Distinct trajectories of separation anxiety in the preschool years: Persistence at school entry and early-life associated factors

Battaglia, M., Touchette, É, Garon-Carrier, G., Dionne, G., Côté, S. M., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R. E. et Boivin, M. (2016). Distinct trajectories of separation anxiety in the preschool years: Persistence at school entry and early-life associated factors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 57 (1). pp. 39-46. ISSN 0021-9630 DOI 10.1111/jcpp.12424

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Résumé

Background Little is known about how children differ in the onset and evolution of separation anxiety (SA) symptoms during the preschool years, and how SA develops into separation anxiety disorder. In a large, representative population-based sample, we investigated the developmental trajectories of SA symptoms from infancy to school entry, their early associated risk factors, and their associations with teachers' ratings of SA in kindergarten. Methods Longitudinal assessment of SA trajectories and risk factors in a cohort of 1,933 families between the ages of 1.5 and 6 years. Results Analyses revealed a best-fitting, 4-trajectory solution, including a prevailing, unaffected Low-Persistent group (60.2%), and three smaller groups of distinct developmental course: a High-Increasing (6.9%), a High-Decreasing (10.8%), and a Low-Increasing group (22.1%). The High-Increasing group remained high throughout the preschool years and was the only trajectory to predict teacher-assessed SA at age 6 years. Except for the High-Increasing, all trajectories showed substantial reduction in symptoms by age 6 years. The High-Increasing and High-Decreasing groups shared several early risk factors, but the former was uniquely associated with higher maternal depression, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and parental unemployment. Conclusions Most children with high SA profile at age 1.5 years are expected to progressively recover by age 4-5. High SA at age 1.5 that persists over time deserves special attention, and may predict separation anxiety disorder. A host of child perinatal, parental and family-contextual risk factors were associated with the onset and developmental course of SA across the preschool years. © 2015 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Type de document:	Article
Mots-clés libres:	development internalising disorders risk factors Separation anxiety trajectories
Date de dépôt:	09 juill. 2019 14:21
Dernière modification:	30 juill. 2019 20:03
Version du document déposé:	Post-print (version corrigée et acceptée)
URI:	https://depot-e.uqtr.ca/id/eprint/8783

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