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A multiple-risk interaction model: Effects of temperament and divorce on psychiatric disorders in children

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Abstract

Effects of family status on the trajectory of problematic temperament-adjustment at 1 to 10 years of age and associated psychiatric disturbance 8 years later were examined in an epidemiological sample of 648 children. After adjusting for predivorce temperament-adjustment and background factors, logistic regression yielded independent effects of single custodial mother (SCM) family status for increased risk of disruptive and anxiety disorders, and of stepfamily status for increased risk of disruptive disorders. Increased risk of psychiatric disorders was more pervasive for SCM family boys versus intact family boys than for SCM family girls versus intact family girls, however only significantly more so for depression. No significant sex interaction was observed for stepfamily status. When girls and boys were treated independently, patterns of family status and outcomes of internalizing disorders varied. In stepfamilies, an elevated risk of depression and anxiety disorders was observed in girls but not boys, whereas in SCM families an elevated risk of depression was observed in boys but not girls. Within each family status group there was support for an altered risk of later psychiatric disorders given specific problematic predivorce temperament-adjustment characteristics. Implications for future research and treatment are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 10032, New York, New York, USA

    Stephanie Kasen & Patricia Cohen

  2. School of Public Health, Columbia University, 10032, New York, New York, USA

    Patricia Cohen

  3. Department of Epidemiology of Mental Disorders—Unit 47, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 722 West 168th Street, 10032, New York, New York, USA

    Stephanie Kasen, Patricia Cohen & Claudia Hartmark

  4. Department of Community Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 10029, New York, New York, USA

    Judith S. Brook

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The research described was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and by the W. T. Grant Foundation.

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Kasen, S., Cohen, P., Brook, J.S. et al. A multiple-risk interaction model: Effects of temperament and divorce on psychiatric disorders in children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 24, 121–150 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01441481

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