ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to examine gender differences in the influence of paternal alcoholism on children's social-emotional development and to determine whether paternal alcoholism is associated with a greater number of externalizing symptoms in the male offspring. From the Mannheim Study of Risk Children, an ongoing longitudinal study of a high-risk population, the developmental data of 219 children [193 (95 boys and 98 girls) of non-alcoholic fathers, non-COAs, and 26 (14 boys, 12 girls) of alcoholic fathers, COAs] were analyzed from birth to the age of 11 years. Paternal alcoholism was defined according to the ICD-10 categories of alcohol dependence and harmful use. Socio-demographic data, cognitive development, number and severity of behavior problems, and gender-related differences in the rates of externalizing and internalizing symptoms were assessed using standardized instruments (IQ tests, Child Behavior Checklist questionnaire and diagnostic interviews). The general linear model analysis revealed a significant overall effect of paternal alcoholism on the number of child psychiatric problems (F = 21.872, d.f. = 1.217, P < 0.001). Beginning at age 2, significantly higher numbers of externalizing symptoms were observed among COAs. In female COAs, a pattern similar to that of the male COAs emerged, with the predominance of delinquent and aggressive behavior. Unlike male COAs, females showed an increase of internalizing symptoms up to age 11 years. Of these, somatic complaints revealed the strongest discriminating effect in 11-year-old females. Children of alcoholic fathers are at high risk for psychopathology. Gender-related differences seem to exist and may contribute to different phenotypes during development from early childhood to adolescence.
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Male , Alcoholism/psychology , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child of Impaired Parents/psychology , Father-Child Relations , Internal-External Control , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Epidemiologic Methods , Personality Development , Phenotype , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Este trabalho trata da investigacao dos registros medicos de todos os adolescentes hospitalizados no Departamento de Psiquiatria infantil e de adolescentes com o diagnostico de esquizofrenia ou psicose esquizoafetiva (DSM-IV) associado ao uso e abuso de drogas ilicitas...