Multi-rater developmental trajectories of hyperactivity–impulsivity and inattention symptoms from 1.5 to 17 years: a population-based birth cohort study

Abstract

The developmental course of hyperactivity–impulsivity and inattention symptoms from infancy to adolescence has not been documented in a population sample. The aim of this study was to describe the developmental course of hyperactivity–impulsivity and inattention symptoms from 1.5 to 17 years using multiple informants, and to identify perinatal risk factors associated with following elevated (high-risk) trajectories. Using a population-based birth cohort ( n = 1374), symptom ratings from mothers (1.5–8 years), teachers (6–13 years) and participant self-reports (10–17 years) were combined using group-based multi-trajectory modeling to identify informants’ convergence in identifying high-symptom trajectories of hyperactivity–impulsivity and inattention over time. Perinatal risk factors associated with high-symptom trajectories were identified using stepwise logistic regression. The study found that symptoms of hyperactivity–impulsivity broadly declined from 1.5 to 17 years while symptoms of inattention remained constant. 21.4% of participants followed elevated trajectories of hyperactivity–impulsivity and 20.2% followed elevated trajectories of inattention; 11.6% followed elevated trajectories of both types of symptoms concurrently. Risk factors for high-risk trajectories of hyperactivity–impulsivity were low maternal education, prenatal alcohol exposure, non-intact family, maternal depression, and low child IQ; for high-risk inattention they were prenatal street drug exposure, early motherhood, low maternal education, maternal depression and low child IQ. Risk factors for trajectories of high-risk hyperactivity–impulsivity and inattention concurrently were low maternal education, maternal depression, and low child IQ. The combination of longitudinal assessments from multiple informants (i.e., mother, teacher, participant-reports) provides a new way to characterize hyperactivity–impulsivity and inattention phenotypes over time. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00787-018-1258-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Emotional and behavioural pathways to adolescent substance use and antisocial behaviour: results from the UK Millennium Cohort Study_PREPRINT

“…In contrast to emotional and conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention had a more stable course throughout development. A study on the developmental course of hyperactivity/inattention symptoms from early childhood to adolescence found a decrease in hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, while attention symptoms were consistent [38]. We did not, however, find the trajectory with peaking externalising symptoms in preadolescence or adolescence that some other studies found [34–36].…”

Aggressive behavior, emotional, and attention problems across childhood and academic attainment at the end of primary school

“…Behavioral and emotional problems are common in childhood, tend to be stable from early childhood onwards [1][2][3][4] and are linked to a wide range of poor outcomes along the life course, including adolescent and adult mental disorders, substance use, and social problems [5,6]. Broadly, behavioral problems, encompass aggressive behavior (e.g., rule breaking, conduct problems, and aggression towards others) on the one hand, and attention problems on the other hand.…”

Is children’s mental illness “a family affair”?

“…First, a study conducted by Mulraney et al [13] indicates that offspring outcomes are deteriorated not only in case of severe mental illness but also in case of psychological distress, which is relatively frequent and may go undetected by health professionals. Similarly, the study conducted by Vergunst et al [14] indicates that maternal symptoms of depression are predictive of offspring trajectories of hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention through age 17 years. Additionally, the study conducted by Raitasalo et al [15] shows that prenatal alcohol abuse-even if it is not considered severe-is also predictive of offspring mental and behavioral disorders.…”