Gender-related pathways for behavior problems in the offspring of alcoholic fathers
Braz. j. med. biol. res
; 39(5): 659-669, May 2006. tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-425784
Responsible library:
BR1.1
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.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
/
SDG3 -Target 3.5 Prevention and treatment of consumption of psychoactive substances
Health problem:
Target 3.5: Prevention and treatment of consumption of psychoactive substances
/
Alcohol
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Child Behavior Disorders
/
Child of Impaired Parents
/
Alcoholism
/
Father-Child Relations
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Internal-External Control
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Risk factors
Aspects:
Social determinants of health
Limits:
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. med. biol. res
Journal subject:
Biology
/
Medicine
Year:
2006
Document type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Brazil
/
Germany
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
/
University of Heidelberg/DE