[Physical and psychological status of 60-70-year-old citizens of Bern with neurotic symptoms in childhood--a study over more than 50 years (Emmental cohort)].
The present study was undertaken to assess the influence of childhood variables (physical and emotional) to later well-being in a group of rural Swiss (Emmental Cohort). Our study is the first prospective cohort over a time period of more than 50 years. It includes 1537 children who were listed and assessed in 1942 (T1) because they had difficulties in school or were otherwise behaviorally disturbed. In 1995 (T2) more than 60% of the initial population could be reassessed by our study group. We found more subjects at T2 who had been rated as intelligent at T1. More subjects responding to T2 belonged to a higher social class, were more anxious, and had more psychosocial problems at T1. Social income at T2 is correlated to the social class at T1. More subjects have died since who were rated at T1 as being less intelligent, less neurotical, and having higher psychosocial problems. Twice as many men died than women. The emotional situation at T2 is significantly correlated to psychological well-being at T1. The somatic complaints at T2 correlate significantly to neurotic symptoms in childhood (T1). The more intelligent the children were rated at T1, the less emotional and somatic complaints were voiced at T2 and the better the psychic well-being was rated (T2). In addition, the former social milieu (T1) significantly determined somatic and psychological complaints at T2. Our data discern a significant correlation between actual status and former childhood variables more than 50 years later in a rural Swiss cohort (Emmental Cohort).
Laederach-Hofmann
K
K
Universität Bern, Schweiz.
Zundel-Funk
A M
AM
Dräyer
J
J
Lauber
P
P
Mussgay
L
L
Egger
M
M
Jürgensen
R
R
Weber
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013557:Switzerland