Anxiety Symptoms In Offspring Research Articles

Mental health outcomes of offspring exposed to parental intimate partner violence in Rwanda

BackgroundChildren who witness parental intimate partner violence (IPV) are more likely to develop mental health issues compared to those who do not witness such violence.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study is to assess the association between parental intimate partner violence and child mental health outcomes.MethodologyThis cross-sectional study involved 548 participants divided into two groups: parents (N = 304) and offspring (N = 244). The participants were recruited from Mageragere Sector in the City of Kigali (urban), as well as Mbazi and Ruhashya sectors in Huye District (rural). To assess the difference about mental difficulties reported by the offspring, a Mann-Whitney U test was employed to compare the responses of parents and their children on mental health outcomes. Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the association between parental intimate partner violence (IPV) and the mental health outcomes of their offspring.ResultsThe results highlighted significant levels of mental and emotional challenges in children, as reported by both parents and the children themselves. Depression and youth conduct problems were more prevalent among the children compared to their parents, whereas anxiety and irritability were more commonly reported by parents than by their children. Intimate partner violence showed to be a predictor of irritability and anxiety symptoms in offspring. In terms of irritability, depression, and youth conduct problems they were identified as predictors of anxiety symptoms. Particularly, anxiety and irritability were revealed to predict youth conduct problems.ConclusionThe study indicates that parental intimate partner violence (IPV) has an impact on the mental well-being of their offspring. Furthermore, it was observed that there is not only a correlation between IPV and poor mental health outcomes, but also a connection between different mental conditions, implying that children exposed to IPV are more prone to experiencing a range of mental issues. As a result, intervention programs should place emphasis on addressing the mental disorders of both parents and children.

Parent problem drinking trajectory classes predict anxiety in adolescence and emerging adulthood

BackgroundThis study identified latent trajectory classes for maternal problem drinking and paternal problem drinking and examined the associations between these trajectory classes and offspring anxiety symptoms during adolescence and emerging adulthood. MethodsParticipants (n = 870; 54% female; 59% non-Hispanic White; Mage = 16.10, SD = 0.71) were administered surveys during the spring of 2007, 2008, and 2009, and 2014. ResultsFit indices from parallel process growth mixture models suggested three dual trajectory classes: (1) Low initial levels of maternal problem drinking and paternal problem drinking that increased over time (Low-Both); (2) Low initial levels of maternal problem drinking that increased over time and high initial levels of paternal problem drinking that increased slightly over time (Low-Mom/High-Dad); (3) High initial levels of maternal problem drinking that increased slightly over time and low initial levels of paternal problem drinking that remained relatively stable over time (High-Mom/Low-Dad). Girls were more likely than boys to be classified in the Low-Mom/High-Dad and High-Mom/Low-Dad classes, relative to the Low-Both trajectory class. In addition, adolescents in the High-Mom/Low-Dad trajectory class reported the most anxiety symptoms during adolescence and emerging adulthood. LimitationsLimitations include the reliance on one informant (the adolescent/emerging adult) and the geographically limited sample (northeastern United States). ConclusionsPrevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing anxiety should consider changes in alcohol use in both the father and the mother over time. Moreover, special attention should be paid to maternal problem drinking given that it appears to be a salient risk factor for anxiety during adolescence and emerging adulthood.

Prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposures and the risk of anxiety symptoms in young adulthood: A population-based cohort study

BackgroundEpidemiological studies have linked prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposures to internalizing behaviours in children and adolescents with inconsistent findings. Dearth of epidemiological studies have investigated the associations with the risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety in young adulthood. MethodsStudy participants (N = 1190) were from the Raine Study, a population-based prospective birth cohort based in Perth, Western Australia. Data on prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposures were available for the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Experiencing symptoms of anxiety in young adulthood at age 20 years was measured by a short form of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21). Relative risk (RR) of experiencing symptoms of anxiety in young adulthood for prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposures were estimated with log binomial regression. ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, we observed increased risks of experiencing symptoms of anxiety in young adults exposed to prenatal tobacco in the first trimester [RR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.12–2.06, p-value < 0.01] and third trimester [RR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.10–2.13, p-value = 0.02]. However, we found insufficient statistical evidence for an association between first trimester [RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.76–1.22, p-value = 0.90] and third trimester [RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.80–1.34, p-value = 0.91] prenatal exposure to alcohol and the risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety in young adults. There was a dose response association between prenatal tobacco exposure and increasing anxiety symptoms in offspring. ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that an association between prenatal tobacco exposure and risk of anxiety symptoms remains apparent into young adulthood.

Intergenerational transmission of parental neuroticism to emotional problems in 8-year-old children: Genetic and environmental influences.

Children of parents with high levels of neuroticism tend to have high neuroticism themselves as well as increased risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is not yet clear how much of this link is attributable to a potential effect of parent on child (e.g., via a socializing effect) versus to shared genetic risk. We aimed to determine whether there is an intergenerational association after accounting for genetic transmission and assortative mating. We used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study including 11,088 sibling pairs in the parental generation, their partners (N=22,176) and their offspring (N=26,091). Exposures were maternal and paternal neuroticism (self-reported), and the outcomes were neuroticism, symptoms of depression, and symptoms of anxiety in 8-year-old children (mother-reported). After accounting for assortative mating in parents (phenotypic r=0.26) and genetic transmission (explaining 0%-18% of the mother-offspring correlations), potential maternal effects explained 80% (95% CI=47-95) of the association with offspring neuroticism (mother-child r=0.31), 78% (95% CI=66-89) of the association with offspring depressive symptoms (r=0.31), and 98% (95% CI=45-112) of the association with offspring anxiety symptoms (r=0.16). Intergenerational transmission of genetic variants associated with paternal neuroticism accounted for ∼40% (CI=22%-58%) of the father-offspring correlations with neuroticism and symptoms of depression (r=0.13 and 0.13, respectively) but none with offspring symptoms of anxiety (r=0.05). The remaining father-offspring correlations were explained by maternal influences through assortative mating. These results are consistent with direct effects between maternal and offspring neuroticism and between maternal neuroticism and offspring symptoms of anxiety and depression. Further understanding of these intergenerational processes will require an adequate model of how these constructs (neuroticism, anxiety and depression) relate to each other within generations.

Maternal immune activation generates anxiety in offspring: A translational meta-analysis

AimsMaternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is recognized as an etiological risk factor for various psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and autism. Prenatal immune challenge may serve as a “disease primer” into an altered trajectory of fetal brain development that, in combination with other genetic and environmental factors, may ultimately result in the emergence of different psychiatric conditions. However, the association between MIA and the offspring's chances of developing anxiety disorders is less clear. To examine the effect of MIA on offspring anxiety, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the preclinical literature was conducted.MethodA systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library electronic databases was performed using the PRISMA and WHO methodologies for systematic reviews. Studies that investigated if MIA during rodent's pregnancy could cause anxiety symptoms in offspring were included.ResultOverall, the meta-analysis showed that MIA induced anxiety behavior in offspring. The studies provide strong evidence that prenatal immune activation impacts specific molecular targets, synapse formation and function, and a disbalance in neurotransmission that could be related to the generation of offspring anxiety. Future research should further explore the role of MIA in anxiety endophenotypes.ConclusionAccording to this meta-analysis, MIA plays an important role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of anxiety disorders and provides a promising therapeutic target.

Intergenerational Transmission of Parental Neuroticism to Emotional Problems in 8-Year Old Children: Genetic and Environmental Mechanisms

Background: Children of parents with high levels of neuroticism tend to have high neuroticism themselves, as well as increased risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is not yet clear how much of this link is attributable to a potential effect of parent on child (e.g., via a socializing effect) vs. to shared genetic risk. Methods: This study is based on data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. We used data from 11,088 sibling pairs in the parental generation, their partners (N= 22,176), and their offspring (N=26,091). Exposures were maternal and paternal neuroticism (self-reported), and the outcomes were neuroticism, symptoms of depression, and symptoms of anxiety in 8-year-old children (mother-reported). Outcomes: After accounting for assortative mating in parents (phenotypic r=0.26), genetic transmission of maternal neuroticism accounted for 16% of the correlation with offspring neuroticism (mother-child r=0.31), 18% of the association with offspring depressive symptoms (r=0.31), and 0% of the association with offspring anxiety symptoms (r=0.16). Intergenerational transmission of genes associated with paternal neuroticism accounted for ~40% of the father-offspring correlations with neuroticism and symptoms of depression (r=0.13 and 0.13, respectively) but none with offspring symptoms of anxiety (r=0.05). The remaining father-offspring correlations was explained by maternal influences through assortative mating. Interpretations: These results are consistent with direct effects between maternal and offspring neuroticism and between maternal neuroticism and offspring symptoms of anxiety and depression, suggesting that interventions targeted at family functioning could benefit the children. Funding Statement: This work was supported by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) (262177). E.M.E. and L.C.G. were funded by the RCN (262177). E.Y. was funded by the RCN (288083 and 262177). A.H. was supported by the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority (2018059 and 2020022). T.A.McA. was supported by a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, jointly funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society (107706/Z/15/Z) and the RCN (288083). L.J.H. was supported by funding from the SouthEastern Norway Regional Health Authority (2018058). F.A.T. was supported by the RCN (300668). This work was partly supported by the RCN through its Centres of Excellence funding scheme, project number 262700. Declaration of Interests: The authors have declared that they have no competing or potential conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The establishment of MoBa and initial data collection was based on a license from the Norwegian Data protection agency and approval from The Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics. The MoBa cohort is based on regulations based on the Norwegian Health Registry Act. The current study was approved by The Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics.

Your Fear is My Fear: The Relationship Between Parental and Offspring Anxieties

Contrary to the well-documented link between parental and offspring clinical anxiety, little is known about the relationship between parental everyday-life anxieties (e.g., concerning family, finances, health) and offspring anxieties. To close this gap, we assessed the frequency of parental symptoms of DSM-IV anxiety disorders and everyday-life anxieties, as well as the frequency of offspring anxiety symptoms in a representative sample by self-report. Parents reported that 48.4% of the children were free of specific symptoms of DSM-IV anxiety disorders within the last 12 months, 39.2% showed low symptom load (1–3 symptoms) and 12.4% were moderately or severely strained (4–10 symptoms). Replicating previous studies, parental DSM-IV symptoms increased offspring risk for the same symptoms. In addition, parental everyday-life anxieties showed a positive relationship with offspring symptom severity. Demographic variables (female sex, low socioeconomic status and younger age) and parental anxiety markers explained 18% of variance in offspring symptom severity. The data are discussed in light of current models of familial transmission.

The role of prenatal maternal stress in the development of childhood anxiety symptomatology: The QF2011 Queensland Flood Study.

It is possible that findings suggesting a link between prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) and anxiety symptoms in offspring are confounded by postnatal and/or shared mother-child heritability effects. Following exposure to a natural disaster, the Queensland Flood Study investigated the unique and additive effects of various types of disaster-related PNMS (objective hardship, cognitive appraisal, and subjective distress) on childhood anxiety symptomatology (internalizing and/or anxiety symptom measures). Timing of flood exposure during pregnancy and child sex were examined as potential moderators. After controlling for maternal psychosocial factors, greater objective hardship as a result of the floods was significantly associated with greater anxiety symptoms (N = 114) and marginally associated with greater internalizing behaviors (N = 115). Earlier timing of the flood in pregnancy was associated with greater anxiety symptoms. No such associations were found between any PNMS measure and teacher-rated child internalizing behaviors (N = 90). Sex and timing did not moderate associations. Our findings suggest that, in isolation, increased maternal hardship due to exposure to an independent stressor, during pregnancy, may have a programming effect on childhood anxiety symptoms.

Association of Anxiety Symptoms in Offspring of Bipolar Parents with Serotonin Transporter-Linked Polymorphic Region (5-HTTLPR) Genotype

Offspring of parents with bipolar disorder (BD) have been shown to be at high risk for BD. Anxiety symptoms, even at subclinical levels, have been associated with increased risk for BD in these youth. The s-allele of the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of both BD and anxiety disorders and has been associated with pharmacological treatment response and increased risk for antidepressant side effects. Therefore, we aimed to explore 1) whether anxiety symptoms in offspring of BD parents were associated with presence of the 5-HTTLPR s-allele and 2) whether anxiety symptoms in the offspring of BD parents according to the 5-HTTLPR genotypes are related to antianxiety medication status. A total of 64 offspring of BD parents (mean age: 13.7 years) and 51 healthy controls (HC) (mean age: 13.7 years) were compared genetically and on the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC). Offspring of BD parents showed higher levels of overall anxiety than did the HC group. Only antianxiety medication naïve offspring of BD parents were found to have an association between 5-HTTLPR genotypes and anxiety symptoms. The antianxiety medication naïve offspring of BD parents with the s-allele showed higher level of overall anxiety than offspring of BD parents with the l/l genotype. No significant differences in anxiety symptoms or their association with the 5-HTTLPR genotype were found in the HC group. This study indicated that there may be an association between 5-HTTLPR genotypes and anxiety symptoms in offspring of BD parents, and that antianxiety medication status may affect anxiety symptoms in the offspring of BD patients according to genotype.