Childhood Predictors of Young Adult Social Functioning in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Abstract

Background The primary objectives of the current prospective longitudinal study were to (a) describe social functioning outcomes and (b) identify childhood predictors of social functioning in young adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS). Method Childhood predictors of young adult social functioning were examined. Family environment and parental stress in adolescence were investigated as potential mediators between childhood variables and adult social functioning. Results Parent rated childhood internalizing symptoms significantly predicted young adult social functioning in 22q11.2DS, even after controlling for concurrent positive symptoms of psychosis, and problem behaviors contributing to parenting stress in adolescence partially mediated this relationship. Conclusions These findings highlight child internalizing symptoms and adolescent problem behaviors as potential targets for social functioning interventions in 22q11.2DS.

Social cognition in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and its link with psychopathology and social outcomes: a review

“…In the present review, the social outcomes of individuals with 22q11DS were assessed by parent ratings in almost all included studies. At the same time, discrepancies regarding social outcomes in parent vs. teacher [ 71 ], or parent vs. child and sibling were observed in the group of participants with 22q11DS [ 72 ]. Therefore, it is questionable whether the parent-ratings of social outcomes are sensitive enough to observe a specific association with social cognition in individuals with 22q11DS.…”

Psychological Adjustment of Children and Adolescents with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Their Mothers’ Stress and Coping—A Longitudinal Study

“…In line with these findings, several cross-sectional studies which used a dimensional approach (by means of parent and teacher reports) have reported increased rates of clinical behavior problems: 25–60% of 4–18-year-old subjects with 22q11.2DS were rated clinical with predominantly social and attention problems [ 15 , 16 ] whereas slightly lower rates of clinical cases (24%) have been found among 1.5–3 year old children [ 17 ]. Moreover, young individuals with 22q11.2DS scored significantly higher for internalizing problems when compared to community controls, siblings, age and intelligence matched children with speech-language delays without a genetic cause or children with clefts [ 13 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Additionally, they presented with lower social skills than community controls and siblings [ 20 ].…”

“…Moreover, young individuals with 22q11.2DS scored significantly higher for internalizing problems when compared to community controls, siblings, age and intelligence matched children with speech-language delays without a genetic cause or children with clefts [ 13 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Additionally, they presented with lower social skills than community controls and siblings [ 20 ]. Cross-sectional studies have suggested an increase in behavior problems, especially internalizing problems, with age [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Additionally, parents of young subjects with the deletion did not differ from other parents of mentally and/or physically disabled children with regard to coping strategies [ 25 ]. In contrast, parental stress (as assessed with the Parenting Stress Index (PSI, [ 26 ]) and strain (as a personality aspect) were significantly higher among parents of children and adolescents with the deletion compared to age and gender matched subjects of the general population [ 16 , 20 ]. Moreover, a recent longitudinal study demonstrated that internalizing symptoms in children with 22q11.2DS predicted poor social functioning (e.g., problems with interpersonal relationships, social leisure activities) in young adulthood, and this effect was mediated by parenting stress [ 20 ].…”

“…In contrast, parental stress (as assessed with the Parenting Stress Index (PSI, [ 26 ]) and strain (as a personality aspect) were significantly higher among parents of children and adolescents with the deletion compared to age and gender matched subjects of the general population [ 16 , 20 ]. Moreover, a recent longitudinal study demonstrated that internalizing symptoms in children with 22q11.2DS predicted poor social functioning (e.g., problems with interpersonal relationships, social leisure activities) in young adulthood, and this effect was mediated by parenting stress [ 20 ]. Despite of these findings, primary caregivers of subjects with 22q11.2DS have been found to show levels of satisfaction with life similar to age and gender matched subjects of the general population, suggesting successful parental coping with stress [ 16 , 17 ].…”