To Predict Emotional and Behavioral Problems from Infancy, Look at Older Siblings

Emotional and behavioral health of older siblings is the strongest predictor of whether infants will go on to develop similar problems.

Many long-term mental health problems first manifest in early childhood. Because early intervention improves life-course behavioral outcomes, it is important to identify at-risk children in infancy or toddlerhood — but most screening tools focus on preschool-aged children.

To test whether emotional risk could be identified in infancy, researchers in Toronto studied 323 newborns with older siblings. At 2 months, mothers reported on risk factors, such as infant health and fussy temperament; maternal depression, income, and negative parenting; as well as the presence of attention, emotional, and conduct problems in older siblings. Infants were followed through school entry (roughly 4.5 years), at which time both parents (94% of mothers were mar…

Reviewing Author

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

To Predict Emotional and Behavioral Problems from Infancy, Look at Older Siblings

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Reviewing Author