult speech and activity. Maternal sensitivity was inversely related to separation anxiety and oppositional defiant/conduct disorders were associated with lower shared look rates. Disruptive behaviour disorders were associated with higher frequency of child vocalisation.
Conclusion:
Assessment of parent-child interactions, particularly the level of maternal activity, may be an early indicator of later childhood psychopathology in low-risk samples. Further longitudinal, population-based studies are required.
Trial Registration:
PROSPERO review registration: CRD42020162917 https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=CRD42020162917.
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