Relative age in the school year and risk of mental health problems in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood

Bibliographic Data

ID21344259
AuthorsThomas Broughton (Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine Cardiff University Cardiff UK, corresponding author), Kate Langley (0000-0002-2033-2657, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine Cardiff University Cardiff UK), K Tilling (0000-0002-1010-8926, University of Bristol), Stephan Collishaw (0000-0002-4296-820X, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine Cardiff University Cardiff UK)
Year2023
Volume64
Issue1
Pages185-196
Publication date2023-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9630 • E-ISSN: 1469-7610
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jcpp.13684
PMID35971653
OpenAlexW4292190021
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited36

PURPOSE: Relative age within the school year ('relative age') is associated with increased rates of symptoms and diagnoses of mental health disorders, including ADHD. We aimed to investigate how relative age influences mental health and behaviour before, during and after school (age range: 4-25 years). METHOD: We used a regression discontinuity design to examine the effect of relative age on risk of mental health problems using data from a large UK population-based cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC); N = 14,643). We compared risk of mental health problems between ages 4 and 25 years using the parent-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and depression using self-rated and parent-rated Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) by relative age. RESULTS: The youngest children in the school year have greater parent-rated risk of mental health problems, measured using parent-rated SDQ total difficulties scores. We found no evidence of differences before school entry [estimated standardised mean difference (SMD) between those born on 31 August and 1 September: .02 (-.05, .08)]. We found that estimates of effect size for a 1-year difference in relative age were greatest at 11 years [SMD: .22 (.15, .29)], but attenuated to the null at 25 years [SMD: -.02 (-.11, .07)]. We did not find consistent evidence of differences in self-rated and parent-rated depression by relative age. CONCLUSIONS: Younger relative age is associated with poorer parent-rated general mental health, but not symptoms of depression

Cohort · Cohort study · Confidence interval · Depression (economics) · Longitudinal study · Mental health · Mood · Population · Psychiatry · Relative risk · Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging · Medicine · Psychology

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