Behavioural difficulties in early childhood and risk of adolescent injury

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate long-term associations between early childhood hyperactivity and conduct problems (CP), measured using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and risk of injury in early adolescence.DesignData linkage between a longitudinal birth cohort and routinely collected electronic health records.SettingConsenting Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) participants residing in Wales and Scotland.Patients3119 children who participated in the age 5 MCS interview.Main outcome measuresChildren with parent-reported SDQ scores were linked with hospital admission and Accident & Emergency (A&E) department records for injuries between ages 9 and 14 years. Negative binomial regression models adjusting for number of people in the household, lone parent, residential area, household poverty, maternal age and academic qualification, child sex, physical activity level and country of interview were fitted in the models.Results46% of children attended A&E or were admitted to hospital for injury, and 11% had high/abnormal scores for hyperactivity and CP. High/abnormal or borderline hyperactivity were not significantly associated with risk of injury, incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% CI of the high/abnormal and borderline were 0.92 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.14) and 1.16 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.52), respectively. Children with borderline CP had higher injury rates compared with those without CP (IRR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.57).ConclusionsChildren with high/abnormal hyperactivity or CP scores were not at increased risk of injury; however, those with borderline CP had higher injury rates. Further research is needed to understand if those with difficulties receive treatment and support, which may reduce the likelihood of injuries.

Parental Styles and Parental Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Challenging Behavior Problems Among Children in Israel

“…For example, behavioral problems affect preschool children's psychosocial functioning, their school performance, and later occupational functioning (Ogundele, 2018). Furthermore, many preschool children who are diagnosed with behavioral problems have a high risk of later developing antisocial behavior and substance abuse (Bradley & Mandell, 2005), an increased risk of injury (Bandyopadhyay et al, 2019), and lower school attendance rates (Lawrence et al, 2019). Prior research has demonstrated the persistent nature of symptoms of behavioral problems throughout childhood and has suggested the utility of early assessment and diagnosis (Keenan et al, 2007;Keenan & Wakschlag, 2004).…”

24 Predictors of injury among young children in New Zealand

“…343,344 But other authors have reported only significant effects among those with a borderline diagnosis, likely due to those with difficulties receiving treatment and support, which may reduce the likelihood of injuries. 345 The present study identified higher cognitive scores and increased screen time as protective factors from injury after adjusting for all the significant factors in the model, even though the magnitude was low. In addition to the unfavourable cognitive and psychosocial effects of excessive screen time, it might also adversely impact the level of physical activity leading to a sedentary lifestyle and obesity and lack of active exploration.…”

The Underlying Mechanisms in the Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury in Childhood and Conduct Disorder Symptoms in Late Adolescence

“…Despite these limitations, the ALSPAC cohort design still presented with strengths such as the inclusion of early conduct disorder effects as a confounder. As conduct disorder in early life increases the risk of subsequently developing TBI (Bandyopadhyay et al, 2020), controlling for early conduct disorder effects allowed the present study to determine that conduct disorder symptoms in late adolescence was indeed due TBI during childhood. This is particularly important when exploring underlying mechanisms of a developmental pathway (Kwok et al, 2008).…”