Examining timing effects in the intergenerational transmission of anxiety and depressive symptoms

A genetically informed study

Bibliographic Data

ID9788486
AuthorsTong Chen (0000-0003-3944-957X), T L Chen (0000-0001-8443-0590, Pennsylvania State University, corresponding author), Chang Liu (0000-0002-1198-6990, Washington State University), Peter C M Molenaar (0000-0002-0026-0756, Pennsylvania State University), Leslie D Leve (0000-0003-3061-4524, University of Oregon), Jody M Ganiban (0000-0001-5908-6644, George Washington University), Misaki N Natsuaki (0000-0001-5585-7827, University of California, Riverside), Daniel S Shaw (0000-0001-9111-9258, University of Pittsburgh), Jenae M Neiderhiser (0000-0003-4474-5330, Pennsylvania State University)
Year2024
Volume60
Issue4
Pages747-763
Publication date2024-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopmental Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-1649 • E-ISSN: 1939-0599
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/dev0001694
PMID38358664
OpenAlexW4391839917
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited22

The present study examined genetic, prenatal, and postnatal environmental pathways in the intergenerational transmission of anxiety and depressive symptoms from parents to early adolescents (when these symptoms start to increase), while considering timing effects of exposure to parent anxiety and depressive symptoms postnatally. The sample was from the Early Growth and Development Study, including 561 adopted children (57% male, 55% White, 13% Black/African American, 11% Hispanic/Latine, 20% multiracial, 1% other; 407 provided data in early adolescence) and their birth (BP) and adoptive parents (AP). Using a trait-state-occasion model with eight assessments from child ages 9 months to 11 years, we partitioned trait-like AP anxiety and depressive symptoms from time-specific fluctuations of AP anxiety and depressive symptoms. Offspring anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed at 11 years (while controlling for similar symptoms at 4.5 years). Results suggested that time-specific fluctuations of AP1 (mostly mothers) anxiety/depressive symptoms in infancy (9 months) were indirectly associated with offspring anxiety/depressive symptoms at 11 years via offspring anxiety/depressive symptoms at 4.5 years; time-specific fluctuations of AP1 anxiety/depressive symptoms at child age 11 years were concurrently associated with offspring anxiety/depressive symptoms at 11 years. AP2 (mostly fathers) anxiety/depressive symptoms were not associated with offspring symptoms. Genetic and prenatal influences measured by BP internalizing problems were not associated with offspring symptoms. Results suggested infancy and early adolescence as developmental periods when children are susceptible to influences of parent anxiety and depressive symptoms. Preventive interventions should consider time-specific fluctuations in parent anxiety and depressive symptoms during these developmental periods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Anxiety · Depressive symptoms · Offspring · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Early Childhood Education and Development · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Psychology

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