Investigating the neurodevelopmental correlates of early adolescent-onset emotional problems

Dennison, Charlotte A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7493-2041, Shakeshaft, Amy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1412-5413, Eyre, Olga, Tilling, Kate, Rice, Frances ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9484-1729 and Thapar, Anita ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3689-737X 2024. Investigating the neurodevelopmental correlates of early adolescent-onset emotional problems. Journal of Affective Disorders 364 , pp. 212-220. 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.008

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Abstract

Background Emotional problems (EPs) increase sharply after mid-adolescence. Earlier EPs are associated with poorer long-term outcomes, and their underlying mechanisms may differ to later-onset EPs. Given an established relationship between ADHD, autism, and later depression, we aimed to examine associations between neurodevelopmental conditions and correlates and early adolescent-onset EPs. Methods Adolescents in two UK population cohorts, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), were included. Individuals scoring >6 on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) emotional problems subscale between ages 11–14 were defined as having early adolescent-onset EP, whilst those scoring >6 for the first time at 16–25 were defined as having later-onset EP. We tested associations between early adolescent-onset EP (total cases = 887, controls = 19,582) and ICD-10/DSM-5 neurodevelopmental conditions and known correlates, including: sex, birth complications, low cognitive ability, special educational needs (SEND), and epilepsy. Analyses were conducted separately in ALSPAC and MCS then meta-analysed. Results In the meta-analysis of both cohorts, early adolescent-onset EPs were associated with female sex and greater likelihood of low cognitive ability, SEND, autism, ADHD, and reading difficulties. Compared to later-onset EP, early adolescent-onset EPs were associated with male sex, low cognitive ability, SEND, epilepsy, ASD, ADHD, and reading difficulties. Limitations A clinical definition of depression/anxiety was available only in ALSPAC, instead we primarily defined EP via questionnaires, which capture a broader phenotype. Conclusions Individuals with early adolescent-onset EP are likely to have a co-occurring neurodevelopmental condition. Clinicians should consider assessing for neurodevelopmental conditions in young adolescents with EPs.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Professional Services > Advanced Research Computing @ Cardiff (ARCCA) Research Institutes & Centres > MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG) Schools > Medicine
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0165-0327
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	14 August 2024
Date of Acceptance:	9 August 2024
Last Modified:	06 Jun 2025 10:48
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171391

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