Prediction of change in level of problem behavior among children of bipolar parents.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of familial loading, birth weight, and family problems on change in parent-reported problems across a 14-month period among children of bipolar parents.


METHODS
Emotional and behavioral problems in a sample of 140 offspring of bipolar parents and familial loading in first- and second-degree relatives were assessed at two measurements. Parents reported the birth weight of their offspring and completed a questionnaire on family problems. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess associations of the three predictors with change in problem scores at follow-up.


RESULTS
Familial loading of unipolar disorder was a unique predictor for an increase in problem scores from the first to the second measurement with beta-coefficients ranging from 0.17 to 0.25. Birth weight and family problems were not associated with change in problem scores across the two measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
Familial loading of unipolar disorder predicted an increase in behavioral and emotional problems across the 14-month follow-up.
Wals
M
M
Department of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.wals@erasmusmc.nl
Reichart
C G
CG
Hillegers
M H J
MH
Nolen
W A
WA
Van Os
J
J
Ormel
J
J
Verhulst
F C
FC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003710:Demography; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires