Characteristics of the parent-child relationship at 18-months of age predict the onset and type of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence: A longitudinal nested birth cohort study

Abstract

Background

The quality of the parent-child relationship in the first years of childhood has been associated with various long-term mental health outcomes. However, it is unclear whether specific characteristics of the early parent-child relationship predict the onset of mental disorders. The aim of this study was therefore to examine child, parent, and dyadic characteristics of the early parent-child relationship as predictors of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence.

Method

As a part of the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000, a child cohort of 295 children participated in the study at 18-months of age and were subsequently followed until late adolescence. Child, parent, and dyadic dimensions of the early parent-child relationship were assessed using the observational Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment. The outcomes were mental disorders subsequently diagnosed in childhood and adolescence.

Results

Cox-regression analyses suggested that parent characteristics involving negative affect and behavior, intrusiveness and insensitivity during early parent child interactions were associated with increased risk of the child being diagnosed with a mental disorder at later ages. However, variation was noted across specific diagnoses. Parental negative affect and behavior was specifically associated with increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, while infant dysregulation and irritability was specifically associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. These results remained significant after adjusting for parental mental disorders and early mental health problems of the child.

Conclusion

Disorder-specific associations were observed between dysfunctions in the early parent-child relationship and subsequent mental disorders. Improving such early relational dysfunctions may support the goals of early interventions that aim to mitigate the risk of mental disorders from a very early age.