Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2025

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
13:08

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

Published on: December 2, 2015

9.0K

Anxiety and Disruptive Behavior Symptoms and Disorders in Preschool-Age Offspring of Parents With and Without Bipolar

Madelaine R Abel1,2, Aude Henin1,2, Jordan Holmén1,3

  • 1Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Journal of Attention Disorders
|December 12, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Parental bipolar disorder (BPD) and related conditions increase young children's risk for behavioral and mood issues. Parental anxiety specifically predicts child anxiety, highlighting the impact of parental mental health on offspring development.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Genetics and Genomics

Background:

  • Parental bipolar disorder (BPD) is a significant risk factor for offspring psychopathology.
  • Comorbid parental psychiatric conditions, such as disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) and anxiety disorders, may further influence child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct and combined contributions of parental bipolar disorder (BPD) and comorbid psychiatric disorders in predicting psychiatric symptoms and disorders in preschool-aged children.
  • To differentiate the predictive power of parental BPD versus comorbid conditions in offspring outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving families with a parent diagnosed with BPD and matched comparison families.
  • Standardized diagnostic interviews and symptom measures were used to assess parents and offspring (aged 2-5 years).
  • Offspring assessments were conducted by blinded evaluators masked to parental diagnostic status.

Main Results:

  • Offspring of parents with BPD exhibited significantly higher rates of behavioral, mood, and anxiety disorders and symptoms.
  • Parental BPD and DBD both contributed to increased disruptive behavioral symptoms in children.
  • Childhood anxiety symptoms were more strongly associated with comorbid parental anxiety disorders.
  • Parental BPD was a more potent predictor of child DBDs than comorbid parental DBDs.

Conclusions:

  • Parental psychiatric comorbidity plays a role in the elevated risk of disorders observed in preschoolers.
  • Both the presence of parental bipolar disorder and its associated comorbidities contribute to offspring psychopathology.
  • Targeting parental mental health, including comorbidities, is crucial for early intervention in at-risk children.
Abstract

Keywords:
child psychopathologyparent bipolar disorderparent psychopathologypreschoolers

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development05:44

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

Published on: May 17, 2024

599
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

11.5K

Related Concept Videos

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...
25
Bipolar Disorder01:30

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
67
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
68
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;...
36
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
100
Borderline Personality Disorder01:25

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
44