Elaboration of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis–Results from a Population-Based 6-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to contribute to the elaboration of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis framework by testing eight hypotheses addressing the direct impact of gross motor coordination problems in elementary-school on selected physical, behavioral and psychosocial outcomes in adolescence. Results are based on a longitudinal sample of 940 participants who were (i) recruited as part of a population-based representative survey on health, physical fitness and physical activity in childhood and adolescence, (ii) assessed twice within 6 years, between the ages of 6 and 10 years old as well as between the ages of 12 and 16 years old (Response Rate: 55.9%) and (iii) classified as having gross motor coordination problems (N = 115) or having no gross motor coordination problems (N = 825) at baseline. Motor tests from the Körperkoordinationstest, measures of weight and height, a validated physical activity questionnaire as well as the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire were conducted. Data were analyzed by use of binary logistic regressions. Results indicated that elementary-school children with gross motor coordination problems show a higher risk of persistent gross motor coordination problems (OR = 7.99, p < 0.001), avoiding organized physical activities (OR = 1.53, p < 0.05), an elevated body mass (OR = 1.78, p < 0.05), bonding with sedentary peers (OR = 1.84, p < 0.01) as well as emotional (OR = 1.73, p < 0.05) and conduct (OR = 1.79, p < 0.05) problems in adolescence in comparison to elementary-school children without gross motor coordination problems. However, elementary-school children with gross motor coordination problems did not show a significantly higher risk of peer problems (OR = 1.35, p = 0.164) or diminished prosocial behavior (OR = 1.90, p = 0.168) in adolescence, respectively in comparison to elementary-school children without gross motor coordination problems. This study is the first to provide population-based longitudinal data ranging from childhood to adolescence in the context of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis which can be considered a substantial methodological progress. In summary, gross motor coordination problems represent a serious issue for a healthy transition from childhood to adolescence which substantiates respective early movement interventions.

Research Review: Internalising symptoms in developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Most were from developed countries, with one study from Taiwan. Three prospective cohort studies were identified that screened for DCD in a cohort and assessed their internalising symptoms at a later follow up (Harrowell et al., ; male & female samples; Wagner, Jekauc, Worth, & Woll, ). The remaining 20 studies adopted a cross‐sectional design.…”

“…Sixteen studies identified individuals with and without DCD/probable DCD via population‐based screening of community samples (Campbell, Missiuna, & Vaillancourt, ; Chen, Tseng, Hu, & Cermak, ; Dewey et al., ; Francis & Piek, ; Harrowell et al., ; van den Heuvel, Jansen, Reijneveld, Flapper, & Smits‐Engelsman, ; King‐Dowling et al., ; Li et al., ; Missiuna et al., ; Piek, Bradbury, Elsley, & Tate, ; Schoemaker & Kalverboer, ; Skinner & Piek, ; Wagner et al., ). Of the remaining studies, five recruited DCD participants through selective or convenience samples such as clinical referrals or support groups (Crane, Sumner, & Hill, ; Hill & Brown, ; Pratt & Hill, ; Wagner, Bös, Jascenoka, Jekauc, & Petermann, ; Watson & Knott, ), one recruited participants through screening a clinical population of children born with extremely low birth weight (Davis et al., ), and one sampled from a monozygotic twin population (Piek et al., ).…”

The relationship between motor skills, perceived self‐competence, peer problems and internalizing problems in a community sample of children

“…Wagner, Jekauc, Worth, & Woll, 2016). Growing experimental and longitudinal evaluation of the Elaborated Environmental Stress Hypothesis is ongoing (e.g.…”

“…Growing experimental and longitudinal evaluation of the Elaborated Environmental Stress Hypothesis is ongoing (e.g. Wagner, Jekauc, Worth, & Woll, 2016).…”

Considerations on the assessment of developmental coordination disorder and the elaboration of related contextual pathways

“…In summary, the ALSPAC study provides a unique and valuable data set, with potentials for a differentiated elaboration of the environmental stress hypothesis and derived clinical implications as indicated in the study by Harrowell et al However, following the aforementioned controversial issues, researchers in the field working with the ALSPAC data set should: (1) reconsider alternative target group denotations and be aware of the presumably limited contextual impact of their problem definition; (2) integrate the stability of respective outcomes in terms of a cross‐lagged panel model; and (3) perform mediation analysis on the basis of at least three chronologically ordered measures.…”