Prediktorer för internaliserande besvär hos barn med eller utan neuropsykiatriska tillstånd : I vilken utsträckning gäller kända risk- och skyddsfaktorer?

Sammanfattning: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD[1]) such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder have high heritability and are often comorbid with each other and with internalizing disorders such as depression. Though there are known risk and protective factors for internalizing disorders, it is not clear to which extent these apply for children with NDD. The present study used a cohort of 174 children from twin studies, who participated in studies at both nine and fifteen years old, to investigate predictors of internalizing disorders. Due to a low degree of variability in protective factors such as parental and peer relationships, the study was directed towards risk factors: parents’ history of internalizing disorders, NDD diagnosis, and (female) gender. Internalizing symptoms were assessed using the self-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds of scoring above the SDQ cutoff value for high internalizing symptoms at age 15. Female gender was the strongest predictor, regardless of having an NDD diagnosis. No significant effects were found among the other predictors. Possible reasons for this are proposed in relation to both theory and method. Lastly, thoughts and suggestions regarding difficulties and possibilities in studying twins, high heritability conditions, and environmental protective factors are discussed.