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The Family Environment and Developmental Psychopathology: The Unique and Interactive Effects of Depression, Attention, and Conduct Problems

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Abstract

Prior studies have found remarkable similarity in the family characteristics across a wide range of child psychopathologies. This study investigated the unique relationships between symptoms of depression, conduct problems/aggression, and inattention/hyperactivity and characteristics of the family environment. Parents and teachers completed multiple behavioral, emotional, and family measures to describe the characteristics of a community sample of 362 children. Results indicated that depression and conduct problems/aggression symptoms were uniquely associated with specific family environments. Both symptom clusters predicted family environments marked by less cohesiveness and intellectual/cultural pursuits and greater conflict. Depression alone was related to less expressiveness, independence, and activity, and to higher levels of control. Inattention/hyperactivity was not uniquely related to any aspect of family environment when controlling for depression and conduct/aggression problems, nor were combinations of symptoms. Findings are discussed with regard to implications for understanding clinical presentations, comorbidity, and treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 N. Wolfe Street, CMSC 313, Baltimore, MD, 21287-3325, USA

    Carrie George, Keith C. Herman & Rick Ostrander

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  1. Carrie George
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  2. Keith C. Herman
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  3. Rick Ostrander
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Correspondence to Rick Ostrander.

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George, C., Herman, K.C. & Ostrander, R. The Family Environment and Developmental Psychopathology: The Unique and Interactive Effects of Depression, Attention, and Conduct Problems. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 37, 163–177 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-006-0026-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-006-0026-5

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